NBA Player News
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Steven Adams C | HOU
Rockets' Steven Adams: Signs three-year extension
The Rockets have agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension with Adams, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Adams was expected to be a hot commodity in free agency this summer after having an impressive showing in the NBA playoffs. The Rockets value what the veteran center brings to the table and got an extension done before he could test free agency in July. In seven games during the postseason, Adams averaged 5.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 60 percent from the field.
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Obi Toppin PF | IND
Pacers' Obi Toppin: Strong performance not enough
Toppin registered 17 points (7-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Friday's 111-104 loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Toppin was fantastic despite the loss, scoring at least 17 points for the third time in the past five games. Rick Carlisle opted to go with Myles Turner down the stretch, a decision that was met with some confusion given the play of Toppin. The Pacers squandered a great opportunity to go up 3-1 and will now head to Oklahoma City for what promises to be another fast-paced matchup.
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Myles Turner C | IND
Pacers' Myles Turner: Non-factor in Game 4 loss
Turner contributed 12 points (3-10 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 6-6 FT), two rebounds and two assists over 30 minutes during Friday's 111-104 loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Turner couldn't find any rhythm on the offensive end, missing several key baskets as the Pacers gave up a double-digit lead. In fact, Turner failed to hit a three-pointer for the first time since the opening round against the Bucks. With the series now all square, Turner will need to rediscover his form ahead of what promises to be a series-defining Game 5 in Oklahoma City on Monday.
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Bennedict Mathurin SF | IND
Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin: Crashes back to earth in loss
Mathurin supplied eight points (1-2 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-8 FT), two rebounds and one block in 14 minutes during Friday's 111-104 loss to the Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Mathurin couldn't repeat his heroics from Game 3, stringing together arguably the worst 60 seconds of his career as the Pacers squandered what could have been a series-defining lead. Mathurin committed two dead-ball fouls while also going 1-of-4 from the line down the stretch. Aaron Nesmith fouled out in the dying stages, and Rick Carlisle opted to go with Mathurin as opposed to T.J. McConnell, who was seemingly having more of a positive impact on the game. With the series now level at 2-2, Indiana will look to wrestle back control when the two teams meet again Monday.
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Isaiah Hartenstein C | OKC
Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Quiet despite start
Hartenstein finished Friday's 111-104 win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals with two points (1-3 FG), six rebounds and two assists over 21 minutes.
Hartenstein moved back into the starting lineup, although his production told a different story. In what has been an unfavorable matchup, Hartenstein has been a non-factor to this point, with both the Thunder and the Pacers opting to run smaller, interchangeable lineups. Hartenstein has played more than 20 minutes only twice in the past seven games. Friday's win means Oklahoma City will head home for Game 5 with the series locked at 2-2.
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Alex Caruso PG | OKC
Thunder's Alex Caruso: Another 20-point performance
Caruso chipped in 20 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), three rebounds, one block and five steals over 30 minutes during Friday's 111-104 victory over the Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Caruso continues to be a thorn in the side of Indiana, scoring at least 20 points for the second time in the past four games. To highlight just how vital his scoring has been, Caruso had scored at least 20 points only once all season prior to the NBA finals. He has also recorded multiple steals in five of the past six games, providing the Thunder with a consistent defensive presence. The series is now level at 2-2 with Game 5 slated for Monday in Oklahoma City.
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Jalen Williams SF | OKC
Thunder's Jalen Williams: Scores 27 points in Game 4 win
Williams ended with 27 points (8-18 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 11-11 FT), seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes during Friday's 111-104 victory over the Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder in this comeback win, but Williams was a key contributor in the win with clutch buckets every time the Thunder needed him. Williams has struggled from three in the Finals, going 3-for-16 from beyond the arc, but that hasn't slowed him down, and he has scored over 20 points in the last two contests of the series. Williams should play a pivotal role on offense for the Thunder in Game 5 on Monday.
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Pascal Siakam PF | IND
Pacers' Pascal Siakam: Monster stat line not enough
Siakam registered 20 points (6-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 6-8 FT), eight rebounds, five assists, one block and five steals over 35 minutes during Friday's 111-104 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner weren't at their best in this game, and while Siakam didn't get as involved as he should have in the final minutes, he still ended as the Pacers' leading scorer. The forward has been outstanding for Indiana in the Finals and has scored at least 19 points in three of the four games. He should play a pivotal role in Game 5 on Monday.
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander SG | OKC
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Steps up late in clutch win
Gilgeous-Alexander finished Friday's 111-104 win over the Pacers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals with 35 points (12-24 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 10-10 FT), three rebounds, one block and three steals across 40 minutes.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a rough showing during the first three quarters, but he stepped up late in the fourth when the Thunder needed him the most and scored 15 of his 35 points in the final frame. Late heroics aside, his scoring contributions were key for Oklahoma City, and the fact that he went 10-for-10 from the charity stripe was also decisive. The star floor general has scored 34 or more points in three of his four games in the Finals, and he'll look to deliver another dominant performance in Game 5 on Monday as the series returns to Oklahoma City.
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Cason Wallace PG | OKC
Thunder's Cason Wallace: Back to bench role
Wallace will come off the bench Friday during Game 4, Anthony Slater of The Athletic reports.
Wallace was a starter for the first three games of the NBA Finals. In Game 4, the Thunder will go with more size in the starting lineup, with Isaiah Hartenstein getting the nod. In 16 games in a reserve role during this postseason, Wallace has averaged 5.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from deep.