Sat May 4 6:00pm ET
Field Level Media
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, who has missed the past two-plus seasons with chronic knee issues, picked up his $21.3 million option for the 2024-25 season, ESPN and NBC Sports Chicago reported Saturday.
Ball, 26, has undergone three surgeries on his left knee, the last a cartilage transplant in March 2023.
Ball hasn't played in an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022, and there's no guarantee he'll be able to play next season.
The New Orleans Pelicans signed Ball to a four-year, $85 million contract in August 2021, then shipped him to the Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal. In his lone season with the Bulls, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals in just 35 games.
The NBA granted Chicago a $10.2 million injury exception for Ball last July.
In 252 career games (239 starts) over five seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2017-19), Pelicans (2019-21) and Bulls, Ball averaged 11.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals. The Lakers selected him No. 2 overall in the 2017 draft.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton had a potent postseason showing in Sunday's win over the Knicks. He logged 33 minutes, scoring 26 points while shooting 10-for-17 from the field and 6-for-12 from deep. The former King also added six dimes. Haliburton had trouble being consistently reliable for DFS managers during the series with New York. However, he did enough in Game 7 to lead his team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana will need Haliburton to remain aggressive on the offensive end to stand a chance versus the mighty Celtics. Unfortunately, he struggled versus Boston, averaging just 15.8 points in four games during the regular season, which is something fantasy participants should keep in mind come Tuesday night when the series commences.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (hand) finished with 17 points and nine assists in Sunday's loss to the Pacers. It wasn't Brunson's afternoon, with the former Villanova Wildcat going 6-for-17 from the field. Even worse, he suffered a fractured left hand in the fourth quarter and didn't return. The Knicks are now officially eliminated from the postseason. But Brunson had a fantastic season, playoffs included, and did all he could to try to get his team to the Eastern Conference Finals. Barring a setback, he should be ready to go to begin the 2024-25 campaign. The 27-year-old should also be a top-10 fantasy option in every format.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's pivotal playoff matchup against the Indiana Pacers. There were reports on Saturday morning that he would miss Game 7. However, the former Raptor was bumped to questionable in the afternoon, giving DFS managers some hope. Anunoby had played well in this series before tweaking his hamstring in Game 2. While he's a risky DFS option, there's no denying his upside.
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (hamstring) will play on Sunday against the Pacers. Hart has averaged a double-double throughout the series. He tweaked an abdominal muscle during Friday's loss, although it will take more than that to keep him off the floor for the pivotal clash with Indy. Of course, the veteran isn't fully healthy. However, DFS managers shouldn't ignore him.
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (abdomen) stated he will play in Sunday's pivotal postseason matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Hart has been instrumental in the Knicks' success throughout this series, averaging well over a double-double. Unfortunately, he suffered an abdominal strain during Friday's loss and left the contest. Of course, the veteran could be limited physically, so DFS managers will take a significant gamble by putting him in their lineups.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, New York Knicks forward Josh Hart "will attempt to play through" the abdominal strain he suffered during Friday's loss to Indiana. The 29-year-old has played a pivotal role in the Eastern Conference semifinals, averaging 13.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. Unfortunately, he was injured in Game 6 and didn't return, resulting in a questionable designation for Game 7 on Sunday. However, even if Hart is officially cleared to suit up, he won't be fully healthy, so his DFS potential is limited.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) is good to go for Saturday's matchup against the Mavericks. He's been battling knee and ankle soreness throughout the series. However, Doncic was listed on the injury report as probable, so most had assumed he'd be available. While the multi-time All-Star has struggled in the five meetings with OKC, he might turn it around, with the Mavs looking to advance to the Western Conference Finals with a win on Saturday night.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (calf) is questionable for Sunday's Conference semifinal finale versus Minnesota. This isn't Murray's first appearance on the injury report because of a nagging calf strain. But assuming he didn't suffer a setback since Thursday's loss, he'll be available. At any rate, the 27-year-old has struggled during this series, averaging 15.7 points per contest, meaning he's a risky DFS option for Game 7.
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (abdomen) is questionable for Sunday's Conference semifinal finale against Indiana. Hart has been an Iron Man throughout the series. But he strained an abdominal muscle during Friday's loss and eventually left the contest. With that said, the Knicks need anyone available to get by Indiana, so Hart will do all he can to get on the floor. If he's unavailable, it could mean even more minutes for Isaiah Hartenstein due to his offensive rebounding prowess. However, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Miles McBride should lead the way offensively, assuming OG Anunoby (hamstring) doesn't return for a pivotal Game 7.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's contest against Indiana. Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reported Saturday morning that the former Raptor won't play. However, the last edition of the injury report seems to indicate he has a shot to be in the lineup after sitting out since Game 2 because of a hamstring strain. With Josh Hart (abdomen) questionable, the Knicks need Anunoby back in the lineup. But if he can't return for Game 7, Precious Achiuwa would get more minutes and remain a hit-or-miss DFS option.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (knee, ankle) remains probable for Saturday's contest against OKC. The 25-year-old has taken a beating during the postseason. However, it will take more than ankle and knee soreness to keep him off the floor in Game 6. Doncic has struggled in this series, averaging 23.8 points, six fewer than he had in six playoff appearances versus the Los Angeles Clippers. Yet, with the Mavs looking to finish off the Thunder on Saturday night, Doncic could be incentivized to turn things around.
New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) won't play on Sunday against the Pacers. The 26-year-old began the series by amassing 13 points and nine boards in the series opener on May 6. While he scored 28 points in Game 2, he tweaked his hamstring in that contest and hasn't been available since. The Knicks are plagued by injuries across the roster, with Josh Hart injuring his abdomen in Friday's loss. Hart will likely carry an injury designation heading into the finale. But if he's also ruled out, Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo would likely see the most chances on the offensive end. There would also be room for added production from Isaiah Hartenstein, Alec Burks, Precious Achiuwa, and Miles McBride.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell has a big decision looming this offseason and it will potentially force a couple of decisions from the Cavaliers' front office at the same time. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN said that Mitchell knows he needs to make a decision and both he and his agent will meet with the team "at the right time." There isn't any word on when that time maybe, but he's eligible to sign an extension worth up to $209 million for four years. Reports say that if Mitchell decides to stay, then Darius Garland and his agents will request a trade and the Cavaliers will need to scramble to find the right supporting cast for Mitchell and Evan Mobley.
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center Evan Mobley is entering the final year of his rookie contract next season and it looks like the team is more than happy with his growth so far. According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Cavs are likely to offer Mobley a rookie scale max extension this offseason. Unfortunately, he was hit by the injury bug this past season, but still averaged 15.7 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game with shooting splits of .580/.373/.719. The 22-year-old was one of the team's best players this postseason outside of Donovan Mitchell, and their offseason seems like it could bring a shakeup to surround their core with more talent.
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels cashed in an ultra-efficient performance in Game 6, which ended in a complete blowout and a Game 7 on the horizon. McDaniels has been a defensive force for this team throughout the playoffs so far and he's thrown in a few big offensive efforts for good measure. In Game 6, McDaniels posted 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting while chipping in four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two blocks. His defensive versatility has been the biggest key to the Timberwolves' engine. McDaniels hasn't been a big offensive producer in the away games in this series, though, so he may not be the best DFS option for Game 7.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was the only one on the team to score more than 12 points in a 45-point drubbing in Game 6. The three-time MVP put up 22 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and three turnovers while shooting 9-for-19 from the floor and 0-for-4 from deep. Jokic will likely bounce back, as will the Nuggets, while they go back home for a series-deciding Game 7. With how this series has gone so far, there aren't any promises just because the game is on their home court. Jokic remains a must-play in DFS as he's likely to provide some big points even if he has an off game.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward Bruce Brown went from key piece on a championship team to bouncing around multiple teams in the matter of one season. His tenure in Toronto was shaky as he never established a role on the team and bounced between the starting lineup, bench, and injury report. As of right now, it seems that the Raptors are preparing to pickup Brown's option which is worth $23 million next season, and then look for a trade partner around the time of the NBA Draft. If they find a trade they deem valuable for Brown, then that could mean signing Gary Trent Jr. to an extension after that, according to Doug Smith of the Toronto Star.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards bounced back in a big way in Game 6 to lead the team to a 45-point win and force a Game 7. The budding superstar finished the game with 27 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one turnover while shooting 8-for-17 from the floor and 4-for-9 from downtown. With the series shifting back to Denver, it's worth pointing out that he's only had one subpar game there so far in this series. In Games 1 and 2, Edwards scored 43 and 27 points respectively while shooting no worse than 58% overall.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (calf) is set to play in Game 6 versus the Denver Nuggets. The starting point guard missed Game 5 of the series and was originally listed as questionable with a right soleus strain, however, he appears healthy enough to suit up as Minnesota faces elimination. Nickeil Alexander-Walker filled in for the veteran in Game 5, but will likely revert to his role off the bench. Conley has played a valuable role in the Timberwolves' success this postseason, averaging 11.3 PPG and 7.0 ASG.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Josh Giddey led the second unit with 11 points in Wednesday's 104-92 loss to the Mavericks. Giddey has struggled in the series, and Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault dropped him on the bench for Game 5 in favor of Isaiah Joe. The move worked out well for Giddey, as he enjoyed his best outing of the series, adding three rebounds and two assists to his tally with 5-for-8 shooting across 12 minutes. However, with the team losing and now 3-2 behind in the series, Daigneault might be forced to make further adjustments. Joe had a quiet outing with six points. The lineup change also resulted in Cason Wallace logging a playoff career-high 27 minutes off the bench. He couldn't get going either, shooting 1-for-7 to finish with three points.