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
Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) — In
Jarrett Allen (rib) — Out
Dean Wade (knee) — Available
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Confirmed Lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren
Mark Daigneault continues to play the deepest rotation of any team in the playoffs, with nine players totaling 14 or more minutes in Game 2. The Thunder lead all eight remaining teams in the postseason at 76.4 bench minutes per game. That figure might only continue to increase if Giddey remains in the starting lineup. After playing 17 minutes in Game 1, his total decreased to just 11 in Game 2, as Daigneault has favored Cason Wallace and Aaron Wiggins for matchup purposes.
Confirmed Lineup: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Derrick Jones Jr., PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford
Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) — In
Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) — Out
Maxi Kleber (shoulder) — Injured
While Doncic producing more like the superstar that he is (29 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in Game 2) was huge for Dallas in their Game 2 win, there is a small concern with his questionable listing due to a sore left ankle and a sprained right knee. He had previously been listed as probable with the knee issue for the last handful of games.
PJ Washington's explosion (29 points and 11 rebounds) in Game 2 was another big development for the Mavericks. With Oklahoma City's elite on-ball defenders doing their best to slow Irving, Dallas will need to find other ways to support Doncic offensively. Washington was in foul trouble for a good portion of Game 1, but played 40 minutes in Game 2 before fouling out. His ability to produce at this level (and stay on the court) could make the difference for the Mavericks.
Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) — Injured
For the second consecutive series, the Celtics dropped Game 2 at home despite being heavy favorites. One common thread between Game 2 of the first round against Miami and Thursday's Game 2 against Cleveland is the three-point shooting by the opposition. The Heat shot 53.5% from distance in their lone victory of the series, while Cleveland shot 46.4% from three-point territory on Thursday.
During the five Celtics postseason victories this campaign, they held their opponents to 44-for-169 shooting from three (26.0%). In their two losses, Boston's opponents are connecting at a 36-for-71 clip from range (50.7%). For the 2024 season, the Cavaliers shot 36.7% from three.
Confirmed Lineup: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro, Evan Mobley
Jarrett Allen (rib) — Out
Dean Wade (knee) — Available
Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) — Out
Ty Jerome (ankle) — Injured
While Cleveland certainly benefitted from an above-average shooting game in their Game 2 win over Boston, one other huge factor was the emergence of Mobley's offensive game. He scored 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting Thursday, setting a new personal single-game high for these playoffs. Additionally, Caris LeVert provided a much-needed bench spark, totaling 21 points and six rebounds. The Cavaliers, as a team, had only averaged 18.3 bench points per game in the playoffs coming into Thursday's Game 2.
Mitchell (29.2 points per game in the playoffs) will need offensive support like this to continue if Cleveland is going to have a chance at upsetting Boston. Cleveland might also get a key defensive boost if Wade is able to return. While it's hard to imagine him supplanting Okoro in the starting lineup after a long layoff (he hasn't played since March 8), he had the best individual defensive rating (103.5) and net rating (8.3) on the Cavs during the regular season. On March 5, Wade memorably ripped the Celtics for 23 bench points, including 20 in the fourth quarter, as part of a comeback win.