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Luke Kornet C | SA
Spurs' Luke Kornet: Productive effort in comeback win
Kornet provided 10 points (5-9 FG), seven rebounds, two assists and one block across 24 minutes during Friday's 116-112 win over the Clippers.
Kornet reached double-digit points for the first time in his last eight games, providing a steady presence in the second unit during Friday's narrow victory. He notably logged 24 minutes, which marked his highest playing time in a single game since Jan. 6. While he continues to serve primarily as the backup to Victor Wembanyama, the 30-year-old center has been efficient with his opportunities, averaging 6.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per contest this season.
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Christian Braun SG | DEN
Nuggets' Christian Braun: Mediocre in blowout loss
Braun finished Friday's 142-103 loss to the Knicks with seven points (2-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds and five assists.
Braun notably logged 31 minutes Friday despite sitting out the entire fourth quarter of the blowout loss. He has been a total ironman for the Nuggets since returning from an ankle injury Feb. 3, having played and started in 14 straight games. During that stretch, he has averaged 34.4 minutes per game, serving as a durable fixture for a rotation dealing with various frontcourt absences. While his overall production has been somewhat mediocre -- he's averaging 12.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest -- his availability remains vital for Denver's depth.
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Derrick Jones Jr. SF | LAC
Clippers' Derrick Jones: Logs 12 points in Friday's loss
Jones produced 12 points (4-12 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 34 minutes during Friday's 116-112 loss to the Spurs.
Jones didn't have an efficient night from the field during Friday's loss, but he managed to reach double-digit points for the fourth time in his last five games while swatting two shots for the ninth time this season. Since the All-Star break, Jones has averaged 13.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.0 blocks over 31.1 minutes per game.
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Mitchell Robinson C | BOS
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Contributes 13 points in return
Robinson amassed 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and one assist over 14 minutes during Friday's 142-103 win over Denver.
Robinson was cleared to return from a one-game absence while managing an ankle injury, and he finished Friday's game as the Knicks' leading bench scorer. The veteran center has averaged 6.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 steals over 17.1 minutes per game in seven outings since the All-Star break.
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Grayson Allen SG | CHA
Suns' Grayson Allen: Continues to produce off bench
Allen notched 12 points (4-10 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, eight assists and four steals over 29 minutes during Friday's 118-116 victory over the Pelicans.
Allen provided high-end utility off the bench Friday, matching his season high with eight assists while racking up a team-high four steals. Even off the bench, Allen has maintained a prominent role in the rotation, logging at least 25 minutes in four straight games. While his three-point efficiency has been a bit inconsistent lately, his massive shot volume -- he is averaging 13 attempts from deep over his last four outings -- keeps his scoring ceiling high. As long as he continues to see nearly 30 minutes a night, Allen remains a strong nine-category asset, particularly for managers needing help in triples and defensive stats.
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VJ Edgecombe SG | PHI
76ers' VJ Edgecombe: Not playing Saturday
Edgecombe (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Edgecombe will miss a second consecutive game due to a lumbar contusion, and the rookie first-rounder's next chance to play is Monday against the Cavaliers. Trendon Watford figures to remain in the 76ers' starting lineup for as long as Edgecombe is sidelined, and Quentin Grimes and Jabari Walker should continue to operate in elevated roles off the bench.
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Trey Murphy III SF | NO
Pelicans' Trey Murphy: Heavy workload in narrow loss
Murphy racked up 22 points (6-17 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 6-7 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals over 41 minutes during Friday's 118-116 loss to the Suns.
Despite dealing with minor neck spasms earlier in the week, Murphy looked just fine Friday as he logged a massive 41-minute workload. While his efficiency from the floor was slightly down, he made his presence felt by getting to the line and connecting on four triples for the second consecutive night. The fifth-year wing has been highly productive since returning from a shoulder injury, averaging 21.3 points, 3.7 triples and 2.0 steals over his last three appearances.
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Reed Sheppard SG | HOU
Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Thrives in starting role Friday
Sheppard notched 17 points (5-14 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, six assists, three blocks and one steal over 36 minutes during Friday's 106-99 victory over Portland.
With Jabari Smith (ankle) sidelined for the second leg of a back-to-back, Sheppard moved back into the starting lineup and continued his recent tear. While his efficiency from the floor was modest, he provided elite defensive stats and solid playmaking as a starter. The second-year guard has been playing at an incredibly high level lately, averaging 21.3 points, 5.5 assists and 4.8 triples over his last six outings. While his role often fluctuates based on Smith's availability, Sheppard has logged 35-plus minutes in each of his last four games and appears to have turned a corner in his development.
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Jonathan Isaac PF | ORL
Magic's Jonathan Isaac: Not playing Saturday
Isaac (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.
Isaac will miss the front end of the Magic's back-to-back Saturday while tending to a left knee injury, and he'll look to be available for Sunday's contest against the Bucks. Tristan da Silva, Noah Penda and Goga Bitadze are all in line for a slight bump in minutes in Isaac's absence.
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Jerami Grant SF | MEM
Trail Blazers' Jerami Grant: Productive in loss
Grant ended Friday's 106-99 loss to the Rockets with 21 points (6-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-9 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 38 minutes.
Grant remained the focal point of the Blazers' offense Friday, reaching the 20-point plateau for the sixth time in his last seven games. He has taken on an increased scoring burden with Deni Avdija (back) sidelined, and his 38 minutes were his highest total since the All-Star break. Grant may see a dip in shot attempts once Avdija is cleared to return. Over his last seven appearances, Grant is averaging 21.0 points and 2.4 three-pointers per contest.