The 2019 NBA Playoffs are underway!
Every day from now until the end of the postseason, our NBA.com Staff will bring you one top performer following the completion of the playoff games on that day.
You'll be able to see the best performance and three honourable mentions from each day, while also having access to all prior "Player of the Night" files, as we see who can tally the most honours these playoffs.
Today's player of the day is...
Lou Williams
Team's result: Clippers 135, Warriors 131
Stat line: 36 points (13-22 FG, 2-4 3PT), 11 assists, 2 rebounds
Lou Williams will go down in history as being at the forefront of the largest comeback victory in NBA playoff history. With 7:15 remaining in the third quarter, Williams and the Clippers trailed by 31 points and by all accounts, were set to head back to Los Angeles down 0-2.
Williams scored 26 of his 36 points on the night over the final 19 minutes of the game as LA outscored Golden State 72-37 to escape ORACLE Arena with a four-point win and tie the series up at one game apiece.
According to StatMuse, Williams becomes the first player since 1995 to score at least 25 points and dish out at least 10 assists in a reserve role (Sam Cassell).
Honourable mentions
Ben Simmons
Team's result: 76ers 145, Nets 123
Stat line: 18 points (8-12 FG), 12 assists, 10 rebounds
Simmons bounced back from a disappointing performance in Game 1 with the second triple-double of his playoff career, setting the tone for the Sixers who evened the series up at one game apiece.
Montrezl Harrell
Team's result: Clippers 135, Warriors 131
Stat line: 25 points (9-9 FG), 10 rebounds
Harrell was the perfect complementary piece for Williams, as the duo combined to score 61 points off the bench in the Clippers comeback win. In addition to his perfect night from the field, Harrell sank two free throws to ice the game with less than 10 seconds remaining.
Joel Embiid
Team's result: 76ers 145, Nets 123
Stat line: 23 points (8-12 FG, 7-8 FT), 10 rebounds
Embiid continues to shake off the rust displayed in Game 1 as he plays through apparent knee pain; he scored a game-high 23 points to go along with 10 rebounds and was much better from the field in Game 2.
Previous winners
April 15 – Giannis Antetokounmpo
