NBA Player News

Williams contributed 29 points (10-17 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 40 minutes in Monday's 129-126 win over the Nuggets.

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the show with the game-winner, Williams turned in a strong performance of his own with a double-double fueled by a career-high seven three-pointers. The big man entered Monday's contest averaging a career-high 1.4 made threes per game while shooting a career-low 35.0 percent from beyond the arc, with his previous season high being five triples. The 23-year-old is now up to five double-doubles this season, with three of those coming over his past seven contests.

Rupert tallied 20 points (5-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal across 36 minutes during Monday's 126-115 loss to the Nets.

With the Grizzlies keeping just eight players active for Monday's contest, Rupert once again shouldered a sizable workload. Despite coming off the bench, the 21-year-old led Memphis in scoring, with his 20 points representing a season high across his 55 appearances between the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies. While he should continue to see decent minutes when active, Rupert's availability will be limited moving forward while he remains signed to a two-way contract. He's eligible to suit up in just nine of the Grizzlies' remaining 19 games, and since Memphis is expected to get at least a couple players who sat out Monday back in action for Tuesday's contest in Philadelphia, it wouldn't be surprising if Rupert was made inactive for the second leg of the back-to-back set.

Ellis totaled 19 points (5-9 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-7 FT), two rebounds and one steal in 26 minutes during Monday's 115-101 win over the 76ers.

Ellis was instrumental off the bench in this one and finished second on the team in scoring behind James Harden's 21-point night. This was an unexpected outburst from Ellis, who'd been held to 11 total points in his previous three appearances combined. Despite an impressive performance Monday, he's been unable to consistently produce for Cleveland, as he's been held to single figures in eight of his last 10 outings.

Gilgeous-Alexander closed with 35 points (14-21 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 15 assists, nine rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 39 minutes in Monday's 129-126 win over the Nuggets.

Gilgeous-Alexander narrowly missed a triple-double but came through with a game-winning three-pointer in the clutch to power the Thunder to victory. The star guard is on the verge of history, as he tied Wilt Chamberlain's record of 126 consecutive games with 20-plus points Monday. Gilgeous-Alexander has also poured in 30-plus points in 37 contests this season, the most in the league, and will have a chance to break Chamberlain's record Thursday against the Celtics.

Johnson (back) started the fourth quarter of Monday's game against the Thunder, per the television broadcast.

Johnson left the matchup during the third period due to back spasms, but he was cleared to return for the final 12 minutes of play. He wasn't moving quite like himself, according to Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette, so it remains to be seen whether he'll be able to close this one out.

Johnson is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Thunder due to back spasms.

Johnson went to the locker room during the third quarter, and it's not yet clear if he'll return to Monday's tilt. Tim Hardaway and Julian Strawther would see more time in the frontcourt if Johnson is shut down for the evening.

Williams is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors due to a left ankle sprain.

The ankle injury is a new concern for Williams, who recently missed four straight games due to a right quadriceps strain. If the 24-year-old forward is ultimately ruled out, Leonard Miller and Guerschon Yabusele would be candidates to see a bump in minutes.

Simons (wrist) is out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.

Simons continues to miss time while on the mend from a left wrist fracture. He should be considered doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Lakers until further notice.

Buzelis (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.

Buzelis is listed on the injury report with a right ankle sprain that forced him to miss Thursday's contest against the Suns, though he returned Sunday against the Kings. Carrying a probable tag, the 21-year-old will likely be available Tuesday. Over his past 10 games, the forward is averaging 17.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 blocks in 29.3 minutes per contest.

Smith is probable for Tuesday's game against Golden State due to a left calf strain.

This appears to be a precautionary listing for Smith, who made his first appearance since Feb. 22 against the Kings on Sunday after battling the calf injury. Expect the Maryland product to shed the probable tag closer to tipoff, assuming he doesn't experience any kind of setback.