- The Blazers are planning to improve from within rather than making aggressive moves for high-priced veterans that could cost them major resources, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian reports. “We’re heavily invested in a lot of our young guys, so development will continue to be a focus,” GM Joe Cronin said. “We’re not going to win at an extremely high level until some of those guys are ready. But at the same time, it’s our job to give them the best environment to thrive in. And often that’s with additional help. I think this year there were some flaws in the roster, especially in some missing skill sets and just in general imbalance, where it made it complicated for those guys to reach their highest potential.”
- Jontay Porter‘s ban from the NBA for gambling-related violations has taken a toll on his brother, Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., Bennett Durando of the Denver Post tweets. “It has not been easy for him,” coach Michael Malone said. “That’s why I give him credit, because he’s carrying so much in his heart and in his mind.”
- Thunder big man and two-way player Olivier Sarr suffered a left Achilles tendon rupture during the G League Finals on Monday night, according to a team press release. In 15 games this season with the Thunder, Sarr averaged 2.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 6.5 minutes. Sarr also saw action in 18 games with the Blue and averaged 14.0 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 28.2 minutes.
- Bismack Biyombo fainted during a game in early March. The Thunder center revealed to Joel Lorenzi of The Oklahoman that he was dehydrated due to fasting. Biyombo has fasted at various times throughout his career for religious reasons.
Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were revealed on Sunday as the finalists for the Most Valuable Player award, according to the NBA (Twitter link).
Doncic led the league in scoring (33.9 points per game) and finished second in assists (9.8) while also grabbing 9.2 rebounds per contest. Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to the top seed in the Western Conference by averaging 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.0 steals per contest. Jokic, who is widely considered the favorite to win his third MVP trophy, averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.0 assists per night.
The NBA also announced the finalists for six other postseason awards. Here are the finalists for all of those awards:
Most Valuable Player
- Luka Doncic, Mavericks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
- Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Sixth Man
- Malik Monk, Kings
- Bobby Portis Jr., Bucks
- Naz Reid, Timberwolves
Defensive Player of the Year
- Bam Adebayo, Heat
- Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Most Improved Player
- Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
- Alperen Sengun, Rockets
- Coby White, Bulls
Note: Sengun appeared in just 63 games but was eligible for award consideration based on the season-ending injury exception described in our glossary entry on the 65-game rule.
Coach of the Year
- Mark Daigneault, Thunder
- Chris Finch, Timberwolves
- Jamahl Mosley, Magic
Rookie of the Year
- Chet Holmgren, Thunder
- Brandon Miller, Hornets
- Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Clutch Player of the Year
- Stephen Curry, Warriors
- DeMar DeRozan, Bulls
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder