NBA Player News
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Kyle Filipowski PF | UTA
Jazz's Kyle Filipowski: Double-doubles in blowout loss
Filipowski closed with 20 points (10-25 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists and one block across 38 minutes during Sunday's 146-111 loss to the Thunder.
Filipowski didn't have his best shooting performance, but he had to deal with the size and defensive ability of the imposing Chet Holmgren-Isaiah Hartenstein frontcourt. Despite the subpar showing in terms of efficiency, Filipowski still reached the 20-point mark and delivered his third double-double across his last four appearances. Filipowski should be one of Utah's go-to options on offense in the final week of the regular season. He's averaging 17.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game over his last 10 appearances.
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Draymond Green PF | GS
Warriors' Draymond Green: Dishes out 12 assists in defeat
Green closed with seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt), six rebounds, 12 assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Sunday's 117-116 loss to the Rockets.
Green collected double-digit assists for the second time in five games. Double-digit scoring totals have been elusive for the veteran, but his steady secondary numbers are typically high. Despite the deficiency, Green has scored more frequently recently, averaging 1.3 points higher than his seasonal average of 8.6 points over the last eight games.
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Gui Santos SF | GS
Warriors' Gui Santos: Plays through injury with 15 points
Santos (pelivs) notched 15 points (5-15 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and two steals over 32 minutes during Sunday's 117-116 loss to the Rockets.
Although Santos' recent history against the Rockets was underwhelming heading into Sunday's matchup, he finished with a solid number in the defeat. The Warriors' front three are still a work in progress, as Kristaps Porzingis' results have been volatile since joining the team. Draymond Green has been steady in a slightly adjusted role, and Santos has been a savior for the team, given the shallow rotation of only nine players. The loss of Moses Moody (knee) opened up the door for Santos to make a nightly impact.
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LeBron James SF | LAL
Lakers' LeBron James: Sniffs triple-double
James closed Sunday's 134-128 loss to the Mavericks with 30 points (12-22 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 5-9 FT), nine rebounds, 15 assists and one steal in 39 minutes.
James struggled from three-point range, but other than that, he delivered a strong fantasy line while ending just one rebound shy of a triple-double. The All-Star forward will be forced to carry a heavier burden on offense for the time being due to the absences of Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique). If he can stay on the court, James should be a massive fantasy asset in the final week of the regular season.
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Luke Kennard SG | LAL
Lakers' Luke Kennard: Records triple-double Sunday
Kennard provided 15 points (5-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 16 rebounds, 11 assists and one steal in 41 minutes during Sunday's 134-128 loss to Dallas.
With Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique) and Marcus Smart (ankle) sidelined, Kennard moved to the starting lineup, and the sharpshooter responded by notching the first triple-double of his career. Kennard has always had solid value due to his three-point shooting ability, but being a starter and holding a sizable role on offense should translate to a considerable uptick in his fantasy upside. With Reaves sidelined until early May in a best-case scenario and Doncic having an uncertain timetable to return, Kennard should continue to have a large offensive role during the final week of the regular season.
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Rui Hachimura PF | LAL
Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Scores 21 points in loss Sunday
Hachimura produced 21 points (9-13 FG, 3-5 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal across 39 minutes during Sunday's 134-128 loss to the Mavericks.
With Luka Doncic (hamstring), Austin Reaves (oblique) and Marcus Smart (ankle) sidelined, Hachimura moved into the starting lineup. He thrived with a 21-point performance, marking his best scoring night since he delivered a 23-point output in a win over the Bulls on Jan. 26. Expect Hachimura to have a sizable role on offense in the final week of the regular season, given he should be a go-to option as long as Doncic and Reaves remain out. Reaves isn't expected back until early May at the earliest, while Doncic's timetable remains uncertain.
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Stephen Curry PG | GS
Warriors' Stephen Curry: Explodes for 29 points in return
Curry (knee) supplied 29 points (11-21 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four assists, two rebounds and one steal across 26 minutes during Sunday's 117-116 loss to the Rockets.
Cleared to return after missing the previous 27 games while recovering from right patellofemoral pain syndrome, Curry elected to come off the bench for the first time since the 2011-12 season while the Warriors aimed to manage his minutes. The arrangement worked well, as Curry overcame a slow start to pour in seven points in the second quarter before helping Golden State overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit in the final five minutes. Curry had a chance at a game-winning 30-foot jumper at the buzzer, but the shot was off the mark. The Warriors have one back-to-back set remaining on their schedule during the final week of the regular season, and with Golden State essentially locked in as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference, Curry will most likely be rested at least once in the next four games.
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PJ Washington PF | DAL
Mavericks' P.J. Washington: Logs 30 minutes in return
Washington (illness) finished Sunday's 134-128 victory over the Lakers with 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-6 3Pt) and six rebounds over 30 minutes.
In his return from a three-game absence due to an illness, Washington moved right back into the starting five and faced no apparent restrictions with his playing time. The big man is averaging 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game since the All-Star break.
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Naji Marshall SG | DAL
Mavericks' Naji Marshall: Stuffs stat sheet vs. LAL
Marshall recorded 13 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-6 FT), six rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 32 minutes during Sunday's 134-128 victory over the Lakers.
Even though Cooper Flagg stole the show with a 45-point performance, Marshall was efficient as a shooter and left his mark in other categories, posting at least two tallies in four of the five major categories. Marshall is ending the season on a strong note and has scored in double digits in five of his last six appearances, averaging 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game in that stretch.
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Jabari Smith PF | HOU
Rockets' Jabari Smith: Flirts with double-double in win
Smith amassed 23 points (9-12 FG, 5-7 3Pt), nine rebounds and one assist over 32 minutes during Sunday's 117-116 victory over the Warriors.
Smith finished one rebound shy of a double-double in the dramatic victory. He distinguished himself as a perimeter threat Sunday with five triples, matching his third-highest total of the season in the category. The fourth-year pro averages 6.2 attempts from long range this season, which is quite high for his position. Smith's result continues a nice five-game streak of 20-plus point totals.