Player Notes

  • Scores 21 points in Game 4 victory
    Irving accumulated 21 points (10-18 FG, 1-6 3Pt), four rebounds and six assists over 31 minutes during Friday's 122-84 win over the Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Luka Doncic was the best player for the Mavericks in this Game 4 victory, but Irving posted a strong line as well. The veteran floor general reached the 20-point plateau for the second consecutive contest, and he'll need to be at his best if the Mavericks want to pull off the upset in Game 5 of the series Monday. Irving is averaging 21.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in the series. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:14 pm
  • Scores 29 despite shooting woes
    Doncic accumulated 29 points (12-26 FG, 0-8 3Pt, 5-7 FT), five rebounds, five assists and three steals over 33 minutes during Friday's 122-84 win over Boston in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Doncic had another rough showing from a shooting perspective, needing 26 shots to score 29 points and missing all eight of his three-point attempts, but he still led Dallas in scoring as the Mavericks kept themselves alive for at least one more game. Doncic has surpassed the 25-point mark in 11 consecutive games during the current playoff run and is expected to play a prominent role for the Mavericks in Game 5 of the series Monday, as he'll probably have to lead the team again if the Mavericks are to pull off an upset at TD Garden. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:10 pm
  • Struggles from field Friday
    Brown closed with 10 points (3-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), one rebound and two assists across 27 minutes during Friday's 122-84 loss to the Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: The Celtics suffered one of the worst losses in NBA Finals history. Brown had a rough showing on both ends of the court and struggled massively from the floor, ending with more field-goal attempts than points scored. Brown is among the Boston players who will look to bounce back quickly, with Game 5 -- and a potential title-clinching win in front of the Celtics' fans at TD Garden -- awaiting Monday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 9:08 pm
  • Jrue Holiday commits five turnovers in Game 4 rout
    Jrue Holiday logged 29 minutes in Friday’s 122-84 loss to Dallas, tallying 10 points (4-of-10 FGs), three rebounds, two assists, one block, and two 3-pointers.

    Advice: Like many of his teammates, Holiday had a brutal night in Dallas. While the shooting numbers were respectable, the veteran guard was responsible for a team-high five turnovers. Holiday did not commit a single turnover in the series’ first three games. While he wasn’t as secure with the basketball as in prior games, Dallas deserves some credit for its improved effort on the defensive end of the floor. Backcourt partner Derrick White also struggled in Game 4, finishing with six points (2-of-8 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, and two 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Game 5 is on Monday in Boston. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:06 pm
  • Fischer: League expects CLE to re-sign Mitchell
    According to Yahoo Sports’ Donovan Mitchell, the expectation across the league is that Donovan Mitchell will sign a contract extension with the Cavaliers this summer.

    Advice: Mitchell can sign an extension this summer, and Cleveland must get something done. Given how much the franchise gave up in acquiring him from the Jazz in 2022, the last thing the Cavaliers need is to have Mitchell going into the final season of his contract without a deal. According to Fischer, the feeling across the league is that the two sides will get something done, locking in Mitchell as a cornerstone for a team that hopes to contend in the East. Rotoworld Thursday, 5:25 pm
  • Starts slow in Game 3 win
    White amassed 16 points (4-10 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, four assists and two blocks in 42 minutes during Wednesday's 106-99 victory over the Mavericks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: White was ice-cold in the first half but hit some clutch second-half three-pointers to help Boston take a 3-0 Finals lead. His two blocks highlighted a Celtics defensive effort that once again held Dallas under 100 points. The veteran guard was one of four Boston starters to see over 40 minutes of run. White and his teammates will try to close out the Finals on Friday in Dallas. Rotowire.com Thursday, 5:42 am
  • Cleans up in garbage time
    Hardy closed with 13 points (4-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 11 minutes during Thursday's 107-89 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

    Advice: Hardy scored 11 points in about five minutes of fourth-quarter garbage time. Considering the defensive presences of Derrick White and Jrue Holiday, it may be difficult for Hardy to make an impact, though he'll likely continue to see light minutes to spell Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Rotowire.com Friday, 9:47 am
  • Undergoes minor nose procedure
    Beal underwent a minor procedure to realign his septum shortly after the Suns were eliminated from the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

    Advice: Beal broke his nose after taking an elbow from Myles Turner during the second half of a Jan. 26 loss to the Pacers and had to wear a mask for several games. He eventually ditched the mask but still had trouble breathing out of his right nostril during the final months of the campaign. After dropping 36 points on the Timberwolves in the regular-season finale, Beal averaged just 16.5 points during the opening-round series as Minnesota swept Phoenix. Beal is expected to play a key role for the Suns next season, but things are subject to change, as Phoenix fired Frank Vogel early in the offseason and quickly hired Mike Budenholzer. Rotowire.com Friday, 8:11 am