NBA Player News
-
Matas Buzelis SF | CHI
Bulls' Matas Buzelis: Delivers 29 points in victory
Buzelis finished with 29 points (12-22 FG, 5-13 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 32 minutes during Monday's 132-107 win over Memphis.
Buzelis continues to let it fly from beyond the arc and has now attempted double-digit triples in four straight matchups. He hasn't been particularly effective from deep during this stretch, but he has managed to drill five treys on two separate occasions. Buzelis also responded well after failing to record a defensive stat in his previous appearance by swatting three shots Monday, marking the second time he's done so through seven March showings.
-
Devin Booker SG | PHO
Suns' Devin Booker: Scoring outburst not enough
Booker recorded 40 points (15-24 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six assists, three rebounds and one block over 37 minutes during the Suns' 120-112 loss to the Celtics on Monday.
Booker carried the Suns' offensively during Monday's loss, with 29 of his team-high 40 points occurring over the second and third quarters, though he scored just five points in the fourth as the Celtics' defense shifted their focus to the superstar guard. Booker has scored 37 or more points in five of 10 appearances in Boston, including his 70-point explosion during the 2017-18 season. He has tallied at least 30 points in five of his last six outings, and over that span he has averaged 33.8 points, 5.3 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 threes and 0.7 steals over 35.0 minutes per game.
-
De'Anthony Melton SG | GS
Warriors' De'Anthony Melton: Strong performance in win
Melton closed with 27 points (12-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), five rebounds, four assists and two steals over 30 minutes in Monday's 125-117 victory over the Wizards.
After sitting out Sunday's loss to the Knicks for left knee injury management, Melton returned with force Monday, scoring 27 points in a winning effort. Impressively, the guard produced that scoring output without converting a three-pointer, an aberration from the 2.9 made threes he averaged in his first eight 20-plus point performances of the season. Melton has now eclipsed the 20-point mark in three of his past four appearances.
-
Jaylen Brown SF | BOS
Celtics' Jaylen Brown: Charitable performance vs. Phoenix
Brown recorded 41 points (10-20 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 19-21 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal and one block over 40 minutes during the Celtics' 120-112 win over the Suns on Monday.
Brown attempted four or less free throws in two of three outings prior to Monday's contest, but he was much more aggressive offensively against Phoenix. He opened with 11 points in the first quarter and helped the Celtics close things out with 18 in the fourth, going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line in that final frame. Brown recorded career highs in free-throw makes and attempts and became the third Celtic in the last 20 years to have 20 attempts from the charity line in a game, per the Celtics' official broadcast. Even with Jayson Tatum back in the fold, Brown continues to be an important focal point in Boston's offense as the team looks to catch Detroit for the top seed in the Eastern Conference standings.
-
Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis: Drops 30 points off bench
Porzingis finished with 30 points (8-13 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 13-14 FT), five rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals across 26 minutes during Monday's 125-117 victory over Washington.
Porzingis led all scorers in a winning effort and did much of his damage from the charity stripe, as his 14 free-throw attempts marked a season high. In addition to racking up points, the big man tallied five stocks, his highest mark of the campaign. In what has been a challenging, injury-riddled season for the 30-year-old, Monday marked a bright spot as Porzingis recorded his second 30-point performance of the year.
-
Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG | ATL
Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Erupts for 41 points
Alexander-Walker tallied 41 points (12-22 FG, 9-15 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and two steals across 37 minutes in Monday's 124-112 win over the Magic.
Alexander-Walker torched the nets, posting a game-high and career-best 41 points to lift the Hawks to their 10th straight win. The 27-year-old was already off to a strong start in March, entering Monday's contest averaging 21.5 points while shooting 54.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc in six games this month. He's now eclipsed the 30-point mark in eight contests this season, with his previous best being 38 points. In what has been an up-and-down year in Atlanta that includes the trading of star Trae Young (quadriceps), Alexander-Walker has enjoyed a breakout first season with the team.
-
Brandon Williams PG | DAL
Mavericks' Brandon Williams: Won't return Monday
Williams (head) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Pelicans. He'll close with no points (0-2 FG), one assist and one block across five minutes.
Williams' night ended prematurely after taking a hit to the side of his head. The guard had a minimal impact in Monday's contest, though it's unclear when he sustained the hit, and it likely played a role in him logging just five minutes. Williams' next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against the Hawks.
-
Carlton Carrington PG | WAS
Wizards' Bub Carrington: Tossed vs. Warriors
Carrington was ejected from Monday's game against Golden State after being assessed two technical fouls, Ben Strober of 106-7 The Fan Washington reports. He'll end the night with four points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt) and one assist in 12 minutes.
Carrington was ejected with 4:40 remaining in the third quarter following a verbal exchange with an opposing player. Sharife Cooper and Jamir Watkins could see more opportunities down the stretch with Carrington out of the picture.
-
Trae Young PG | WAS
Wizards' Trae Young: Exits early Monday
Young (quadriceps) has been ruled out for the remainder of Monday's game against the Warriors. He'll close with 21 points (7-10 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block across 21 minutes.
After a collision with Will Richard, Young hobbled off to the locker room at the 7:53 mark of the third quarter. The guard was able to walk off under his own power but will not return to Monday's contest due to a right quad contusion. His next chance to play will come Tuesday against the Pistons, though it's unlikely the 27-year-old suits up for the second half of the back-to-back.
-
John Collins PF | LAC
Clippers' John Collins: Slated to start Monday
Collins is in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Spurs, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Collins came off the bench and played 20 minutes Saturday in his return from a seven-game absence due to a neck strain but will re-enter the starting five Monday with Kawhi Leonard (ankle) inactive. In 45 starts this season, Collins is averaging 13.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 28.3 minutes per contest.