NBA Player News
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Hawks' Kristaps Porzingis: Late scratch with illness
Porzingis (illness) is out for Tuesday's game against Miami, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
The Hawks had cleared Porzingis to return from a three-week absence due to left Achilles tendinitis earlier Tuesday, but now the star big man is battling an illness. His next chance to play comes Thursday against Utah. With Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) ruled out, Mouhamed Gueye is worth streaming in most fantasy leagues and Christian Koloko in deeper formats.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Sitting out Tuesday
Embiid is out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors due to right ankle and knee injury management.
This was a likely decision by the 76ers, considering Tuesday is the second half of a back-to-back set. The expectation is that Embiid will return to the lineup for Thursday's showdown against the Lakers. With the superstar big man sitting out against Golden State, Andre Drummond makes sense as a plug-and-play fantasy option as the likely starter at center.
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Nikola Vucevic C | BOS
Celtics' Nikola Vucevic: Traded to Boston
The Bulls traded Vucevic to the Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The teams also swapped second-round picks.
The Celtics have been linked to several centers around the NBA, and they finally found their guy. Vucevic and Simons are both on expiring contracts, making this an easy sell for both clubs. Vucevic will likely supplant Neemias Queta in the starting lineup in Boston, but he may see less usage with his new squad. Vucevic can be considered questionable to debut against the Rockets on Wednesday, as Tuesday's game against Dallas is out of the question.
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Domantas Sabonis C | SAC
Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Returns to practice
Sabonis (back) practiced in full Tuesday, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.
Sabonis, who has missed the past two games for the Kings, is trending in the right direction. His status for Wednesday against Memphis will be known Tuesday evening when the Kings release their official injury report. If Sabonis is unable to play, the team will likely continue to lean on Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Suiting up after all
Nurkic (rest) is available for Tuesday's game against Indiana, per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune.
The Jazz initially ruled Nurkic out for rest purposes, but it makes sense that the veteran big man is now suiting up after Utah lost several members of its frontcourt in Tuesday's Jaren Jackson trade. Nurkic has been on a tear when healthy, averaging 16.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 30.7 minutes per tilt in his last 13 games.
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Chris Boucher C | BOS
Celtics' Chris Boucher: Won't play Tuesday
Boucher (personal) is out for Tuesday's game against Dallas.
This news is unlikely to impact fantasy hoops, as Boucher has been unable to crack Boston's rotation in recent weeks.
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Jock Landale C | ATL
Jazz's Jock Landale: Heading to Utah
The Grizzlies traded Landale, Jaren Jackson, John Konchar (neck) and Vince Williams to the Jazz on Tuesday in exchange for Walter Clayton, Taylor Hendricks, Kyle Anderson (illness), Georges Niang (foot) and three first-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
For the time being, the Jazz now have a logjam at center that also includes Jusuf Nurkic and Kyle Filipowski. Utah's other potential moves ahead of the trade deadline remain to be seen, but it appears Landale has plenty of competition for playing time, which could have a negative impact on his fantasy value. He can be considered questionable for Thursday's game in Atlanta while the trade finalizes.
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Brook Lopez C | LAC
Clippers' Brook Lopez: Chips in 13 points off bench
Lopez closed Monday's 128-113 loss to Philadelphia with 13 points (5-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one block across 20 minutes.
Lopez continues to provide some value in deep category-driven leagues, but his upside is capped as long as Ivica Zubac is healthy at center. Over his last six appearances, Lopez has averaged 8.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes per game.
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Ryan Kalkbrenner C | CHA
Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Fares well off bench
Kalkbrenner registered 10 points (3-5 FG, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 18 minutes during Monday's 102-95 victory over the Pelicans.
Moussa Diabate, who has been on a heater for several weeks, finally cooled off with a dud in 28 minutes Monday. Kalkbrenner does have upside if he can get his minutes back into the 20s, making him worth watching closely in the coming days.
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Derik Queen C | NO
Pelicans' Derik Queen: Strong showing in loss
Queen accumulated 16 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals over 31 minutes during Monday's 102-95 loss to Charlotte.
This was a terrific showing for the rookie as he continues to be a bright spot for the club. Although the Pelicans do not have their first-round pick this season, the team may end up being sellers at the trade deadline. If they unload a player or two, Queen could potentially see a bump in usage.