NBA Player News

After sitting out Monday’s loss to Brooklyn, Coward returned to take on Philadelphia. Despite playing just 23 minutes, Coward was able to record a double-double, which included him matching his career high for boards in a game. Coward has had a strong rookie season, but his availability has been spotty, and his minutes have been limited when he has played. Don’t expect that to change with the Grizzlies tanking.

It has been a struggle for Booker offensively in this series, and the Thunder deserve credit for that. In Game 3, he didn’t have the best day shooting the basketball, but the seven assists were solid. And another concern came up during the third quarter, as Booker departed briefly after injuring his left ankle. He did return to the game, so there may not be any issue regarding Booker’s availability for Game 4 on Monday.

Green’s efficiency has improved by the game in this series, but the Suns still find themselves in a 0-3 hole. Amongst Suns players, only Dillon Brooks scored more points than Green in Game 3, and he was also effective as a playmaker for others with six assists and one turnover. If Phoenix is to send the series back to Oklahoma City for a Game 5, they’re going to need Green’s best effort of the season in Game 4 on Monday.

After an inefficient Game 1 performance, Brooks has produced consecutive 30-point games. In Game 3, the veteran wing shot a little over 50 percent from the field and led the Suns in field-goal attempts. With Devin Booker struggling and being the focal point of Oklahoma City’s defensive approach, there have been more opportunities for Brooks. While some may want him to tone down the aggressiveness as far as the shot selection is concerned, he’s been effective in back-to-back games.

Jalen Williams’ absence due to a strained hamstring did not result in more shot attempts for Holmgren in Game 3. In fact, his attempts were cut in half compared to Game 2 on Wednesday. The good news is that the 7-foot-1 forward/center provided three defensive contributions and seven rebounds in 29 minutes on the floor. The Thunder may not need much offense from Holmgren to close out the Suns, but the competition will get stronger as the team advances.

With no Jalen Williams, who’s week-to-week with a hamstring injury, Mitchell entered the Thunder starting lineup for Game 3. Unsurprisingly, the Suns were fine with the second-year guard getting up shots, and his 20 attempts led Oklahoma City. Mitchell did not shoot the ball well, making 25 percent of his attempts, but the Thunder had enough production from other players to compensate. Just as important was his not hesitating to take those shots, and Oklahoma City will want that to remain the case in Game 4 on Monday.

The Suns threw their best punch to begin Game 3, but it wasn’t enough to knock the reigning champs off their stride. And Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning league MVP, had a lot to do with that. He made his first seven shot attempts and finished with a playoff career-high 42 points. Gilgeous-Alexander missed just three shots from the field on the day, and the Thunder are one win away from moving on to the second round. Game 4 is on Monday night.

The Lakers can close out the Rockets on Sunday, and they may get back one of their key scorers. Reaves, who has been out since April 2 with a strained oblique, is closing in on a return. Given where the series stands, the Lakers can take a conservative approach to working Reaves back into the lineup once he’s available. Luke Kennard has been the starting off-guard, and that will remain the case until Reaves returns.

As was the case ahead of Game 3 on Friday, Embiid is considered doubtful on the 76ers’ initial injury report. If he can return, Embiid’s return would mean fewer minutes for Adem Bona and Andre Drummond. However, his minutes are likely to be restricted whenever the former MVP is deemed healthy enough to play.

Oubre, who logged 40 minutes in Game 3 on Friday, is dealing with a sore right adductor. If he cannot play on Sunday, Quentin Grimes is the player most likely to move into the starting lineup.

Cunningham and the Pistons mounted a 26-10 run in the fourth quarter to take the lead by one, but they couldn’t hold it and fell to the Magic 113-105. Cunningham carried the Pistons’ offense, but also was just 3-of-10 from behind the three-point line and had nine turnovers. Detroit is hoping to avoid falling behind 3-1 in Game 4 on Monday.