NBA News & Fantasy Basketball Notes 4/27

Apr 27th 2024

Ryan Schwepfinger

Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.

Key NBA News to Watch

  • Anthony Davis (wrist) — In

Follow us on Twitter at @Underdog__NBA for notifications.

Cleveland Cavaliers News

Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

  • Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) — Out

  • Dean Wade (knee) — Injured

  • Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured

Orlando Magic News

Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.

Oklahoma City Thunder News

Confirmed Lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren

New Orleans Pelicans News

Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy III, Jonas Valanciunas

  • Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle) — Out

  • Zion Williamson (hamstring) — Injured

Larry Nance Jr. is not on the Pelicans' injury report for Game 3. He suffered a right ankle injury in Game 2 that coach Green said would lead to the big man receiving some tests, but Nance Jr. fully practiced Friday and is good to go for Saturday. Nance Jr. played 14 minutes in Game 2 after 19 in Game 1. One of the bigger lineup questions for New Orleans is Nance Jr.'s balance against that of starter Valanciunas, who has a notoriously short leash and has played 26.0 minutes per game through the first two contests of the series.

Boston Celtics News

Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis

  • Luke Kornet (calf) — Available

Kornet has been upgraded to probable ahead of Saturday's Game 3. He missed the first two games of the series with a strained right calf and is the only Celtic on the injury report. Boston has exclusively run an eight-man rotation with Al Horford as backup center in the first two games of the series, so there may not be any playing time available for Kornet even if he is available to play.

Miami Heat News

Confirmed Lineup: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo

  • Delon Wright (personal) — Out

  • Jimmy Butler (knee) — Injured

  • Terry Rozier (neck) — Injured

  • Josh Richardson (shoulder) — Out for season

Wright is questionable for Game 3 due to personal reasons. He has been coach Spoelstra's backup guard of choice through the first two games, as he's averaged 23.0 minutes per outing. Patty Mills has not been in the postseason rotation, but that could change if Wright misses out in this game. Duncan Robinson has also had limited minutes as he's managed a back injury; it's possible that he could step into a larger role if Wright were out.

Denver Nuggets News

Confirmed Lineup: Jamal Murray, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Nikola Jokic

  • Reggie Jackson (ankle) — Available

  • Vlatko Cancar (knee) — Injured

Jackson was spotted in a walking boot and on crutches Friday. He suffered a sprained left ankle during Thursday's win and didn't return. That doesn't bode well for his potential availability ahead of Game 4 on Saturday even though he's officially listed questionable. Coach Malone will likely shrink the rotation to eight players in Jackson's likely absence, with Peyton Watson, Christian Braun, and Justin Holiday seeing expanded roles.

Los Angeles Lakers News

Confirmed Lineup: D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, LeBron James, Anthony Davis

  • Anthony Davis (wrist) — In

  • Christian Wood (knee) — Available

  • Jarred Vanderbilt (foot) — Out

  • Cam Reddish (ankle) — Out

  • Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) — Injured

Davis' inclusion on the injury report as questionable with a sprained left wrist is of some concern for the Lakers. He suffered the injury during Game 3's loss early in the third quarter after an aggressive drive to the rim. He briefly was spotted shaking and holding his left hand, but stayed in the game and didn't appear noticeably limited in any way after the play. He'll likely suit up for Saturday's elimination game, but it's worth monitoring as a new ailment. Jaxson Hayes would likely start if Davis were to be downgraded, but Wood's upgrade to questionable is also notable.