NBA Player News

Mobley finished Saturday's 126-113 win over Toronto in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 17 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds and four assists over 33 minutes.

Mobley scored all of his points through the first three quarters (including eight in the third frame) and finished as the Cavaliers' fourth-leading scorer behind Donovan Mitchell (32 points), Max Strus (24 points) and James Harden (22 points). Mobley didn't record a steal or block during Saturday's win, which is somewhat notable given that he averaged 2.4 stocks per game during the regular season. His presence is felt much more on the defensive side of the floor, striking a nice balance with the offensive firepower that comes from Mitchell and Harden.

Allen amassed 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal across 28 minutes during Saturday's 126-113 victory over the Raptors in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Allen didn't have the most productive statline Saturday, but he doesn't need to when he shares the court with the likes of Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley. Allen is also shaking off some rust after missing 14 of the Cavaliers' last 19 games of the regular season (including the final two games) due to a knee injury.

Anunoby ended with 18 points (6-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and one steal across 38 minutes during Saturday's 113-102 victory over Atlanta in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Anunoby didn't have an eye-popping stat line for Saturday's win, but he was effective on the defensive boards and was efficient with the few shots he took to finish as the Knicks' third-leading scorer behind Jalen Brunson (28 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (25 points). Anunoby may be known more for his defensive prowess, so it's an added bonus for the Knicks when he can produce on the offensive side of the floor and take some pressure of the shoulders of Brunson and Towns.

Towns accumulated 25 points (6-13 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 10-10 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal over 33 minutes during Saturday's 113-102 win over the Hawks in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Towns was held scoreless in the first quarter but came alive in the second half with 19 points, 11 of which came in the fourth frame. Much of that scoring production came courtesy of the free-throw line, though he was also efficient from three-point range on limited attempts, and he finished as the Knicks' second-leading scorer behind Jalen Brunson (28 points). Towns' shooting splits noticeably dip this season compared to 2024-25, but the veteran big man still has the capability of having a big performance on any given night, which will be crucial for New York's postseason run.

Okongwu finished Saturday's 113-102 loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 19 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block over 37 minutes.

Okongwu scored 12 of his 19 points in the first half of Saturday's game and finished as the Hawks' third-leading scorer behind CJ McCollum (26 points) and Jalen Johnson (23 points). Okongwu enjoyed a career year in his sixth NBA regular season, though he saw his production dip over his last 19 games from March 1, when he averaged 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.8 threes over 29.8 minutes. The Hawks will need more output from the 2020 first-rounder to help alleviate the pressure for Johnson, McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Thompson logged 17 points (7-18 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-6 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals across 43 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Thompson was smothered by a proficient Lakers defense during the Game 1 defeat, and although he put together decent totals in secondary categories, he converted only 38.3 percent of his shots in the losing effort. Kevin Durant's (knee) missing production was evident during Saturday's game, and increased production from the standout guard will be essential to buoy Houston's chances of advancing past the first round.

Smith logged 16 points (5-14 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 12 rebounds and two steals across 43 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Smith's performance on both sides of the ball helped to soften the blow caused by Kevin Durant's (knee) absence, but it wasn't enough to overtake the Lakers' relentless offensive onslaught. Smith has often been a savior for the Rockets when Durant or Alperen Sengun have been sidelined, but Game 1's result highlights the need for Durant on the court.

Sheppard racked up 17 points (6-20 FG, 5-14 3Pt), one rebound, eight assists, one block and one steal across 36 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 loss to the Lakers in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Sheppard assumed a larger role with Kevin Durant (knee) in street clothes. Josh Okogie was effective on defense, but he couldn't fill the production gap left by Durant. Much of that responsibility fell to Sheppard and Jabari Smith, who tried to keep the team afloat against a powerful performance from the Lakers. Sheppard was able to muster 19 points thanks to a high shot volume, but he only converted 30 percent of those attempts. Despite the shooting deficiency, he recorded an excellent fantasy total thanks to eight rebounds, matching his second-highest total of the season in the category.

Ayton contributed 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one block over 35 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 win over the Rockets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

Ayton's scoring total was engineered in part by LeBron James, who found his big man often and generated a few assists by connecting with him. Ayton has had his share of inconsistencies this season, but he went toe-to-toe with Alperen Sengun and finished with the better rebound result. It's all hands on deck for the Lakers, who need balanced output from everyone with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) sidelined. Ayton needs to keep the volume up and assume additional responsibility as a scoring threat to keep ahead of the Rockets in the first-round series.

James ended with 19 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 0-2 FT), eight rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals in 38 minutes during Saturday's 107-98 win over the Rockets in Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.

James racked up eight assists before the end of the first quarter, fully embracing his role as a ball distributor. He had time to perform his own heroics as a scorer as well. He converted 60 percent of his shots in the contest and was only two rebounds shy of his fourth triple-double of the season. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique) absent, James is expected to keep turning back the clock, churning out solid totals as the Lakers try to sweep the Rockets.