NBA Player News

Reaves had 15 points (7-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, two assists and three blocks in 31 minutes during Friday's 98-78 victory over Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Reaves was back in the Lakers' starting five for Game 6 after coming off the bench in Game 5 on Wednesday. He wasn't productive Friday as he was Wednesday, but in a low-scoring affair, Reaves still finished as the Lakers' third-leading scorer behind LeBron James (28 points) and Rui Hachimura (21 points). Luka Doncic (hamstring) does not have a clear timeline to return, so Reaves for now will serve as the Lakers' No. 2 option behind James for the team's semifinals matchup against the top-seeded Thunder.

Hachimura totaled 21 points (8-15 FG, 5-7 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one block over 35 minutes during Friday's 98-78 victory over the Rockets in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

It was the second time in the series that Hachimura scored 20-plus points, and he finished as the Lakers' second-leading scorer behind LeBron James (28 points). Hachimura will finish the first round of the Western Conference playoffs having averaged 15.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.8 threes and 1.0 steals over 38.5 minutes per game. The Lakers will face the Thunder in the semifinals.

Ayton supplied seven points (2-6 FG, 3-7 FT), 16 rebounds, one assist and one block across 28 minutes during Friday's 98-78 victory over Houston in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Only three Lakers players -- LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves -- scored in double digits during Friday's victory, but Ayton produced in his own way by grabbing a game-high 16 rebounds, one less than his playoff high in Game 5 on Wednesday. Ayton has logged at least 10 rebounds in each of his last three games and will finish the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs having averaged 11.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over 31.0 minutes. Next up for the Lakers is a conference semifinal matchup against the top-seeded Thunder, and Ayton will have his hands full guarding Chet Holmgren.

James finished with 28 points (10-25 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds and eight assists across 37 minutes in Friday's 98-78 win over the Rockets in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

James shot 0-for-9 from behind the three-point line in the Lakers' previous two games heading into this contest. However, the 22-time All-Star turned it around Friday by sinking two of his five attempts from deep. He also had only three turnovers after combining for 16 in Games 3 and 4. With Los Angeles earning the win, the team will advance to meet Oklahoma City in the Western Conference Semifinals. In two meetings with the Thunder during the regular season, James struggled, averaging 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 12.5 percent from downtown across 31.0 minutes per contest in those appearances.

Sengun supplied 17 points (5-12 FG, 7-10 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 38 minutes in Friday's 98-78 loss to the Lakers in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sengun struggled with efficiency, though that proved to be a common theme for the Rockets in their season-ending loss. The star big man still finished second on the team in scoring and led the club in rebounds en route to his third double-double of the series. He earned his second career All-Star nod in 2025-26, finishing the regular season with averages of 20.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks in 33.3 minutes per tilt across 72 appearances.

Murray-Boyles notched 17 points (6-10 FG, 5-6 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals over 40 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime win over Cleveland in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Murray-Boyles continues to be a difference-maker for the Raptors, having scored at least 14 points in all but one of his playoff appearances thus far. He has been able to get it done on both ends of the floor, as he's averaged 15.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.4 combined steals and blocks. With the series now tied at three games apiece, both teams will head to Cleveland for Game 7, looking to advance to the second round against either the Magic or the Pistons.

Poeltl closed with two points (1-3 FG), four rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 22 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime victory over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Poeltl had very little impact outside of his three combined steals and blocks. Cleveland ran a lot of big lineups Friday, while Toronto opted to go in the other direction, limiting Poeltl's opportunities. Through the first six games of the series, Poeltl has averaged just 18.7 minutes per game, putting up 6.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.

Barrett produced 24 points (8-21 FG, 4-12 3Pt, 4-5 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one steal over 43 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime victory over the Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Barrett landed a three-pointer with just 1.2 seconds remaining in overtime, sealing an emphatic victory at home. The shot was reminiscent of Kawhi Leonard's game-winner back in 2019, with the ball skying off the back of the rim before dropping into the basket. It continues what has been a strong series for Barrett, who's averaged 24.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.7 three-pointers thus far. Toronto will now head back to Cleveland for Game 7, where Barrett will look to lead his team into the second round of the playoffs.

Allen finished with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-6 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 34 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime loss to Toronto in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Allen posted a playoff-high scoring figure in the loss. His 34 minutes also marked a series high, as Cleveland closed with a big lineup against the undersized Raptors. Allen's impact on the series has been sporadic thus far, having closed on only two occasions. In six appearances, he has averaged 9.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.4 combined steals and blocks.

Harden ended with 16 points (5-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), nine rebounds, nine assists, one block and two steals across 44 minutes during Friday's 112-110 overtime loss to the Raptors in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Harden fell just short of what would have been just his second triple-double of the season, and his first as a member of the Cavaliers. It continued what has been a solid playoff showing thus far for the veteran, as he's averaged 21.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.7 three-pointers per contest. With the series now locked at 3-3, Cleveland will return home for Game 7, where Toronto will be looking to ruin the homecoming.