NBA Player News
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Ajay Mitchell PG | OKC
Thunder's Ajay Mitchell: Productive off bench Wednesday
Mitchell totaled 14 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals across 29 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 120-107 victory over the Suns in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The second-year guard led the Thunder's second unit in scoring and assists on the night. Mitchell has made a consistent impact on defense over the last few weeks, recording at least one steal in six of his last seven games dating back to March 30 while averaging 10.0 points, 3.4 assists, 2.9 boards, 1.3 steals and 1.1 threes in 23.9 minutes during that span.
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Chet Holmgren PF | OKC
Thunder's Chet Holmgren: Four rejections in Game 2 win
Holmgren notched 19 points (7-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds and four blocks over 32 minutes during Wednesday's 120-107 win over the Suns in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The 23-year-old big continues to be a force at the rim. Despite sitting out the final two games of the regular season due to back trouble, Holmgren has recorded multiple blocks in five straight appearances, averaging 20.2 points, 9.2 boards, 3.2 blocks, 2.6 threes, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 26.4 minutes over that stretch while shooting 64.3 percent from the floor and 54.2 percent (13-for-24) from downtown.
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Royce O'Neale PF | PHO
Suns' Royce O'Neale: Just misses double-double in Game 2
O'Neale totaled 16 points (4-5 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals across 34 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 120-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The veteran forward bounced back from a quiet Game 1 performance to post his best scoring effort since a March 24 start against the Nuggets. O'Neale has scored in double digits in five of his last 10 games, all with the second unit, while averaging 8.6 points, 4.8 boards, 2.2 threes, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals in 23.9 minutes.
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Jalen Green SG | PHO
Suns' Jalen Green: Hits for 21 in Game 2 loss
Green registered 21 points (8-23 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), five rebounds, three assists and two steals over 41 minutes during Wednesday's 120-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The fifth-year guard is having trouble finding his shot from the outside against the Thunder's perimeter defense. After a couple huge performances to close out the regular season, Green is averaging 19.0 points, 5.0 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.5 threes to begin the playoffs while shooting just 35.9 percent from the floor and 20.0 percent (3-for-15) from beyond the arc.
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Devin Booker SG | PHO
Suns' Devin Booker: Pops for 22 in Wednesday's loss
Booker supplied 22 points (7-14 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 8-10 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal over 40 minutes during Wednesday's 120-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The 29-year-old guard extended his streak of games with at least 20 points to 13, dating back to March 22. Booker may not be quite 100 percent healthy, however -- since missing a couple contests toward the end of the regular season with an ankle issue, he hasn't topped 23 points in four games while shooting just 14.3 percent (2-for-14) from three-point range. He may need to find another gear when the series shifts back to Phoenix for Game 3 on Saturday if the Suns are going to avoid being swept.
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Dillon Brooks SF | PHO
Suns' Dillon Brooks: Pours in team-high 30 in Game 2
Brooks contributed 30 points (12-23 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds and one assist over 38 minutes before fouling out of Wednesday's 120-107 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 2 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The 30 points led the Suns on the night, but it wasn't enough to keep pace with the defending champs. It was the first time Brooks had scored 30 or more points since returning from a hand injury at the end of March, and his best scoring effort since Jan. 29, when he erupted for 40 points against the Pistons. Over nine games in April, Brooks is averaging 17.7 points, 4.0 boards, 2.4 threes, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals.
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Desmond Bane SG | ORL
Magic's Desmond Bane: Struggles from field in Game 2 loss
Bane ended with 12 points (2-11 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 6-7 FT), four rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 98-83 loss to the Pistons in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Bane reached double figures thanks to a strong effort at the charity stripe but struggled from the field as the Magic suffered a double-digit Game 2 loss. After erupting for 34 points (10-16 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 10-11 FT) against the 76ers to start the Play-In Tournament on April 15, the guard has scored fewer than 20 points on under 40 percent shooting in each of the past three games.
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Paolo Banchero PF | ORL
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Scores 18 in Game 2 loss
Banchero closed with 18 points (7-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-8 FT), eight assists, six rebounds, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Wednesday's 98-83 loss to Detroit in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Banchero filled the stat sheet across the board, though it wasn't nearly enough in a double-digit Game 2 loss. With strong career postseason averages of 26.9 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists on 44.9 percent shooting from the field and 41.1 percent from deep across 14 playoff games, the 23-year-old will need to deliver at a high level if Orlando hopes to pull off the series upset.
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Jalen Suggs SG | ORL
Magic's Jalen Suggs: Paces Orlando in loss
Suggs chipped in 19 points (7-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes during Wednesday's 98-83 loss to the Pistons in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Suggs led his team in scoring on a night when the Magic struggled mightily, shooting just 33 percent from the field in a blowout loss. After recording four stocks in a Game 1 win Sunday, the point guard finished without a steal or block Wednesday, marking just the eighth time that has occurred this year between the regular season and postseason. Suggs playing at the top of his game will be crucial if Orlando wants to pull off the series upset.
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Isaiah Stewart PF | DET
Pistons' Isaiah Stewart: Perfect from field off bench
Stewart closed with 10 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds and two blocks over 16 minutes during Wednesday's 98-83 win over the Magic in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Stewart's 16 minutes were eventful, as the big man didn't miss a shot while recording two blocks, though he also committed three turnovers. Turnovers aside, the 24-year-old was far more productive in Game 2 than in Game 1, when he totaled three points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, one block and one steal across 19 minutes. The numbers may fluctuate, but Stewart's role as a physical presence off the bench remains a key part of the Pistons' identity.