Los Angeles Clippers guard/forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) hasn't yet been cleared for five-on-five practice, but head coach Tyronn Lue appears to be confident of having him in the lineup when playoff action starts this weekend. "I'm preparing to have him on the court," Lue said on Wednesday. "We just take it day-by-day. He's getting better and we'll see how much he continues to progress." Leonard missed the final eight regular-season games due to inflammation in his right knee. The Clippers start their first-round series against Dallas on Sunday. Leonard, a two-time Finals MVP, is known as a great post-season performer and has averaged at least 30 points in three of his last four playoff campaigns.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) is feared to have suffered an MCL injury in Wednesday's 105-104 loss to Philadelphia in the play-in tournament. He was hurt near the end of the first quarter when Philadelphia's Kelly Oubre Jr. landed on Butler's right knee. The Heat star managed to complete the contest and logged a productive 40 minutes, but the injury could sideline Butler for an indefinite period. He's scheduled to have an MRI on the knee on Thursday. Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Caleb Martin should carry a bigger load if Butler is forced to come out of the lineup for Friday's contest against Chicago. Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo will be asked to do more on the offensive end.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler had 19 points in Wednesday's Play-In loss to the 76ers. The veteran played well in this one, especially on the defensive end, ending the night with five steals. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough, with Miami getting one more chance to advance into the playoffs. With that said, Butler took a hard fall in this one and was down on the court holding his right knee, so he'll likely appear on the injury report heading into Friday's matchup. However, barring a setback, he should be out there, although the ailment could limit his productivity.

Golden State Warriors point guard Chris Paul is expected to remain with the team next season by head coach Steve Kerr. "I really hope we bring him back next year," Kerr said following Tuesday's 118-94 loss in the play-in tournament against Sacramento, which ended Golden State's season. It also ended Paul's run of 13 consecutive playoff appearances. The veteran, who will turn 39 next month, found himself as a bench piece for the first time in his career in 2023-24 and finished with career-low numbers in multiple areas. He had 9.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals across 26.4 minutes. Paul has a non-guaranteed $30 million contract for 2024-25.

Golden State Warriors guard/forward Klay Thompson had a shocking performance in Tuesday's play-in loss to Sacramento and is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the summer, but the team wants to have him back in the lineup next season. Thompson went 0-for-10 from the field across 32 minutes in Tuesday's blowout loss. However, the Warriors, including head coach Steve Kerr, are desperate to see him return. "We need Klay back," Kerr said after the game. "He's still got good years left. And I know I speak for everybody in the organization: We want him back. ... What Klay has meant to this franchise and as good as he still is, we desperately want him back." Thompson had a very inconsistent campaign in 2023-24, even finding himself in a bench role at times for the first time since his rookie season in 2011-12. His scoring average of 17.9 points per game was his lowest since his sophomore year.

Miami Heat forward/center Kevin Love (arm, ankle) has been cleared to play in Wednesday's play-in battle against Philadelphia. He suffered an arm contusion in the regular-season finale against Toronto on Sunday, logging just three minutes. However, the veteran has shaken off the injury ahead of a crucial part of the campaign. Love is set to provide cover for starting center Bam Adebayo in a tough matchup against Joel Embiid. The veteran has shown in 2023-24 that there's still some juice left in him, averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 16.8 minutes.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) participated in a portion of Tuesday's practice, according to head coach Ty Lue. Leonard is working his way back to the court after missing the final eight games of the regular season. There is some concern over his status heading into the first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Luckily, that series doesn't begin until Sunday, so Leonard does have time to get healthy before then. P.J. Tucker has been replacing him in the starting lineup, so he's expected to head to the bench once Leonard is healthy.

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Derrick Rose (groin, back) is planning to be back on the court with the team next season. The former MVP signed a two-year deal with the Grizzlies last summer and appears to have no plans of retiring despite another injury-riddled season. Rose, who will turn 36 in early October, played his final game of the campaign on Feb. 28 and ended up featuring just 24 times for the Grizzlies. He averaged 8.0 points and 3.3 assists in 16.6 minutes as a bench piece. He will likely be used even more sparingly next season, with a number of younger players on the rise in Memphis.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's Play-In meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans. James has battled a left ankle injury for months. However, he should be ready to roll for the pivotal contest. These clubs met on Sunday for the regular-season finale, with James finishing with a 28-point, 17-assist, 11-rebound triple-double. He also had five steals and a block. Of course, the 39-year-old will receive plenty of attention from DFS managers. Yet, James will receive more if Anthony Davis (back) can't suit up.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James completed his 21st regular-season campaign with his 112th career triple-double in Sunday's 124-108 win over New Orleans. James put on a playmaking clinic in the first quarter and finished with 17 times, as well as having 28 points and 11 rebounds. He shot 11-for-20 from the field and also produced a monster game defensively, racking up five steals with one block. James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for the year across 35.3 minutes. It wasn't enough to help the Lakers get a top-six seed in the West, but the team is well-placed to make the playoffs via the play-in tournament. The Lakers start the action on Tuesday against the Pelicans, whom they have dominated all season. James has averaged a 28-6-12 line in the matchup.

Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (rest) will not play in Sunday's season finale against the Washington Wizards. Along with Horford, the Celtics will be resting their five usual starters. Center Luke Kornet and forward Xavier Tillman Sr. could be very busy in the frontcourt, and they are worth considering for DFS contests on Sunday, especially going up against the Wizards, one the worst teams in the National Basketball Association.

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (knee) won't play on Sunday against the Wizards. Holiday has been banged up all year. With that in mind, the C's need him as healthy as possible for the playoffs, so he'll sit out on Sunday. The C's also won't have Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White (ankle). As a result, Payton Pritchard, coming off a double-double in Friday's win over the Charlotte Hornets, is a lock for all DFS contests.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) is set to miss the final regular season game against the Houston Rockets on Sunday. This will be the eighth consecutive game he will be sidelined because of right knee inflammation. The injury concerns continue for Leonard, and it is a mystery if he will be able to play in the first round of the playoffs. The Clippers clinched the fourth seed in the Western Conference and have nothing to play for in Sunday's contest, so they very well could rest other players or limit the minutes of their starters. P.J. Tucker, Amir Coffey, and Brandon Boston Jr. are all potential options to see a heavier workload as the regular season comes to an end.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (hamstring) didn't suit up on Friday, and he is now ruled out for Sunday's matchup with the Thunder, the team's final regular season game. Irving will get a whole week of rest before the playoffs begin. The star point guard averaged 25.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.0 minutes across 58 contests during this year's campaign. Luka Doncic (ankle) will also not play Sunday. P.J. Washington, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Dante Exum may see a significant uptick in fantasy production on Sunday.

Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (knee) will play on Friday against the Pelicans. Thompson had a team-high 27 points in Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers. However, he didn't suit up for Thursday's narrow win over the Portland Trail Blazers. But the Warriors took care of business without the 34-year-old, so he's ready to roll for the pivotal clash with New Orleans. With Thompson back on the floor, Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody could see fewer minutes than usual.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (ankle) will play on Friday against the Grizzlies. The 39-year-old has battled an ankle injury for months. He also most recently missed a meeting against the Timberwolves because of Flu-like symptoms. But despite the constant mentions on the injury report, he's coming off a strong showing, amassing 33 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals in Tuesday's loss to Golden State. With that in mind, James could have a tough time being as productive if the Lakers build a decisive lead against the injury-plagued Grizzlies.

Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (rest) will be available to play in Friday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 36-year-old appeared as questionable on the injury report earlier but has now been cleared to take the court. He has scored in double figures in five straight games and will likely have more opportunities to score in this match-up since the Bucks will be without Damian Lillard (adductor) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). Lopez has also been busy on the defensive end, recording at least two blocks in each of his previous four games.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry (knee) will return from a two-game absence on Friday versus Orlando. He's set to link up with Tyrese Maxey (hip) on the backcourt, pushing Cameron Payne to the bench. De'Anthony Melton could also lose playing time with Lowry's return. This is a bad fantasy matchup for Philadelphia against a slow-paced team, and Lowry hasn't been a great asset for managers. The veteran is averaging only 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the month.

Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) and forward/center Al Horford (toe) will step out of the lineup on Friday against Charlotte. After losing to New York 118-109 on Thursday, Boston gives all of its key guys rest on Friday, with Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luke Kornet direct beneficiaries from the frontcourt absentees. The stage is set for the two to perform well against a team that gives up the third-most points and the second-most rebounds in the league to opposing centers.

Boston Celtics guards Jrue Holiday (knee) and Derrick White (ankle) won't be in the lineup on Friday versus Charlotte. Boston will run with its bench mob against the Hornets, as the entire starting five plus Al Horford (toe) has been ruled out. Payton Pritchard will get the keys to the backcourt, with Jaden Springer and Svi Mykhailiuk also in a position to benefit from the absences of Holiday and White.