NBA Player News
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Nikola Vucevic C | BOS
Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Doubtful for Saturday
Vucevic (rest) is doubtful to play Saturday versus the Heat.
Vucevic is expected to rest on the first leg of this upcoming back-to-back set, and managers can expect to get official confirmation on his status closer to tipoff. With Vucevic unavailable and Jalen Smith (calf) questionable, Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams could be tapped to play some center minutes Saturday evening.
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Jonas Valanciunas C | DEN
Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Probable for Friday
Valanciunas (calf) is probable for Friday's game against the Clippers.
Valanciunas is expected to play through another probable tag related to his calf injury. He may see a reduced role, however, as Nikola Jokic (knee) is expected back in the lineup Friday.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Plans to return Friday
Jokic (knee) is expected to play Friday against the Clippers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Jokic is officially listed as questionable on the NBA injury report, but barring a setback leading up to Friday's 9 p.m. ET tipoff, the three-time MVP looks poised to put an end to his 16-game absence due to a left knee bone bruise, which he suffered in a Dec. 29 loss to the Heat. Charania had previously reported Tuesday that Jokic wasn't scheduled to be re-evaluated for another week, but the veteran center evidently responded to workouts better than expected over the next few days and looks like he'll be given the green light to suit up Friday. Assuming Jokic ends up playing, expect him to operate with a minutes restriction.
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Clint Capela C | HOU
Rockets' Clint Capela: Fares well off bench
Capela produced 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 18 minutes during Thursday's 104-86 victory over the Hawks.
Capela was a bright spot against his former team. Although he's been used sparingly by Houston this season, he does have an opportunity to carve out a larger role with Steven Adams (ankle) out for the season. The veteran center logged single-digit minutes in his previous two contests, so fantasy managers will need to see consistent workloads before adding him in most cases.
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Neemias Queta C | BOS
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Available to play
Queta (illness) is available to play in Friday's game against the Kings, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Queta will shake off a probable tag and is set to return from a one-game absence. With this news, Amari Williams is likely to retreat to the second unit Friday.
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Marvin Bagley III C | DAL
Wizards' Marvin Bagley: Sitting out again
Bagley (back) will not play Friday against the Lakers.
Bagley will be sidelined for a fifth straight contest and remains without a timetable to return. His next chance to play comes Sunday against the Kings.
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Jalen Duren C | DET
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Double-double in Thursday's loss
Duren recorded 23 points (10-11 FG, 3-3 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and one block over 28 minutes during Thursday's 114-96 loss to the Suns.
The double-double was Duren's third in eight games since returning from an ankle injury, and his 21st of the season -- tying him for ninth in the league -- while the 23 points represented his best scoring effort during that span. Since rejoining the Pistons' lineup, the fourth-year center is averaging 17.8 points, 10.5 boards, 1.9 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 steals while shooting 65.6 percent from the floor.
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Nicolas Claxton C | BKN
Nets' Nic Claxton: Teases triple-double in loss
Claxton notched 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, seven assists and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 107-103 loss to the Nuggets.
The 26-year-old center came close to producing his third career triple-double, with the previous two both coming this season. Claxton has delivered solid secondary numbers since returning to the starting lineup Jan. 9, and over the last 12 games, he's averaging 10.0 points, 6.7 boards, 4.2 assists and 1.6 blocks in 28.9 minutes a contest while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor.