Here are the top performers on April 25 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Alperen Sengun HOU C 33 PTS | 16 REB | 6 AST | 70.2 FPS (vs. LAL)
The star center has been leading the charge offensively for the Rockets, averaging 19.5 points in the first two games of the series. However, he took it up another notch today, finishing with a game-high and playoff-high point total. His overall stat line was even more impressive, finishing second on the team in assists while also matching his best rebounding output of the year. Still, it wasn’t enough to give them a win. With Durant injured, they’ll need a similar performance from him in Game 4 to have a chance at extending the series.
BREAKOUT:
Dylan Harper SAS SG 27 PTS | 10 REB | 1 BLK | 48.5 FPS (vs. POR)
With Wemby sidelined, the Spurs needed a new offensive engine and the rookie guard delivered exactly that. He was sensational from all levels, especially from three-point area where he converted 4-of-5 to finish as the team’s second-leading scorer while also setting a new career high. This performance also made him the youngest player in league history to record a 25-point playoff game from the bench.
SLEEPER:
Marcus Smart LAL PG 21 PTS | 10 AST | 5 STL | 58.8 FPS (vs. HOU)
Clearly, Smart has been the game-changer in the series, contributing outstanding numbers in almost every category. But he has particularly stood out on both ends in recent games. Offensively, he delivered consecutive 20-point performances for the first time this year, all on strong percentages. He was equally impressive on defense, tallying back-to-back 5-steal performances while averaging 5.4 stocks in three games.
ELITE ASSET:
LeBron James LAL SF 29 PTS | 13 REB | 6 AST | 57.6 FPS (vs. HOU)
James continues to set the bar high with his superb play on the offensive end. The Lakers superstar has been locked in over the last two games, nearing the 30-point mark in each outing while also delivering strongly as a playmaker. As a result, he now leads both teams in the series in total points and assists. The team will certainly need him at this level if they want to make a much deeper push in the playoffs.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Jaylen Brown BOS SF 25 PTS | 7 REB | 3 BLK | 45.4 FPS (vs. PHI)
Offensively, the Celtics’ star has shouldered much of the load, averaging a team-high 29.0 points on excellent shooting through three games. His production in other areas has been just as steady, as he has averaged nearly four assists along with 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks in that span. Throughout the season, Brown has operated at a high level, and he has seamlessly carried that strong form into the playoffs.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Stephon Castle SAS PG 33 PTS | 5 AST | 1 STL | 41.9 FPS (vs. POR)
The second-year guard spearheaded the team’s offense today, finishing with his best scoring game in over two months. While Castle has been a strong starter for the Spurs this year, he hasn’t produced many performances like this. Still, he proved that he is more than capable of delivering at this level, shooting 55% from the field while going 10-of-11 from the line.
STREAMER:
Luke Kornet SAS C 14 PTS | 10 REB | 2 BLK | 34.0 FPS (vs. POR)
Kornet stepped into the starting lineup today with Wemby out and filled in admirably. He finished with an efficient double-digit scoring performance, his third straight, while also recording his seventh 10-rebound game of the year. If Wemby remains out, then he should continue to handle a significant role.
FLOPPER:
De’Andre Ayton LAL C 6 REB | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 15.2 FPS (vs. HOU)
The former #1 overall pick opened the playoffs on a strong note, posting a highly efficient double-double performance in Game 1. But he hasn’t been near that level since. Still, Ayton remains a capable threat in both scoring and rebounding which will be crucial for the team moving forward.
