Won’t play Wednesday Porter is set to miss his 12th straight game, and with Caris LeVert (knee) and Donovan Mitchell (calf) also out, Darius Garland will get all the run he can handle. There should also be ample minutes for Max Strus and Dean Wade.
Remains out for Game 5 Allen will miss an eighth straight game due to a right rib contusion. Donovan Mitchell (calf) and Caris LeVert (knee) are also out, so Cleveland's starting lineup for Wednesday's potential elimination game features Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Evan Mobley.
Starting Wednesday Wade should get all the run he can handle with the Cavaliers' backcourt depleted, and he'll be joined in the first unit by Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus and Evan Mobley. Sam Merrill should also see an uptick in minutes due to Caris LeVert (knee) joining Donovan Mitchell (calf) and Jarrett Allen (ribs) on the sidelines for Game 5.
Won’t play Wednesday LeVert started in place of Donovan Mitchell (calf) during Monday's Game 4 loss but aggravated a lingering knee injury and will join Mitchell and Jarrett Allen (ribs) on the sideline. Dean Wade will move into the starting lineup, which also features Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus and Evan Mobley. LeVert's season will be over if Cleveland doesn't win Wednesday.
Ruled out for Game 5 Mitchell will be joined on the sidelines by Caris LeVert (knee) and Jarrett Allen (ribs), leaving Cleveland quite thin going into a potential elimination game. Expect big minutes for Max Strus, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill, with Darius Garland and Evan Mobley doing the heavy lifting on offense.
Iffy for Game 6 Conley was a late addition to the injury report ahead of Game 5 due to right Achilles soreness and was ultimately unable to play, allowing Nickeil Alexander-Walker to get his first start of the postseason. If Conley is sidelined again, Monte Morris would be a candidate for double-digit minutes off the bench.
Questionable for Game 6 After losing the first two games of the series, the Nuggets have won three straight and are on the verge of advancing to the Western Conference Finals for a second consecutive campaign. Murray scored at least 20 points in all five games against the Lakers during the opening-round series but has reached that mark only once versus Minnesota.
Unlikely to play Wednesday Mitchell has been spectacular in the playoffs and averaged 35.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 41.0 minutes over his last six appearances. However, he picked up a left calf strain during Game 3 and was sidelined for Cleveland's Game 4 loss. If Mitchell is unavailable again, Caris LeVert would likely start next to Darius Garland in the backcourt, while Sam Merrill may see an increased role off the bench.
Likely out for Game 6 Anunoby sounds unlikely to return to action for a potential Game 7 on Sunday if the Pacers were to extend the series with a win Friday, but the 26-year-old looks like he could be ready to go for the start of a conference final series with the Celtics or Cavaliers if his hamstring responds well to on-court work. After Precious Achiuwa had started in place of Anunoby in Games 3 and 4, Miles McBride entered the starting five for the Knicks' Game 5 win as part of a small-ball lineup.
Quiet night Tuesday Porter managed just six points in the victory, continuing his recent offensive struggles. He has scored fewer than 10 points in three of the past four games, a very different story when compared to how he opened the playoffs. Despite his poor shooting, the Nuggets now sit just one win away from an other trip to the Conference Finals. Look for Porter to turn things around in the near future.
Masterfule performance in win Jokic took over during the Game 5 victory, leading the Nuggets to a third consecutive victory over the Timberwolves. Despite coming up against the defensive player of the year, Jokic had no issues getting what he wanted in and around the basket. The series will now head back to Minnesota where Jokic and the Nuggets will look to wrap things up.
Logs 28 minutes in victory Braun continues to play meaningful minutes for the Nuggets, scoring double-digits for the second straight game. After failing to play more than 19 minutes during the first eight postseason games, he has now played 25 and 28 minutes respectively in each of the past two games. After reeling off three straight victories, the Nuggets now sit one win away from a trip to the Conference Finals.
Underwhelming in loss Tuesday Edwards struggled from the field, going 5-of-15 en route to just 18 points. After leading the series 2-0, the Timberwolves now find themselves trailing 3-2. Edwards is going to have to rediscover his mojo should they hope to extend the series to a seventh game.
Serviceable in spor start Alexander-Walker moved into the starting lineup Tuesday, replacing Mike Conley who was ruled out due to an Achilles issue. While he was far from spectacular, Alexander-Walker cobbled together a serviceable performance, contributing on both ends of the floor. Now trailing 3-2 in the series, Minnesota will be hoping Conley is cleared to return for Game 6. Should that not be the case, expect to see Alexander-Walker running with the starters once again.
Struggles in Game 5 loss Reid was a non-factor in the loss, continuing his recent struggles. Coming off a career-best season, Reid has been unable to produce at a consistent level during the postseason. He has scored fewer than 15 points in eight of the Timberwolves' nine playoff games. Now facing a must-win matchup, Reid will look to turn things around in front of his home fans.
Records five assists in Game 5 Haliburton's five assists tied with T.J. McConnell for most on the Pacers in Game 5 on Tuesday. Haliburton failed to reach 20 points after doing so over the past three games, though he managed to contribute on the defensive end of the floor, recording two blocks for the first time this postseason. Haliburton is averaging 18.5 points on 48.1 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.3 steals across 35.3 minutes per game in the playoffs.
Scores 22 points in Game 5 Siakam was the only Pacer to score 20-plus points in Game 5 on Tuesday, and he was the second-leading scorer for the game behind Jalen Brunson. Siakam managed to reach 20-plus points for the second time in three games, and he got some of those from the charity stripe after not attempting a single free throw in Game 4. Siakam is averaging 19.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
