NBA Player News
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Wendell Carter Jr. C | ORL
Magic's Wendell Carter: Sinks two triples in win
Carter provided 11 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and one assist across 24 minutes during Saturday's 112-89 win over Cleveland in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Carter started both wins in Orlando after coming off the bench during the two losses in Cleveland. The big man totaled just 11 points on 21.4 percent shooting through the first three games, so his efficient offensive production was a surprising bright spot for the Magic. Jonathan Isaac, who Carter replaced in the starting lineup, popped for 14 points, seven boards and two blocks during the Game 4 win, so it's safe to assume both players are more comfortable in their current roles.
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Jarrett Allen C | CLE
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Near double-double
Allen produced 21 points (8-11 FG, 5-7 FT), nine rebounds and one steal across 29 minutes during Saturday's 112-89 loss to the Magic in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Allen has arguably been the MVP for Cleveland to start the postseason, averaging 17.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 31.8 minutes per game through the first four matchups against Orlando. The big man's 21 points were his most during the first-round series thus far, but after grabbing 38 rebounds through the first two games in Cleveland, Allen accumulated just 17 boards across two losses in Orlando.
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Luke Kornet C | SA
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Gets five minutes in return
Kornet (calf) tallied two points (2-2 FT) and one rebound across five minutes Saturday in the Celtics' 104-84 win over the Heat in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series.
After Kornet was ruled out of the Celtics' playoff opener April 21, head coach Joe Mazzulla labeled the backup center as week-to-week after he strained his right calf during a practice. Ultimately, Kornet missed just two games on account of the issue, as he took back a small role in the Boston rotation in his return to action Saturday. Kornet is unlikely to see his playing time grow substantially as the Celtics' playoff run continues.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Lakers' Anthony Davis: Massive stat line in Game 4 win
Davis provided 25 points (11-17 FG, 3-4 FT), 23 rebounds, six assists and one block in 42 minutes during Saturday's 119-108 victory over the Nuggets in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Davis was efficient from the field and active on the glass en route to posting his first 20-point, 20-rebound performance since the win over the Bucks on March 28. Davis has been magnificent in the series despite the fact the Lakers are down 1-3, as he's scored at least 25 points and grabbed double-digit rebounds in each of the four contests. He needs to continue at a high level as a two-way threat if the Lakers want to have a shot at pulling the upset in Game 5 of the series.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Massive triple-double not enough
Jokic closed Saturday's 119-108 loss to the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 33 points (10-20 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 11-11 FT), 14 rebounds, 14 assists, one block and one steal over 41 minutes.
Jokic has two triple-doubles and two double-doubles in the current series against the Lakers, but unlike in the previous three contests, he was unable to carry Denver to victory following yet another slow start. Jokic's individual numbers have been amazing in the series, though, as he's averaging 29.0 points, 15.3 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game. He'll aim to lift the Nuggets to close the series out Monday in Game 5.
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Bam Adebayo PF | MIA
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Comes close to double-double
Adebayo contributed 20 points (8-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), nine rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes during Saturday's 104-84 loss to the Celtics in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
The Heat were never able to compete with the Celtics in this Game 3 loss, but Adebayo was Miami's most productive player, finishing just one rebound shy of a double-double and leading the team in scoring. It's not surprising to see him operate as one of the Heat's go-to players on offense since Jimmy Butler (knee) is out and not expected back before the end of this series. Adebayo should be in line for another heavy workload in Game 4 on Monday.
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Stuffs stat line Saturday
Porzingis logged 18 points (5-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 27 minutes during Saturday's 104-84 victory over the Heat in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Porzingis was active on both ends of the court, and even though he cooled down after a strong start in which he scored Boston's first eight points, he still finished with a solid output despite playing just 27 minutes. The limit in playing time was probably related to the nature of the game since it was a blowout from the second quarter onwards, meaning Porzingis shouldn't have problems handling his regular workload in Game 4 on Monday. Porzingis has scored 18 points in two of his three appearances in the series.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Lakers' Anthony Davis: Will play in Game 4
Davis (wrist) will play in Saturday's Game 4 versus Denver, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.
Davis popped up as questionable on the injury report with a left wrist sprain after previously battling a back injury and some soreness in both heels, but with Los Angeles' season on the line, Davis will continue to push through his ailments.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Questionable for Game 4
Embiid (knee) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 versus the Knicks.
Embiid has been listed as questionable for every game in this series so far, but he continues to push through his knee issue and the mild case of Bell's palsy that has affected his eye. During Thursday's Game 3 win, Embiid finished with 50 points (13-19 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 19-21 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and one block across 41 minutes.
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Mitchell Robinson C | NY
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Questionable for Sunday
Robinson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's Game 4 against the 76ers.
Robinson didn't participate in Saturday's practice and was spotted wearing a walking boot after Game 3 on Thursday, so his chances of playing are slim given the recent developments. If he doesn't play, then Precious Achiuwa would operate as the primary backup behind Isaiah Hartenstein.