Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (hip) is considered questionable for Friday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Orlando Magic. Charlotte may be without its starting center for the win-or-go-home game, as Diabate has landed on the injury report with a sore left hip. The 24-year-old is coming off an eight-point, 14-rebound effort in Tuesday's win over Miami. If Diabate can't get on the floor on Friday, Ryan Kalkbrenner and Grant Williams are likely to get the bulk of the work at center. Xavier Tillman may also enter the rotation.

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's Play-In Tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. He hasn't seen any action for more than a month due to a left knee sprain. Isaac was also questionable for Wednesday's tilt against Philadelphia before he was ultimately ruled out. During the regular season, Isaac averaged only 10.0 minutes across 52 games, so he isn't a major loss for the Magic.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) is not expected to play at the start of the team's first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. He underwent a successful appendectomy a week ago and needs more time to recover from the procedure. "The Sixers are preparing for battle without Joel Embiid, at least to start the series," Charania said during an appearance on NBA Today. "He's only a week-ish removed from surgery for that appendicitis. So he's very much in the recovery phase of this. Once you recover, then you have to have a separate rehab part of the process as well." Adem Bona has started at center during Embiid's absence, including in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament win over Orlando. However, backup big man Andre Drummond has been more productive, posting three straight double-doubles.

Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin was the team's leading scorer with 23 points in Wednesday's season-ending 126-121 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The former Pacer was red-hot from downtown, going 5-for-6, and had a 7-for-11 overall record from the field. Mathruin made all four free-throw attempts, adding three rebounds, two assists, and three steals to his line in 30 minutes off the bench. After he was traded by Indiana midseason, Mathurin went from a regular starter to a bench contributor. But he had some outstanding performances in his new role, showing that it might suit him going forward. Overall, Mathurin's numbers didn't change much in L.A. compared to his time with the Pacers, as he posted averages of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 26 games. With Kawhi Leonard's future up in the air, Mathurin might have a bigger role next season with the Clippers, which would boost his fantasy value.

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry starred in Wednesday's 126-121 Play-In Tournament victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, leading all scorers with 35 points. He had eight points inside the final eight minutes of play, helping Golden State overturn a 103-99 deficit. Curry's seventh triple of the game put the Warriors 120-117 up with less than a minute remaining. Curry went 7-for-12 from outside and had a 12-for-23 overall record from the field. He produced four assists, and picked up one rebound and one steal. Curry's crew will now square off with the Phoenix Suns on Friday night for a spot in the 2026 playoffs. During the regular season, the two-time MVP averaged 23.7 points in this matchup, as Phoenix limited him to 34.4 percent efficiency from behind the arc.

Golden State Warriors forward/center Kristaps Porzingis made a big impact in Wednesday's 126-121 Play-In Tournament win over the Los Angeles Clippers, tallying 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks in 28 minutes. He missed only four of his 12 attempts from the field and was 3-for-6 with the three-ball. Porzingis had a tough time in his final four regular-season outings, going 1-for-15 from behind the arc. His improvement in Wednesday's matchup will be encouraging for the Warriors ahead of Friday's play-in game against Phoenix and a potential playoff run.

Orlando Magic guard/forward Desmond Bane led the team's offense in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring a game-high 34 points in a 109-97 loss. He already had 19 points by halftime, more than Paolo Banchero (18) managed in the entire game. Bane was highly efficient from the field, finishing 10-for-16 with his attempts, including 4-for-6 from downtown. He also did an excellent job getting to the line, missing only one of 11 free-throw attempts. Across a team-high 40 minutes, Bane notched three rebounds, three assists, and one steal, but also committed five turnovers. The Magic now face Charlotte in a do-or-die matchup on Friday night. Bane averaged 17.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists against the Hornets in four regular-season meetings.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey scored a team-high 31 points in Wednesday's playoff-clinching 109-97 victory over the Orlando Magic. Maxey averaged a career-high 28.3 points per game during the regular season and had plenty of firepower left for the first postseason game. He made three triples on nine attempts and finished 11-for-25 overall from the field. Maxey's efforts included two rebounds, six assists, one steal, and one block in 42 minutes. With Joel Embiid (abdomen) dealing with yet another health issue, Maxey will once again carry a heavy workload during the postseason. He averaged a whopping 44.6 minutes per game the last time Philadelphia reached the playoffs in 2024.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball has been fined $60,000 for his actions involving Tuesday's play-in game against the Miami Heat, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. Ball was fined $35,000 "for making unnecessary and reckless contact" with Miami's Bam Adebayo. The Hornets star was not called for a foul during the game, but he was assessed a flagrant foul 2 after the league reviewed the incident, which forced Adebayo to leave the game early with a lower back injury. Additionally, the NBA fined Ball $25,000 for using profane language in a TV interview after the game. Charlotte will be happy to know that Ball was only fined for the Adebayo incident and didn't receive a suspension. The team will hope to see him lead the Hornets into the playoffs for the first time since 2016 with a victory over Orlando on Friday.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Thomas Bryant (calf) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Danny Cunningham of Locked On Cavs reports. The 28-year-old big man was the only player with limitations during the practice session. Bryant injured his left calf late in the regular season, missing four games. He's in a race to get healthy for the start of the postseason, with Cleveland kicking off its first-round series against Toronto on Saturday. Serving as the backup center, Bryant notched 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game during the regular season. Cleveland could use Bryant's size against Jakob Poeltl, but he isn't expected to make a major impact in the series.

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones (hamstring) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, Brendan Vogt of DNVR Sports reports. He took part only in the non-contact portions of the practice session. Jones sat out the final six regular-season games due to a right hamstring strain. It's uncertain whether he will be cleared to return to action for Saturday's Game 1 against Minnesota. Although Jones hasn't produced any outstanding numbers this season, he has done a solid job during his sophomore campaign, earning a starting spot in 37 of his 64 appearances. The 24-year-old averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 22.1 minutes per game during the regular season. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown will play important roles off the bench against Minnesota if Jones and Peyton Watson (hamstring) remain out on Saturday.

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) practiced on Wednesday, but only in the non-contact portions, Brendan Vogt of DNVR Sports reports. Watson missed the last five regular-season games due to right hamstring tightness. He was labeled week-to-week at the start of the month. While Watson hasn't practiced fully, Nuggets head coach David Adelman still hopes he can play in Saturday's playoff opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Watson finished the regular season as Denver's fourth-highest scorer, putting up 14.6 points per game. Additionally, he tallied 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 29.6 minutes. If he can't play on the weekend, the Nuggets will look to get more production from Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball is being investigated by the NBA for his trip of Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (back) in Tuesday's Play-In Tournament game, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. The two collided in the second quarter, and Adebayo exited the game after the incident due to a lower-back injury. Sources have told ESPN's Shams Charania that the NBA has contacted both teams and will interview Ball. A ruling is expected before Friday's play-in game, in which the Hornets will face the loser of Wednesday's Philadelphia-Orlando matchup. It's possible the Ball play will be upgraded to a flagrant foul 1 or 2, but there likely won't be a suspension. Ball scored a game-winning layup in Tuesday's 127-126 overtime victory, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and one block.

Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson (ankle) will play on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors. He was upgraded to probable earlier on Wednesday and is now listed as available. Jackson couldn't help the Clippers in the final eight regular-season games due to a right ankle sprain. He has made 17 appearances with the Clippers since arriving from Indiana, posting averages of 7.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 15.9 minutes. Jackson's playing time has been fairly limited due to Brook Lopez's presence, so he doesn't offer much fantasy value.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) was limited to an individual workout Tuesday and remains day-to-day ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against Cleveland. His status is trending toward questionable, creating some uncertainty in Toronto's backcourt rotation. If Quickley sits, Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead are the primary beneficiaries. Walter started April 10 and posted 15 points with four three-pointers in 30 minutes, offering streaming appeal for scoring and threes, while Shead logged 27 minutes but saw limited usage. Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett would also handle more playmaking duties.

Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson (ankle) is probable for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against Golden State after missing eight straight games with a right ankle sprain. Jackson last appeared March 27, logging four points and four rebounds in 15 minutes, and he should slot back into a limited backup role behind Brook Lopez. Across his appearances this season, Jackson has produced efficient scoring and defensive stats in short bursts, but his role caps his fantasy ceiling. Lopez should still handle most of the center minutes, while John Collins could give up a bit of his rotation time with Jackson back in the mix.

New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (oblique) returned to practice Wednesday after missing the final four regular-season games with a right oblique strain, putting him on track for Game 1 against Atlanta on Saturday. Kolek logged eight points, two three-pointers, two assists, and one steal in 12 minutes in his last outing, April 3, but he faces a crowded rotation. Miles McBride started the finale and hit four three-pointers in 24 minutes, while Jordan Clarkson remains in the mix. Kolek is a deep-league flier at best, with limited playoff role security behind Jalen Brunson.

Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Trendon Watford (illness) is available for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Orlando Magic. Watford was previously listed as probable due to an illness, but he has since been cleared to play in tonight's contest in Philadelphia. It's unclear where the 25-year-old will fit into the rotation, as he has been used sparingly in April, averaging 4.7 minutes across three outings. Joel Embiid (abdomen) remains sidelined, which could open up a limited frontcourt role for Watford, but he's still unlikely to see enough action to make a major fantasy impact.

Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) will not play in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against Philadelphia, extending his absence to over a month due to a left knee sprain. Isaac logged just one minute in his last appearance March 12 and has held a minimal role even when active, limiting his fantasy relevance. His absence keeps Tristan da Silva in a steady bench role after posting eight points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 24 minutes Sunday. Da Silva remains a deep-league streamer, while Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner continue to anchor frontcourt usage.

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner will remain limited in Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against Philadelphia, though head coach Jamahl Mosley expects a slight increase in workload. Wagner logged 26 minutes Sunday, finishing with 20 points, two three-pointers, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal, and he has averaged 20.7 points in 23.6 minutes over his last three outings with a 32.4 usage rate. The cap lowers his ceiling slightly, keeping him more in mid-round range, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs should continue seeing stable usage with Wagner not fully unleashed.