NBA Player News

Merrill provided 21 points (7-16 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, two assists and three steals over 28 minutes during Monday's 142-126 win over Memphis.

With James Harden (personal), Donovan Mitchell (ankle), Max Strus (rest) and Dean Wade (ankle) all unavailable, Merrill was back in the starting lineup and delivered his best scoring effort since Feb. 11, when he poured in 32 points against the Wizards. The 29-year-old wing has scored in double digits in eight of his last 10 appearances, averaging 13.8 points, 3.8 boards, 2.8 assists, 2.4 threes and 0.9 steals in 29.4 minutes over that span.

Schroder produced 22 points (8-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), five rebounds and 11 assists across 29 minutes during Monday's 142-126 win over the Grizzlies.

Back in the starting five for the first time since Feb. 27 while James Harden (personal) is away from the team, Schroder delivered his third double-double of the season, and his first since Dec. 21. The veteran guard hasn't had much of a role of late with the second unit. Schroder had scored in double digits only once in his prior 15 games while averaging fewer than 20 minutes a contest. As long as Harden and Donovan Mitchell (ankle) are unavailable, however, Schroder should have fantasy utility thanks to elevated usage.

Bal became a free agent Tuesday after his 10-day contract with the Grizzlies expired.

Bal ended his 10-day stint with Memphis with his best performance yet, drilling six of the Grizzlies' NBA-record-tying 29 three-pointers in Monday's 142-126 loss to the Cavaliers on his way to finishing with 20 points, six rebounds and one steal in 37 minutes. Overall, Bal shot 41.3 percent from the field and 43.3 percent from downtown while averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 triples, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.3 minutes per contest over his first six NBA games. The Grizzlies will have the ability to re-sign Bal to a rest-of-season deal and could look to finalize a new contract for the undrafted rookie ahead of their next game Wednesday in Denver.

Mobley amassed 24 points (9-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT), six rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes during Monday's 142-126 victory over Memphis.

The 24 points led the Cavaliers on the night as Mobley got back on the court after a one-game absence due to a minor calf issue. The fifth-year big has topped 20 points in six of his last 12 appearances, averaging 20.3 points, 9.7 boards, 3.6 assists and 1.1 blocks over that stretch while shooting 66.9 percent from the floor.

Harper posted 17 points (7-11 FG, 3-3 3Pt), three rebounds and four assists in 28 minutes off the bench during Monday's 115-102 victory over the 76ers.

The second overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has found a groove from downtown. Harper has drained multiple three-pointers in six of the last eight games, averaging 14.9 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 boards, 1.9 threes and 1.1 combined steals and blocks in 23.8 minutes over that stretch while shooting 62.2 percent from the floor and a sizzling 57.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Johnson logged 13 points (4-14 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals across 25 minutes off the bench during Monday's 115-102 win over the 76ers.

The 26-year-old wing came up one board short of his sixth double-double of the season, while three combined stocks tied his season high. Johnson has scored in double digits in nine straight games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 threes in 23.9 minutes over that span.

George finished with 16 points (5-15 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists and two steals across 38 minutes during Monday's 115-102 loss to the Spurs.

The veteran forward has been locked in from the perimeter, both on offense and defense, since returning from his suspension in late March. Over the last seven games, George has recorded multiple steals six times and drained three or more treys seven times, averaging 24.4 points, 6.1 boards, 4.3 threes, 4.0 assists and 2.9 steals while shooting 46.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Maxey recorded 15 points (6-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and eight assists in 40 minutes during Monday's 115-102 loss to San Antonio.

It's the first time in six games since Maxey returned from a finger injury that he's failed to score more than 20 points. During that stretch, the 25-year-old guard is averaging 22.7 points, 7.2 assists, 4.3 boards, 1.7 threes and 1.3 combined blocks and steals, but he's shooting just 31.3 percent from three-point range.

Holiday chipped in 19 points (7-19 FG, 5-12 3Pt), six rebounds and 11 assists across 39 minutes during Monday's 137-132 overtime loss to the Nuggets.

Although the team has adjusted the starting lineup to include Scoot Henderson in recent weeks, Holiday's numbers haven't suffered. He's averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds since the recent adjustment, and it's a scenario that should stay in place as long as Shaedon Sharpe (calf) and Jerami Grant (calf) remain absent. Before Monday's loss, the new-look backcourt had generated three consecutive victories.

Avdija totaled 26 points (6-15 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 13-14 FT), four rebounds, seven assists, one block and one steal over 40 minutes during Monday's 137-132 overtime loss to the Nuggets.

Although Portland let this game slip away, the offense put up a brave fight behind explosive totals from Avdija, Toumani Camara and a host of other solid contributors. Avdija's injury concerns appear to be in the rear-view mirror, as he's logged over 30 minutes consistently over the past month. His health will be essential to Portland's chances in the Play-In Tournament.