

Milwaukee Bucks forward Taurean Prince (knee) will be welcomed back into the lineup for Saturday's playoff opener against the Indiana Pacers. The veteran was unavailable for the regular-season finale due to a knee issue. Prince has quietly played an important role for the Bucks this season, starting 73 of 80 games and contributing in multiple areas. He averaged 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals during the regular season.


Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (knee) is set to return after a two-game absence on Saturday against the New York Knicks. The big man has recently experienced inflammation in his right knee and did not play in the team's last two regular-season games. Stewart and starting center Jalen Duren will face a tough challenge in the first-round series against Karl-Anthony Towns. In four regular-season matchups with the Knicks, Stewart managed only 3.8 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 22.5 minutes.

Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson (knee) is off the injury report and good to go for Saturday's matchup against the New York Knicks. The versatile youngster exited the lineup for the team's regular-season finale due to left knee patellar tendinopathy, but he will be ready to make his postseason debut in Saturday's game. Thompson has improved each month in 2024-25, finishing the regular season by averaging 12.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.7 steals in April.


Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (knee) is expected to be in the lineup for Saturday's Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the team has not listed him on the injury report. Hachimura has spent a large chunk of the campaign on the injury report, but he appears to be fully healthy for the most important part of the season. He has missed three of the last six games, including the regular-season finale last Sunday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Although health issues have significantly disrupted Hachimura's season, he has performed well when in the lineup, averaging 13.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 31.7 minutes.


Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (ankle) will play in Friday's elimination game against the Dallas Mavericks. Morant is dealing with a "severe" ankle sprain and received an injection in his ankle on Thursday. He was originally listed as questionable for Friday's game before the team upgraded his status to available. Morant's presence in the lineup is a major boost for Memphis, but it remains to be seen how effectively he can play through his ankle injury.
