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  • Minimal impact in loss
    Alexander-Walker recorded zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one assist and two steals in 14 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Alexander-Walker averaged just 3.4 points, 1.6 assists and 1.2 rebounds in 15.4 minutes across the Western Conference. He also struggled mightily with his efficiency, shooting 28.6 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from three across the five contests. However, the 25-year-old guard converted 39.1 percent of his 4.1 three-point attempts per game during the regular season and will head into the 2024-25 campaign under the last year of his two-year, $9 million contract. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:38 pm
     
  • Struggles with efficiency
    Anderson provided seven points (3-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 33 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Anderson's 33 minutes played in Game 5 were his highest of the series, largely due to his role in guarding Luka Doncic. Anderson will end the Western Conference Finals averaging 7.4 points, 3.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 22.4 minutes across the five contests. The 30-year-old forward will head into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Anderson's future in Minnesota is uncertain as he went from averaging 28.4 minutes across 69 appearances, including 46 starts in 2022-23, to 22.6 minutes across 79 appearances, just 10 of which were starts, in 2023-24. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:32 pm
     
  • Plays reduced minutes in Game 5
    Gobert provided nine points (4-8 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal in 26 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Gobert's 26 minutes were his lowest of the series despite recording just one foul. The 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year was often forced to play away from the rim and come out to meet Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving on the perimeter in the pick-and-roll. Gobert averaged 11.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 34.0 minutes across the five games against Dallas. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:27 pm
     
  • Goes down swinging
    Towns ended Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals with 28 points (9-20 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 9-10 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 38 minutes.

    Advice: Despite putting up his best game of the series Thursday, Towns' efforts weren't enough to avoid defeat. The 28-year-old big man tied Anthony Edwards for a team-high 28 points and led Minnesota in rebounding. Towns will finish the Western Conference Finals averaging 19.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 33.2 minutes. He also struggled mightily with his efficiency, shooting just 37.9 percent from the field and 24.2 percent from three across the five games. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:24 pm
     
  • Efficient in Game 5 loss
    Edwards logged 28 points (10-18 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 4-6 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal over 43 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 loss to the Mavericks in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Edwards recorded his second-highest scoring output of the Western Conference Finals in Game 5 but wasn't able to avoid elimination. After struggling with his efficiency to begin the series, the star guard managed to post 43.0/40.6/75.0 shooting splits over the five games. Against Dallas, Edwards averaged 24.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 41.4 minutes. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:10 pm
     
  • Misses out on double-double
    Gafford amassed 11 points (3-3 FG, 5-6 FT), nine rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: With the return of Dereck Lively, Gafford saw his playing time decrease from 31 minutes in Game 4 to 20 in Game 5. Regardless, Gafford was able to maintain his productivity, recording at least one block for the 11th straight contest. The 24-year-old big averaged 10.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 24.4 minutes across the five games in the Western Conference Finals. Rotowire.com Friday, 1:04 pm
     
  • Explodes for 36 points in Game 5
    Irving ended with 36 points (14-27 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 victory over Minnesota in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Irving's 36 points tied Luka Doncic for a game-high mark and was his second-highest scoring tally of the playoffs so far. Irving's masterful performance helped clinch the series over Minnesota in which he averaged 27.0 points, 4.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds on 49.0/37.5/80.8 shooting splits across the five games. The 31-year-old guard will now face the Celtics in his fourth career NBA Finals appearance. Rotowire.com Friday, 12:45 pm
     
  • Dominant in series-clinching win
    Doncic posted 36 points (14-22 FG, 6-10 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals in 37 minutes during Thursday's 124-103 win over the Timberwolves in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals.

    Advice: Doncic set the tone early, tallying 20 points in the first quarter of Thursday's win to clinch the series over Minnesota. Doncic scored at least 30 points in four of the five contests and averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals on 47.3/43.4/84.6 shooting splits across the series. The superstar guard will head into his first NBA Finals against the Celtics after being awarded the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP. Rotowire.com Friday, 12:40 pm
     
  • Limited at Friday's practice
    Coach Joe Mazzulla said Porzingis (calf) participated in a couple of drills during Friday's practice and is pleased with where the big man is at in his rehab progress, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

    Advice: Porzingis was still mostly limited to individual shooting drills during the media portion of Friday's practice, but he looked to be moving well. He hasn't played since Game 4 of the Celtics' opening-round series versus Miami on April 29, so Porzingis will likely need to get at least a few days of 5-on-5 work in before getting full clearance for game action. The Celtics face the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals next Thursday, June 6, giving Porzingis ample time to increase his activity. Rotowire.com Friday, 12:11 pm