NBA Player News

Merrill registered nine points (2-3 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), one rebound, two assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Wednesday's 125-120 victory over Toronto in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Merrill scored single digits for the fourth time in his past five games, providing Cleveland with very little on the offensive end. As a player whose appeal is built around an ability to score from the perimeter, Merrill has come up short thus far during the playoffs, averaging just 1.6 three-pointers per game.

Allen registered nine points (4-5 FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 25 minutes during Wednesday's 125-120 victory over Toronto in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Allen recorded at least three blocks for the third time in the past five games, a huge bonus given his season average of just 1.0 blocks per game. While the defensive contributions have been more than adequate, the same can't be said for the rest of his numbers. Through five games, he has averaged just 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 26.4 minutes per game.

Barnes finished Wednesday's 125-120 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 17 points (6-16 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, 11 assists, three blocks and one steal over 39 minutes.

Barnes recorded his second double-double of the postseason, both of which have included 11 assists. With Immanuel Quickley still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Barnes has served as a makeshift point guard, averaging 8.0 assists through five playoff games, adding 24.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers and 2.6 combined steals and blocks.

Shead finished Wednesday's 125-120 loss to Cleveland in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 18 points (7-15 FG, 4-10 3Pt), one rebound, seven assists and two steals over 34 minutes.

Shead stepped into a larger role after Brandon Ingram was ruled out after just 11 minutes due to a heel injury. As he has done all season, Shead upped his production, providing the Raptors with a viable option off the bench. If Ingram is ruled out for Game 6, expect to see Shead playing a larger role once again, either as a starter or coming off the bench.

Harris chipped in 23 points (9-18 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-7 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and two steals across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 victory over Orlando in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Harris scored at least 20 points for the third straight game, continuing an excellent playoff series for the veteran. In five appearances, he has averaged 19.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 2.6 combined steals and blocks, a significant improvement over his season-long averages.

Thompson posted six points (3-5 FG, 0-2 FT), 15 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and five steals over 36 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 win over the Magic in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Thompson was a beast on the glass, pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds while adding seven combined steals and blocks. Despite inconsistent production on the offensive end, Thompson has delivered elsewhere, averaging 9.4 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.4 blocks through the first five games of the series. The Pistons now trail 3-2 and will head to Orlando in hopes of forcing a Game 7.

Cain supplied five points (1-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-7 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Cain was inserted into the starting lineup after Franz Wagner was ruled out due to a calf injury. However, despite the promotion, Cain was unable to elevate his production, continuing what has been a quiet series thus far. Through five games, he has averaged just 5.8 points and 3.2 rebounds.

Black totaled 19 points (7-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and three steals over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Black saw an uptick in both playing time and production off the bench, essentially serving as the fifth starter due to Franz Wagner being ruled out with a calf injury. While it has been a relatively quiet series for Black, his efforts in the loss were much-improved. In his five appearances, Black has averaged just 8.2 points, 2.0 steals and 1.2 three-pointers. Should Wagner be forced to miss additional time, expect to see Black playing upwards of 32 minutes moving forward, and he could replace Jamal Cain in the starting lineup in Game 6.

Suggs finished with 10 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), two rebounds, five assists and three steals in 37 minutes during Wednesday's 116-109 loss to the Pistons in Game 5 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Suggs logged 37 minutes, the most he has played thus far during the playoffs. After another season littered with injuries, Suggs has managed to stay relatively healthy over the past month, appearing in 15 games. As for the playoffs, Suggs has scored double digits in four of his five appearances, averaging 13.0 points, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals and 2.4 three-pointers.

Sengun supplied 14 points (5-9 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, eight assists, two steals and one block across 43 minutes in Wednesday's 99-93 win over the Lakers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sengun wasn't very aggressive hunting his shot, though he delivered an efficient performance and was one of five Rockets players to score in double figures. The star big man also led the team in rebounds and dished out a game- and series-best eight assists. Additionally, he chipped in at least three combined steals-plus-blocks for the third time in the series. Sengun and the Rockets will now attempt to force a Game 7 with a victory in Friday's Game 6 in Houston.