NBA Player News

Wembanyama was named the 2025-26 NBA Defensive Player of the Year on Monday.

Wembanyama takes home the NBA's most prestigious defensive honor after a regular season in which he averaged a league-best 3.1 blocks per game to go along with 1.0 steals across 64 games. A true unicorn at 7-foot-4, the 22-year-old becomes the youngest Defensive Player of the Year winner, as well as the first unanimous selection in league history. Wembanyama will look to maintain a high level of play into the postseason, with the Spurs holding a 1-0 lead over the Trail Blazers in their first-round matchup entering Game 2 on Tuesday.

Okongwu (knee) is available for Monday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Knicks.

Okongwu was listed on the injury report with right knee inflammation but will push through and play as the Hawks look to even the series in Game 2. In the Game 1 loss Saturday, the big man totaled 19 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block across 37 minutes. If Okongwu faces any minutes restriction or a lighter workload, Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley would be in line to pick up the slack.

Embiid (abdomen) has been ruled out for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against Boston on Tuesday.

Embiid began a strength and conditioning program Monday after undergoing a successful appendectomy April 10, though he will remain unavailable for Game 2, as expected. It remains unclear whether the big man will be available at any point in the series against Boston, and Philadelphia will continue leaning on Adem Bona and Andre Drummond in his absence.

Embiid (abdomen) started his strength and conditioning program post-appendectomy Monday, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Embiid underwent a successful appendectomy back on April 10, and while he remains without a timetable, he appears to be trending in the right direction. Adem Bona started Game 1 against Boston, but he was ineffective for the most part in his 14 minutes.

Wembanyama finished Sunday's 111-98 victory over the Trail Blazers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 35 points (13-21 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 33 minutes.

The third-year superstar led all scorers on the night as he dominated in his playoff debut. Wembanyama was nursing a minor rib injury late in the regular season, but he's been a force when he's been on the court, scoring more than 30 points in five of his last six games while averaging 34.7 points, 12.5 boards, 3.5 assists, 3.0 blocks and 2.5 threes while shooting 62.0 percent from the floor and 44.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Clingan totaled four points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds and one assist in 22 minutes during Sunday's 111-98 loss to San Antonio in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The second-year center had recorded double-doubles in his last two regular-season matchups with the Spurs, but Clingan simply couldn't handle Victor Wembanyama in the latter's playoff debut. Through seven contests in April, Clingan is averaging 10.0 points, 10.4 boards, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 threes over 26.1 minutes, and he'll need to raise his game if Portland is going to avoid a quick exit.

Duren notched eight points (3-4 FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's 112-101 loss to Orlando in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Duren was unable to make a significant impact, turning in one of his worst performances of the season. Despite playing 33 minutes, it was simply a rough night for Duren, who played a passive role on both ends of the floor and posted his worst scoring output since March 5. Based on the season he has put together, Duren will almost certainly be better when the two teams face off again in Game 2.

Carter recorded 17 points (8-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven rebounds, five assists, one block and two steals over 37 minutes during Sunday's 112-101 victory over the Pistons in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Carter was at his best in the win, chipping in across all major categories as Orlando came out of the blocks with a bang. While his production has been a little up and down throughout the season, Carter has been a consistent part of the rotation. After having limited Jalen Duren to just eight points and seven rebounds, Carter should expect a tougher go of things when the two teams meet again in Game 2.

Maluach closed with zero points (0-2 FG) and three rebounds in 15 minutes during Sunday's 119-84 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Maluach played a handful of extra minutes, as Phoenix was never really in the game against Oklahoma City. With Mark Williams (foot) still sidelined, the Suns' center depth is going to be tested. Based on what we saw in Game 1, there is a chance this series could be over sooner rather than later.

Ighodaro recorded zero points (0-3 FG), nine rebounds and three assists across 26 minutes during Sunday's 119-84 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Ighodaro remained in the starting lineup after Mark Williams was once again ruled out due to a foot concern. However, the good news ends there, with Ighodaro failing to score despite playing 26 minutes. Phoenix was completely outplayed on both ends of the floor, a trend that is going to be hard to buck. If Williams is to miss further time, Ighodaro will certainly need to provide more, should the Suns have any hope against the rampaging Thunder.