Here are the top performers on April 13 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Derik Queen NOP C 30 PTS | 22 REB | 4 AST | 64.4 FPS (vs. MIN)
The rookie big man closed the regular season in emphatic fashion, delivering his third 30-point performance of the year while setting a new career high in rebounds. Although his minutes were limited for much of the season, he still delivered standout performances that showcased his upside. He clearly has the tools to be a high-level contributor and should be poised to dominate the league in the years to come.
BREAKOUT:
Benedict Mathurin LAC SF 20 PTS | 9 REB | 8 AST | 43.8 FPS (vs. GSW)
Since joining the Clippers, the wing has established himself as a dependable offensive contributor, averaging 19.0 points per game in March. But he’s hit a wall recently, putting up just 9.2 points over a five-game stretch. He has redeemed himself today, however, turning in his best all-around performance as a Clipper while recording his 23rd game this season with at least 20 points.
SLEEPER:
De’Andre Ayton LAL C 22 PTS | 10 REB | 3 BLK | 44.5 FPS (vs. UTA)
For the first time in a month, Ayton finally achieved a 20-point double-double. Although he struggled offensively earlier this month, he has started to find his rhythm lately, scoring at least 20 points for the second time in his last three games. With both Doncic and Reaves likely missing the first round, his production will be crucial as the team’s second-best option.
ELITE ASSET:
Bam Adebayo MIA C 25 PTS | 10 REB | 3 STL | 56.5 FPS (vs. ATL)
In a two-game stretch earlier this month, Bam really had a tough time generating offense, averaging just 10.5 points. But he has picked up his game lately, posting back-to-back-to-back 20-point 10-rebound performances. While he wasn’t as effective as a playmaker today after recording a season-best in assists in each of his previous two, he made up for it with an even stronger defensive production. Overall, this has been an excellent year for Bam, as he has solidified himself as one of the league’s premier assets by ranking 26th in scoring and 8th in rebounding. The Heat will need Bam to keep producing at this level if they want to make it out of the Play-In tournament.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
RJ Barrett TOR SF 26 PTS | 3 REB | 2 AST | 31.6 FPS (vs. BKN)
This marked the sixth time in the last eight games that Barrett has reached the 20-point mark, bringing his total to 29 this year. Though he’s had some struggles early in the season, he has found a steady rhythm over the past two months, maintaining solid contributions across the board. He should remain one of the team’s top scoring options in the postseason and continue to have more of these performances.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Terrence Shannon MIN SG 26 PTS | 4 REB | 5 AST | 38.3 FPS (vs. NOP)
The sophomore guard has been making a lot of noise lately, particularly on the scoring end. While he missed all seven of his three-point attempts today—after going 5-for-7 in each of the previous two games—he compensated with an incredible 14-for-18 showing at the line. He has averaged 27.3 points over that span, and while his role may remain limited in the postseason, he has clearly shown what he’s capable of when given the chance.
STREAMER:
Baylor Scheierman BOS SF 30 PTS | 7 REB | 7 AST | 54.9 FPS (vs. ORL)
The forward has been showcasing his offensive upside in recent games. In his previous outing against the Knicks, he was on fire, knocking down 6-of-7 from deep to record his first 20-point game of the season. However, he took another leap today, erupting for a new career-high while delivering strong production across the board. Scheierman has quickly developed into an impactful contributor for the Celtics in just his second year and should continue to play an important role off the bench in the postseason.
FLOPPER:
Kristaps Porzingis GSW C 12 PTS | 8 REB | 1 AST | 23.1 FPS (vs. LAC)
Porzingis provided the Warriors with an offensive boost last month, posting at least 17 points seven times. However, he has been far less productive this month, averaging just 12 points across four games. He’s also found trouble from the three-point area, making only one of his 15 attempts in that span. Still, his availability remains the biggest concern, as he has already missed 15 games—more than the 14 he has played.
