Here are the top performers on April 15 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Deni Avdija POR SF 41 PTS | 7 REB | 12 AST | 68.4 FPS (vs. PHX)
The star forward put on an absolute show, spearheading the team’s comeback win with a masterful all-around performance. Offensively, he was on fire, going 15-for-22 from inside the arc to lead all players in scoring while also matching his season-best. He was just as excellent as a playmaker, finishing with double-digit assists for the 13th time this season. This has been a career year for Avdija, who is averaging career-best marks in both points and assists, and the Blazers will need him at that level in their first-round series against the Spurs.
BREAKOUT:
Davion Mitchell MIA PG 28 PTS | 4 REB | 6 AST | 50.8 FPS (vs. CHA)
Though this wasn’t exactly an excellent year for Mitchell, he still showed significant improvement as a passer, finishing 13th in the league in total assists. He even took his game a step further today, recording both a team-high and season-high in points. While it wasn’t enough to secure the win, it should help solidify his place with the team moving forward.
SLEEPER:
Coby White CHA SG 19 PTS | 5 3PM | 5 REB | 34.5 FPS (vs. MIA)
The veteran guard came up big on the scoring end, connecting on 5-of-8 attempts from deep, including a clutch three-pointer that sent the game into overtime. This was his seventh game scoring at least 19 points since moving to the Hornets, and that ability will continue to be crucial for them in the next round of the Play-In tournament.
ELITE ASSET:
LaMelo Ball CHA PG 30 PTS | 5 REB | 10 AST | 54.0 FPS (vs. MIA)
The franchise star was extremely productive, finishing with a game-high in both points and assists. This marked his 10th 30-point game of the season and also his 10th with double-digit assists. Despite that, his offensive struggles were undeniable, especially from three where he shot just 2-for-16. Still, he’s been on a highly productive run lately and should continue producing at that level if they want to advance to the playoffs.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Brandon Miller CHA SF 23 PTS | 5 REB | 5 AST | 41.5 FPS (vs. MIA)
The third-year wing has made a name for himself offensively this year, finishing in the top 40 in total points while ranking 21st in total three-pointers, and he showcased that again in today’s performance. He’s also established himself as a dependable secondary scoring option and should be able to keep this momentum going.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Miles Bridges CHA SF 28 PTS | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 53.8 FPS (vs. MIA)
Though he struggled in his final three games of the season, Bridges delivered when it mattered most, shooting efficiently from all ranges to record his 26th game this year with at least 20 points while also making a big impact across the board. He should continue to be a vital contributor in their upcoming games.
STREAMER:
Dillon Brooks PHX SF 20 PTS | 7 REB | 4 STL | 42.4 FPS (vs. POR)
While Brooks has mostly struggled during the final stretch of the regular season, he has found his rhythm at the perfect time, finishing with an efficient 20-point performance while also making a big impact defensively. He should continue to be a highly impactful contributor on both ends in their next game.
FLOPPER:
Kon Knueppel CHA SF 6 PTS | 5 REB | 1 AST | 13.5 FPS (vs. MIA)
Knueppel has hit a rough patch lately, scoring 14 points or fewer in his final four games of the season. It was even worse today, as he went just 2-for-12 from the field and matched his second-lowest scoring output of the season.
