NBA Player News
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Christian Koloko C | ATL
Hawks' Christian Koloko: Struggles in spot start
Koloko finished with two points (0-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds in 11 minutes during Tuesday's 127-115 win over the Heat.
Koloko moved back into the starting lineup, although he continued to play backup-level minutes. With Onyeka Okongwu sidelined due to a recent dental procedure, Atlanta is basically doing anything it can to try to fill the vacant center spot. Despite the opportunity, Koloko is not someone who needs to be rostered in fantasy, even in deeper formats.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Stuffs stat sheet in loss
Jokic closed Tuesday's 124-121 loss to Detroit with 24 points (9-19 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals in 33 minutes.
Jokic continued to ramp up his workload following a 16-game absence due to a left knee bone bruise, logging his highest minute total since returning. While the assist total was modest by his standards, he still delivered across the board. With his minutes trending upward, the three-time MVP appears close to shedding any remaining restrictions, though Denver has a back-to-back set Wednesday against the Knicks, which could prompt some level of caution.
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Ariel Hukporti C | NY
Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Flirts with double-double off bench
Hukporti closed with 12 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes during Tuesday's 132-101 win over the Wizards.
With Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sitting out and Tuesday's contest getting out of hand early, Hukporti got a chance to shine off the bench as the No. 2 center option behind Karl-Anthony Towns. However, it was the first time that Hukporti logged at least 20 minutes since a Jan. 2 spot start versus the Hawks, and the second-year big man could fall out of the rotation altogether with Robinson expected back Wednesday against Denver.
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Karl-Anthony Towns C | NY
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns: Collects another double-double
Towns chipped in 19 points (7-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and two steals over 26 minutes during Tuesday's 132-101 victory over Washington.
Towns registered his 33rd double-double of the campaign, and the 19 points were his most since the Jan. 19 loss to Dallas. The star big man is having something of a down season by his lofty standards, but he remains as steady as they come from a fantasy perspective. Over his last seven contests, Towns is averaging 13.3 points, 13.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 three-pointers in 26.6 minutes per game.
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Jonas Valanciunas C | DEN
Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Double-doubles in 22 minutes
Valanciunas chipped in 11 points (4-4 FG, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 22 minutes during Tuesday's 124-121 loss to the Pistons.
Valanciunas recorded his third double-double of the season, even sharing the court with Nikola Jokic for a period. Since Jokic made his return, Valanciunas has seen his role regress, serving almost exclusively as the backup center. While this was an encouraging performance, it's difficult to label Valanciunas as a must-roster player, especially given what we saw from him earlier in the season. For now, treat him as a streaming option if you need rebounds.
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Day'Ron Sharpe C | BKN
Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe: Double-doubles off bench
Sharpe posted 19 points (9-12 FG, 1-1 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists and three steals over 26 minutes during the Nets' 125-109 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday.
Sharpe and the rest of the Nets reserves got extended run during the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 39 points during Tuesday's loss. The fifth-year pro took advantage of the extended playing time, registering his third double-double of the season while finishing as the Nets' second-leading scorer behind Michael Porter (21 points). Sharpe has scored in double digits in two of his last three outings, and over that span he has averaged 14.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals over 21.9 minutes per game.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Returns Tuesday
Gafford (ankle) returned to Tuesday's game against the Celtics with 5:18 remaining in the third quarter, per the broadcast.
Gafford appeared to turn his right ankle in the second quarter and didn't start the second half. However, the big man has been cleared to check back in.
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Andre Drummond C | PHI
76ers' Andre Drummond: Starting Tuesday
Drummond is in the 76ers' starting lineup against the Warriors on Tuesday, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.
Drummond was a healthy DNP in the 76ers' 128-113 win over the Clippers on Monday, but he will be in the starting lineup for the second leg of a back-to-back set Tuesday in the absence of Joel Embiid (ankle/knee). Drummond's last start was Jan. 26 against the Hornets, when he logged four points, seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 19 minutes.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Leaves for locker room
Gafford exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Tuesday's game against the Celtics due to an apparent right ankle injury, Eddie Sefko of the Mavericks' official site reports.
Gafford appeared to turn his ankle and stayed down for an extended period before limping to the locker room. It's worth noting that the big man recently missed time due to a right ankle sprain. If he's unable to return, Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell are expected to handle the center minutes the rest of the way.
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Santi Aldama C | MEM
Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Iffy for Wednesday
Aldama (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Aldama is in danger of missing a fifth straight game while dealing with a right knee injury. He'll presumably have an opportunity to prove his health in shootaround and warmups before the team provides another update on his status for Wednesday.