NBA Player News

Porzingis ended Tuesday's 120-89 victory over the Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with nine points (3-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 21 minutes.

The Celtics ran away with this game by the third quarter, and Porzingis had three fouls, so the team was able to dial him back Tuesday. The big man has had a very quiet postseason so far, as he's shooting 35.2 percent from the field and 11.8 percent from beyond the arc with 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.8 blocks and 1.8 steals in 27.4 minutes. Some positive regression with his shooting is likely around the corner.

Bitadze posted no counting stats over two minutes during Tuesday's 120-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Bitadze saw just a total of 11 minutes in this series, as the Magic relied mostly on Wendell Carter at center. He saw some decent playing time in the regular season, however, posting averages of 7.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 blocks and 0.7 steals in 20.4 minutes while shooting 61.1 percent from the field. Bitadze is under contract for two more years and is likely to open the 2025-26 season as Carter's backup.

Duren chipped in nine points (4-8 FG, 1-3 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists and two blocks over 33 minutes during Tuesday's 106-103 win over the Knicks in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Duren chipped in across the board Tuesday, finishing one assist shy of his career high. The third-year center is thriving in his postseason debut, averaging a double-double with 10.0 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 blocks on 64.5 percent shooting from the field.

Sims finished Tuesday's 119-118 overtime loss to the Pacers in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with four points (2-2 FG) and five rebounds across 11 minutes.

Sims was used sparingly by the Bucks during the regular season and the playoffs. In 53 regular-season appearances, Sims produced 1.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per game. Sims, along with veteran center Brook Lopez, will both hit the free agent market this offseason.

Lopez accumulated two points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) across eight minutes during Tuesday's 119-118 overtime loss to the Pacers in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Lopez, who was averaging 16.8 minutes in this series prior to Tuesday, was predictably benched in favor of Bobby Portis with coach Doc Rivers making several rotation tweaks. Although he had a brutal postseason, Lopez was one of Milwaukee's most reliable players in the regular season, averaging 13.0 points on 50.9 percent shooting, 5.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks over 31.8 minutes per game. The 37-year-old center will hit the free agent market this offseason and could potentially find a new home outside of Milwaukee.

Carter supplied 12 points (5-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two steals over 34 minutes during Tuesday's 120-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Although the Magic were bounced out of the playoffs in short order, Carter enjoyed success against a formidable Boston frontcourt, posting some of his best rebound totals of the season. Low shot volume resulted in only two double-doubles during the series, but he averaged 10.8 rebounds over the five-game set. Moritz Wagner's season-ending knee injury opened the door for Carter to emerge as a full-time starter, and he should begin next season with the first unit if he remains with the team.

Zubac supplied 27 points (11-15 FG, 5-8 FT), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 37 minutes during Tuesday's 131-115 loss to Denver in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Zubac led the Clippers with 27 points, albeit in a losing effort. While it was easily his best offensive showing to this point in the series, Zubac was oddly quiet on the glass. The Clippers will be hoping to avoid a third straight loss on Thursday, a loss that would bring the series to a close.

Turner closed Tuesday's 119-118 overtime victory over the Bucks in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 21 points (5-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 8-10 FT) and nine rebounds over 43 minutes.

Turner supplied 20-plus points for the second consecutive contest, helping lead Indiana past Milwaukee in five games. The big man finished as the Pacers' second-leading scorer Tuesday, and he also grabbed at least six rebounds for the first and only time in the first round. Turner averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.6 assists across 32.2 minutes per game in the opening round.

Kleber (foot) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Timberwolves, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Kleber has yet to suit up for the Lakers after undergoing surgery on his right foot Jan. 30, though he could make his debut in Wednesday's win-or-go-home matchup. Jaxson Hayes has started all four outings during the first round but is averaging only 7.5 minutes per game, meaning Kleber could take on some responsibility at center if he's cleared to play,

Lopez won't start in Tuesday's Game 5 against the Pacers.

Bobby Portis will join the starting lineup in Tuesday's win-or-go-home game, pushing Lopez to the bench. The veteran big man has received limited playing time in the first round, averaging 5.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 16.8 minutes per game in four outings.