NBA Player News

Rupert logged 16 points (7-25 FG, 1-11 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals across 40 minutes during Friday's 147-101 loss to Utah.

The Grizzlies played with a slim six-player rotation during the loss, giving Rupert and a motley crew of backups ample minutes. Rupert joined the Grizzlies after failing to catch on in Portland, and the third-year pro has impressed with some upside totals in recent days. Rupert's size and speed give the Grizzles flexibility with the skills to fill in at several positions. If he stays with the team, he has a decent chance of making the roster and possibly cracking the rotation.

Plowden had 20 points (7-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes during Friday's 124-118 victory over the Warriors.

The 27-year-old forward just missed recording his first career double-double in his 37th NBA game. Plowden has taken advantage of his opportunity with the Kings over the last month-plus, scoring in double digits in 15 of his last 16 games while averaging 14.6 points, 3.3 boards, 2.8 threes, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.9 minutes a contest.

Clifford ended with 20 points (5-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds and six assists across 38 minutes during Friday's 124-118 win over the Warriors.

The rookie wing is having a productive final stretch of the season. Clifford has started six straight games, averaging 16.5 points, 5.2 boards, 4.0 assists, 1.8 threes and 0.8 steals as the injury-ravaged Kings play out the string.

Raynaud finished with 23 points (9-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 39 minutes during Friday's 124-118 win over Golden State.

The rookie center just missed his 19th double-double as he's had a strong close to the campaign. Raynaud has scored in double digits in 11 of the last 12 games, averaging 18.8 points, 8.6 boards, 1.9 assists and 0.8 threes while shooting 57.2 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Tshiebwe closed Friday's 147-101 win over the Grizzlies with 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-4 FT), 22 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 28 minutes.

The Jazz had a huge size advantage over the Grizzlies, and Tshiebwe took advantage with a tremendous rebound total. Although the Jazz seem to have found their answer at center via Kyle Filipowski, Tshiebwe has provided apt support in the frontcourt since joining the parent club. The prognoses for Jusuf Nurkic (nose) and Walker Kessler (shoulder) are unclear, but a healthy Jaren Jackson (knee) will likely keep Tshiebwe buried on the depth chart next season if he stays with the team.

Carter had 29 points (11-18 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 1-4 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 35 minutes during Friday's 124-118 win over the Warriors.

The 29 points were a career high for Carter as he led the Kings in scoring on the night. The second-year guard has started nine straight games in place of Russell Westbrook (toe), averaging 14.7 points, 4.9 boards, 3.7 assists, 2.0 threes and 1.0 steals in 28.1 minutes during that stretch.

Porzingis provided 11 points (4-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 26 minutes during Friday's 124-118 loss to Sacramento.

The veteran center had sat out the prior two games with an illness, but Porzingis returned to action on a minutes restriction Friday. The Warriors are focused on having as healthy a roster as possible for the Play-In Tournament, so Porzingis may not see a big increase in his workload during the regular-season finale Sunday. Over his last 10 appearances, he's averaging 17.2 points, 5.8 boards, 2.4 assists, 1.7 threes and 0.9 blocks in 25.0 minutes.

Podziemski recorded 30 points (9-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 9-10 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal over 32 minutes during Friday's 124-118 loss to the Kings.

Stephen Curry (ankle) returned to the starting five Friday, but it was Podziemski who led the way on offense for the Warriors as he paced all scorers on the night while setting a new career high. The third-year guard has dropped 20-plus points in seven of the last 10 games, averaging 21.1 points, 4.8 boards, 3.7 assists, 2.6 threes and 1.0 steals over that stretch as he heads into the regular-season finale Sunday.

Mbeng amassed 27 points (12-19 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals in 38 minutes during Friday's 147-101 victory over the Grizzlies.

The undrafted Yale product did a bit of everything in the blowout victory. Mbeng has turned heads since joining the parent club a month ago, and the team rewarded his encouraging play with a two-year contract. Despite the team's misfortunes, the Jazz are stacked at the guard positions. Mbeng's signing signals the possibility for some trade activity emanating from the team's backcourt in the offseason.

Hinson amassed 30 points (12-19 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals across 35 minutes during Friday's 147-101 win over Memphis.

Utah's decision to improve its draft odds by filling the court with backups and two-way players backfired, as Hinson posted a massive total in the blowout. The rookie out of Pittsburgh has spent most of the season in the G League, but his elite shooting and NBA-caliber size give the 26-year-old a chance to make the parent club's roster next season. Hinson could draw another start in the season finale against the Lakers.