NBA Player News

Doncic accumulated 37 points (12-27 FG, 6-16 3Pt, 7-8 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal in 37 minutes during Friday's 112-95 loss to the Warriors.

Doncic was brilliant early, pouring in 21 points in the first quarter as Los Angeles built a 25-point lead, but he couldn't keep up the pace as the Warriors stormed back. He still led all scorers with 37 points, though he needed 27 shots and picked up a technical late in the third quarter. The Lakers will try to bounce back Sunday at home against the Raptors.

Murray finished with 39 points (10-18 FG, 7-9 3Pt, 12-15 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block over 37 minutes in Friday's 127-120 win over Phoenix.

Murray narrowly missed scoring at least 40 points for the second time this season, though it was still a solid all-around effort to lead the Nuggets to a win. The 29-year-old is having an All-Star-caliber season, averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists, all career highs, along with 1.2 steals over 38.2 minutes per contest in five regular-season games. He's also shot an efficient 53.5 percent from behind the arc.

Jones registered 12 points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four rebounds, four assists, one block and four steals in 20 minutes during Friday's 125-111 loss to the Celtics.

Jones led the Bulls' bench in scoring Friday, and he also contributed defensively with four of Chicago's six steals. Jones has scored in double digits in five of the first six games of the regular season, but he's averaging only 18.2 minutes per contest off the bench after averaging 27.0 minutes per game across 65 regular-season contests (41 starts) during the 2025-26 campaign. He'll continue to be limited to a rotational role unless one of Josh Giddey or Norman Powell were to miss time.

Essengue chipped in 10 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT) and four rebounds across 16 minutes during Friday's 125-111 loss to the Celtics.

Essengue reached double-digit points for the first time this season, with nine of his points coming in just three minutes of playing time in the fourth quarter. The second-year pro is averaging 14.0 minutes off the bench this season, but he's not worth streaming even in the deepest of fantasy leagues unless more opportunities were to open up for him.

Giddey totaled 13 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 25 minutes during Friday's 125-111 loss to the Celtics.

Giddey's 13 points were his most in a game so far this regular season, but he hasn't been able to stuff the stat sheet like he did in each of the two prior seasons. Part of his struggles may be due to a lingering left wrist injury from training camp, although he hasn't shown up on the Bulls' injury report as of late. Giddey's slow start to the season is of some concern, and he'll continue to face tough competition as the Bulls travel to Philadelphia to face the 76ers on Monday.

Smith ended Friday's 125-111 loss to the Celtics with five points (2-8 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 27 minutes.

Smith was the only player who finished Friday's game with double-digit rebounds, although it was the second time in three games that he failed to score in double digits. The seventh-year center is averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks over 24.2 minutes per game to open the regular season. He'll continue to operate in a starting role for as long as Nic Claxton (hamstring) is out of action.

Nembhard finished with 22 points (8-16 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds and nine assists over 30 minutes in Friday's 145-125 loss to Miami.

Nembhard shot a rough 1-for-7 from deep in Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia. However, he put that behind him Friday to tie his career-high in three-pointers. Nembhard has combined for 32 field goal attempts in his last two games, and with Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) sidelined, he is expected to be more involved on both ends of the floor moving forward.

White finished with nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt), two rebounds, four assists and two steals over 26 minutes during Friday's 125-111 win over the Bulls.

It was the second time in three games that White failed to score in double digits while attempting less than 10 field goals, but he did contribute defensively with two steals. White's production is streaky, and even with Jaylen Brown (knee) now in Philadelphia, the former is still serving in a complementary role to Jayson Tatum, Paul George and even Payton Pritchard off the bench.

Queta contributed 13 points (3-5 FG, 7-10 FT), six rebounds, one block and one steal across 20 minutes during Friday's 125-111 win over Chicago.

The majority of Queta's points came from the charity stripe, and his seven made free throws were his most in a regular-season game since March 1 against the 76ers. He played one more minute than starting center Mitchell Robinson, although Queta got some extra run in the fourth quarter due to the Celtics' large lead. Queta was Boston's starting center in 2025-26, but the sixth-year pro has acclimated to his rotational role to allow Robinson to work more with the starters.

George produced 18 points (7-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, eight assists and three steals across 27 minutes during Friday's 125-111 win over Chicago.

George came out hot with eight points in the first quarter, and he ended the game a distant third on the Celtics in scoring behind Payton Pritchard (30 points) and Jayson Tatum (26 points). George also led the Celtics in assists, and Friday's game was the fourth time that the veteran forward has logged at least two steals. He has fit in seamlessly into head coach Joe Mazzulla's gameplan early on, and George is averaging 21.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.4 steals over 30.4 minutes per game this season.