NBA Player News

  • Ajay Mitchell PG | OKC

    Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Strikes for 18 in Game 1 win

    Mitchell totaled 18 points (7-16 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and four assists across 28 minutes during Tuesday's 108-90 win over the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Making his third straight start in place of Jalen Williams (hamstring), Mitchell delivered another solid scoring effort. During his stint in the starting five, the second-year guard is averaging 18.3 points, 4.0 boards, 4.0 assists and 2.0 threes in 31.3 minutes, and with Williams still lacking a clear timeline for his return, Mitchell should remain in a key role for Game 2 on Thursday.

  • Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Manages just 18 points in Game 1

    Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 18 points (8-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Tuesday's 108-90 victory over the Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Gilgeous-Alexander failed to score at least 20 points for the first time since May 24, Game 3 of last season's Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves, but the reigning MVP didn't need to crank things up in a fairly comfortable win. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.6 points, 7.6 assists, 3.4 boards, 1.0 threes and 1.0 blocks through five games to begin the Thunder's title defense while shooting 54.8 percent from the floor.

  • Austin Reaves SG | LAL

    Lakers' Austin Reaves: Struggling to find shot

    Reaves recorded eight points (3-16 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, six assists and one block across 36 minutes during Tuesday's 108-90 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    The 27-year-old guard returned from an oblique strain toward the end of the Lakers' first-round series against the Rockets, but Reaves may not be 100 percent. In two games since rejoining the starting five, he's gone 0-for-9 from three-point range, averaging just 11.5 points, 4.0 boards, 4.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in 33.5 minutes while shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor.

  • Rui Hachimura PF | LAL

    Lakers' Rui Hachimura: Hits for 18 in Tuesday's loss

    Hachimura produced 18 points (7-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 108-90 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Even with Austin Reaves back in the starting five for the Lakers, it was Hachimura who gave LeBron James the most support on the offensive end of the court. Hachimura has scored in double digits in every game of the playoffs so far while draining multiple three-pointers in six of seven contests. During that stretch, he's averaged 16.1 points, 3.7 boards, 2.9 threes, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 38.3 minutes while shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and 57.1 percent from beyond the arc.

  • Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Double-double in Game 1 loss

    Ayton ended Tuesday's 108-90 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 10 points (5-12 FG), 12 rebounds, two assists and one block over 27 minutes.

    The double-double was his fourth of the postseason in seven games. Ayton has been making an impact on the glass for the Lakers, averaging 11.6 points, 11.0 boards, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks during the playoffs while shooting 56.9 percent from the floor.

  • Ausar Thompson SF | DET

    Pistons' Ausar Thompson: Impactful in Game 1 win

    Thompson contributed 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 33 minutes during Tuesday's 111-101 victory over the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Thompson continues to see big minutes on a nightly basis, having logged at least 33 in five of the past six games. Although his regular-season role was frustrating for fantasy managers, it appears that J.B. Bickerstaff has figured out just what Thompson means to this team. Over eight playoff appearances, he has recorded 34 combined steals and blocks and averaged 8.5 rebounds a night.

  • Daniss Jenkins PG | DET

    Pistons' Daniss Jenkins: Increased role continues in win

    Jenkins totaled 12 points (5-13 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and four steals across 29 minutes during Tuesday's 111-101 win over the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Jenkins logged at least 28 minutes for the second straight game, as Detroit opted to go with a smaller lineup in Game 1 against Cleveland. After a quiet start to the postseason, Jenkins has stepped up in the past two games, averaging 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.0 three-pointers. It appears that he has replaced Isaiah Stewart as the preferred first option off the bench, providing the team with another dynamic scoring option. With that said, should Cleveland's size advantage prove an issue in Game 2, we could see Stewart back in his traditional role, with Jenkins shifting to more of a depth role.

  • Jaylon Tyson SF | CLE

    Cavaliers' Jaylon Tyson: Scoreless in 18 minutes

    Tyson provided zero points (0-1 FG), five rebounds and one assist over 18 minutes during Tuesday's 111-101 loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Tyson failed to score for the first time this postseason, continuing to play a limited role off the bench for the Cavaliers. Through eight appearances, he has scored in double digits only once, a 13-point performance in Game 3 against the Raptors. Despite averaging 25.7 minutes throughout the regular season, a shortened rotation has meant Tyson's role has diminished, as he's typically playing minutes in the mid-to-high teens.

  • Evan Mobley PF | CLE

    Cavaliers' Evan Mobley: Held in check Tuesday

    Mobley finished with 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt), nine rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 35 minutes during Tuesday's 111-101 loss to the Pistons in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Mobley fell one rebound short of a double-double, although he remained relatively quiet on the offensive end, scoring fewer than 15 points for the second straight game. Despite Jarrett Allen playing just 18 minutes due to foul trouble, Mobley couldn't turn his additional playing time into substantial production. Cleveland now trails 1-0 with Game 2 scheduled for Thursday. Should Detroit run with a smaller lineup once again, both Mobley and Allen could remain somewhat limited in terms of their effectiveness.

  • Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Battles foul trouble in Game 1 loss

    Allen supplied two points (1-4 FG), three rebounds, one assist and one block across 18 minutes during Tuesday's 111-101 loss to Detroit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Allen picked up three fouls in the first quarter, limiting him to just 18 minutes. Coming off easily his best game of the postseason, Allen was unable to build any momentum, thanks in large part to his extended time on the bench. The two teams will meet again Thursday, when Allen will look to impact the game on both ends of the floor, much like he did during the first round.

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