Player Notes

  • Solid output in Game 2 victory
    Washington produced 29 points (11-18 FG, 7-11 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 40 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 119-110 victory over the Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Kyrie Irving didn't have his best performance Thursday, but Washington stepped up in a game where the Mavericks needed someone to carry the offensive load alongside Luka Doncic. This was Washington's best game of the current playoff run, as it was his first double-double since April 7. Washington is averaging 13.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in the playoffs, and he's scored in double digits in all but one of his eight appearances to date. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 8:22 am
  • Chet Holmgren records 11/6/6/0/2 line Thursday
    Chet Holmgren finished Thursday’s Game 2 loss to Dallas with 11 points (4-of-12 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), six rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 37 minutes.

    Advice: Having scored 19 points in Oklahoma City’s Game 1 win over Dallas, Holmgren’s production took a significant hit in Game 2. He shot 33.3% from the field, but the good news is that he was able to record six assists. Dallas, with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, offers more athleticism in the middle than New Orleans’ Jonas Valanciunas did in the first round. Holmgren can still be effective, as evidenced by his play in Game 1, but it won’t be easy. He’ll look to bounce back in Game 3 on Saturday in Dallas, with the teams tied at 1-all. Rotoworld Thursday, 9:51 pm
  • Daniel Gafford (hand) scores 13 points Thursday
    Daniel Gafford (right hand) shot 4-of-6 from the field and 5-of-9 from the foul line in Thursday’s Game 2 win over Dallas, scoring 13 points with seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 27 minutes.

    Advice: Despite injuring his right hand during the second quarter, Gafford played 27 minutes as the starting center and was one of five Mavericks to reach double figures. He did spend some time in the locker room before halftime, but the veteran pivot still shouldered his usual workload. There’s a quick turnaround for Game 3, which will be played on Saturday afternoon in Dallas. Should Gafford’s hand become more problematic, Dereck Lively II would take on added responsibility. The rookie played 20 minutes off the bench in Game 2, finishing with two points (1-of-7 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot. Rotoworld Thursday, 9:25 pm
  • Leading scorer in Game 2 defeat
    Tatum tallied 25 points (7-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 9-11 FT), seven rebounds, six assists and one steal over 38 minutes in Thursday's 118-94 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Tatum once again led Boston offensively in Game 2, pacing all Celtics in scoring while handing out a team-high half-dozen assists to go along with a team-best rebound total in a well-rounded outing. Tatum, who also connected on a team-leading total from the free-throw line, has surpassed the 20-point mark in five of his seven games this postseason, adding at least seven rebounds to go with six-plus assists in three outings. Rotowire.com Thursday, 7:08 pm
  • Steps up with all-around Game 2
    Mobley recorded 21 points (9-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal over 33 minutes in Thursday's 118-94 win over the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Mobley stepped up as the starting center while Jarrett Allen (ribs) remained out in Game 2, leading all players in the contest in rebounds and blocks to go along with a handful of assists while ending as one of three Cavaliers with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Mobley is off to a hot start in the series against Boston, posting a double-double in both games thus far. If Mobley is able to continue to play well for Cleveland, that will provide a much-needed lift for the Cavaliers against a dominant Celtics squad. Rotowire.com Thursday, 6:54 pm
  • Not close to full health
    Antetokounmpo (calf) disclosed last Friday that he was "not close" to returning to the Bucks lineup before the team was eliminated from the playoffs May 2 in a 120-98 loss to the Pacers in Game 6 of the first-round series, Jamal Collier of ESPN.com reports. "I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes," Antetokounmpo said. "I wasn't even close at checking the boxes."

    Advice: Though head coach Doc Rivers had suggested last week that Antetokounmpo was close to being available to play after missing the final three games of the regular season with a left soleus strain, Rivers' comments may have been an act of gamesmanship. Antetokounmpo ultimately missed all six playoff contests, and his absence likely would have extended into the Eastern Conference semifinal round if the Bucks had advanced, as the 29-year-old estimated that he was running at about 30 or 40 percent speed. He should be closer to full health by the end of May, but Antetokounmpo likely won't have a full offseason to rest up, as he had previously expressed a desire to play for the Greek national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Greece will have to first earn a spot in the Olympics through a qualification tournament that will take place in the first week of July, so confirmation on whether Antetokounmpo is healthy should come shortly before that time. Rotowire.com Thursday, 1:52 pm
  • Quiet again Wednesday
    Nesmith totaled six points (2-7 FG, 2-6 3Pt), one rebound, two assists and one steal over 34 minutes during Wednesday's 130-121 loss to the Knicks in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Nesmith managed just six points in the loss, continuing his disappointing postseason. While he does provide the Pacers with a reliable defensive asset, his inability to score on a consistent basis remains a concern. The series will now head to Indiana, where the Pacers will look to secure their first win. Rotowire.com Wednesday, 9:36 pm
  • Obi Toppin contributes 20 points in Game 2 loss
    Obi Toppin accounted for 20 points (7-of-10 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 20 minutes in Wednesday’s 130-121 loss to the Knicks.

    Advice: Indiana heads home trailing two games to none, but they should be encouraged by Toppin’s play in the Big Apple. After scoring 12 points in Game 1, he tallied 20 more in Game 2 and has reached double figures in six straight. Toppin’s play on Wednesday helped the Pacers on a night when they got little from Myles Turner (six points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot). Indiana’s bench dominated the first two games, outscoring New York by a 46-12 margin in Game 2. The series shifts to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Friday night. Rotoworld Wednesday, 8:34 pm
  • Closes Game 1 loss
    Lawson closed with three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and one rebound in five minutes during Tuesday's 117-95 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

    Advice: Lawson played five minutes of garbage time as the Mavericks were dismantled by the Thunder down the stretch. Dallas will attempt to reverse the result in Game 2 on Thursday, hoping to head home with the series locked at 1-1. Rotowire.com Tuesday, 10:31 pm
    A.J. LawsonDAL - SG,SF,PF