NBA Rookie of the Year Watch: April 10
With the 2021-22 NBA season nearing its end, there hasn’t been much movement in terms of the league's top first-year players.
For rookies such as Evan Mobley, the season will continue into the playoffs, but for players like Cade Cunningham, their first season will come to an end in the coming days.
Here’s an update on how the top rookies performed this past week.
Evan Mobley, C, CLE
Following a 10-day absence, Mobley returned to the floor in a game against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
In said return, Mobley picked up 17 points while grabbing seven rebounds in 34 minutes of action.
The Cavaliers lost the game, but after being locked into the NBA Play-In Tournament to start postseason play, Mobley’s season will continue at least a little while longer.
Mobley is averaging 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season.
Cade Cunningham, G, DET
Cunningham was able to put up solid numbers in his two games of action this week.
Despite both games being Pistons losses, Cunningham still found a way to light up the stat sheet.
Cunningham scored 25 points while also picking up nine assists and seven rebounds in a game against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Pistons have just one game left this season on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Scottie Barnes, F, TOR
Barnes was able to keep things consistent during his four games this week, continuing a streak of nine straight double digit scoring nights.
The Raptors are another team that will keep playing after this week as they clinched a playoff spot as the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed.
Barnes had his best game against the Atlanta Hawks with a double-double as he collected 19 points and 14 rebounds in a Raptors win.
That win was one of three straight victories for the Raptors with two of them coming against playoff teams.
Franz Wagner, F, ORL
Wagner was the most quiet of the top rookies this week although it’s not due to his on-court performance.
During the only game he played this week, Wagner exited the game after just seven minutes of action due to an ankle injury.
Wagner is listed as day-to-day but may have already played his last game of the season. The Magic will play their season finale against the Miami Heat on Sunday.
Before being taken out, Wagner had recorded two points and two assists.
Logan Bourandas is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email lxb5412@psu.edu.
