NBA Player News

Once again starting for the injured Zion Williamson (hamstring), Murphy was excellent on both ends of the floor in Game 1. The third-year wing made some timely baskets as the Pelicans mounted a rally that fell two points short while racking up four “stocks.” Offseason knee surgery derailed Murphy’s progress early in the season, but he has played solid basketball recently, outside of the Pelicans’ regular-season finale against the Lakers. With Oklahoma City devoting much of their defensive attention to CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, Murphy and Herb Jones won’t lack opportunities to score. Jones struggled in Game 1, shooting 2-of-10 from the field and finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 33 minutes.

Portis did his best to give the Bucks a spark on Sunday, but the home team was overwhelmed after losing Damian Lillard during the first half. With Brook Lopez (6/1/1/1/1 with two three-pointers in 15 minutes) struggling, Portis moved into the lineup to begin the third quarter. Milwaukee is now in a 3-1 hole, and Portis should play plenty in Tuesday’s Game 5. That will be the case whether he comes off the bench or starts.

After totaling 22 points on 6-of-21 shooting in the first three games of the series, Porter was far better in Game 4. He was efficient as a scorer and playmaker, taking on an enlarged role after Damian Lillard exited with a lower left leg injury. With Bucks coach Doc Rivers saying after the loss that the outlook for Lillard is “not promising,” Porter may be thrust into the starting lineup for Game 5 on Tuesday. Trailing three games to one, Milwaukee’s goal is to get the series back home for Game 6.

The loss of Damian Lillard during the first half with a potential Achilles tendon injury did not prevent Giannis from getting his numbers, as he recorded another double-double. Unfortunately, the Bucks did not have the horses needed to make a run after halftime. Already shouldering a heavy workload, Antetokounmpo will have even more on his plate moving forward. Game 5 is on Tuesday night, with the Bucks trailing three games to one.

After shining in the first two games of the series, Nembhard struggled in Game 3 on Friday. Like Myles Turner, the Pacers guard rebounded nicely as the Pacers rolled in Game 4. Sunday’s win was the fifth in Nembhard’s postseason career in which he’s scored at least 20 points. Indiana will look to close out the series when it hosts Game 5 on Tuesday.

Turner thoroughly outplayed Bucks center Brook Lopez in Game 4, rebounding from a 1-of-9 effort in Indiana’s Game 3 loss on Friday. Impactful on both ends of the floor, Turner’s production was one reason why the Pacers head back home with a 3-1 series lead. Game 5 is on Tuesday, and teams that hold a 3-1 lead have won 95.5 percent of the series in NBA playoff history.

After dropping Game 3 on Friday, Haliburton and the Pacers rebounded impressively on Sunday. While Milwaukee’s loss of Damian Lillard (leg) in the first half undoubtedly helped the visitors, Indiana’s ball and player movement were significantly improved. Indiana assisted on 36 of its 50 made field goals, and Haliburton made some personal history. He’s the first Pacer since Paul George in 2014 to record a double-double in each of the first four games of a series. Haliburton and the Pacers will look to close out the series on Tuesday.

Joseph provided value to Orlando’s starting lineup, logging 27 minutes and tallying his most points and assists of the series. On the heels of the veteran guard’s most productive game of the postseason, it’s reasonable to expect Joseph will play a similar role for his team on Tuesday. The Magic will look to stay alive as they face the Celtics in Boston for Game 5.

Lillard suffered a lower left leg injury while attempting to chase down a missed shot during the first quarter. Unable to put much weight on the leg while being helped to the locker room, the Bucks’ point guard has officially been ruled out. Given that it’s a non-contact injury, there’s undoubtedly some concern regarding Lillard’s ultimate prognosis. Kevin Porter Jr. will figure more prominently within the Bucks’ rotation, and they will also need more offense from Gary Trent Jr. and AJ Green.

Wagner reached at least 20 points for the fourth time in as many games in Orlando’s opening-round series against Boston. He recorded multiple three-point makes for a second-straight game and led the Magic in assists along the way. The Magic could use another productive outing from Wagner in Tuesday’s Game 5 as they look to collect a second win and extend the series.

Despite struggling with his shooting efficiency, Banchero put forth another high-scoring performance, topping 30 points for the third time in four postseason games against Boston. The former No. 1 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft remained active on the glass and continued to make a living at the charity stripe in the process. Orlando will hope for another well-rounded effort from Banchero in Wednesday’s Game 5 in Boston as the Magic look to avoid elimination.