NBA Player News
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Kevin Durant PF | HOU
Rockets' Kevin Durant: Considered game-to-game
Head coach Ime Udoka stated postgame Sunday that Durant's status is game-to-game due to his left ankle injury, Vanessa Richardson of Space City Home Network reports.
Durant has missed the last two games due to a left ankle sprain and bone bruise, but there is a chance he returns in the first round, according to Udoka. His next opportunity to suit up comes in Game 5 on Wednesday. This is a positive development as the Rockets look to continue their comeback from what was an 0-3 series deficit before Sunday's win.
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Aaron Holiday PG | HOU
Rockets' Aaron Holiday: Ejected from Game 4
Holiday was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Lakers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Holiday got tangled up with Adou Thiero under the basket late in the fourth quarter before things got a little chippy, leading to both of them getting ejected. He concludes the contest with nine points (3-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt), one assist, one steal and a block in 18 minutes.
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Adou Thiero SF | LAL
Lakers' Adou Thiero: Tossed Sunday
Thiero was ejected from Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Rockets, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Thiero got tied up with Aaron Holiday late in the fourth quarter, leading to both of them getting ejected. He concludes the contest with three points (1-1 FG, 1-1 FT). in six minutes.
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Donovan Clingan C | POR
Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Limited again in Game 4 loss
Clingan chipped in five points (2-10 FG, 1-6 3Pt), six rebounds and one block over 14 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to the Spurs in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Clingan continues to provide modest production, seemingly no match for the newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama. Through four games, Clingan has averaged just 6.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 0.8 blocks. If Portland is to force the series to a sixth game, Clingan is going to have to come up with some out-of-the-box solutions.
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Deni Avdija SG | POR
Trail Blazers' Deni Avdija: Team-high 26 points not enough
Avdija logged 26 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and one steal over 37 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 114-93 loss to the Spurs in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Avdija continues to do everything he can for the Trail Blazers, although, once again, they fell short of victory. He has clearly been Portland's most consistent player, getting it done on both ends of the floor on a nightly basis. If the team has hopes of extending the series to a sixth game, Avdija is going to have to deliver another masterclass, this time on the road in San Antonio.
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Deandre Ayton C | LAL
Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Ejected Sunday
Ayton has been ejected from Sunday's Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series against the Rockets, Khobi Price of The California Post reports.
Ayton was assessed a Flagrant 2 foul for a hit to the head while guarding Alperen Sengun. He concludes the contest with 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-1 FT) and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. Jaxson Hayes figures to see more time with Ayton out.
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Scoot Henderson PG | POR
Trail Blazers' Scoot Henderson: Fails to score in Game 4 loss
Henderson chipped in zero points (0-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt), two assists and one steal in 27 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to the Spurs in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Henderson couldn't hit the side of a barn, missing all seven of his shot attempts as the Trail Blazers fell behind 3-1 in the series. The forgettable performance was in stark contrast to the first three games of the series for Henderson, as he averaged 23.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 56.5 percent, including 52.2 percent from behind the arc. Given that body of work, Henderson should have a solid chance of bouncing back in a potential elimination scenario for Portland in Game 5.
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Dylan Harper PG | SA
Spurs' Dylan Harper: Comes crashing back to earth
Harper provided three points (1-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 win over the Trail Blazers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Harper was unable to repeat his heroics from 48 hours earlier, scoring just three points in 25 minutes off the bench. Coming off what was arguably the best game of his young career, the fact that Harper was barely noticeable in Game 4 goes to show just how deep the Spurs' roster is.
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Keldon Johnson SF | SA
Spurs' Keldon Johnson: Modest production in win
Johnson supplied nine points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), one rebound, one assist and one steal over 17 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 victory over the Trail Blazers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Johnson continues to put up modest numbers, having failed to score double digits thus far in the playoffs. It's been a rough series for the newly crowned Sixth Man of the Year, with him averaging just 6.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals. With San Antonio now leading the series 3-1, look for Johnson to try to up his efforts in Game 5.
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De'Aaron Fox PG | SA
Spurs' De'Aaron Fox: Takes charge in Game 4 win
Fox recorded 28 points (11-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal over 39 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 victory over Portland in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Fox blew up for 28 points, the most he has scored thus far in the playoffs. It was a vintage performance, with Fox shouldering more responsibility on the offensive end while others around him struggled to get going. Sunday's win puts the Spurs up 3-1, with the series now headed back to San Antonio. Look for Fox and his teammates to try and wrap things up quickly, ahead of a potential second-round matchup with either the Nuggets or the Timberwolves.