NBA Player News

Towns totaled 17 points (7-8 FG, 3-4 FT), 17 rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes before fouling out of Wednesday's 103-100 loss to the Thunder.

Towns dominated the glass, notching his league-leading 43rd double-double of the season, but he also made a fair amount of mistakes in the narrow loss. Towns fouled out for the first time since the All-Star break, finished with a team-worst minus-18 differential, and with him unavailable down the stretch, the Knicks had their three-game win streak snapped. They'll look to get things back on track Friday in Denver.

Brunson recorded 16 points (5-18 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, 15 assists and one steal across 39 minutes during Wednesday's 103-100 loss to the Thunder.

Brunson had a tough time finding the bottom of the net with Cason Wallace draped all over him for most of the night, but he still shined as a playmaker and knocked down some big shots late to keep it close. The Knicks had a chance to tie it in the final seconds of regulation, but Brunson's three-pointer was just off the mark, and OG Anunoby's last-second heave also clanked off the rim. The Knicks haven't beaten the Thunder at Madison Square Garden since 2017.

Holmgren posted 28 points (11-19 FG, 6-11 3Pt), eight rebounds and two assists across 32 minutes during Wednesday's 103-100 win over the Knicks.

Holmgren was hot to start Wednesday's game, drilling six triples to tie his career high in three-point makes by halftime, but the Knicks did a good job of keeping him out of the mix over the second half. The 23-year-old big man and first-time All-Star has been having a career year this season with averages of 17.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 triples and 2.0 blocks per contest.

Gilgeous-Alexander produced 26 points (9-16 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 7-7 FT), three rebounds, eight assists and one steal across 35 minutes during Wednesday's 103-100 victory over the Knicks.

Gilgeous-Alexander drilled some clutch shots down the stretch to ensure the Thunder earned their fourth straight victory, and he finished with a plus-six differential in the three-point win. The four-time All-Star ranks second in points per game (31.7) this season, and he's getting those buckets with remarkable efficiency, shooting 55.1 percent from the floor and 89.3 percent at the charity stripe.

Grimes recorded 16 points (7-12 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal over 31 minutes during the 76ers' 106-102 win over the Jazz on Wednesday.

Despite missing all four of his three-point attempts, Grimes still finished Wednesday's game as the Sixers' third-leading scorer behind Tyrese Maxey (25 points) and Jabari Walker (22 points). Grimes found the ball in his hands down the stretch of the fourth quarter, and after tying the game at 102-102 with a driving layup, he gave the 76ers the lead for good by nailing two clutch free throws. It was an encouraging performance from the 2021 first-rounder after he failed to reach double-digit points in each of his three prior outings. Grimes has started in the 76ers' last two games but could revert to a bench role against the Hawks on Saturday if one or both of VJ Edgecombe (back) and Kelly Oubre (illness) are cleared to return.

Toppin won't start against the Clippers on Wednesday, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Pascal Siakam (wrist) will return from a three-game absence Wednesday, pushing Toppin to the second unit. The 28-year-old has logged eight and 11 minutes in his two outings following a four-month absence due to a right foot stress fracture, and he'll likely remain on a strict minutes restriction against the Clippers.

Sheppard will come off the bench for Wednesday's game versus the Clippers, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Sheppard will retreat to the second unit with Andrew Nembhard (neck) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) both active and starting. As a reserve this season, Sheppard has posted averages of 6.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.

Jones won't start Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

With Andrew Nembhard (back/neck) returning to the lineup, Jones will slide to the second unit. Over his last five outings off the bench, the rookie second-rounder has averaged 4.0 points and 1.2 assists in 18.4 minutes per tilt.

George finished Wednesday's 106-102 loss to the 76ers with 30 points (10-24 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 5-6 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one steal over 30 minutes.

George propelled the Jazz's offense during Wednesday's loss, with 15 of his game-high 30 points coming in the third quarter. It was the eighth time this season that the third-year pro connected on at least five three-pointers. George has scored 30-plus points in back-to-back games and appears to be fully recovered from the right ankle sprain that cost him six straight games in February. That said, his playing time could be restricted for the second leg of the Jazz's back-to-back set against the Wizards on Thursday.

Walker logged 22 points (7-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block over 28 minutes during the 76res' 106-102 win over the Jazz on Wednesday.

Walker posted his second double-double of the season in Wednesday's win, finishing with a season high in points and as the 76ers' second-leading scorer behind Tyrese Maxey (25 points). Walker was averaging 12.0 minutes per game prior to the All-Star break, but the 2022 second-rounder has seen more play off the bench as of late and has posted back-to-back games of 20-plus points. Unlike Tuesday's blowout loss to the Hawks, Wednesday's contest was a close contest for most of the night, and it's worth noting that Walker played the entire fourth quarter. That extra time has come due to the recent absences of VJ Edgecombe (back) and Kelly Oubre (illness), but perhaps Walker's play during the Sixers' back-to-back set will earn him more consistent minutes down the stretch as Philadelphia looks to improve its seeding ahead of the Eastern Conference playoffs.