NBA Player News

There were few positive takeaways for the rebuilding Wizards at the outset of the Trae Young era as they gave up 128 points on the defensive end of the floor and shot just 42.5 percent on the night. The 20-year-old big man has been extremely impactful for fantasy purposes this season, averaging 17.2 points, 7.5 assists, 3.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.3 blocks through 28 games. The Wizards close out the week with a road tilt against the Suns on Sunday evening.

Like Nikola Jokić, Game 4 was a tale of two halves for Murray. He shot 5-of-14 from the field in the second half, and the Nuggets were outscored 62-42. Due to Saturday’s defeat, the Nuggets’ season will be on the line when they host Game 5 on Monday. Given how shorthanded the Timberwolves will be, that sets up to be a big night for Murray. That said, many likely assumed Murray would go off in the second half after the Timberwolves lost Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo on Saturday.

While Jokić finished Game 4 with a solid stat line, he did most of his damage before halftime. In the second half, the three-time league MVP shot 1-of-10 from the field as the Nuggets fell to a Timberwolves team that did not have Anthony Edwards or Donte DiVincenzo. And things would get worse for Jokić, as he was ejected in the final seconds for sparking an altercation due to his displeasure with Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels converting a layup instead of running out the clock. No punches were thrown, and the Nuggets will hope that bodes well for Jokić’s availability for Game 5 on Monday.

Back in action after a one-game absence, Gordon was placed in the starting lineup immediately. While he did play 23 minutes, the veteran forward did not appear to be himself. While the Nuggets said Gordon was available to return after a trip to the locker room during the third quarter, he did not. After the game, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said he believed it would be “unfair” to leave Gordon in. The Nuggets host Game 5 on Monday, and Spencer Jones (four rebounds, one steal and two blocks) may have to return to the starting lineup if Gordon can’t go.

After totaling 21 points in the first three games of the series, Reid stepped up on Saturday to help the Timberwolves compensate for the losses of Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles). The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year winner contributed a complete stat line on good percentages, playing 28 minutes off the bench. While his playing time may not increase much moving forward, the Timberwolves losing DiVincenzo and Edwards means that they’ll need more production from Reid.

Randle didn’t have a great game, but it didn’t matter much on a night when Ayo Dosunmu scored 43 points and Naz Reid added 17. Of greater concern for the Timberwolves was how Game 4 ended, with Nikola Jokić’s reaction to a Jaden McDaniels (12 points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block) layup sparking a shoving match that led to Jokić and Randle being ejected. No punches were thrown, so the two ejected players may be fine for Monday’s Game 5, but that isn’t guaranteed.

On a night when starters Anthony Edwards (knee) and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) suffered significant injuries, Dosunmu had the best game of his NBA career. The 43 points were a career-high for the guard, who became the fourth in NBA postseason history to have a 40-point game off the bench. Dosunmu was highly efficient, missing just four shots from the field and shooting a perfect 12-of-12 from the foul line. He’ll likely be in the starting lineup for Game 5 in Denver on Monday night.

For the second consecutive postseason, a team has lost a key rotation piece to a ruptured Achilles tendon. After Milwaukee (Damian Lillard), Boston (Jayson Tatum) and Indiana (Tyrese Haliburton) experienced that pain last season, Minnesota did so with DiVincenzo during Saturday’s Game 4 against the Nuggets. The Timberwolves’ guard was injured early in the first quarter, and his ability to walk to the locker room without assistance was not the positive sign some had hoped. Ayo Dosunmu has added importance to the Timberwolves’ future, especially if Anthony Edwards (knee) also has to miss time.

Edwards landed awkwardly and hyperextended his left knee late in the second quarter of Saturday’s game. The Timberwolves’ star remained down on the court, holding his knee and requiring help getting back to the locker room. With Donte DiVincenzo (leg) going down during the first quarter, the Timberwolves will finish Game 4 without their starting backcourt. Ayo Dosunmu and Mike Conley started the third quarter.

DiVincenzo went down with a potentially serious right lower leg injury early in the first quarter of Saturday’s game. The Timberwolves guard immediately called for the team trainers but did not require assistance to return to the locker room. However, there is concern that he may be out for an extended period. Ayo Dosunmu entered the lineup after DiVincenzo’s injury and would likely start moving forward.

Coming off of his most productive game of the series, Johnson struggled in Game 4. In addition to a 1-of-5 night from beyond the arc, the Hawks’ All-Star forward did not record any defensive stats. Give New York’s Josh Hart and OG Anunoby credit for their defensive work, but the Hawks need more from Johnson if they’re to win this series. Game 5 is on Tuesday in New York with the series tied at two games apiece.