NBA Player News

Ayton posted 26 points (11-16 FG, 4-4 FT), 19 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal across 37 minutes during Sunday's 93-80 loss to the Hornets.

The Trail Blazers struggled badly in this game and scored only 80 points, but Ayton was impressive down low and carried the team, scoring nearly 33.3 percent of the team's total points and grabbing his second-highest rebounding tally of the season. There's no question the team's struggles play a part in a player's upside, but Ayton has been posting solid numbers when available this season. He's averaging 14.4 points and 10.6 rebounds per contest, averaging a double-double for a sixth consecutive campaign.

Richards logged 21 points (8-11 FG, 5-7 FT), 10 rebounds, three blocks and two steals across 33 minutes during Sunday's 93-80 victory over Portland.

Richards was efficient from the field, but the big man also made his presence felt on the defensive end as well, grabbing double-digit boards and operating as a disruptive presence. Richards has now either scored double-digit points or grabbed double-digit rebounds in his last seven appearances, a span in which he's averaging 13.4 points and 9.6 boards per contest. He's also swatting 1.4 shots per game in that stretch.

Valanciunas contributed 14 points (7-15 FG, 0-3 3Pt), 17 rebounds and one block over 28 minutes during Sunday's 114-106 loss to the Bulls.

Valanciunas is one of the most consistent centers in The Association and can record a double-double every time he steps on the court, as has been the case in each of his last three appearances. Even though the veteran can also produce on offense, he has a secondary role in the Pelicans' scheme, and that limits his fantasy upside a bit. Still, he's having another solid year and is just 0.4 rebounds per game shy of averaging a double-double for the fifth campaign in a row.

Collins finished Sunday's 128-109 loss to Utah with 17 points (7-17 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 1-5 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal across 21 minutes.

Collins has scored in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time since December. However, his fantasy value remains limited in his current role, as he's averaged just 18.4 minutes per game over his last 10 appearances.

Vucevic logged 22 points (10-19 FG, 2-5 3Pt), 13 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Sunday's 114-106 win over New Orleans.

Vucevic has been impressive in recent weeks, and he has been delivering some of his best performances of the campaign of late, though that's also because he's embraced a bigger role on offense with Zach LaVine (foot) out for the rest of the season. Vucevic has seven double-doubles over his last nine appearances while averaging 21.4 points and 11.4 rebounds per game in that stretch.

Collins finished with 20 points (6-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 5-5 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 27 minutes during Sunday's 128-109 win over the Spurs.

Collins had the unenviable task of matching up with Victor Wembanyama, but he certainly held his own. Collins has put together a terrific stretch of basketball in February, particularly on the glass, averaging 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers.

Wembanyama registered 22 points (9-17 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, five blocks and one steal in 27 minutes during Sunday's 128-109 loss to the Jazz.

Over his last five games, Wembanyama has 28 blocks and 13 steals. He's also scored at least 22 points four times and has four double-doubles during that stretch. The biggest concern about Wembanyama coming into the NBA was durability, but he's appeared in 17 straight games and missed only six of San Antonio's first 58 contests. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick is separating himself in the Rookie of the Year debate and may earn a handful of Defensive Player of the Year votes if he continues at this pace.

Lopez accumulated 11 points (4-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and five blocks over 32 minutes during Sunday's 119-98 victory over the 76ers.

Lopez has been a machine in the blocks category this season. He's averaging 2.7 swats per game, and he's recorded at least five blocks nine times. At the age of 35, Lopez is showing no signs of slowing down.

Carter had 18 points (7-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 34 minutes during Sunday's 109-92 loss to Atlanta.

Carter was tasked with replacing Paolo Banchero at power forward, a move that resulted in Goga Bitadze getting a spot start at center, and Carter performed well, racking up his second consecutive double-double -- and third of the month. Even though he's not going to anchor the team offensively, Carter has been a steady contributor for the Magic since returning to the starting lineup in mid-January, averaging 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game across his last 16 appearances.

Allen finished Sunday's 114-105 victory over Washington with 22 points (11-18 FG, 0-2 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and one block in 37 minutes.

Allen had one of his busiest games of the season from an offensive perspective, as his 18 field-goal attempts were close to tying his season-high mark, but he didn't forget about his contributions on the other end of the court. This was Allen's seventh double-double across 11 February appearances, and the big man is averaging 18.3 points with 10.6 boards per contest in that stretch.