NBA Player News
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Jabari Smith PF | HOU
Rockets' Jabari Smith: Scores team-high 22 points
Smith accumulated 22 points (9-17 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and one block across 40 minutes during Monday's 100-92 loss to the Lakers.
Smith assumed a larger role in the frontcourt during the loss, absorbing Alperen Sengun's (back) lost output. Smith's frame and skill set would be enough to play the five on almost any other team in the league, but Sengun's presence has limited his ability to embrace that kind of role. Smith is still having a great fourth season in his role, averaging 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists over 63 games.
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LeBron James SF | LAL
Lakers' LeBron James: Drops 18 points in win
James logged 18 points (7-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals over 33 minutes during Monday's 100-92 win over Houston.
James failed to exceed 20 points for the fourth consecutive game, but he continued to provide his typical intangibles in a complementary role to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. James has averaged 25.3 points per game since his recent three-game absence, so the elder statesman shows no signs of slowing down while battling hip and foot injuries.
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De'Aaron Fox PG | SA
Spurs' De'Aaron Fox: Compiles 18 points in win
Fox accumulated 18 points (6-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 29 minutes during Monday's 119-115 win over the Clippers.
Fox went scoreless beyond the arc but still managed to get 18 points thanks to six converted shots and a perfect night at the charity stripe. The battle for fantasy supremacy went to Stephon Castle in the win, although Fox has bested his teammate with more frequency in recent weeks. He's in the midst of a productive month, averaging 19.2 points, 7.0 assists and 3.6 rebounds over the past nine games.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Racks up another double-double
Wembanyama registered 21 points (9-20 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, four blocks and one steal over 34 minutes during Monday's 119-115 win over the Clippers.
Wembanyama struggled a bit with his perimeter shot but was otherwise impressive in the victory. He seemed to show no ill effects from the ankle injury that forced a one-game absence last week. Although he underperformed over a two-game span in late February, he's compiled six double-doubles since the brief downturn.
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Bennedict Mathurin SF | LAC
Clippers' Bennedict Mathurin: Posts 16 points in loss
Mathurin amassed 16 points (5-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four rebounds, three assists and two steals across 34 minutes during Monday's 119-115 loss to San Antonio.
Mathurin was expected to see increased usage during Kawhi Leonard's (ankle) absence, but the former's total wasn't enough to overcome a productive night from the Spurs. Mathurin snapped an impressive five-game streak of 20-plus point performances. He'll try to renew that streak on the road for a two-game set against the Pelicans.
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Amen Thompson SG | HOU
Rockets' Amen Thompson: Logs double-double in defeat
Thompson finished Monday's 100-92 loss to the Lakers with 19 points (8-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and one block across 41 minutes.
Although Thompson finished with a quality line, Alperen Sengun's (back) absence had a significant impact on Houston's effectiveness on both sides of the ball. Thompson has played solid ball over the past five games, averaging 20.8 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
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John Collins PF | LAC
Clippers' John Collins: Sniffs double-double in loss
Collins finished Monday's 119-115 loss to the Spurs with 11 points (4-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and one steal in 26 minutes.
Collins was one rebound shy of a double-double in the defeat. His playing time was restricted again, although his minutes increased by six over the previous contest, when he returned from a seven-game absence. Collins could also see a boost in the short term if Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is forced to miss extended time.
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Naz Reid C | MIN
Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Will play Tuesday
Reid (shoulder) is available for Tuesday's game against the Suns, per Chris Hine of the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Reid is battling a right shoulder contusion, but the issue won't stop him from playing the first half of Minnesota's back-to-back set. The big man has averaged 12.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 25.4 minutes per game over his last six contests, and Reid should see a bump in usage due to the absence of Anthony Edwards (knee).
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Deandre Ayton C | LAL
Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Grabs 11 rebounds in victory
Ayton amassed seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one block and one steal over 27 minutes during Monday's 100-92 victory over the Rockets.
Although his scoring was successfully contained, Ayton had a clear advantage on the glass due to Alperen Sengun (back) being out of commission. The result snapped a short double-double streak that Ayton was building, which was aided by a five-game average of 10.0 rebounds per game.
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Trae Young PG | WAS
Wizards' Trae Young: Won't play Tuesday
Young (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Pistons.
Young will be sidelined for the second half of Washington's back-to-back set after leaving Monday's loss to the Warriors early following a collision with Will Richard. Young was able to leave under his own power, but the Wizards are expected to be extremely cautious with their new point guard the rest of the way. His next chance to suit up will come Thursday in a rematch against Detroit.