25 Austin Rivers PG

Rivers agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Nuggets on Monday, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.

Rivers figures to return to his role as a bench guard in 2021 after averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 36 contests last season. He'll battle for playing time with PJ Dozier and Facundo Campazzo in the backcourt.

Rivers moved to the bench and played 21 minutes Sunday in the Nuggets' 125-118 loss to the Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals series. He finished with five points (2-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt), two assists and one rebound.

With the Nuggets facing elimination in Game 4, head coach Michael Malone elected to shake up the starting five, as Rivers and Facundo Campazzo dropped to the second unit to clear room for Will Barton and Monte Morris. Predictably, the move out of the starting lineup left less playing time available for Rivers, who averaged 30.5 minutes per game over the Nuggets' previous 10 postseason contests. Rivers will head into free agency this summer and will likely have to settle for a one-year deal whether he re-signs with Denver or joins another club.

Rivers totaled seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and one rebound across 40 minutes during Thursday's 126-115 win over Portland.

Despite leading the team in minutes, Rivers didn't produce much in the way of stats but did manage to knock down a big three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. Due to Denver's injuries, the veteran guard found a surprisingly large role for himself in this first round series win. If Will Barton (hamstring) is able to return in the second round, however, Rivers could see a dip in minutes.

Rivers accumulated 21 points (7-14 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one block in 36 minutes during Thursday's 120-115 win over the Trail Blazers in Game 3 of the series.

The 28-year-old went from totaling 15 points in Games 1 and 2 to scoring his highest mark since May 5. Rivers has started the last eight games for the Nuggets dating back to May 8, a span in which he's averaging 10.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 three-pointers. The ninth-year guard will look to parlay Thursday's impressive scoring effort into Game 4 on Saturday.

Rivers (illness) is available for Saturday's Game 1 versus Portland.

The 28-year-old was considered questionable with a non-COVID-19 illness, and he's good to go for the start of the playoffs. He started the last five games in place of Will Barton (hamstring) for the Nuggets, and Rivers could remain in the lineup Saturday with Barton still unavailable.

Rivers is questionable for Saturday's Game 1 against the Trail Blazers due to a non-COVID illness, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports.

Rivers has been starting in place of Will Barton (hamstring), who remains out for Game 1. If Rivers is sidelined as well, more minutes will open up for Monte Morris, Markus Howard and Shaquille Harrison.

Rivers delivered 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-9 3Pt), four rebounds and an assist across 31 minutes in Thursday's win over the Timberwolves.

Rivers was one of four starters that scored in double digits for the Nuggets, and while his shooting performance was nothing to highlight, he did make four threes. He's made multiple threes in five games in a row while shooting an impressive 52.8 percent from deep in that stretch.

Rivers had 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt), five rebounds and two steals in Saturday's loss to the Nets.

Making his first start in a Nuggets uniform with Aaron Gordon (calf) out, Rivers played 35 minutes and turned in a decent all-around line buoyed by a pair of steals. The journeyman seems to have found a home in Denver, though his role could diminish whenever Will Barton (hamstring) and Monte Morris (hamstring) return from injury.

Rivers will start Saturday's game against the Nets, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.

Rivers delivered 43 points over the past two games off the bench and will join the starting five Saturday with Aaron Gordon (calf) sidelined.

Rivers compiled 25 points (7-13 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT). three rebounds, three assists and three steals across 28 minutes in Wednesday's 113-97 win over the Knicks.

With PJ Dozier (groin) out for an extended period, we should see a lot more from Rivers, who took full advantage of his promotion in the rotation during Wednesday's win. He drilled six three-pointers and contributed in almost every category. Rivers has a decent amount of postseason experience, and his veteran support will help prop up Denver's backcourt as long as Dozier, Monte Morris (hamstring) and Will Barton (hamstring) remain out.

Rivers produced 11 points (4-9 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two assists, two steals and a rebound across 27 minutes in Thursday's 121-111 win over the Raptors.

Rivers came in handy as a reliever during the back-to-back. Although his impact has been minimal so far, it looks like he will be sticking with the team given the loss of Jamal Murray and the absences of Will Barton (hamstring) and Monte Morris (hamstring). Rivers provides a veteran presence and has seen plenty of postseason action, and that can only help youngster Facundo Campazzo as he tries to lead the team at point guard.

Rivers is expected to sign with the Nuggets for the remainder of the season, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Without Jamal Murray (knee) and Will Barton (hamstring) available, the Nuggets are bolstering their backcourt options. Rivers has appeared in five games for Denver, and he's averaged 5.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.0 minutes.

Rivers finished with five points (1-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and three rebounds in 13 minutes during Wednesday's 106-105 victory over the Trail Blazers.

Rivers made his debut for the Nuggets and immediately slotted into the rotation. The fact the team was without Monte Morris (hamstring) certainly worked in favor of the veteran on this occasion. While Rivers can provide a scoring punch off the bench, he's unlikely to move the needle much outside of the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Rivers is expected to be available for Wednesday's game against Portland, Mike Singer of The Denver Post reports.

Rivers has already passed through health and safety protocols, and he looks likely to play Wednesday. The 28-year-old guard will likely see backup minutes with the team shorthanded in the backcourt due to injuries.

Rivers signed a 10-day contract with the Nuggets on Tuesday, Mike Singer of The Denver Post reports.

Reports had surfaced over the past week indicating Rivers was close to a deal with Denver, but the contract wasn't officially announced until Tuesday. According to Singer, Rivers has already been in Denver for a few days for COVID-19 intake testing, and the team is optimistic he'll clear the NBA's health and safety protocols ahead of Wednesday's game in Portland. With Jamal Murray (knee) done for the season and Monte Morris (hamstring) sidelined indefinitely, Rivers should have a good chance to immediately enter Denver's rotation as the top backup to new starting point guard Facundo Campazzo.

Rivers is in serious contract talks with the Nuggets, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Pending his passage through the health and safety protocols, this seems close to a done deal. The Nuggets recently lost Jamal Murray for the season due to a torn ACL and could use more help in the backcourt. Rivers would be competing for minutes with Monte Morris, Facundo Campazzo and Will Barton.

Rivers (personal) was waived by Oklahoma City on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Rivers was sent to Oklahoma City as part of a three-team trade on Thursday, but his time with the team was practically nonexistent as he's been sidelined due to a personal issue. Charania relays that the Bucks are considered favorites to sign Rivers once he clears waivers. The 28-year-old hasn't taken the floor since Feb. 13, when he was still a member of the Knicks.

Rivers (personal) has yet to join the Thunder and it's unclear if or when he may do so, Rylan Stiles of BricktownBuckets.com reports.

The 28-year-old was acquired from the Knicks at Thursday's trade deadline, but he's been unavailable due to personal reasons since March 10. There's been no indication if or when Rivers may join his new team, so he can be ruled out indefinitely until the Thunder update his status.

The Thunder acquired Rivers (personal), Tony Bradley and second-round picks in 2025 and 2026 as part of a three-team deal with the Knicks and 76ers completed Thursday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. The Knicks received Terrance Ferguson in the deal, while Philadelphia acquired George Hill and Ignas Brazdeikis.

The Knicks had been listing Rivers as out since March 10 while he took some personal time following the birth of his child, but before leaving the team, he hadn't been a part of the rotation. The 28-year-old likely isn't viewed as a priority for a rebuilding Thunder squad, but if OKC doesn't move him elsewhere or grant him a buyout, he could fill some light minutes off the bench in a depleted backcourt that will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (foot) indefinitely. Expect Theo Maledon, Ty Jerome, Luguentz Dort, Svi Mykhailiuk to take priority over Rivers at either guard spot, however.

Rivers (personal) will not play Thursday against the Wizards.

Rivers hasn't appeared in a game since Feb. 13, and it's not clear when he'll be returning to the team. Even when he does, Rivers' role in the rotation is likely gone.