NBA Player News

Carter didn’t see the floor much in this game, but he ended up making a huge impact. He set a new career high for scoring in just 16 minutes. The second-year guard hasn’t played a large role this season, though he did have a productive stretch in February. Sacramento has won two games in a row, and with this loss to Indiana, the Pacers now have the worst record in the league by 0.5 games. Expect to see Carter more as the Kings look to improve their lottery odds.

J-Dub and the Thunder grabbed control of Game 1 early and never looked back, winning by 35 points. As a playmaker, Williams was especially impactful during the second quarter, as he accounted for six points and four assists. Oklahoma City is a heavy favorite in this series, and its depth and defense carried the day in Game 1. They’ll look to do the same in Game 2 on Wednesday.

Holmgren came out hot in Game 1, scoring 13 points in the first quarter. He didn’t offer much production after that, but the Thunder really didn’t need much from him. Holmgren’s final line only lacked an assist, and he was one of three starters to block two shots. Oklahoma City’s bigs were excellent defensively, with Isaiah Hartenstein (eight points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks) and Jaylin Williams (five points, four rebounds, two assists, four steals and one three-pointer) all recording at least two “stocks.”

With Duren back in the lineup after missing the regular-season finale, Detroit will have its regular starting five for Game 1 on Sunday. The Pistons posted their first 60-win season in 20 years en route to securing the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed. They will face a Magic team that is just a couple of days removed from knocking off the Charlotte Hornets in the Play-In Tournament.

The Thunder began the postseason portion of their title defense with a 119-84 rout of the Suns, with the reigning league MVP leading the way. Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t shoot the ball well from the field, but his ability to apply pressure off the dribble and get to the foul line compensated for that. SGA was also responsible for seven assists, and the nature of Sunday’s game meant he needed to play just 29 minutes. Oklahoma City hosts Game 2 on Wednesday.

Green shot 2-of-7 from beyond the arc in Game 1, with the complete stat line being countered in an inefficient day of shooting the basketball. Like Devin Booker (23/6/2 with two three-pointers), the Suns are going to need a much better showing from Green if they’re to have any chance of making the series competitive, much less harbor ambitions of winning it. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night.

Given what he brings to the table defensively, Brooks earns a certain level of freedom on the offensive end of the floor. However, there’s no reason why he should lead the Suns in shot attempts when Devin Booker and Jalen Green are available. In Game 1, Brooks put up 22 shots, with Booker next in line with 17 attempts and Green finishing with 16. That’s something to keep an eye on moving forward, beginning with Wednesday’s Game 2. If the Thunder defense can funnel things towards Brooks consistently, this series could be a sweep.

Of the three Suns players to score in double figures in Sunday’s blowout defeat, Booker was the only one to get close to shooting 50 percent from the field. Given the matchup, the Suns will need more from their star guard if they’re to have a chance of winning this series. With Phoenix having played on Wednesday and Friday in the Play-In Tournament before Sunday’s afternoon matchup, an extra day off ahead of Game 2 on Wednesday night may do Booker and the Suns some good.

Okongwu, who logged 37 minutes in Saturday’s series-opening defeat, is dealing with inflammation in his right knee. With Jock Landale (ankle) likely out for the series, the Hawks can ill afford to lose Okongwu. Mouhamed Gueye would see his minutes increase if Okongwu sits, and Tony Bradley may enter the rotation after being a DNP-CD in Game 1.

Bryant remains out with a strained left calf, with Monday’s game being the sixth that he has missed. His continued absence won’t have a significant impact on the Cavaliers’ frontcourt rotation, as all of the key contributors are healthy.

Goodwin played five first-half minutes before exiting with a sore left calf, and he has now been ruled out for the rest of the game. Royce O’Neale started the third quarter and will take on an important role, especially with Grayson Allen (hamstring) yet to play despite being listed as available.