NBA Player News
-
Payton Pritchard PG | BOS
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Improved effort in Game 3 win
Pritchard ended with 15 points (5-12 FG, 5-10 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists over 33 minutes during Friday's 108-100 victory over Philadelphia in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Pritchard delivered an improved effort, landing a number of crucial three-pointers down the stretch. While this was an encouraging performance, Pritchard has been far from his best during the series, averaging just 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 three-pointers across three games.
-
Jayson Tatum PF | BOS
Celtics' Jayson Tatum: Clutch performance Friday
Tatum notched 25 points (9-17 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 42 minutes during Friday's 108-100 win over the 76ers in Game 3 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Tatum came through in the clutch, nailing a three-pointer in the dying seconds to secure an important win in Game 3. He has now scored at least 25 points in two of the past three games, continuing to ramp up his production after missing the majority of the season with an Achilles injury. Now leading the series 2-1, Boston will look to hammer home the advantage when the two teams meet again in Game 4 on Sunday.
-
Alperen Sengun C | HOU
Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Huge double-double in loss
Sengun supplied 33 points (15-27 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block across 47 minutes in Friday's 112-108 overtime loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs.
Sengun struggled from downtown but was efficient from two-point range en route to a game-high 33 points. The star big man also led all players in rebounds and finished second on the Rockets in assists, taking on increased responsibilities with Kevin Durant (ankle) sidelined. Sengun and the Rockets will now attempt to stave off elimination at home in Sunday's Game 4.
-
LeBron James SF | LAL
Lakers' LeBron James: Stuffs stat sheet in win
James finished Friday's 112-108 overtime win over the Rockets in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs with 29 points (10-22 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block in 45 minutes.
James led the Lakers in points and rebounds while matching the team high in three-pointers. After a few miscues down the stretch, the 41-year-old came up clutch late, recording a pivotal steal with 20 seconds remaining before knocking down the game-tying triple with 14 seconds left in regulation. He finished second on the Lakers in steals and has tallied multiple swipes in two of three first-round games. James and the Lakers will now look to close out the series in Sunday's Game 4 in Houston.
-
Tyrese Maxey PG | PHI
76ers' Tyrese Maxey: Game-high 31 points in loss
Maxey amassed 31 points (12-31 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six assists, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 42 minutes in Friday's 108-100 Game 3 loss to the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.
Maxey didn't deliver his most efficient performance and missed three triples in the final 30 seconds of this one, though he still racked up a game-high 31 points. He has yet to score fewer than 21 points in this first-round series but is shooting just 39.2 percent from the field through three games. Maxey and the Sixers will now aim to even things up in Game 4 on Sunday before heading back to Boston for Game 5.
-
Jaylen Brown SF | BOS
Celtics' Jaylen Brown: Well-rounded performance in win
Brown supplied 25 points (9-16 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal across 40 minutes in Friday's 108-100 Game 3 win over the 76ers in the first round of the playoffs.
The star swingman delivered an efficient all-around performance on the offensive end and tied Jayson Tatum for the team lead in points, with the pair helping the Celtics retake the series lead. Brown also tied the team-best mark in rebounds and the game high in blocks, tying his season high in swats across the regular season and playoffs. The 29-year-old and the Celtics will now prepare for Game 4 as the club aims to take a commanding 3-1 lead in Philadelphia on Sunday.
-
Luke Kornet C | SA
Spurs' Luke Kornet: Starting Friday
Kornet will start Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Trail Blazers, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
With Victor Wembanyama (concussion) sidelined, Kornet will get the starting nod as San Antonio looks to retake the series lead. The big man averaged 7.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.4 blocks in 25.8 minutes per contest over 25 regular-season starts.
-
Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Ruled out Friday
Wembanyama (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Trail Blazers, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Wembanyama sustained a concussion in Tuesday's Game 2 loss and will be held out of Friday's contest after going through San Antonio's morning shootaround. The star big man's next chance to play will come in Portland on Sunday. With Wembanyama out, Luke Kornet will likely get the starting nod, while Carter Bryant and Harrison Barnes could also see increased burn.
-
Jordan Goodwin SG | PHO
Suns' Jordan Goodwin: Questionable for Saturday
Goodwin (calf) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Thunder.
Goodwin is in danger of missing a second straight game due to left calf soreness. However, he was a full participant in Friday's practice, which bodes well for his chances of suiting up. If the 27-year-old isn't cleared to play, Ryan Dunn, Royce O'Neale and Collin Gillespie would be candidates for increased playing time.
-
Grayson Allen SG | PHO
Suns' Grayson Allen: Iffy for Game 3
Allen (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 3 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Thunder.
Allen was upgraded from questionable to available ahead of each of Phoenix's last three games but didn't see the floor in any of them. He may only be used in an emergency if active, though he was a full participant in Friday's practice.