Stephon Castle
Stephon Castle welcomed the new month with back-to-back double-digit score lines. The rookie notched a 16-point game against the Orlando Magic, knocking down one of two three-point attempts and making five of 11 within the paint. Additionally, the 20-year-old secured eight rebounds and assisted six times. However, with seven turnovers, the former Husky struggled to hold onto the ball. Following Tuesday’s contest, the San Antonio Spurs traveled to face the Denver Nuggets, where Castle nearly achieved his first triple double. The guard dropped 15 points, going two for six beyond the arc and four for 12 from within. Moreover, the Georgia native grabbed a career-high 15 boards and dished out nine assists.
With a little more than a week left in the NBA regular season, Castle remains the favorite for Rookie of the Year. The guard has averaged a little more than 14 points, rebounded nearly three and a half balls and assisted nearly four players per match, according to the NBA. With a Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox-less roster, the Spurs sit at No. 13 in the Western Conference. Despite not getting eliminated from playoff contention yet, the team is barely staying alive.
Donovan Clingan
Regardless of playing one contest so far in April, Donovan Clingan contributed 11 points in the Portland Trail Blazers’ win over the Atlanta Hawks. In 29 minutes of court time, the big man cashed in his only three-pointer and drained three of six two-pointers. In addition, the center snagged seven boards and assisted seven teammates. In the previous week, Clingan struggled against the Boston Celtics, only putting up four points. However, the former Husky bounced back against the Cleveland Cavaliers, notching an 18-point game and rebounding 12 balls. Additionally, the 21-year-old swatted away three potential baskets and forced a turnover once.
To add on, the Connecticut native not only tops the team with a little more than one and a half blocks but also leads with nearly seven and a half boards, per ESPN. Similar to the Spurs, the Trail Blazers stand at No. 12 in the Western Conference. Holding a 33-43 record, the franchise has yet to get eliminated from the postseason.
Cam Spencer
Cam Spencer last participated for the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday against the Boston Celtics. However, in the past five clashes, the rookie declined in minutes and only contributed four points when facing the Utah Jazz. In that matchup, Spencer missed his only attempt beyond the arc and went one for two within the paint. Turning to the G-League, the 24-year-old last performed with the Memphis Hustle G-League team on March 3 and drained 24 points. Looking at the Western Conference playoff picture, the Memphis Grizzlies dropped from securing a playoff spot to clinching the postseason play in tournament.
Tristen Newton
Tristen Newton last appeared on the Minnesota Timberwolves’ roster on Feb. 13. However, the former Husky strived at the end of March for the Iowa Timberwolves G-League team. In a two-game series against the South Bay Lakers, Newton accumulated a combined total of 39 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. Looking at the G-League tournament, the team missed the postseason, owning a 7-27 record.
Jordan Hawkins
Jordan Hawkins missed two straight contests this week after suffering from back spasms, per CBS Sports. Before the injury, Hawkins knocked down 25 points against the Detroit Pistons. The 22-year-old drilled six of 11 shots from the three-point line and went perfect from two. However, the guard declined in points when facing the Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors, combining for a total of 17 points. With that said, the New Orleans Pelicans were eliminated from playoff contention, holding a 21-55 record with the second worst record in the Western Conference.
Andre Jackson Jr.
Andre Jackson Jr. continued to fall in playing time, averaging a little more than four and a half minutes. Nonetheless, the guard played 11 minutes in the Milwaukee Bucks’ loss to the Hawks. However, Jackson struggled, putting up only one point, three rebounds and one assist. The second-year player went zero for one from deep and zero for two from the field. Despite the challenges, the Bucks hold a 41-34 record, sitting at the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.