NBA Player News

Sharpe finished with eight points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one steal in 13 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 loss to San Antonio in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sharpe continues to be used sparingly by the Trail Blazers in this series. Through four games, he's seeing 15.3 minutes per contest with 7.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. It's not helping his case that he's shooting 22.2 percent from beyond the arc thus far.

Vassell amassed 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 35 minutes during Sunday's 114-93 win over Portland in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The Spurs continue to rely heavily on their starters as they surged to a 3-1 series lead. Vassell has struggled a bit from beyond the arc, but he's averaging 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.5 steals through four postseason games.

Merrill contributed 14 points (5-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT) across 19 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to Toronto in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Merrill caught fire from beyond the arc and led the Cleveland bench in scoring by a comfortable margin. Through four postseason games, he's averaging 7.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers on 42.9 percent shooting from the field.

Tyson amassed nine points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-6 FT) and five rebounds in 21 minutes during Sunday's 93-89 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Cavaliers used a total of 10 players Sunday, with Tyson tying Max Strus for the largest workload for the reserves. Tyson has had some struggles in this series with averages of 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals in 15.5 minutes per contest while shooting 39.1 percent from the field.

Wade closed Sunday's 93-89 loss to the Raptors in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with seven points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and five rebounds over 28 minutes.

Despite a considerable workload, Wade wasn't able to make a huge impact on the stat sheet. Through four postseason games, he's averaging 5.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 25.3 minutes per contest.

Smith had 16 points (4-15 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in 42 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 win over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The fourth-year forward has scored at least 16 points while draining multiple three-pointers in all four games of the postseason so far, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 boards, 3.5 threes, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists in 42.0 minutes, although his 39.3 percent shooting from the floor is less than ideal. Smith may need to find another level in Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles, if the Rockets are going to stave off elimination once again.

Sheppard logged 17 points (6-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), one rebound, three assists and three steals in 29 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Making his third start of the playoffs, Sheppard scored exactly 17 points for the third time while sinking at least four three-pointers. In the one game he didn't start, the second-year guard failed to score a point at all in 11 minutes. With Kevin Durant (ankle) banged up and the Rockets needing all the offense they can get to avoid elimination, Sheppard will likely be in the starting five again for Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles.

Eason supplied 20 points (7-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, one block and five steals over 30 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 victory over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The 20 points and five steals were both career playoff highs for the fourth-year forward, as he started his second straight game in place of Kevin Durant (ankle). Eason is averaging 12.8 points, 7.5 boards, 3.0 steals, 1.8 assists and 1.5 threes through four contests to begin the postseason, and the Rockets will likely need another strong performance from him in Game 5 on Wednesday back in Los Angeles if they're going to avoid elimination.

Thompson provided 23 points (10-16 FG, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 41 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 win over the Lakers in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The 23 points led all scorers on the night as the Rockets avoided a first-round sweep. Thompson has seen his usage rise with Kevin Durant (ankle) sidelined the last two contests, and through four games to begin the postseason, the third-year guard is averaging 20.5 points, 6.8 boards, 6.8 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in a massive 43.5 minutes. Thompson will likely need to come up big again on the road in Game 5 on Wednesday if Houston is going to stay alive.

Smart produced nine points (3-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals over 31 minutes during Sunday's 115-96 loss to the Rockets in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

It's the second straight game in which Smart has recorded multiple steals and blocks, and the third straight in which he's collected six or more combined. The veteran guard is averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 assists, 3.5 steals, 2.5 boards, 2.0 threes and 2.0 blocks in 34.8 minutes to begin the postseason as he fills a bigger role in the absence of Austin Reaves (oblique) and Luka Doncic (hamstring). Smart will likely be productive again in Game 5 on Wednesday as the Lakers look to advance to the second round.