NBA Player News
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Ruled out for Game 4
Porzingis (calf) has been ruled out for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Monday, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Porzingis was initially targeting a return to action for Game 4, but he'll remain sidelined with the Celtics holding a 3-0 lead in the series. If the Pacers win Game 4, it's unclear whether Porzingis will be able to return later in the Eastern Conference Finals or if he'll be available for a potential trip to the NBA Finals.
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Myles Turner C | MIL
Pacers' Myles Turner: Strong double-double in loss
Turner racked up 22 points (9-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist over 39 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Turner was one of the players who needed to step up offensively in Game 3, and he delivered another solid stat line, but the Pacers crumbled down the stretch and had to settle for another loss. Turner posted his second double-double of the series, and he's scored at least 15 points in all but one of his last six playoff contests.
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Al Horford C | GS
Celtics' Al Horford: Makes seven threes in Game 3 win
Horford closed with 23 points (8-14 FG, 7-12 3Pt), five rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 win over Indiana in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers allowed Horford to shoot the ball freely from three-point range, and the veteran big made them pay with a career high in threes made in the postseason. Horford is going through his best stretch of form in the current playoffs, scoring 15 or more points in three of his last four appearances while shooting 48 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three in that span.
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Rudy Gobert C | MIN
Timberwolves' Rudy Gobert: Records double-double
Gobert closed Friday's 109-108 loss to the Mavericks in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals with 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 38 minutes.
Gobert will probably be remembered for being unable to defend Luka Doncic on the play that gave Dallas the victory late in the fourth quarter, but the towering Frenchman was having a solid game before that. He has recorded three double-doubles over his last six playoff contests while scoring in double digits five times in that span.
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Naz Reid C | MIN
Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Misses game-winning shot
Reid logged 23 points (8-13 FG, 7-9 3Pt), two rebounds, one block and two steals over 32 minutes during Friday's 109-108 loss to Dallas in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Reid had a chance to win it for the Timberwolves with the final shot of the fourth quarter, but his three-pointer bounced off the inside of the rim. The big man delivered an impressive performance and was Minnesota's offensive catalyst in a game during which the team's two biggest stars, Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, delivered subpar scoring performances. Reid has scored in double digits in five of his last six postseason appearances.
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Dereck Lively II C | DAL
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Continues to impress
Lively logged 14 points (6-6 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes during Friday's 109-108 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Lively was perfect from the field, and he continues to benefit from his close-range finishing ability by playing alongside two of the best passers in the league, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Lively is making his presence felt as an effective two-way threat in Dallas' postseason run, averaging 8.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 63.9 percent from the field across 14 playoff contests.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Swats five shots in win
Gafford amassed 16 points (8-10 FG, 0-2 FT), five rebounds and five blocks over 21 minutes during Friday's 109-108 win over the Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals.
Gafford was nearly perfect from the field and made his presence felt defensively, recording three or more blocks for the third time across his last eight playoff contests and tying his postseason-best mark in that category. Gafford's two-way play has been massive for Dallas against a frontcourt loaded with size. He's averaging 11.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game over his last five contests.
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Luke Kornet C | SA
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Sitting out Saturday
Kornet (wrist) won't play Saturday in Game 3 of the Celtics' Eastern Conference Finals series versus the Pacers.
Kornet was previously carrying a doubtful designation into Sunday, so his absence from Game 3 comes as little surprise. Oshae Brissett is likely to pick up a handful of reserve minutes as the primary backup to starting center Al Horford while Kornet is in street clothes.
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Luke Kornet C | SA
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Unlikely to play Saturday
Kornet (wrist) is doubtful for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Pacers on Saturday, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Kornet exited Thursday's Game 2 due to a left wrist sprain and will likely be unavailable for at least one matchup. Assuming Kornet is sidelined, Oshae Brissett could see additional run for Boston.