NBA Player News

Clingan contributed 18 points (6-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 28 minutes during Friday's 116-97 victory over the Clippers.

Clingan enjoyed a productive night on both sides of the ball, as he mixed proficient shooting with solid defense in the paint. The second-year pro has distinguished himself as one of the most consistent centers in the Western Conference, averaging 12.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 blocks over 76 games this season.

Avdija accumulated 35 points (11-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 12-13 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal across 35 minutes during Friday's 116-97 win over the Clippers.

Although Avdija's long-range shot was mostly off-target, he was otherwise brilliant in an all-around performance to lead the Trail Blazers to victory. The win brought the team even with the Clippers, and they'll need a win in the season finale against the Kings to secure the eighth seed and a meeting against the Suns in the play-in bracket. Based on that urgency, Avdija should receive ample minutes in the season finale.

Okani logged 20 points (9-22 FG, 2-8 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists in 42 minutes during Friday's 147-101 loss to the Jazz.

Okani was part of a slim six-player rotation during the rout. He had his work cut out for him against Utah, which held a significant height advantage over the depleted frontcourt. The undrafted rookie out of West Virginia has spent most of his first NBA season in the G League, and his future with the parent club depends heavily on the organization's offseason plans. Part of the plan will include paying a high first-round pick, and if they draft someone with a skill set similar to Okani's, he could be back in the G League once again.

Kennard closed with 19 points (6-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), one rebound, three assists and three steals across 28 minutes during Friday's 101-73 win over the Suns.

It was another strong showing from Kennard, who's been keeping the Lakers' backcourt afloat in the absence of Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique). While starting the last four games, Kennard has averaged 14.5 points, 7.8 assists, 5.3 boards, 2.3 steals and 1.0 threes.

Mashack finished with 13 points (6-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 15 rebounds, 14 assists and two steals over 48 minutes during Friday's 147-101 loss to the Jazz.

Mashack finished with a triple-double, logging big minutes among Memphis' slim six-player rotation. The 2025 second-round pick should serve as part of a youth-based rebuild in Memphis, as the Tennessee product has posted decent numbers since rejoining the parent club two months ago.

James totaled 28 points (10-16 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 6-9 FT), six rebounds, 12 assists and four steals over 32 minutes during Friday's 101-73 victory over the Suns.

With the victory, the Lakers clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs, as they can't finish any lower than fourth in the Western Conference. James led his team in points and boards on the night en route to his 17th double-double of the season, and since Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) landed on the shelf he's averaged 28.0 points, 12.7 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 threes while shooting 60.0 percent from the floor and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Brooks provided 12 points (5-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist and one steal over 21 minutes during Friday's 101-73 loss to the Lakers.

The 12 points somehow led the shorthanded Suns on the night, and only one of Brooks' teammates even managed to score in double digits as the team shot just 33.8 percent from the floor while going 7-for-40 (17.5 percent) from three-point range. The veteran forward has scored 10-plus points in five straight games to begin the month of April, averaging 15.6 points, 3.0 boards, 2.2 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.0 steals in 29.8 minutes over that span.

Rupert logged 16 points (7-25 FG, 1-11 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and three steals across 40 minutes during Friday's 147-101 loss to Utah.

The Grizzlies played with a slim six-player rotation during the loss, giving Rupert and a motley crew of backups ample minutes. Rupert joined the Grizzlies after failing to catch on in Portland, and the third-year pro has impressed with some upside totals in recent days. Rupert's size and speed give the Grizzles flexibility with the skills to fill in at several positions. If he stays with the team, he has a decent chance of making the roster and possibly cracking the rotation.

Plowden had 20 points (7-16 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and two steals in 37 minutes during Friday's 124-118 victory over the Warriors.

The 27-year-old forward just missed recording his first career double-double in his 37th NBA game. Plowden has taken advantage of his opportunity with the Kings over the last month-plus, scoring in double digits in 15 of his last 16 games while averaging 14.6 points, 3.3 boards, 2.8 threes, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.9 minutes a contest.

Clifford ended with 20 points (5-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), six rebounds and six assists across 38 minutes during Friday's 124-118 win over the Warriors.

The rookie wing is having a productive final stretch of the season. Clifford has started six straight games, averaging 16.5 points, 5.2 boards, 4.0 assists, 1.8 threes and 0.8 steals as the injury-ravaged Kings play out the string.