NBA Player News

Stewart ended with 18 points (7-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one block across 16 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 victory over Portland.

Stewart dropped a season-high 18 points, although a lack of peripheral stats continues to be an issue. Having appeared in four games thus far, he has averaged just 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks in 17.5 minutes per game. Assuming Zach Edey's playing time continues to ramp up, there isn't much hope for Stewart being anything more than a situational streaming consideration.

Pippen recorded two points (1-1 FG) across 14 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over the Trail Blazers.

Pippen's underwhelming start to the season continued Thursday, playing fewer than 15 minutes for the second straight game. Despite some chatter heading into the season that he could battle Ty Jerome for the starting point guard position, it is clear that he is simply not in the discussion at the moment. Through five appearances, he has averaged just 6.4 points, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 16.0 minutes per game.

Boozer totaled 18 points (6-10 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds and 12 assists in 28 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over Portland.

Boozer carried his team to victory by making an impact on both ends of the court. He scored with efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, and he did his usual damage on the glass. Boozer also flashed his playmaking ability, resulting in a team-high 12 dimes and the first triple-double of his young NBA career. The 19-year-old has now scored in double figures in four of his first five games following a quiet seven-point debut Oct. 21 against Utah.

Post (ankle) didn't return to Thursday's game against Portland. He recorded 10 points (3-5 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and four rebounds in seven minutes before exiting.

Post was off to a great start to Thursday's clash, and he may have had a significant opportunity to do damage in the second half if he hadn't tweaked his ankle, considering Zach Edey picked up four fouls before halftime. The severity of Post's injury isn't known at this time, and he can be considered day-to-day leading up to Saturday's game against Sacramento.

Morant won't return to Thursday's game against the Grizzlies due to a left hamstring injury. He'll end with 14 points (6-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt), two rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes.

The game was already out of reach when Morant was ruled out for the remainder of the fourth quarter. The severity of his injury is unclear at this time. The 27-year-old can be considered questionable for Saturday's matchup in Utah until further notice.

Post is doubtful to return to Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right ankle injury.

Post appeared to step on an opposing player's foot and had to hobble off the court after the play. Zach Edey had four fouls in the first half, which likely means Isaiah Stewart and Taylor Hendricks will see more minutes down the stretch, assuming Post is unable to return.

Harden recorded 24 points (7-14 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 7-9 FT), five rebounds and four assists across 36 minutes in Thursday's 114-111 loss to the Hawks.

Harden scored 20 points through the first three quarters of this one, though he provided a muted impact in the fourth. The veteran guard still delivered an efficient shooting performance and finished as the Cavaliers' leading scorer, reaching the 20-point mark for the first time this season. He's averaging 17.4 points, 6.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds per tilt through five regular-season games.

Okongwu finished with 29 points (11-17 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 32 minutes during Thursday's 114-111 win over the Cavaliers.

Okongwu led the charge in the scoring column for Atlanta, and his performance was good enough for his best showing of the young season. He also excelled on the glass, snagging double-digit rebounds on the way to a double-double. Okongwu is averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists over six games this year.

Fears finished Thursday's 132-120 win over the Kings with 22 points (9-16 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 13 assists, eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals over 29 minutes.

Fears entered Thursday's game having connected on only 31.1 percent of his field-goal attempts (including 18.8 percent from three-point range) through his first four outings of the regular season. The second-year guard was more efficient against Sacramento, when he scored 16 of his team-high 22 points across the second and third quarters, and his 13 assists were a career high. It was the first double-double of Fears' NBA career, and he was two boards shy from logging his first triple-double. His production floor could be lower against the Hawks on Saturday depending on the statuses of Jordan Poole (ankle) and Dejounte Murray (personal).

Acuff amassed 34 points (13-26 FG, 3-11 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 14 assists, six rebounds, two steals and one block across 41 minutes in Thursday's 132-120 loss to the Pelicans.

Acuff wasn't very efficient from three-point range but had a productive night from inside the arc, finishing with a game- and career-high scoring total. The rookie No. 7 overall pick also led all players in assists en route to his first career double-double. He's reached the 20-point threshold in three of his five regular-season appearances thus far, dishing out at least five dimes three times as well.