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  • Logs 10 minutes in elimination game
    Matthews (hamstring) tallied zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and one assist in 10 minutes Wednesday in the Hawks' 131-116 loss to the Bulls in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament.

    Advice: Matthews missed the Hawks' final three games of the regular season with hamstring tightness, but he was able to make it back for what ended up being the team's lone postseason contest. The 37-year-old was an irregular member of the Atlanta rotation in 2023-24, appearing in 36 regular-season contests (three starts) while averaging 3.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.7 three-pointers and 0.6 assists in 11.5 minutes while shooting 35.1 percent from the field. Matthews is scheduled for free agency this summer and could be headed for retirement. Rotowire.com Today, 4:08 pm
     
  • Leads bench in scoring
    Mathews chipped in eight points (2-4 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT) over 13 minutes during Wednesday's 131-116 Play-In Game loss to Chicago.

    Advice: Since the All-Star break, the 27-year-old averaged 6.9 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 45.8 percent from the field, playing valuable minutes during Trae Young's (finger) absence. With the Hawks looking to test the trade market around Young and possibly Dejounte Murray after a disappointing year, the Hawks will have until June 29 to decide whether they want Mathews back next season, which would fully guarantee his contract. Rotowire.com Today, 12:50 pm
     
  • Makes defensive impact
    Wright totaled six points (2-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game loss to the 76ers.

    Advice: Wright has struggled to gain a consistent role in Miami's rotation since joining the team after the All-Star break, averaging 5.5 points, 2.6 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 20.5 minutes. The key to staying on the court for the 31-year-old has been his defensive impact; Wright has averaged 1.5 steals in 12 appearances since March, chipping in four steals twice in that span. Despite losing Jimmy Butler's (knee) defensive abilities, Wright should not be expected to see much of an increase in playing time buried behind Tyler Herro, as well as Terry Rozier (neck) and Duncan Robinson (back), if they are available for Friday. Rotowire.com Today, 12:47 pm
     
  • Does it all in loss
    Highsmith posted nine points (4-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block across 28 minutes in Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game loss to the 76ers.

    Advice: Highsmith has seen an increase in both playing time and production in April, when he averaged 7.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals in 26.7 minutes. This is a significant improvement from March, where the 27-year-old averaged 5.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.3 steals in 16.7 minutes. With Jimmy Butler (knee) out for Friday's matchup against the Bulls, Highsmith is expected to garner an uptick in playing time behind Jaime Jaquez. Rotowire.com Today, 12:46 pm
     
  • Won't play Friday
    Phillips (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's Play-In Game against the Heat.

    Advice: Phillips continues to deal with a right mid foot sprain and will be unavailable as the Bulls attempt to secure the No. 8 seed Friday. Even if the Bulls advance to the first round of the playoffs, it seems unlikely that Phillips will be able to return. Rotowire.com Today, 11:49 am
     
  • Shines off bench Wednesday
    Batum provided 20 points (7-12 FG, 6-10 3Pt), five rebounds and one block in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 105-104 Play-In Game victory over the Heat.

    Advice: It was widely known that Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey were going to carry the 76ers in this matchup against the Heat, but Philadelphia likely wouldn't have gotten the win without Batum's impressive effort off the bench. The 20-point output was a season-high mark for the veteran, and even though his role is not going to change drastically in the first-round matchup against New York, he should continue to see decent minutes on a regular basis. He went scoreless in four appearances against the Knicks during the regular season. Rotowire.com Today, 7:28 am
     
  • Nicolas Batum scores season-high 20 with 6 triples
    Nicolas Batum provided a boost off the bench with 20 points (7-of-12 FGs), five rebounds, one block and six triples against the Heat on Wednesday.

    Advice: Batum hasn’t been much more than a veteran rotation piece that can come away with some defensive stats and threes this season, but he stepped up in the biggest way possible in this game. He made a big play late with a block on a 3-point attempt from Tyler Herro, and he was able to set new season-highs with 20 points and six 3-pointers. He has started some this season, though he will continue to come off the bench as long as the team is fully healthy. It’s unlikely, but he’ll look to keep the heroics going against New York. Rotoworld Yesterday, 8:06 pm
     
  • Headed to bench Wednesday
    Green will come off the bench for Wednesday's Play-In Game against the Hawks, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

    Advice: Green started in Chicago's regular-season finale with the Bulls resting some of their main players. However, he'll return to a reserve role Wednesday. Over his last four bench appearances, he's averaged 10.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 21.0 minutes per game. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:12 pm
     
  • Retreats to bench
    Fernando will come off the bench for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against the Bulls, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

    Advice: Fernando drew the start in the final game of the regular season but he'll retreat to the second unit since Clint Capela (rest) is back in action. While it's assumed Atlanta will trim down their rotation, Fernando should see upwards of 20 minutes Wednesday. Rotowire.com Yesterday, 6:10 pm