NBA Player News
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Positive impact in loss
Gafford had five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 18 minutes during Friday's 120-106 Play-In Game loss to the Grizzlies.
Despite the Mavericks suffering a season-ending loss Friday, Gafford posted a team-high plus-six point differential. Gafford made 57 regular-season appearances during his first full season in Dallas and started in 31 games, splitting time at center with Dereck Lively. Across Gafford's 57 outings, he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.4 assists in 21.5 minutes.
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Dereck Lively II C | DAL
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Doesn't score in season-ending loss
Lively accumulated zero points (0-2 FG), six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals across 20 minutes during Friday's 120-106 Play-In Game loss to Memphis.
Friday's Play-In Game loss to the Grizzlies marked the only game this season that Lively played in but didn't score. The second-year center missed over half of the season due to an ankle injury. Across Lively's 36 regular-season appearances, including 29 starts, he averaged 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks.
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Jock Landale C | ATL
Rockets' Jock Landale: Won't play in Game 1
Landale won't play in Sunday's Game 1 against the Warriors due to a knee injury, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Landale will miss the first game of the playoffs Sunday due to a knee injury. Steven Adams should operate as the primary backup center to Alperen Sengun in his absence. Landale's next chance to suit up is Game 2 on Wednesday.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Scoring explosion not enough
Davis closed with 40 points (16-29 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes during Friday's 120-106 Play-In Game loss to Memphis.
Davis' game-high 40 points tied for his most points in a contest this season. However, the star big man's dominant outing wasn't enough for the Mavericks to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. After being traded from the Lakers, Davis averaged 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 blocks in 29.6 minutes across his nine regular-season appearances for the Mavericks, as he missed a significant period due to a left groin strain.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Returns to game Friday
Davis (knee) has returned to Friday's game against the Grizzlies, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Davis exited the game briefly due to an apparent knee injury, but he returned to the hardwood after receiving treatment. The big man should continue to operate as Dallas' go-to option on offense down the stretch in a game during which the Mavericks are down by a wide margin.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Exits with knee injury
Davis left Friday's game against the Grizzlies during the fourth quarter with an apparent right knee injury, Noah Weber of TheSmokingCuban.com reports.
Davis limped off the court and received treatment from the trainers while on the bench, and it's uncertain if he'll return to the game. If he doesn't, Caleb Martin, Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall would be in line to see more minutes down the stretch.
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Maxi Kleber C | LAL
Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Won't play in series opener
Kleber (foot) is out for Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Saturday.
Kleber hasn't played since Jan. 25 while recovering from surgery on his right foot, which he underwent Jan. 30. While he has been taking part in practices recently, he doesn't have a timetable to return to action. His next chance to suit up will come in Game 2 of the series on Tuesday.
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Massive double-double in loss
Okongwu posted 28 points (12-19 FG, 4-8 3Pt), 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals in 50 minutes during Friday's 123-114 overtime Play-In Game loss to Miami.
Okongwu played a game-high 50 minutes in Friday's elimination game, and he finished as the game's leading rebounder and third in points behind Tyler Herro (30) and Trae Young (29). Okongwu earned a permanent spot in Atlanta's starting lineup January 20 and established himself as a cornerstone piece for the franchise. As a starter during the regular season, Okongwu averaged 14.9 points on 58.1 percent shooting, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks over 31.1 minutes per game.
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Bam Adebayo PF | MIA
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Swats five shots against Atlanta
Adebayo recorded 17 points (8-14 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and two steals in 44 minutes during Friday's 123-114 overtime Play-In Game victory over the Hawks.
Adebayo came up big on the defensive end the floor, grabbing eight defensive boards and notching a game-high five blocks. He's logged a double-double in each of the Heat's two Play-In Tournament games, but he'll have his hands full in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, with the Heat hitting the road to face the Cavaliers for Game 1 on Sunday.
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Anthony Davis C | WAS
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Cleared to play Friday
Davis (adductor) is available for Friday's Play-In Game against the Grizzlies, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Davis has been managing a left adductor injury, but he was listed as probable for Friday's contest and has been cleared to play after going through pregame warmups. Over his last nine outings (including Wednesday's Play-In Game win over the Kings), Davis has averaged 20.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 blocks over 29.9 minutes per game.