Injury Notes: Gordon, Hyland, Wagner, Isaac, Huerter, Hart
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is listed as questionable in the official injury report for Thursday’s Game 6 at Minnesota. Gordon wasn’t available for Games 3 and 5, but he managed to play through the pain caused by tightness in his left calf and logged 23 minutes in Saturday’s Game 4.
Tomorrow will be another must-win for Denver, which trails 3-2 in the series. Coach David Adelman talked to reporters, including Bennett Durando of The Denver Post (Twitter link), about what will go into making the decision on Gordon’s availability.
“I though Aaron in the first half (of Game 4) was very different from Aaron in the second half,” Adelman said. “And I know in both halves, he wasn’t moving great. So I’m not saying he looked great the first half. But I thought his mobility, the way he guarded (Julius) Randle in the post, we need that. I thought in the second half, you could see the wear and tear. Not to mention, for me, one of the hardest parts of a guy like that is you’ve gotta get him back on the court quicker (after he subs out). And I think when you get to halftime, you sit there for 20 minutes, that doesn’t help anyone.
“So I’m not a doctor. I’m not a trainer. But obviously, you guys could see it. I could see it. There’s a point where it’s not good for him; it’s not good for the team. And everybody knows that Aaron wants to play. The guy’s the ultimate teammate. He’s been so good for us over the years. But we have to do what’s right for him and the team.”
Gordon and Peyton Watson, who remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, worked out after today’s walkthrough, according to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette (Twitter link).
Other than Donte DiVincenzo and Anthony Edwards, who both suffered serious injuries on Saturday, the only player listed on the Timberwolves‘ injury report is Bones Hyland, who is questionable due to left knee soreness.
We have a few more injury-related updates from around the league:
- Magic forward Franz Wagner, who was ruled out of tonight’s Game 5 with a calf strain, offered an update on his condition, per Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).“I hate to miss any game, especially in this situation,” Wagner said. “But I think there are things that are really important. Obviously, we know the history of other guys that have gotten hurt. So like I said, you’ve got to be careful with this kind of injury.” Wagner had his right foot in a boot as he spoke with the media, adds Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link). Jamal Cain took Wagner’s place in the starting lineup.
- The Magic are also missing backup big man Jonathan Isaac, who’s out with a left knee sprain, per Marc Stein of the Stein Line (Twitter link).
- The Pistons are playing tonight without Kevin Huerter, who’s sidelined with a left adductor strain, relays Hunter Patterson of The Athletic (Twitter link).
- The Knicks are listing Josh Hart as questionable for Thursday’s Game 6 with a lower back contusion, tweets Fred Katz of The Athletic.
Knicks Notes: Brunson, Towns, Anunoby, Alvarado
A change in strategy by the Hawks set up Jalen Brunson for his best performance of the series in Tuesday’s Game 5, writes Vincent Goodwill of ESPN. Coach Quin Snyder opted to switch Dyson Daniels onto Karl-Anthony Towns, who posted a triple-double on Sunday. That gave Brunson more freedom to operate, and he responded with 39 points while shooting 15-of-23 from the field as the Knicks cruised to a 29-point win.
“It’s like a chess match,” Brunson said. “If someone makes a move, you’ve got to make another move. You’ve got to wait to see what they do. The way we play, we’ve got to be ready for anything.”
Atlanta posted a pair of one-point victories in Games 2 and 3 to take the lead in the series, but New York has been dominant since then, holding the Hawks to 42.7% from the field and 27.7% from three-point range in the last two outings. CJ McCollum, who looked like the star of the series early on, was limited to six points on Tuesday.
“It’s been a multitude of things. We picked it up as a unit,” Brunson of the Knicks’ defense. “They’ve also gotten a lot of looks. and we were lucky they were missing. I think us being on the same page, both sides of the ball, was a factor.”
There’s more from New York:
- The defensive adjustment didn’t seem to bother Towns, who finished with 16 points, 14 rebounds and six assists as the Knicks ran their offense through him most of the night, observes Zach Braziller of The New York Post. Towns was able to overpower Daniels in the paint and use his size advantage to get the ball to open teammates. “I feel like passing’s been my thing since I came into the league. Sometimes the scoring gets more noticed than the passing,” Towns said. “But I’m glad I have the opportunity to show what I can do, passing-wise. I’ve just got to continue to stay disciplined, continue to make the right play, regardless if it’s the scoring play or the hockey assist.”
- OG Anunoby may be New York’s best player throughout the series, Braziller adds in a separate story. Anunoby turned in another great game with 17 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a plus-19 rating, and his teammates are recognizing the contribution he’s making every night. “He’s one of the best two-way players in the NBA,” Towns said. “This series has been great for him to show the world on a big stage something that we always thought he was. When you have someone like that who is that good offensively and even better defensively, weirdly enough, it’s special. I believe he’s going to be First Team All-Defense, and he deserves it.”
- After not playing in the series opener, Jose Alvarado has worked his way back into the rotation, per Jared Schwartz of The New York Post. He came off the bench to score 12 points in 12 minutes in Game 5 and helped the Knicks pull away early in the second quarter. Schwartz notes that Alvarado’s latest chance came after guards Landry Shamet and Miles McBride struggled earlier in the series.
Franz Wagner Has Calf Strain, Will Miss Game 5
4:36 pm: Magic coach Jamahl Mosley confirmed that Wagner won’t be available for the game, according to Hunter Patterson of The Athletic (Twitter link). Mosley adds that he’s not sure if there’s a timeline for Wagner’s return, and his status will depend on how he responds to treatment (Twitter link).
April 29, 10:06 am: Wagner attended the Magic’s shootaround on Wednesday morning but didn’t participate, a team official tells Josh Robbins of The Athletic (Twitter link).
According to Jason Beede of The Orlando Sentinel (Twitter link), Magic forward Paolo Banchero told reporters after the shootaround that the team isn’t expecting Wagner to be active for Game 5.
April 28, 1:35 pm: Magic forward Franz Wagner, who underwent an MRI on Tuesday after exiting Monday’s game due to calf tightness, has been diagnosed with a right calf strain, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania, Wagner’s status for Game 5 of the series is up in the air and will depend on his response to treatment. The Magic have confirmed Charania’s reporting and indicated the 24-year-old will be listed as questionable for Wednesday’s contest (Twitter link).
The fact that Wagner hasn’t already been ruled out for Wednesday’s game is a positive sign for Orlando and suggests that the strain must be a mild one. Still, even a Grade 1 strain typically causes players to miss at least a week or so, so it would be a bit of a surprise if Wagner is active for Game 5. The Magic certainly won’t want to take their 3-1 series lead for granted against a 60-win Pistons team, but calf issues are tricky to manage and can lead to more serious injuries if they’re mishandled.
Despite sitting out the fourth quarter of Game 4, Wagner scored 19 points, matching his series high. Through four playoff games, he has averaged 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.8 steals in 30.5 minutes per night, with a .439/.333/.933 shooting line.
Reserve wing Jamal Cain was on the court for the entire fourth quarter in Wagner’s place on Monday and played a key role in the victory, acting as the primary defender on Pistons star Cade Cunningham and throwing down an emphatic highlight-reel dunk, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic details.
Based on his Game 5 usage, Cain may be the leading candidate to move into the starting lineup if Wagner sits, though Anthony Black and Tristan Da Silva also started several games during the regular season when the German forward was inactive due to an ankle injury.
Cavs’ Draft Pick Niang Headed To College
Cavaliers draft-and-stash prospect Saliou Niang is planning to play in the United States next season but not in the NBA.
Niang has decided to play Division I basketball with North Carolina and LSU in the running for his services, Alessandro Maggi of Sportando tweets.
Niang has been playing for Italy’s Virtus Bologna. The European club will receive a severance payment to allow Niang to head to the college ranks.
In 38 EuroLeague games this past season, Niang averaged 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists. The 6’6” Niang, 21, was selected with the No. 58 overall pick last year. He played in three Summer League contests, averaging 7.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.5 minutes per game.
Kerr, Warriors’ Brass Meet But Situation Remains Unresolved
It remains uncertain whether Steve Kerr will return as the Warriors head coach.
Kerr met with controlling owner Joe Lacob and general manager Mike Dunleavy for two hours on Monday but nothing was decided, ESPN’s trio of Shams Charania, Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater report. Kerr, Lacob and Dunleavy plan to reconvene next week to continue discussions. Kerr’s contract expired at the conclusion of Golden State’s season.
Both sides described the meeting as productive. Kerr will take a previously planned golf trip this week, as those around him continue to describe Kerr as torn over whether he wants to continue in his longtime job. Kerr hinted in a lengthy New Yorker interview that he’d like to keep coaching while ESPN’s Brian Windhorst stated that Kerr might have to make staff and strategic changes and accept a reduced salary to receive a new contract.
The Warriors’ lottery pick could play a role in Kerr’s decision whether to return, the ESPN trio adds. There’s a mutual belief that Kerr still makes sense as the head coach leading a playoff contender built around Stephen Curry and Draymond Geen, but not necessarily the fresh face of a rebuilt roster.
Team sources remain adamant that this is purely a “basketball decision” and that the Warriors’ brass hasn’t begun a search for Kerr’s potential replacement if the two sides can’t come to an agreement.
Lakers, Bulls, Nets Among Potential Offseason Suitors For Peyton Watson
The Lakers, Bulls, and Nets are viewed as potential suitors who will have the spending flexibility to make a competitive play for Nuggets restricted free agent Peyton Watson this offseason, league sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
While Fischer’s reporting makes it sound as if Brooklyn may be included in that group is a result of informed speculation rather than confirmed interest, he says the Lakers and Bulls both expressed trade interest in Watson prior to February’s deadline.
All three teams could have have significant cap room available this summer, and Watson figures to be a popular target after enjoying a breakout season in which he averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 29.6 minutes per game on .491/.411/.730 shooting.
It’s safe to assume the Lakers will be in the market for an impact two-way wing this offseason, and the Nets are expected to try to be more competitive after losing 62 games in 2025/26, since they don’t control their own first-round pick in 2027. The Bulls’ intentions are less clear, especially since they’re currently in the midst of overhauling their front office, but no club has more projected cap space than Chicago.
Conversely, the Nuggets already have more than $201MM in guaranteed money on their 2026/27 books for just eight players, so re-signing Watson to a market-value contract would likely push their team salary well into second-apron territory unless they cut costs elsewhere.
Still, Watson won’t be unrestricted, and it has become increasingly rare in recent years for top restricted free agents to sign offer sheets or change teams. The Nuggets should have the upper hand in negotiations, with no cap rules preventing them from matching any offer from a rival team as long as they’re willing to pay the associated tax penalties.
Although the hamstring issues that have limited Watson to just five total appearances since February 4 shouldn’t have a real impact on his value in free agency, they’ve certainly been discouraging for the Nuggets, who could use the 23-year-old in their rotation as they attempt to complete a comeback from down 3-1 in the first round vs. Minnesota. Denver hasn’t offered any formal updates on Watson’s status for the rest of the series, but Fischer hears from sources that he has always been considered likely to miss the entire first round.
Warriors, Kings To Host 2026 California Classic Summer League
For the second time in three years, the Warriors and Kings will act as joint hosts of the California Classic Summer League, the two teams announced today in a pair of press releases.
The event, which serves as a smaller-scale precursor to the Las Vegas Summer League, will take place from July 3-6. While all 30 NBA teams participate in the Vegas Summer League, only a small handful will take part in the California Classic.
The Warriors’ half of the event, played at Chase Center, will feature the Spurs, Heat, and Lakers in addition to Golden State, with games played on July 3, 5, and 6. The Warriors will also have a second Summer League team taking part in the three-day Golden 1 Center event from July 4-6. The Kings, Bucks, and Nets will join Golden State for that half.
The California Classic and the Salt Lake City Summer Leagues will offer fans a first look at several rookies from the 2026 draft class before they play under a brighter spotlight in Vegas from July 9-19. Several lottery picks will likely compete in the California Classic, given that the Warriors, Kings, Nets, Bucks, and Heat all currently project to pick in the top 13 this June.
This year’s event will be the eighth annual California Classic. After the Kings hosted the first three iterations, they’ve alternated with the Warriors in recent years, with both teams taking on hosting duties in 2024 and again this year.
DeAndre Jordan Named 2025/26 Teammate Of The Year
Veteran center DeAndre Jordan appeared in just 12 games as a member of the Pelicans this season, but he has been named the 2025/26 Teammate of the Year, the NBA announced today (Twitter link).
The Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year award recognizes “the player deemed the best teammate based on selfless play, leadership as a mentor and role model to other NBA players, and commitment to his team,” per the league.
Pelicans players and interim head coach James Borrego spoke repeatedly over the course of the year about the impact that Jordan had on a young roster despite his extremely limited role.
“To see the growth of our young team, DeAndre had a massive impact on that,” Borrego said near the end of the regular season. “He brought professionalism every day. A voice every day. A respect for every drill, every practice and every moment together.”
The Teammate of the Year award isn’t voted on by media members. A panel of league executives select the 12 finalists (six from each conference) for the award, while current players vote on the winner. Players receive 10 points for a first place vote, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one point for fifth place.
Jordan just narrowly won this season’s vote ahead of Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday, who has won the award three times and was the last Pelicans player to claim it back in 2020. Jordan earned 66 first-place votes to Holiday’s 39, but the Blazers veteran nearly made up the difference by accumulating more second-, third-, fourth-, and fifth-place votes than the big man.
Here are this season’s full voting results, according to the NBA, with the player’s point total noted in parentheses:
- DeAndre Jordan, Pelicans (1,445)
- Jrue Holiday, Trail Blazers (1,437)
- Jeff Green, Rockets (1,420)
- Garrett Temple, Raptors (1,223)
- Pat Connaughton, Hornets (672)
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks (659)
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics (651)
- De’Aaron Fox, Spurs (640)
- Duncan Robinson, Pistons (523)
- Jaylin Williams, Thunder (471)
- Desmond Bane, Magic (445)
- Marcus Smart, Lakers (424)
Jordan’s win snaps a seven-year streak of a point guard being named Teammate of the Year. From 2018-25, Holiday won it three times, Mike Conley won twice, and Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry won once apiece.
Scotto’s Latest: Giannis, Magic, Mavs, Connelly, Bulls, Nori, More
The Magic expressed interest in Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of this year’s trade deadline, reports Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, confirming remarks that Kirk Goldsberry made on The Bill Simmons podcast last month. Goldsberry stated during that podcast appearance that Orlando had been “very active” in pursuing Antetokounmpo.
While Scotto doesn’t specify just how serious the Magic’s interest was, he notes that Antetokounmpo was originally drafted in Milwaukee by then-GM John Hammond, who currently serves as a senior advisor in Orlando. Hammond and Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman have long prioritized length and size when considering roster moves, Scotto adds.
It remains to be seen whether the Magic will revisit a potential Antetokounmpo trade this summer — the team’s approach to the offseason figures to hinge in part on how their playoff run ends. For what it’s worth, Scotto hears from league sources that Antetokounmpo and new Bucks head coach Taylor Jenkins are believed to have a good relationship.
Here are a few more highlights from Scotto’s latest round-up of NBA intel:
- Scotto is the latest to confirm there’s a strong belief in league circles that the Mavericks are eyeing Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly as a top candidate to run their front office. The Wolves have registered interest in locking up Connelly to a contract extension that keeps him in Minnesota for the foreseeable future, Scotto reports.
- If the Bulls end up hiring Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd to run their front office, watch out for Wolves assistant Micah Nori to emerge as a strong candidate for Chicago’s head coaching job, Scotto advises. Lloyd is rumored to be a finalist and a frontrunner to become the Bulls’ new head of basketball operations.
- The Wizards intend to promote their G League head coach, Cody Toppert, to an assistant role on Brian Keefe‘s staff for the 2026/27 season, according to Scotto. Toppert has some prior experience as an NBA assistant coach in Phoenix under Igor Kokoskov.
- As the Lakers make front office changes under new team owner Mark Walter, they’re looking to add at least one assistant general manager and possibly another high-ranking executive, per Scotto. Those execs would presumably work under president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka, who is expected to remain in his current role.
- The Pacers intend to promote director of college scouting Mike Born to help fill the void in the front office created by the departure of senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Carr earlier this year, league sources tell Scotto.
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