Here are the top performers on May 10 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Ajay Mitchell OKC SG 24 PTS | 10 AST | 3 STL | 52.8 FPS (vs. LAL)
If there’s one word to describe Mitchell’s playoff performance, it would be incredible. The second-year guard has now scored at least 15 points in each of his last five games and has also reached the 20-point mark three times in his last four. He continues to get better, finishing with playoff career highs in both points and assists today. Despite playing without Jalen Williams, this Thunder team has still been causing a lot of trouble.
BREAKOUT:
Austin Reaves LAL SG 17 PTS | 3 REB | 9 AST | 29.1 FPS (vs. OKC)
Reaves started this game on a low note, going scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting in the first quarter. But he was able to turn things around, scoring 11 points while also recording a playoff high eight assists by halftime. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to keep it up the rest of the way. To avoid elimination, the Lakers will certainly need Reaves to go all out in Game 4.
SLEEPER:
Luke Kennard LAL SG 18 PTS | 2 REB | 2 AST | 26.4 FPS (vs. OKC)
The sharpshooter gave the Lakers a big boost on the scoring end in the first three games of the playoffs, averaging 21.3 points, but he has been far from that level since. Today, however, he regained his rhythm, shooting 7-for-10 from the field with four threes to finish as one of their top scorers. For them to avoid elimination, the Lakers will definitely need another performance like this from Kennard in Game 4.
ELITE ASSET:
Donovan Mitchell CLE SG 35 PTS | 10 REB | 4 AST | 50.0 FPS (vs. DET)
Though Mitchell has been off from three-point range lately, he’s made up for it with steady scoring from two and at the line, to post consecutive 30-point performances. He also made a bigger impact on the boards today, leading the team in rebounds while recording his first double-double of the playoffs. If he can repeat this performance in Game 4, there’s a good chance they will be able to tie the series.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC PG 23 PTS | 9 AST | 2 BLK | 48.3 FPS (vs. LAL)
In their first-round win against the Suns, the reigning MVP played at an entirely different level, averaging 33.8 points on 55.1% shooting along with 8.0 assists. Unfortunately, SGA hasn’t come close to that standard in this series. He remained productive nonetheless, posting his second straight 20-point performance while tying his playoff high in assists.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Duncan Robinson DET SF 15 PTS | 4 AST | 5 STL | 42.6 FPS (vs. CLE)
Offensively, Robinson has been torching the Cavs, averaging 4.7 threes and 17.0 points through three games in the series. Today, however, he added even more, finishing with a full stat line that included a playoff career-high in steals.
STREAMER:
Isaiah Joe OKC SG 12 PTS | 5 REB | 1 STL | 24.0 FPS (vs. LAL)
In his first two games against the Lakers, Joe had a really hard time finding his range from deep. But he turned it around today, knocking down four triples for his best scoring game of the playoffs. He showed that same caliber during the regular season, where he finished 30th in the league in total three-pointers.
FLOPPER:
De’Andre Ayton LAL C 10 PTS | 6 REB | 1 BLK | 23.2 FPS (vs. OKC)
Certainly, this performance was an improvement after he struggled badly in Game 2, shooting just 1-for-7 and finishing with 3 points. However, it was still well below his usual standard, and he also finished with his lowest rebounding output in his last six games.
