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Jared McCain PG | OKC
Thunder's Jared McCain: Leads OKC off bench
McCain posted 26 points (9-16 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 28 minutes during the Thunder's 121-92 win over the Nets on Wednesday.
The Thunder led by as much as 42 points during Wednesday's blowout win, which resulted in McCain and the rest of the reserves seeing more time in the second half. The second-year pro took advantage of the extra court time, scoring a season-high 26 points, which was his highest scoring output since Nov. 22, 2024 as a member of the 76ers, when he scored 30 points (also against the Nets). McCain has been a steady presence off the bench for the Thunder since he was acquired from the 76ers in early February. He'll have opportunities to serve in an expanded role in games for which Oklahoma City is down players, as was the case Wednesday with Luguentz Dort (rest) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) both unavailable.
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Jaylen Brown SF | PHI
Celtics' Jaylen Brown: Nets game-high 32 points in win
Brown notched 32 points (11-20 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 9-9 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 120-99 win over Golden State.
Brown couldn't miss to begin Wednesday's game, dropping in 19 points on nine shots through the first quarter of play, and he finished a perfect 9-for-9 at the line. Brown has been on a heater over the past two, scoring a total of 73 points on 21-for-41 shooting, and he'll look to keep it going Friday with a favorable matchup versus Memphis.
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Jayson Tatum PF | BOS
Celtics' Jayson Tatum: Double-doubles in win
Tatum totaled 24 points (7-15 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 31 minutes during Wednesday's 120-99 victory over Golden State.
This was Tatum's third double-double of the season, and he's now scored at least 20 points in five straight games. Tatum has made an immediate impact since getting back to the court, churning out third-round value behind averages of 20.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 3.0 triples and 1.2 steals per contest.
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Gary Payton II PG | GS
Warriors' Gary Payton: Rips away season-high four steals
Payton produced 14 points (7-11 FG, 0-3 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists and four steals over 21 minutes during Wednesday's 120-99 loss to the Celtics.
Payton was a lone bright spot off the bench for the Warriors in Wednesday's blowout loss, and he finished with a new season high in steals. He's been shooting the lights out over the past five games, converting 63.3 percent of his shot attempts to go with averages of 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.4 steals per contest. Until the Warriors get the likes of Moses Moody (wrist) and Stephen Curry (knee) back in action, Payton should have a fairly clear path to a 20-plus-minute role in most games.
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis: Racks up four stocks in 23 minutes
Porzingis registered 11 points (4-13 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 120-99 loss to the Celtics.
Porzingis was locked in on the defensive end, racking up two swats within the first minute of play, and he finished with four stocks in just 23 minutes of play. The Warriors close out the week with a Friday-Saturday back-to-back set, so managers will need to be on alert for a potential maintenance day for the 30-year-old veteran.
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De'Anthony Melton SG | GS
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Held to five points on nine shots
Melton closed with five points (2-9 FG, 1-6 3Pt), one rebound, two assists, one block and one steal in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 120-99 loss to the Celtics.
Melton couldn't get anything going against the Celtics' No. 1-rated defense, and he's headed for another tough matchup Friday against the Pistons, who rank in the top three in defensive efficiency. That game will also be the first of a back-to-back set, so there's a chance Melton will get hit with a maintenance day.
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Aaron Wiggins SG | ATL
Thunder's Aaron Wiggins: Chips in 17 points in win
Wiggins logged 17 points (7-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt), six rebounds, one assist and two steals over 38 minutes during the Thunder's 121-92 win over the Nets on Wednesday.
Wiggins drew the start for Wednesday's game due to the absence of Isaiah Hartenstein (calf). The former was quiet in the first half but came alive out of halftime, scoring 13 of his 17 points in the third quarter. It was Wiggins' first game of double-digit points since March 3 against the Bulls and his third in 14 games since the All-Star break, all of which were games he started in. As a starter this season, the fifth-year pro has averaged 14.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 2.3 threes, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks over 29.4 minutes per game.
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Brandin Podziemski SG | GS
Warriors' Brandin Podziemski: Struggles with shot in loss
Podziemski ended Wednesday's 120-99 loss to the Celtics with 10 points (1-8 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 7-10 FT), six rebounds, five assists and one steal in 28 minutes.
Podziemski couldn't get his shot to drop and finished with a minus-11 plus/minus rating in the blowout loss. The Warriors have now dropped six of their past seven games, and it'll be tough for them to right the ship Friday with a matchup against the 48-18 Pistons.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander PG | OKC
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Extends 20-point streak
Gilgeous-Alexander posted 20 points (8-9 FG, 4-5 FT), six assists, three rebounds and three steals over 26 minutes during the Thunder's 121-92 win over the Nets on Wednesday.
The Thunder dominated Wednesday's game, resulting in Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the starters sitting for the entire fourth quarter. Even with the reduced playing time, the reigning MVP needed just nine field-goal attempts to reach the 20-point threshold, extending his NBA streak of 20-plus-point games to 130. Coming off a back-to-back set, Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder will get two days of rest before their next game against the Wizards on Saturday.
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Ivica Zubac C | IND
Pacers' Ivica Zubac: Suffers head contusion
Zubac is questionable to return to Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a head contusion.
Zubac was hit in the face and promptly went back to the locker room with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Pacers should provide an update on Zubac before the contest concludes, but it's possible that his night is over. Zubac was listed as questionable heading into Wednesday's game due to low back soreness before he was ultimately cleared to play.