NBA Player News

Topic (illness) logged 17 minutes off the bench Monday in the G League Oklahoma City Blue's 137-135 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce, finishing with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), seven assists and one rebound.

The 17-minute outing marked Topic's first appearance in a game since the preseason, when he played in one game before undergoing surgery in early October to treat testicular cancer. The 20-year-old made a swift recovery following chemotherapy and had been ramping up his activity over the last few weeks before he was cleared to resume practicing with the Blue over the weekend. Topic will likely need more time to regain full conditioning, but if all goes well in his subsequent G League appearances, he looks like he'll be ready to join the Thunder at some point shortly after the All-Star break. The No. 12 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic is still waiting to make his NBA debut after missing the entire 2024-25 season while recovering from an ACL tear.

Fears ended with 20 points (8-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals over 30 minutes off the bench during Monday's 120-94 win over the Kings.

The No. 7 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft saw his biggest workload since Jan. 16 in the rout, and he turned it into his best scoring effort since he dropped 21 points against the Wizards on Jan. 9. Fears has continues to make an impact on defense since shifting to the second unit, averaging 9.9 points, 2.7 boards, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.2 threes and 0.8 blocks in 20.9 minutes over the last nine games, but with Dejounte Murray (Achilles) having begun practicing with the team Sunday, the Pelicans' backcourt could be a few weeks away from getting significantly more crowded.

Williamson produced 18 points (7-11 FG, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, six assists and one steal in 27 minutes during Monday's 120-94 win over the Kings.

The 25-year-old forward would have posted better numbers, but his night ended early in the rout as he checked out for the last time with over seven minutes left in the fourth quarter. Williamson has scored in double digits in nine straight games, averaging 20.2 points, 7.7 boards, 3.9 assists and 1.4 combined blocks and steals over that stretch while shooting 58.2 percent from the floor.

The Celtics recalled Gonzalez from the G League's Maine Celtics following Monday's practice.

Gonzalez and fellow rookie Amari Williams reported to Maine on Monday to practice with the G League squad as well as the rehabbing Jayson Tatum, who was cleared to take part in portions of the session in what marked a major milestone in his rehab program for his surgically repaired Achilles. As expected, Gonzalez was immediately recalled following the session, so he'll be available for the Celtics' next game Wednesday versus the Bulls.

Murphy totaled 21 points (8-15 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 29 minutes during Monday's 120-94 victory over the Kings.

The fifth-year guard led the Pelicans in scoring on the night as he topped 20 points for a fourth straight contest and drained at least three three-pointers for a fifth straight. Over that five-game stretch, Murphy is averaging 27.4 points, 5.8 threes, 4.8 boards, 4.8 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 50.5 percent from the floor and 49.2 percent from beyond the arc. Dejounte Murray (Achilles) began practicing with the team Sunday, but he still doesn't have a clear timeline for his season debut. As long as he remains out, Murphy will continue to be the primary backcourt option for New Orleans.

Cardwell closed Monday's 120-94 loss to the Pelicans with six points (3-5 FG), 11 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 32 minutes off the bench.

The Kings were down by 15 at halftime and gave younger players like Caldwell plenty of run in the rout. The undrafted rookie center responded to the big workload by pulling down double-digit rebounds for a fourth straight game, a stretch in which he's averaging 9.3 points, 11.8 boards, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 28.5 minutes. Domantas Sabonis (back) has been on the shelf for three of those contests, but even once he's healthy, Sacramento seems likely to prioritize the development of youngsters like Caldwell given the team's league-worst 12-43 record.

Westbrook chipped in 17 points (7-17 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 21 minutes during Monday's 120-94 loss to the Pelicans.

The Kings continue to monitor Westbrook's workload in the wake of a foot injury he suffered in late January, and the 37-year-old guard has played 26 minutes or fewer in three of four games since returning to the lineup. During that span, he's averaged 14.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.5 boards and 2.3 threes in just 24.8 minutes a contest. With Sacramento holding the worst record in the NBA at 12-43 and headed for the top of the lottery, Westbrook could be one of the veterans who find their usage scaled back for the remainder of the season, even if he's fully healthy.

Edwards amassed 12 points (3-5 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and three steals in 24 minutes during Monday's 135-118 loss to Portland.

After limited work as an injury replacement last season, Edwards has popped for a few productive games with the parent club during his second year with the Sixers. He's bounced back and forth between the NBA and the G League this season, but he figures to stick with the parent club until the team gets Paul George (suspension) back.

Oubre ended Monday's 135-118 loss to Portland with 19 points (6-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and four steals over 36 minutes.

Oubre turned in another solid line as Paul George's (suspension) direct replacement. Oubre's season-high four steals added to a diverse stat line that included two blocked shots. Oubre also came close to 20 points, a benchmark he's surpassed four times this season.

Maxey finished with 30 points (10-21 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 8-8 FT), one rebound, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Monday's 135-118 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Maxey enjoyed his usual prolific production, but it wasn't enough to withstand the Trail Blazers' brilliant performance. Everyone in the starting lineup scored in double digits, but only Kelly Oubre finished well beyond that benchmark. While Maxey has gotten ample support from his teammates recently, the rest of the first unit produced only 53 points in the losing effort, as the unit continues to struggle whenever Joel Embiid (knee) isn't in the lineup.