NBA Player News
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Brook Lopez C | LAC
Bucks' Brook Lopez: Scores 22 points in Game 2 loss
Lopez recorded 22 points (8-13 FG, 6-7 3Pt), three assists, two blocks and one rebound in 29 minutes in Tuesday's 125-108 loss to the Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Though Lopez drilled a season-high six three-pointers, his rebound production was conspicuously absent. His one rebound matched a season low for Lopez, who has seen a noticeable drop in the category during his 16th NBA campaign.
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Myles Turner C | MIL
Pacers' Myles Turner: Posts 22/7/6 line in victory
Turner produced 22 points (9-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 125-108 victory over the Bucks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Turner's value for the Pacers can't be understated, as the veteran consistently provides solid interior support. Interestingly, his exposure in fantasy contests is very low, making him one of the most underrated centers in the playoff bracket. Although players like Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson challenged Turner for playing time in the regular season, neither of the backups saw any playing time in Indiana's Game 2 win.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Non-factor in Game 2 victory
Gafford logged zero points (0-3 FG), one rebound and one assist in nine minutes during Tuesday's 96-93 victory over the Clippers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Gafford got the starting nod but managed just nine minutes in the victory. Given the Mavericks' depth at the center position, Gafford's role is likely to hinge on individual matchups. Over the first two playoff matchups this year, he's averaged just 1.5 points in 11.5 minutes per game. With the series now level at 1-1, the Mavericks will head home as they attempt to seize the upper hand.
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Bol Bol C | PHO
Suns' Bol Bol: Logs two minutes in Game 2 loss
Bol finished with two rebounds in two minutes during Tuesday's 105-93 loss to Minnesota in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Bol managed just two minutes during garbage time, continuing his disappointing season. At this point, there is no reason to think Bol will ever be much more than a per-minute specialist with very little upside when it comes to sustainable playing time.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Double-doubles in loss
Nurkic finished with 10 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 14 rebounds and four assists over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 105-93 loss to Minnesota in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Nurkic grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds to go with 10 points, tallying his first double-double of the series. While he was more involved, the Suns still came up short, falling behind 2-0 in the series. Game 3 will be in Phoenix on Friday, where Nurkic will look to be even more of a force on the interior against the size of the Timberwolves.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Checks back into game
Gafford (back) returned to Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers with 7:54 remaining in the second quarter.
Gafford was deemed questionable to return after sustaining a lower back injury, but he returned to the court after missing approximately one quarter. The 24-year-old big man will look to make a bigger impact than he did in Game 1, when he tallied just three points and zero rebounds.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Questionable to return Tuesday
Gafford is questionable for the remainder of Tuesday's Game 2 against the Clippers due to a lower back injury.
Gafford recorded no stats in three minutes of action before exiting Tuesday's contest with 8:34 remaining in the first quarter due to a lower back injury. If Gafford is unable to return, Dereck Lively will likely serve as Dallas' primary center.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Posts triple-double in Game 2 win
Jokic closed Monday's 101-99 win over the Lakers in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 27 points (9-16 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 20 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals across 41 minutes.
Jamal Murray might have grabbed most of the headlines after draining a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot to lift Denver to victory, but Jokic's contributions can't be overlooked, as the MVP favorite posted a triple-double while dealing with the menace of Anthony Davis on both ends of the court. Jokic extended an impressive run that has seen him record a double-double or a triple-double in each of his last 16 games, a span in which he's averaging 28.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Lakers' Anthony Davis: Leads Lakers in Game 2 defeat
Davis ended Monday's 101-99 loss to the Nuggets in Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals with 32 points (14-19 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 39 minutes.
Davis has led the Lakers in scoring in each of the first two games of the series, but despite producing back-to-back 30-plus point efforts in the matchup against Nikola Jokic, the Lakers have fallen short of victory both times. Davis will likely land on the injury report ahead of Game 3, but given the situation and the workload he's handled in the first two games of the series, the star big man shouldn't have problems being active for Game 3 on Thursday.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Records double-double in 39 minutes
Embiid totaled 34 points (12-29 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 8-12 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists and one block over 39 minutes during Monday's 104-101 loss to the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Despite laboring up and down the court at times, Embiid showed no ill effects of his lingering knee injury and logged a full workload in the loss, but his prolific line wasn't enough to turn the tide. Embiid and Tyrese Maxey got no help from their teammates as the rest of the roster ended with fewer points than Embiid alone.