The Cleveland Cavaliers will play Game 7 against the Orlando Magic without a key starter. Jarrett Allen will miss his third straight game due to a rib injury.

Allen was hurt in Game 4 of the Cavs first-round series against the Magic. Cleveland has split the two games against the Magic without Allen.

Isaac Okoro started the Game 5 victory in place of Allen. JB Bickerstaff is returning Okoro to start, in place of Marcus Morris Sr. who started the Game 6 loss.

Dallas Mavericks reserve big man Maxi Kleber has suffered a full dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder. Kleber is expected to miss a significant period of time, and potentially the remainder of the postseason.

Kleber played a big part in the Mavericks six-game victory over the LA Clippers in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Kelber hit 10-of-18 three-pointers in the series and averaged 5.7 points in 19.3 minutes per game.

Giannis Antetokoumpo was unable to appear in the first round of the Milwaukee Bucks' series against the Indiana Pacers due to a calf injury. 

Antetokoumpo's status heading into Game 6 was slightly more promising, but he was ruled out. 

"I tried my best to come back to help my teammates," Antetokounmpo said Friday. "It's kind of hard to see them being out there and not being able to help them, but I just couldn't.

"I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes. I wasn't even close at checking the boxes."

Antetokoumpo suffered the injury at the end of the regular season and last played on April 9th.

Antetokoumpo missed multiple playoff games last season as well with a back injury.

Antetokounmpo was asked if he might change his approach next season.

"I don't know. Maybe I do follow a different pattern," Antetokounmpo said. "Maybe try different things. I don't like the word 'rest.' Like, if I can play, I will play. If I cannot play, I can't play.

"I'm for sure going to sit down and think about it, of how my summer is going to look like and how next year is going to look like."

Jarrett Allen did not practice with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday due to a rib injury.

Allen's status for Game 6 against the Magic is uncertain.

Allen will travel with the team to Orlando for Game 6.

"He's still working through some things, still getting treatment. He'll be with us on the trip, obviously, and we expect him to give it a go if he can," said J.B. Bickerstaff.

The Cavs lead the series 3-2. 

Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for Game 6 against the Dallas Mavericks.

Leonard will miss his third straight game due to inflammation in his right knee.

Terance Mann is also listed as questionable due to a lower leg contusion.

The Clippers trail 3-2 in the series. 

Chris Finch lead the Minnesota Timberwolves through practice on Thursday, one day after undergoing surgery on his right knee.

It is still unclear whether Finch will coach the team from the sideline for Game 1 against the Nuggets on Saturday.

Finch could coach from a suite and conduct pregame and halftime meetings. The Wolves could also clear a spot for Finch on the sideline to make it easier to sit with his leg extended.

Micah Nori will be the acting head coach in case Finch misses the game.

Damian Lillard will return to the lineup for the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 at the Indiana Pacers after missing their Game 5 win. Lillard is dealing with an Achilles injury.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, however, will remain out as he continues to deal with a calf injury.

The Bucks trail the Pacers 3-2 in their first round series. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Damian Lillard (Achilles) will both try to play in Game 6 on Thursday for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Indiana Pacers.

The Bucks trail the Pacers 3-2 with Antetokounmpo missing the entire series so far.

Lillard missed Game 5 with the Achilles injury, which the Bucks won.

During the Boston Celtics closeout Game 5 victory over the Miami Heat, there was some good news shared on Kristaps Porzingis. TNT sideline reporter Chris Haynes shared that Porzingis is hopeful to make a return in a couple of weeks.

“He is likely out for next series, as well. The hope is that he can make a return if the Celtics were to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals," Hayes said about Porzingis' absence.

Boston ruled Porzingis out for Game 5 against Miami due to a strained right soleus (calf). Porzingis came up lame during Game 4 and had to ask out. Further examinations ruled out a more serious injury, such as damage to the Achilles tendon.

Boston awaits the winner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. Cleveland can end the series with a Game 6 victory in Orlando on Friday. If the Cavs win in six games, the Eastern Conference semifinals will start in Boston on Sunday, May 5. If the Magic win to force a Game 7, the semifinals will start in Boston on Tuesday, May 7. 

Chris Finch is planning to be on the Minnesota Timberwolves' sideline for Game 1 of their series against the Denver Nuggets.

Finch had surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee on Wednesday.

Assistant Micah Nori is taking over head coaching duties in Finch's absence.

Due to a lack of spacing on the bench, Finch may switch seats with athletic trainer Gregg Farnam on the sideline for increased leg room.