Tonight's five game slate gives us a few teams (Portland, Charlotte, Oklahoma City) that played last night.
Portland continues to be shorthanded due to injury, but there is now even more of an opportunity for playing time, we are looking you Mr. Chalk (Tony Snell) and emerging young guard Anfernee Simons, after the trade of Norman Powell.
LeBron James is positioned to miss another game with his knee injury and De'Aaron Fox appears to be in a similar situation with an ankle injury. Even if Fox does return, I wouldn't expect much from him after missing seven games to this point.
The highest scoring game of the night, Milwaukee at Portland, also projects to be the biggest blowout with the Bucks favored by 10.5 points. Based on the way Miami generally plays, it is a little surprising to see their matchup against Charlotte with an over/under of 227.5, but that is certainly something to keep an eye on. At 212.5, the Knicks visit to Los Angeles to face the Lakers is clearly expected to be the lowest scoring game of the night.
FD | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Chris Paul | Anfernee Simons | Tre Mann |
| SG | Malik Monk | Josh Giddey | A.J. Price |
| SF | Kyle Kuzma | Harrison Barnes | Tony Snell |
| PF | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Julius Randle | P.J. Washington |
| C | Anthony Davis | Bam Adebayo | P.J. Tucker |
DK | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Chris Paul | Anfernee Simons | Tre Mann |
| SG | Josh Giddey | Malik Monk | Ty Jerome |
| SF | Jimmy Butler | Harrison Barnes | Tony Snell |
| PF | Giannis Antetokounmpo | RJ Barrett | P.J. Tucker |
| C | Anthony Davis | Bam Adebayo | Mason Plumlee |
Y!Daily | Position | Top Tier | Mid-Tier | Value-Tier |
|---|
Player News
Tony Bradley (hip) is questionable for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
Bradley suffered a strained left hip flexor during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. While he was made available for Game 6 on Saturday, the Pacers’ backup center did not see any time, with Rick Carlisle deciding to go with Thomas Bryant as Myles Turner’s backup instead. Even if Bradley is available for Thursday’s series opener in Oklahoma City, that does not guarantee he’ll get on the court.
Pelicans lead executive Joe Dumars told NOLA.com that Zion Williamson remains a “focal point” for the franchise moving forward.
While Williamson has shown flashes of the talent many expected him to be when selected first overall in the 2019 draft, there have been availability concerns. He’s surpassed 60 games twice in six seasons in New Orleans, most recently making 30 appearances in 2024-25. Add in the off-court concerns, including Williamson being named in a recent lawsuit , and it’s fair to question his place within the Pelicans’ hierarchy. Based on his recent comments, Dumars does not appear to share those concerns. “I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together. We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations. We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the Phoenix Suns have hired Jordan Ott as their next head coach.
Ott will replace Mike Budenholzer, who was fired after just one season in Phoenix. Five of the Suns’ last six head coaches have been one-and-dones, and Ott will look to buck that trend with a successful inaugural campaign. He has experience with the Hawks, Nets, Lakers and most recently, the Cavs. According to Shams, Ott got the stamp of approval from Devin Booker, who was actively engaged in the coaching search.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Knicks have relieved Tom Thibodeau of his duties as head coach.
One year after signing a three-year extension, Thibodeau is out as head coach of the Knicks. New York had back-to-back 50-win seasons and made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years under Thibodeau, but the team is looking for a new voice to help the organization get over the hump after five years with coach Thibs. The Knicks’ pursuit of a championship for the first time since 1973 will begin this offseason with the search for a new coach.
The Suns have been aggressive in pursuit of trading Kevin Durant and regaining control of draft capital, according to Kelly Iko of the Athletic.
Since the end of the season, according to Iko, the Houston Rockets have fielded several calls from the Suns, who have gradually lowered their asking price for Durant. The Suns are interested in getting some of their first round picks back as Houston controls their first round selections in 2025, 2027 and 2029. The asking price is still not low enough for the Rockets, who aren’t keen on breaking up their young core of players for the 36-year-old small forward, casting doubt over a deal ever materializing.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Jarace Walker will miss at least Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals against the Thunder.
At the earliest, Walker could return for Game 3 on June 11. Though Walker has had some solid minutes, he hasn’t played a significant role for the Pacers in the playoffs to this point. Obi Toppin will continue to fill out the majority of the backup power forward minutes.