NBA Rookie of the Year race: Dario Saric banged up, still holds No. 1 spot
USA TODAY Sports' top three candidates for the 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year award (from Monday, April 3 through Sunday, April 9).
Also receiving votes: New York Knicks' Willy Hernangomez, Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, Phoenix Suns' Marquese Chriss
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3. Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
Season statistics: 10.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 42.1% shooting
In 23 games since joining the Kings via the DeMarcus Cousins trade, Hield has made the most of his increase in minutes (8.2 more per game), averaging 14.4 points (on 47.1% shooting), 2.3 three-pointers (on 42.1% shooting) and 4.0 rebounds. In 57 games in New Orleans, he averaged 8.6 points (on 39.3% shooting), 1.6 three-pointers (on 36.9% shooting) and 2.9 rebounds.
2. Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
Season statistics: 10.3 points, 4.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 steals, 45.7% shooting
Brogdon, who has missed Milwaukee's last five games (back), is expected to return Monday night against Charlotte. In his most recent game (March 29 vs. Boston), the 24-year-old guard hit a handful of clutch baskets down the stretch, including a fadeaway jumper with 3.9 seconds left — despite air-tight defense from Avery Bradley — to seal the game for Milwaukee. He finished with 16 points (on seven-of-12 shooting), nine assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes.
"He's not a rookie. He's not a rookie," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after the game, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "And I say that with complete respect to him. Like that guy; he knows how to play. He was a tremendous college player who was an ultimate winner, and he has just picked up right where he left off."
1. Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
Season statistics: 12.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 41.2% shooting
The 76ers revealed that Saric, who turned 23 on Saturday, has been dealing with plantar fasciitis and will be on a 24-minute restriction for the remainder of the season. In just 24 minutes in Saturday's loss to the Bucks, Saric tallied 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. In 35 games since former Rookie of the Year frontrunner Joel Embiid last played (Jan. 27), Saric has made the most of his increased role, averaging 16.8 (first on team) points, 7.0 rebounds (second) and 3.0 assists (third).
"I'm tired a little bit mentally, physically," Saric said recently, per The Philadelphia Inquirer. "But I try to push myself to what is possible in this part of the season, in this kind of minute restriction. Of course, I have pain in the foot. But I really want to play. I really want to help the team."
List of voters: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt, Sam Amick, Kevin Spain, AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer; The Arizona Republic's Doug Haller; The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery; Detroit Free Press' Vince Ellis; Indianapolis Star's Nate Taylor; The (Bergen) Record's Steve Popper; HoopsHype.com's Jorge Sierra and Raul Barrigon; USA TODAY Sports Weekly's Howard Megdal; For The Win's Adi Joseph.