NBA Player News

Champagnie notched 14 points (4-8 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 34 minutes during Thursday's 101-100 win over Phoenix.

Champagnie had four consecutive games with single-digit scoring figures between March 10 and March 16, but the veteran has bounced back in the last two games. He posted 17 points in the blowout win over the Kings on Tuesday and added 14 points in this tight win Thursday. Perhaps more encouraging is the fact that Champagnie has gone 9-for-15 from three-point range over those two contests after going 2-for-17 in that previous four-game stretch. It seems that was just a cold period for the sharpshooter, as he's still shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc since the beginning of March while averaging 5.5 three-point attempts per game.

Vassell chipped in 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists in 33 minutes during Thursday's 101-100 win over the Suns.

Vassell returned to his regular starting role after missing Tuesday's win over the Kings due to left ankle soreness, and the veteran made his presence felt. However, he had a secondary role offensively behind the Victor Wembanyama-De'Aaron Fox duo. Vassell has scored in double digits in seven of his 10 appearances in March, averaging 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in that span.

Fox contributed 23 points (8-17 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal over 33 minutes during Thursday's 101-100 victory over the Suns.

Even though Victor Wembanyama drew all the praise after draining the game-winning shot that locked up a playoff spot for the Spurs, Fox's contributions in this game can't be overlooked. The veteran floor general has done a good job as the Spurs' No. 2 scoring option all season long and has constantly hovered around the 20-point mark of late, reaching it in five of his previous nine appearances. Over that stretch, Fox is averaging 21.4 points, 6.6 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the floor.

Booker (ankle) contributed 22 points (8-21 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 6-7 FT) and five assists over 34 minutes during Thursday's 101-100 loss to the Spurs.

Booker needed 21 shots to score 22 points, and while the star guard didn't have his best game from an efficiency perspective, he continues to play at a high level. Fantasy managers shouldn't be overly concerned by Booker's shooting woes in this game, as the Spurs are a tough defensive matchup, and he's been playing well, averaging 30.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 44.8 percent from the floor in 10 games since the beginning of March. The All-Star appeared to tweak his ankle on the final shot of Thursday's game, and while he sported a limp afterwards, he didn't have a wrap and said he was fine moving forward. It appears to be a minor injury, but it's certainly something to monitor with the Suns ending a five-game week with a back-to-back set this weekend.

Gillespie finished Thursday's 101-100 loss to the Spurs with 24 points (7-13 FG, 6-11 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, six assists and two steals in 34 minutes.

Gillespie led the way for the Suns in this matchup and drained at least six three-pointers for the fifth time this season. The floor general had 17 points in the first half and matched his best scoring mark since the All-Star break. Gillespie has scored in double digits in 10 of his 15 appearances, averaging 12.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 40.5 percent from deep in that span.

Ighodaro had 15 points (7-10 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 34 minutes during Thursday's 101-100 loss to San Antonio.

Ighodaro didn't repeat the season-best effort he delivered in the loss to Minnesota on Tuesday, when he finished with 16 points and 10 boards, but he still delivered a strong line, ending just three assists and three boards away from a double-double. Ighodaro has scored in double digits in four of his last nine starts, and while he's averaging 8.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in that span, he's definitely trending in the right direction after his two strong performances against the Timberwolves and Spurs.

Monk won't return to Thursday's game against the 76ers due to a right shoulder injury. He finished with four points (1-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five assists and one rebound in 16 minutes.

Monk returned from a four-game absence due to a sprained right ankle and logged 16 minutes in the first half. However, he won't return during the second due to the shoulder injury. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's game against the Nets.

Powell had 20 points (7-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 5-5 FT), two rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 33 minutes off the bench before fouling out of Thursday's 134-126 loss to the Lakers.

Powell had a rough game from three-point range, shooting 1-of-5 from distance and not getting his first triple to fall until the fourth quarter. He's been off from beyond the arc over the past five, converting just 22.2 percent of his three-point attempts over that stretch. It could be tough for him to bust out of the funk Saturday with a difficult matchup against the Rockets.

Herro accumulated 21 points (8-19 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds and five assists over 33 minutes during Thursday's 134-126 loss to the Lakers.

Herro has scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games, but he's also been a bit careless with the rock, coughing up a total of eight turnovers in that two-game span. He'll need to do a better job of limiting the giveaways if the Heat hope to snap their three-game skid Saturday in Houston.

Adebayo accumulated 28 points (9-19 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-10 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 38 minutes during Thursday's 134-126 loss to the Lakers.

Adebayo looked fresh in his return from a one-game absence, dominating his matchup with Deandre Ayton and holding the Lakers' center to just six points and four rebounds. However, with the Heat unable to contain Luka Doncic, they suffered their third straight loss and now head to Houston for another tough matchup Saturday.