NBA Player News

Bolden signed a two-way contract with the Hornets on Saturday.

Bolden signed a 10-day deal with the Hornets on Feb. 20 and made one appearance, totaling one rebound in five minutes, before being waived to make room for Aleksej Pokusevski. However, Bolden will return to Charlotte via a two-way contract and report immediately to the G League's Greensboro Swarm, where he'll presumably spend most of his time. In a corresponding move, the Hornets waived Nathan Mensah.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Feb. 22 that Clarke (Achilles) has been taking part in more minimal contact work on the court and is expected to play before the end of the season, Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian reports.

Jenkins offered up no concrete timeline for Clarke's return, but since he's not taking full contact just yet, the veteran big man can probably be viewed as week-to-week rather than day-to-day at this stage of his recovery from the left Achilles' tendon tear he suffered just under a year ago. Given the 20-40 Grizzlies aren't shaping up as playoff contenders, the team has little incentive to rush Clarke back on the court until they're fully confident in his health.

Bagley provided 10 points (5-9 FG) and 10 rebounds across 28 minutes during Friday's 140-115 loss to the Clippers.

Bagley produced in line with his seasonal averages in the defeat, but his move to the Wizards has given the Duke product more output as a full-time starter. The Wizards didn't have to part with much to acquire Bagley, and they felt confident enough with him to send Daniel Gafford packing. The 24-year-old Bagley has plenty of potential, and despite the team's current woes, he has some rebounding value as a waiver-wire target.

Brown (wrist) tallied seven points (3-3 FG, 1-3 FT) and one rebound in nine minutes Friday in the Trail Blazers' 122-92 win over the Grizzlies.

Brown had been sidelined since early January after requiring surgery to address a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist, but he was back in action Friday and ended up slotting into the rotation with Deandre Ayton (hand) sidelined. Brown ended up playing ahead of Ibou Badji as the primary backup to fill-in starting center Duop Reath, but if Ayton is back in action for Saturday's game in Memphis, Brown would likely drop back out of the Trail Blazers' rotation.

Drummond ended with nine points (4-11 FG, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds, one block and one steal across 24 minutes during Friday's 113-97 loss to the Bucks.

Depending on the opponent, Drummond will find himself playing with the first unit to increase the team's overall size, and while using him was a wise move against Cleveland's imposing frontcourt, the Bulls reverted to Alex Caruso on Friday to negative effect. The team has beaten the Cavaliers and the Timberwolves using the oversized set, so it will be interesting to see how Drummond will be used as they push for a playoff spot.

Vucevic was ejected from Friday's game versus the Bucks due to a flagrant foul on AJ Green. He finished with 17 points (8-18 FG, 1-3 3Pt), nine rebounds, three assists and one turnover in 34 minutes.

Tensions were high during the start of the fourth quarter, and Vucevic let his frustrations get the best of him. It was a hard foul, but there's no concern over a possible suspension for his fantasy managers.

Valanciunas recorded 15 points (7-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt), nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 26 minutes during Friday's 129-102 win over the Pacers.

Valanciunas led all Pelicans players in rebounds while ending as one of three players with 15 or more points and coming up one board shy of a double-double over just 25 minutes in a blowout victory. Valanciunas bounced back after struggling in his last two outings, as he reached double figures in scoring for the first time in three games.

Jackson had 13 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and two steals over 18 minutes during Friday's 129-102 loss to New Orleans.

Jackson led all players in Friday's contest in rebounds while tallying a team-high-tying point total en route to posting the lone double-double of the night in extended time off the bench. Jackson, who saw extra time due to the blowout nature of the game, has hauled in 10 or more boards in three games this season, recording a double-double in all three of those outings.

Drummond will return to a reserve role in Friday's game versus the Bucks.

Drummond will return to the bench in favor of Alex Caruso, as the Bulls will opt to go with a smaller starting unit. The veteran big man is coming off a season-high 26 rebounds in the Bulls' previous game, but he figures to see a lessened workload with Caruso back.

Zubac (illness) won't play in Friday's game against the Wizards, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.

Zubac will miss his second straight game Friday, but he said that his condition is improving, which bodes well for his chances of playing in Sunday's game against Minnesota. Daniel Theis and Mason Plumlee will likely be asked to step up in Zubac's absence Friday.