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VJ Edgecombe SG | PHI
76ers' VJ Edgecombe: Massive regression in Game 4
Edgecombe racked up six points (2-9 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 36 minutes during Sunday's 128-96 loss to Boston in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Edgecombe matched his second-lowest total of the season in the blowout loss. He had difficulty finding his shooting stroke in the defeat, connecting on only two shots and going scoreless beyond the arc. The Sixers depend heavily on the rookie for multi-category production, and he'll need to step up in Game 5 to give the Sixers a chance to steal another game from the Celtics.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Logs double-double in return
Embiid contributed 26 points (9-21 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Sunday's 128-96 loss to Boston in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Embiid provided extra spark, but he wasn't enough to turn the tide against the Celtics. After a red-hot start, he missed seven consecutive shots down the stretch and looked visibly tired. He also reported pain during a postgame interview, indicating that he was still experiencing complications from his appendix surgery. The team desperately needs his output to stay in contention, but his participation is in doubt based on how tired he looked in the second half.
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Kevin Durant PF | HOU
Rockets' Kevin Durant: Considered game-to-game
Head coach Ime Udoka stated postgame Sunday that Durant's status is game-to-game due to his left ankle injury, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network reports.
Durant has missed the last two games due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise, but there is a chance he returns in the first round, according to Udoka. His next opportunity to suit up comes in Game 5 on Wednesday. This is a positive development as the Rockets look to continue their comeback from what was an 0-3 series deficit before Sunday's win.
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Aaron Holiday PG | HOU
Rockets' Aaron Holiday: Ejected from Game 4
Holiday was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Holiday got tangled up with Adou Thiero under the basket late in the fourth quarter before things got a little chippy, leading to both of them getting ejected. He concludes the contest with nine points (3-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt), one assist, one steal and a block in 18 minutes.
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Adou Thiero SF | LAL
Lakers' Adou Thiero: Tossed Sunday
Thiero was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Rockets, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Thiero got tied up with Aaron Holiday late in the fourth quarter, leading to both of them getting ejected. He concludes the contest with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 FT). in six minutes.
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Donovan Clingan C | POR
Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Limited again in Game 4 loss
Clingan chipped in five points (2-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt), six rebounds and one block over 14 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to the Spurs in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Clingan continues to provide modest production, seemingly no match for the newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Through four games, Clingan has averaged just 6.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. If Portland is to force the series to a sixth game, Clingan is going to have to come up with some out-of-the-box solutions.
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Deni Avdija PF | POR
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Team-high 26 points not enough
Avdija logged 26 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal over 37 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 114-93 loss to the Spurs in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Avdija continues to do everything he can for the Trail Blazers, although, once again, they fell short of victory. He has clearly been Portland's most consistent player, getting it done on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. If the team has hopes of extending the series to a sixth game, Avdija is going to have to deliver another masterclass, this time on the road in San Antonio.
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Deandre Ayton C | WAS
Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Ejected Sunday
Ayton has been ejected from Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Rockets, Khobi Price of The California Post reports.
Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a hit to the head while guarding Alperen Sengun. He concludes the contest with 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-1 FT) and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. Jaxson Hayes figures to see more time with Ayton out.
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Scoot Henderson SG | POR
Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson: Fails to score in Game 4 loss
Henderson chipped in zero points (0-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two assists and one steal in 27 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to the Spurs in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Henderson couldn't hit the side of a barn, missing all seven of his shot attempts as the Trail Blazers fell behind 3-1 in the series. The forgettable performance was in stark contrast to the first three games of the series for Henderson, as he averaged 23.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 56.5 percent, including 52.2 percent from behind the arc. Given that body of work, Henderson should have a solid chance of bouncing back in a potential elimination scenario for Portland in Game 5.
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Dylan Harper SG | SA
Spurs' Dylan Harper: Comes crashing back to earth
Harper provided three points (1-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 win over the Trail Blazers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Harper was unable to repeat his heroics from 48 hours earlier, scoring just three points in 25 minutes off the bench. Coming off what was arguably the best game of his young career, the fact that Harper was barely noticeable in Game 4 goes to show just how deep the Spurs' roster is.