NBA Player News

Monk logged 18 points (6-13 FG, 6-9 3Pt), two rebounds, two assists and one steal across 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's 114-111 loss to the Clippers.

The 18 points actually led the Kings on the night, while the six made three-pointers were Monk's best showing from beyond the arc since Jan. 12, when he lit up the Lakers with a 7-for-9 performance from downtown. Neither DeMar DeRozan nor Zach LaVine were shipped out at the trade deadline, so Monk will remain part of the second unit, but he's very comfortable in that role -- he's scored in double digits in eight of his last nine games, averaging 15.6 points, 3.2 threes, 3.1 assists and 2.0 boards in 24.0 minutes over that stretch while shooting 47.5 percent from long distance.

Lopez ended with 15 points (5-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal in 36 minutes during Friday's 114-111 victory over the Kings.

Making his second start since Ivica Zubac (ankle) was dealt to the Pacers, Lopez set a new season high in rebounds while posting his best scoring effort since a 31-point eruption in Portland on Dec. 26. The 37-year-old center may not have a lot left in the tank, but the Clippers will be counting on him to step up as part of the new supporting cast around Kawhi Leonard. Over nine starts this season, Lopez is averaging 10.1 points, 4.7 boards, 2.2 threes, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 25.8 minutes.

Collins logged 22 points (8-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 34 minutes during Friday's 114-111 win over the Kings.

The 28-year-old big continues to be a reliable contributor for the Clippers. Collins has scored in double digits in 10 straight games since returning in mid-January from a minor groin injury, averaging 16.6 points, 5.2 boards, 1.9 threes and 1.3 assists in 28.4 minutes over that stretch while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor and 48.7 percent from beyond the arc. With Ivica Zubac (ankle) now in Indiana and James Harden (trade pending) in Cleveland, Collins' usage could be on the upswing.

Leonard closed with 31 points (9-19 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 12-12 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Friday's 114-111 win over the Kings.

The 31 points led all scorers on the night, while Leonard came within shouting distance of his first triple-double of the season. With James Harden (trade pending) now in Cleveland and Ivica Zubac (ankle) in Indiana, the pressure will be on Leonard to keep the Clippers in the playoff picture, as they currently sit ninth in the Western Conference. If he can stay healthy, the 34-year-old forward may be up to the task, however -- over the last eight games since returning from a minor ankle issue, Leonard's averaging 25.5 points, 6.0 boards, 4.8 assists, 1.9 threes and 1.3 steals in 29.3 minutes.

Henderson (hamstring) racked up 11 points (4-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine assists, five rebounds and one steal across 21 minutes off the bench during Friday's 135-115 win over the Grizzlies.

Seeing his first action of the season after recovering from a torn hamstring, Henderson led Portland in assists despite being on the second unit and seeing a limited workload. The third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has yet to live up to expectations, but with Shaedon Sharpe leaving Friday's win early due to a calf injury, Henderson might need to handle a bigger role right away in the backcourt. However, with Portland set to play the Grizzlies in a rematch Saturday in the second leg of a back-to-back set, Henderson could be a candidate to sit out that contest for maintenance purposes following his return from a lengthy absence.

Holiday produced 20 points (6-12 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), five rebounds, seven assists and two steals in 25 minutes during Friday's 135-115 victory over the Grizzlies.

It's just the second time in nine games since rejoining the starting lineup that Holiday has scored at least 20 points. The 35-year-old point guard has yet to play 30 minutes in any of those starts as Portland keeps a close eye on his workload following a nearly two-month absence due to a calf injury, and since moving back into the starting five he's averaging 12.9 points, 5.2 assists, 3.4 boards, 1.6 threes and 1.3 steals in 23.0 minutes.

Clingan contributed 13 points (6-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and 17 rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's 135-115 win over the Grizzlies.

The second-year center continues to emerge as one of the NBA's top rebounders. Clingan has pulled down at least 15 boards in six of his last nine games, averaging 11.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 threes during that span. His 11.3 boards per game rank third in the league behind five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.

Grant closed with 23 points (8-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 28 minutes during Friday's 135-115 win over the Grizzlies.

The veteran forward led all scorers on the night as he made his third straight start in place of Deni Avdija (back). Portland couldn't find a taker for Grant's contract at the trade deadline, but he's been useful for the team in February, during which he has averaged 20.3 points, 2.3 assists, 2.3 threes, 2.0 boards and 0.7 steals in 29.7 minutes while filling in for Avdija.

Spencer amassed 18 points (7-8 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists, one block and two steals across 26 minutes off the bench during Friday's 135-115 loss to the Trail Blazers.

The second-year guard led Memphis in scoring on the night, coming off the bench for a fourth straight game. The team's backcourt is getting crowded even with Ja Morant (elbow) still sidelined, as Ty Jerome (calf) made his season debut Jan. 31 and Scotty Pippen (toe) followed Friday, and the Grizzlies seem more comfortable having Spencer in the second unit. Over the last three games in that role, he's averaged 18.0 points, 5.0 assists, 2.7 threes and 2.3 boards in 26.0 minutes.

Coward closed Friday's 135-115 loss to Portland with 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist and three steals across 25 minutes.

The three steals tied Coward's career high, while the eight boards represented the rookie's best effort on the glass since Jan. 11. Coward's production can still wobble at times -- he's failed to score in double digits three times in the last seven games -- but since missing time in early January due to an ankle sprain, the 22-year-old guard is averaging 13.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.7 threes and 1.2 combined steals-plus-blocks in 26.3 minutes over the last 13 contests.