NBA Player News

Sengun racked up 19 points (6-19 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 7-9 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal over 36 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sengun was inefficient from the field during Saturday's loss, though the Rockets as a team connected on just 37.6 percent of their field-goal attempts. Sengun still finished as Houston's leading scorer and third in both rebounds and assists. He'll look to have more success from the field in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Allen amassed 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal across 28 minutes during Saturday's 126-113 victory over the Raptors in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Allen didn't have the most productive stat line Saturday, but he doesn't need to when he shares the court with the likes of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley. Allen is also shaking off some rust after missing 14 of the Cavaliers' last 19 games of the regular season (including the final two games) due to a knee injury.

Towns accumulated 25 points (6-13 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 10-10 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal over 33 minutes during Saturday's 113-102 win over the Hawks in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Towns was held scoreless in the first quarter but came alive in the second half with 19 points, 11 of which came in the fourth frame. Much of that scoring production came courtesy of the free-throw line, though he was also efficient from three-point range on limited attempts, and he finished as the Knicks' second-leading scorer behind Jalen Brunson (28 points). Towns' shooting splits noticeably dipped this season compared to 2024-25, but the veteran big man still has the capability of having a big performance on any given night, which will be crucial for New York's postseason run.

Okongwu finished Saturday's 113-102 loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 19 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block over 37 minutes.

Okongwu scored 12 of his 19 points in the first half of Saturday's game and finished as the Hawks' third-leading scorer behind CJ McCollum (26 points) and Jalen Johnson (23 points). Okongwu enjoyed a career year in his sixth NBA regular season, though he saw his production dip over his last 19 games from March 1, when he averaged 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.8 threes over 29.8 minutes. The Hawks will need more output from the 2020 first-rounder to help alleviate the pressure for Johnson, McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Ayton contributed 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one block over 35 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 win over the Rockets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Ayton's scoring total was engineered in part by LeBron James, who found his big man often and generated a few assists by connecting with him. Ayton has had his share of inconsistencies this season, but he went toe-to-toe with Alperen Sengun and finished with the better rebound result. It's all hands on deck for the Lakers, who need balanced output from everyone with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined. Ayton needs to keep the volume up and assume additional responsibility as a scoring threat to keep ahead of the Rockets in the first-round series.

Robinson registered three points (1-1 FG, 1-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 14 minutes during Saturday's 113-102 win over the Hawks in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Robinson played just 14 minutes, a slightly reduced role, as New York opted to run with some smaller lineups. Given that the Hawks don't really have a viable backup center, there is a chance Robinson will continue to be used sparingly, assuming Karl-Anthony Towns can stay out of foul trouble.

Capela will come off the bench for Saturday's Game 1 matchup with the Lakers, Rockets' radio voice Matt Thomas reports.

Capela started in Houston's final regular-season game with Alperen Sengun resting, but Sengun is back and starting, which will shift Capela to a reserve role. As a member of the second unit this season, Capela has averaged 3.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Gobert accumulated 17 points (8-9 FG, 1-5 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 38 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 loss to the Nuggets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

While Nikola Jokic still recorded a triple-double, Gobert did a decent job containing Denver's star and protecting the paint. He also contributed on the glass with three offensive rebounds and was highly efficient, missing just one shot across his 38 minutes.

Jokic supplied 25 points (11-19 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 13 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal across 40 minutes during Saturday's 116-105 win over Minnesota in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Jokic got off to a slow start, scoring just six points on four shots through the first half of play, but he came alive after halftime and helped the Nuggets open the third quarter with an 18-6 run. "To win a championship, you need the guys to step up at the right moment," Jokic said during a recent interview. "If it is not your night one game, it's OK because the next one is coming soon."

Hartenstein (calf) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 meeting with the Suns.

Hartenstein skipped the Thunder's final two regular-season games to rest his calf, but he'll be back in action Sunday. Hartenstein should start, which will push Branden Carlson back to the second unit.