NBA Player News

Carter was nearly perfect from the floor in his 27 minutes on Friday, with two of his six makes coming from beyond the arc. The veteran center also made contributions on the glass, especially on the offensive side, where half of his boards came from. He wasn’t overly productive in the win, but he was a positive contributor. Carter will have a chance to have another on Sunday in Game 1 against the Pistons

Kennard followed up his 27-point performance in Game 1 with 23 points in Game 2. The Lakers will certainly take this kind of production from Kennard while Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) are still out. Expect more of the same from Kennard until the Lakers get their stars back, though the Lakers will face a tough environment in Houston for Game 3 on Friday.

Smart had 15 points and one three-pointer in Game 1, but stepped up his offensive production significantly in Game 2, keying a Lakers win. The added scoring from the 32-year-old shooting guard was a welcomed sight for the Lakers with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined. Smart and the Lakers will take on the Rockets in Game 3 on Friday as the series shifts to Houston.

James shocked everyone in the third quarter when a lane completely opened up and he took the opportunity to throw down a reverse jam. With a minute left in the fourth quarter, another dunk by James essentially sealed the game for the Lakers. In his 23rd season and at 41-years-old, he still managed to play excellent basketball for 38 minutes in each of the first two games of this series. James is now the only player in NBA history at least 40-years-old to have at least 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a playoff games and he’s done it three times. James will keep running the show with Luka Dončić (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) still sidelined.

Wembanyama took a hard fall and landed on his face early in Game 2’s loss to the Trail Blazer. The 22-year-old center entered the concussion protocol and was diagnosed with a concussion. He must now have at least 48 hours of inactivity before clearing several benchmarks while being symptom-free before he is cleared to play again. Wembanyama could still miss multiple games before returning. Luke Kornet should fill in while Wembanyama is sidelined.

Victor Wembanyama carried the Spurs offense in Game 1’s victory with 35 points, but left Game 2 early with a concussion. In his absence, none of the other Spurs starters stepped up the scoring. Castle, De’Aaron Fox and Devin Vassell combined to shoot 19-of-52 from the field in Game 2 and no Spurs player eclipsed 20 points. With Wembanyama potentially set to miss more time in this series, someone else on the Spurs will need to score more points.

Williams played 23 minutes off the bench in the victory and had 11 points and nine rebounds. The 28-year-old center also had a put-back dunk and got fouled with 15 seconds left in regulation to put the Trail Blazers up by three. He’ll continue to have a significant bench role in this series.

Henderson found his rhythm with a 15-point second half in Sunday’s Game 1 loss to the Spurs and it carried over to Game 2 as he posted 31 points in the win. The 22-year-old guard’s three-point shooting was a major factor in this one as he was 5-of-9 from behind the arc. The series shifts to Portland for Game 3 on Friday.

Brown carried the Celtics scoring load in Game 2 as Jayson Tatum was the only other player in double figures with 19 points. His top highlight of the game came early in the first quarter as he had a poster dunk on Adem Bona. Brown scored 36 points, but it wasn’t enough in the Game 2 loss to the 76ers. The Celtics head to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Celtics cut the 76ers’ lead to two points. The 25-year-old point guard proceeded to hit back-to-back three-pointers to essentially put the game on ice for Philadelphia. After taking just four three-pointers in the Game 1 loss, Maxey was 5-of-12 from behind the arc in Game 2. His scoring remains critical if Philadelphia is going to pull the upset in this series.

Edgecombe headed to the locker room twice and was seen riding a stationary bike on the 76ers’ sideline at points during the game. Nevertheless, the 20-year-old guard managed to play 35 minutes and was excellent in Game 2. Edgecombe bounced back from a 13-point performance in Game 1 to lead the 76ers with 30 points and six three-pointers in the Game 2 victory. The series shifts to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday.