NBA Player News

Avdija notched 19 points (3-15 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 12-16 FT), six rebounds and nine assists in 37 minutes during Friday's 120-108 loss to the Spurs in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The 25-year-old forward salvaged a poor shooting night with big volume at the free-throw line while falling one dime short of his second double-double of the series. Through his first three career playoff games, Avdija is averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 boards, 5.7 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.0 combined blocks and steals in 35.3 minutes, but he's shooting just 40.8 percent from the floor -- well below his regular-season mark of 46.2 percent.

Henderson produced 21 points (8-18 FG, 5-10 3Pt), two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 36 minutes during Friday's 120-108 loss to San Antonio in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

It was another impressive performance from long range for Henderson, who has come out firing for the Blazers in the series. Over his first three career playoffs contests, the third-year guard is averaging 23.3 points, 4.0 threes, 2.0 boards, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting a blistering 52.2 percent (12-for-23) from beyond the arc.

Holiday notched 29 points (12-18 FG, 5-9 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists and four steals in 41 minutes during Friday's 120-108 loss to San Antonio in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The veteran guard led the Blazers in scoring on the night, but it wasn't enough to pick up a win even with Victor Wembanyama (concussion) sidelined for the visitors. Holiday is averaging a whopping 38.7 minutes a game to begin the season, with the 35-year-old turning that workload into 18.0 points, 8.3 assists, 5.0 boards, 2.7 threes and 2.0 steals a contest, and he'll likely be leaned on heavily again in Game 4 on Sunday.

Harper ended Friday's 120-108 victory over Portland in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 27 points (9-12 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 30 minutes off the bench.

The rookie guard came through with the best performance of his career in the win, topping the 24 points he managed twice during the regular season while producing his first ever double-double. Harper's increased usage came while Victor Wembanyama (concussion) was in street clothes, so his ability to deliver big numbers again in Game 4 on Sunday might depend on whether Wemby is cleared to return.

Kornet closed Friday's 120-108 victory over Portland in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 14 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 30 minutes.

With Victor Wembanyama (concussion) not yet cleared to return, Kornet made just his second career playoff start and delivered his first double-double in 46 postseason appearances. The 30-year-old center is averaging 11.3 points, 8.3 boards, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in 24.0 minutes to begin the series, and Kornet could have a bigger role again in Game 4 on Sunday if Wemby remains sidelined.

Castle closed Friday's 120-108 win over Portland in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs with 33 points (10-18 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 10-11 FT), two rebounds, five assists and one steal over 34 minutes.

The 33 points led all scorers on the night, as Castle stepped up for the Spurs in the absence of Victor Wembanyama (concussion). Castle is averaging 22.7 points, 5.7 assists, 5.3 boards, 2.0 threes and 1.0 steals in 35.0 minutes to begin the series, and the second-year guard could see elevated usage again in Game 4 on Sunday if Wemby doesn't get cleared to return.

Isaac (knee) has been ruled out for Game 3 against the Pistons on Saturday.

As expected, Isaac will be a spectator for Saturday's Eastern Conference playoff game due to a left knee sprain that he sustained in mid-March. His next chance to play is Game 4 on Monday, but he's unlikely to be available for that contest as well.

Sheppard ended with 17 points (6-21 FG, 4-13 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals in 46 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sheppard moved back into the starting lineup after Kevin Durant was earlier ruled out with an ankle injury. While it was a much-improved performance by Sheppard, it ultimately wasn't enough, with Houston losing in overtime. The two teams will meet again in Game 4 on Sunday, when the Rockets will look to force a Game 5 back in Los Angeles.

Thompson totaled 26 points (8-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 10-13 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals over 48 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Thompson did everything he could Friday, recording a 26-and-11 double-double while also adding six combined steals-plus-blocks. However, his efforts were in vain, as Houston lost another heartbreaker. Now behind 3-0 in the series, the Rockets have nothing to lose heading into Game 4 on Sunday.

Eason posted five points (2-9 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, two assists and four steals over 46 minutes during Friday's 112-108 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Eason moved back into the starting lineup, playing a whopping 46 minutes. Despite recording four steals, Eason's lack of impact on the offensive end cannot be overlooked. It continues what has been an ongoing struggle for Eason, who has now shot just 6-for-23 in the past two games. Now trailing 3-0 in the series, Houston will need to turn things around in a hurry, starting in Game 4 on Sunday.