NBA Player News

  • Nikola Jokic C | DEN

    Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Can't carry Denver in Game 6

    Jokic contributed 22 points (9-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 36 minutes during Thursday's 115-70 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Jokic delivered one of the best performances of his playoff career in Game 5 of the series, but he was unable to repeat those numbers in this woeful loss despite a respectable stat line. Jokic shot under 50 percent from the field for the third time in the series, and the Nuggets have lost every time that has happened. While the entire Nuggets offense must perform better in a do-or-die Game 7 contest on Sunday, Jokic will be the one who sets the tone early on.

  • Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Efficient off bench in Game 5

    Lively totaled 11 points (3-4 FG, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 104-92 win over the Thunder in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Lively has been playing off the bench due to the solid play of Daniel Gafford down low, but the rookie out of Duke made his presence felt on both ends of the court Wednesday. Aside from missing just one shot from the field, Lively was active defensively and recorded the first playoff double-double of his career. Lively is averaging 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in the postseason, and while he looked very good in this pivotal win, he's not expected to move to a starting role ahead of Game 6 on Saturday.

  • Al Horford C | BOS

    Celtics' Al Horford: Owns glass in Game 5 double-double

    Horford accumulated 22 points (8-15 FG, 6-13 3Pt), 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Wednesday's 113-98 win over the Cavaliers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Horford dominated the boards in a series-clinching win Wednesday, leading all players in the contest in rebounds to go along with a handful of assists, a team-high trio of blocks and ending as one of two Celtics with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Horford reached double figures in rebounds for the first time this postseason, also crossing the 20-point mark for the first time.

  • Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Remains out for Game 5

    Allen (ribs) has been ruled out for Wednesday's Game 5 in Boston, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.

    Allen will miss an eighth straight game due to a right rib contusion. Donovan Mitchell (calf) and Caris LeVert (knee) are also out, so Cleveland's starting lineup for Wednesday's potential elimination game features Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, Dean Wade and Evan Mobley.

  • Nikola Jokic C | DEN

    Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Masterful performance in win

    Jokic supplied 40 points (15-22 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals over 41 minutes during Tuesday's 112-97 victory over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Jokic took over during Game 5, leading the Nuggets to a third consecutive victory over the Timberwolves. Despite going up against Rudy Gobert, the Defensive Player of the Year, Jokic had no issues getting what he wanted around the basket and finished with a playoff-high 40 points. The series will head back to Minnesota, where Jokic and the Nuggets will look to wrap things up Thursday.

  • Naz Reid C | MIN

    Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Struggles in Game 5 loss

    Reid contributed seven points (3-8 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one block in 20 minutes during Tuesday's 112-97 loss to the Nuggets in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Reid was a non-factor in the loss, continuing his recent struggles. Coming off a career-best regular season, Reid has been unable to produce consistently during the postseason. He has scored fewer than 15 points in eight of the Timberwolves' nine playoff games. Now facing a must-win matchup, Reid will look to turn things around in front of his home fans.

  • Myles Turner C | IND

    Pacers' Myles Turner: Hits four threes in Game 5

    Turner contributed 16 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt), five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in Tuesday's 121-91 loss to the Knicks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Turner was responsible for four of the Pacers' 12 three-point makes Tuesday, his most in the postseason since Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs against the Bucks. He extended his streak of two-plus blocks to three games but committed a team-high four turnovers. Turner is averaging 17.6 points on 49.3 percent shooting (including 45.3 percent on 3.8 3PA/G), 6.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks over 32.4 minutes per game in the postseason.

  • Knicks' Isaiah Hartenstein: Ties Knicks record in Game 5

    Hartenstein contributed seven points (2-3 FG, 3-4 FT), 15 rebounds, five assists and one block over 31 minutes in Tuesday's 121-91 win over the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Hartenstein registered double-digit rebounds for the second time this playoffs. He was responsible for 12 of New York's 20 offensive rebounds, which tied Charles Oakley for the most in a playoff game in Knicks history. Hartenstein has continued to provide crucial minutes for the Knicks in the absence of Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Hartenstein is averaging 8.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

  • Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Questionable for Game 5

    Allen (ribs) is questionable for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Celtics.

    Allen has missed the last seven games with a right rib contusion, but with the Cavaliers on the brink of elimination, they will hope to bring the big man back. If Allen is out, Evan Mobley will likely continue to start at center, with Isaac Okoro slotting in at power forward.

  • Thunder's Chet Holmgren: Nears double-double with four swats

    Holmgren ended Monday's 100-96 win over Dallas in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals with 18 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds, four blocks and one steal over 40 minutes.

    Holmgren stepped his game up on a night where Jalen Williams struggled with his shot, and the star rookie made his presence felt on both ends of the court, showing efficiency in his touch near the rim and being his usual disruptive self on the defensive end. Holmgren is averaging 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.3 blocks per game in the series against Dallas. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday in OKC.

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