NBA Player News

Boucher provided 11 points (4-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds and one block in 21 minutes during Monday's 122-121 loss to the Bulls.

Despite being healthy, Boucher didn't appear in any of Toronto's previous three games. However, he was thrust into an expanded role late in Monday's loss to the Bulls after Jakob Poeltl (groin) left the contest. Poeltl is set for an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, but if he misses time, Boucher should have a consistent role in the frontcourt, sharing time with Kelly Olynyk and Jonathan Mogbo. When Boucher has played 20-plus minutes this season (10 games), he's averaged 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals-plus-blocks in 22.3 minutes per game.

Zubac accumulated 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal across 26 minutes during Monday's 144-107 win over Utah.

James Harden and Norman Powell might have been the stars of the show in this huge blowout win over the Jazz, but Zubac certainly left his mark on both ends of the court. He notched his third consecutive double-double, and the big man continues to have a career-best season while enjoying a bigger role on offense. Zubac is averaging 14.9 points and 12.2 rebounds per game this season, notching career-best figures in both categories by a wide margin.

Sabonis accumulated 28 points (12-20 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists and three steals across 41 minutes during Monday's 130-129 loss to the Nuggets.

Sabonis had to deal with the nightmarish matchup of Nikola Jokic but still posted an impressive stat line across the board. Sabonis has started a new streak of double-doubles that is up to five games now, and he's averaging a robust 23.6 points, 15.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game in that stretch while shooting 63.4 percent from the floor.

Jokic amassed 20 points (8-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds, 13 assists, one block and two steals across 38 minutes during Monday's 130-129 win over the Kings.

Jokic was coming off a 16-point, seven-rebound effort in the Dec. 13 win over the Clippers, and while that was a subpar line for his standards, the star big man didn't waste time bouncing back and delivering the numbers we've grown accustomed to seeing this season. This was his 10th triple-double of the season, and Jokic should be in line for another loaded stat line Thursday in a favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers.

Poeltl was scheduled to undergo an MRI after exiting Monday's 122-121 loss to the Bulls with a left groin injury in the fourth quarter, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Raptors are expected to provide a prognosis for Poeltl once the results of the MRI are available, likely at some point Tuesday. Poeltl recorded six points (3-7 FG), five rebounds, three assists and one steal in 22 minutes before checking out of the game with 10:12 remaining in the contest due to the injury. If Poeltl isn't available for Thursday's game against the Nets, the Raptors would likely lean on Kelly Olynyk and Jonathan Mogbo to cover most of the minutes at center, with Chris Boucher presumably getting more playing time at power forward.

Vucevic finished Monday's 122-121 win over Toronto with 24 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 32 minutes.

With Zach LaVine (back) sidelined, Vucevic embraced a more significant role on offense Monday, and the big man responded by posting his 14th appearance with at least 20 points in the current campaign. Vucevic has been very efficient of late and shows no signs of slowing down. Over his last five appearances, Vucevic is averaging 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 63.2 percent from the floor in that span.

Sharpe finished with 15 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and three steals in 20 minutes off the bench during Monday's 130-101 loss to Cleveland.

The backup center produced his best game yet since making a belated season debut Dec. 2 due to a hamstring injury he suffered in training camp. The Nets are in sell mode and may try to find a taker for Nic Claxton's contract, which runs through 2027-28. If he does get moved, Sharpe -- who is in the final year of his rookie deal and will be a restricted free agent this offseason -- could see his fantasy value soar in a starting role.

Richards accumulated 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, one block and one steal in 15 minutes off the bench during Monday's 121-108 loss to Philadelphia.

It was an incredibly efficient performance from Richards, who out-produced starting center Mark Williams (seven points, three boards, three assists and three blocks) in two fewer minutes of court time. Richards has bounced in and out of the starting five since returning from a rib fracture in late November, averaging 11.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks in 22.5 minutes a contest over his last six appearances (three starts), but with Moussa Diabate also in the mix at center for the Hornets, it's tough to rely on any of them from a fantasy perspective.

Drummond accumulated nine points (4-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 15 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 28 minutes during Monday's 121-108 win over the Hornets.

With Joel Embiid (sinus fracture) in street clothes with yet another injury, Drummond slid back into the starting lineup and produced his best numbers on the glass since he pulled down 17 boards Oct. 27 against the Pacers. Embiid is expected to miss at least a couple more games, so while Drummond will split the workload at center with Guerschon Yabusele, the 31-year-old should have short-term fantasy value once again.

Duren chipped in nine points (4-7 FG, 1-1 FT), 16 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Monday's 125-124 overtime win over Miami.

Duren returned to the lineup Monday after missing the previous game with a wrist injury, leading all Pistons in rebounds while concluding one point short of a double-double. Duren has hauled in 15 or more boards in three contests this season, and he has reached a double-digit rebound total on 10 occurrences.