NBA Player News
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Desmond Bane SG | ORL
Magic's Desmond Bane: Posts dud in loss
Bane produced six points (3-12 FG, 0-5 3Pt), two rebounds, eight assists and two blocks across 36 minutes during Thursday's 126-115 loss to the Nuggets.
For the sixth time this season, Bane was held to single-digit points. His usage rate fluctuates a lot in Orlando, but this can simply be chalked up to an off night during a tough matchup. For the season, Bane holds averages of 18.5 points, 4.7 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 1.7 three-pointers.
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Jay Huff C | IND
Pacers' Jay Huff: Extends block streak on Thursday
Huff ended Thursday's 114-113 loss to the Knicks with six points (2-7 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 18 minutes.
Huff recorded two blocks in Thursday's loss to the Knicks and now has at least two swats in 21 straight games, including 13 consecutive games with two or more blocks. The 28-year-old center also pulled down double-digit boards for the first time since Nov. 9 against the Warriors. The Virginia product has started the past nine games for the Pacers, averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.4 blocks, 2.0 threes and 1.9 assists in 24.6 minutes per game over that stretch.
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Keegan Murray PF | SAC
Kings' Keegan Murray: Posts full line in loss
Murray had 17 points (8-17 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists, four blocks and two steals across 43 minutes during Thursday's 134-133 overtime loss to the Trail Blazers.
Murray can certainly stuff a box score when he's on, and he was certainly on fire in the overtime loss on both ends of the court. On a per-game basis, Murray is on pace to post third-round value in nine-category formats with averages of 15.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.9 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers.
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Tyler Kolek PG | NY
Knicks' Tyler Kolek: Records first career double-double
Kolek chipped in 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-4 3Pt), six rebounds, 11 assists, one block and one steal across 26 minutes during Thursday's 114-113 win over the Pacers.
Kolek had a breakout game in the NBA Cup championship against the Spurs and put up a career-best performance in Thursday's win over the Pacers. The 24-year-old guard stuffed the stat in his most minutes off the bench this season, leading the team in assists and shooting an efficient 70 percent from the field. The Marquette product has taken advantage of Miles McBride (ankle) being out of the lineup, playing 20 or more minutes in two straight games after not surpassing 17 in any other appearance this season.
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Cameron Johnson SF | DEN
Nuggets' Cameron Johnson: Posts double-double in victory
Johnson recorded 19 points (6-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one block in 36 minutes during Thursday's 126-115 win over the Magic.
Johnson achieved his first double-double of the campaign as he recorded more than six rebounds in a game for the first time this season. He has retained consistent playing time lately, establishing himself as a regular starter and contributing mainly to the scoring column while Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) remain sidelined.
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Bennedict Mathurin SF | IND
Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Nearly double-doubles in loss
Mathurin finished with 16 points (7-18 FG, 2-9 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists and two steals over 38 minutes during Thursday's 114-113 loss to the Knicks.
Mathurin made only two of nine shots from downtown and didn't attempt any free throws for just the second game this season. The 23-year-old forward has scored in double figures in all but one appearance this season and has gotten off to a solid start in December, averaging 16.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.7 steals while shooting 40 percent from three and 93.1 percent from the charity stripe in 31.9 minutes per game.
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Cooper Flagg SF | DAL
Mavericks' Cooper Flagg: Another big line in win
Flagg chipped in 23 points (8-20 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal across 40 minutes during Thursday's 116-114 overtime victory over the Pistons.
It's safe to say that Flagg has found his rhythm at the NBA level, as he's in the midst of his best stretch of hoops. Over his last five games, he's been a third-round value in nine-category formats with averages of 24.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.6 blocks and 0.4 three-pointers on 48.3 percent shooting from the field.
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Klay Thompson SG | DAL
Mavericks' Klay Thompson: Continues to fade
Thompson registered five points (2-8 FG, 1-5 3Pt), one rebound and two assists over 19 minutes during Thursday's 116-114 overtime victory over the Pistons.
Thompson continues to trend in the wrong direction for Dallas, and it's no wonder he's been linked to a move elsewhere. Naji Marshall is gaining steam as a fit alongside Cooper Flagg, and Thompson's minutes have suffered. Over his last 10 games, Thompson is averaging 22.2 minutes per contest and he's shooting 40.5 percent from the field.
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Jamal Murray PG | DEN
Nuggets' Jamal Murray: Leads team in scoring Thursday
Murray registered 32 points (11-22 FG, 7-12 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds, three assists and one steal across 36 minutes during Thursday's 126-115 win over the Magic.
Murray excelled from three-point range en route to a game-high scoring count against Orlando. Murray is in good form with more than 30 points in three of his last four appearances. Additionally, his regular-season averages of 25.2 points and 6.6 assists per game rank him second on the squad behind Nikola Jokic.
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Isaiah Stewart PF | DET
Pistons' Isaiah Stewart: Another strong showing
Stewart closed with 14 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Thursday's 116-114 overtime loss to Dallas.
With Tobias Harris posting a scoreless dud in 18 minutes of action, Stewart closed this game out for Detroit and saw extended run alongside Jalen Duren. That may be a trend that continues, and it's worth mentioning that Harris' expiring contract could potentially be moved ahead of the trade deadline.