NBA Player News

Missi extended his streak of games with at least 10 rebounds to five on Sunday, and he has recorded three double-doubles during this stretch. For fantasy managers whose leagues ended with Week 22, the seven-foot rookie finished strong, providing top-100 value in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. The Pelicans begin a four-game Week 23 in Brooklyn on Tuesday, and Missi is worth rostering since his place in the starting lineup is secure.

Given his limited offensive repertoire, Payton is the player opposing defenses tend to leave alone when he’s on the court. With Jimmy Butler (pelvis/glute) sidelined for Game 3, there was a need for GPII to make the Rockets pay. And that’s what happened in the fourth quarter. At one stage, Payton scored nine straight Warriors points, helping to put Game 3 in the win column. Even if Butler is back for Game 4 on Monday, the Warriors will need Payton to make the Rockets pay for leaving him alone if they continue to take that approach.

With Jimmy Butler (pelvis/glute) unavailable, Curry was due to receive even more defensive attention from the Rockets in Game 3. And their approach paid dividends early, with the Warriors’ sharpshooter making one of his first five shots. But he would get going in the second quarter, not slowing up until Golden State secured a 2-1 series lead. Curry has scored 30 points or more in two of three games thus far. Game 4 is on Monday night, with the Warriors aiming to take a 3-1 lead.

Smith has been unavailable for the first three games of this series. However, his absence did not have an impact, as he is not in the Bucks’ rotation when healthy.

Mathurin has not missed a game in this series, most recently playing 14 minutes in Friday’s defeat. However, he’s dealing with an abdominal contusion and is not a lock to play in Game 4. If Mathurin is unable to play, look for Ben Sheppard to play more minutes after re-entering the rotation on Friday.

After attempting at least 14 shots in each of the first three games of the series, Harden was only responsible for 11 in Game 4. And the Nuggets were able to fluster The Beard, with things coming to a head in the form of an altercation late in the second quarter. Harden did make some solid plays late, with the Clippers ripping off a 32-9 fourth-quarter run to get back into the game. However, it wasn’t enough to secure the victory, with the Nuggets pulling even at two games apiece. He’ll need to be better in Game 5 on Tuesday in Denver.

Zubac has recorded a double-double in three of the series’ first four games, with Saturday’s effort including a complete stat line. The Clippers’ center has done his best defensively to make life difficult for Nikola Jokic. Although he hasn’t always been successful, Zubac has still managed to make significant contributions offensively. The Clippers now head to Denver for Game 5, scheduled for Tuesday night, with the series tied at two games apiece.

Leonard has scored at least 21 points in all four games of this series, essentially looking like the elite version of himself. He and Bogdan Bogdanovic (7/4/2 with one three-pointer) were key factors in the Clippers’ 32-9 fourth-quarter run, serving as the “point men” in the team’s 1-1-3 zone. Denver’s offense grinded to a halt down the stretch, but Aaron Gordon’s dunk of a Nikola Jokic miss gave the visitors the two-point win. Leonard and company will look to bounce back on Tuesday, with the Nuggets hosting Game 5.

After totaling 25 points in the first two games of the series, Powell benefited from the action shifting to the friendly confines of the Intuit Dome. In Games 3 and 4, he shot 14-of-25 from the field and 7-of-16 from beyond the arc. Saturday’s performance included four three-pointers during a 32-9 fourth-quarter run that nearly allowed the Clippers to steal the win. Alas, Aaron Gordon’s dunk as time expired was the difference. With the series now tied at two games apiece, the Clippers will need the “home” version of Powell to show up on the road. Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday night in Denver.

Braun and backcourt partner Jamal Murray (13/7/7/2 with one three-pointer) could not find their strokes in Game 4, as they were a combined 2-of-13 from three and 13-of-36 from the field overall. However, it was enough to help the Nuggets pick up a win the team desperately needed, evening the series at two games apiece. Braun and Murray will look to bounce back at home, as the Nuggets host Game 5 on Tuesday.

With his team facing a 3-1 deficit, Jokic was dominant in Saturday’s Game 4 victory. While he finished two assists shy of a triple-double, the Nuggets center recorded the fourth 30/20 game of his postseason career. While Jokic being the focal point offensively is unsurprising, he’s either scored or assisted on a staggering 55.5 percent of the Nuggets’ points in this series. With the series now tied at two games apiece, the Nuggets host Game 5 on Tuesday.