NBA Player News
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Ruled out Thursday
Okongwu (face) will not play Thursday against Houston.
Okongwu left Wednesday's game early with a facial contusion, which has since been updated to a dental fracture. It remains to be seen if this will also sideline him Saturday against the Pacers. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see how much the Hawks utilize Christian Koloko and Mouhamed Gueye at center.
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Kel'el Ware C | MIA
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Light role in return
Ware (hamstring) logged seven minutes and recorded four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds and one block in Wednesday's 133-124 loss to the Magic.
Ware had missed the Heat's previous four games due to a right hamstring strain before returning to action Wednesday. With the Heat riding starting center Bam Adebayo for 39 minutes in the loss, little playing time was left over for Ware, who typically doesn't play alongside Adebayo when Miami is close to full strength in the frontcourt. With season-long averages of 11.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.2 three-pointers, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals in just 23.4 minutes per game, Ware has undeniable fantasy upside when given extended run, but he'll likely struggle to reach the 20-minute mark on a regular basis so long as Adebayo is healthy.
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Nikola Vucevic C | BOS
Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Fills stat sheet Wednesday
Vucevic ended Wednesday's 113-110 loss to Indiana with 25 points (10-17 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal over 29 minutes.
Vucevic came just one rebound shy of recording what would've been a second straight double-double, but he delivered a strong outing anyway since he made his presence felt in each of the five major categories -- a feat he's achieved in three of his last five games. Over that stretch, Vucevic is averaging 17.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals per contest.
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Ryan Kalkbrenner C | CHA
Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Quiet outing in win
Kalkbrenner closed Wednesday's 112-97 victory over the Grizzlies with six points (3-3 FG) and four rebounds in 15 minutes.
With Moussa Diabate thriving in Charlotte, Kalkbrenner's upside may be capped in the short term. Over the rookie's last four games, the center has averaged 21.0 minutes per contest with 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 1.3 blocks in 21.0 minutes per contest. In that same stretch, Diabate has averaged a double-double in 25.3 minutes per game.
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Naz Reid C | MIN
Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Big night from second unit
Reid provided 23 points (9-17 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals in 28 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 118-105 win over Dallas.
It's the fourth time in 14 January games (two starts) that Reid has delivered at least 20 points, and the 11th time he's drained multiple three-pointers. On the month, the 26-year-old big is averaging 15.6 points, 6.5 boards, 2.7 assists, 2.6 threes, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks in 25.2 minutes a contest while shooting 53.5 percent from the floor and 45.6 percent from long distance.
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Tony Bradley C | IND
Tony Bradley: Contract expires
Bradley became a free agent Thursday after his second 10-day contract with the Pacers expired, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
The Pacers could opt to bring Bradley back by re-signing him to a rest-of-season deal, though the team may prefer to have the open roster spot for flexibility purposes in advance of next week's trade deadline. Prior to signing his pair of 10-day contracts, Bradley had been on a standard contract with the Pacers until being waived Jan. 5. Over his 37 appearances (three starts) with Indiana this season, Bradley has shot 55.7 percent from the field while averaging 4.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 11.2 minutes.
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Alperen Sengun C | HOU
Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Logs double-double in defeat
Sengun finished Wednesday's 111-99 loss to San Antonio with 18 points (7-20 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-7 FT), 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 36 minutes.
Sengun was forced to leave the floor briefly with what appeared to be an ankle issue, but he returned shortly after the exit. He seemed to be fine, recording three rebounds, an assist and two points after checking back into the game. Although Sengun attempted 20 shots, he connected on only seven of them, a severe drop from his 15 of 17 converted shots during Monday's win against Memphis.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Logs double-double with five blocks
Wembanyama closed Wednesday's 111-99 win over Houston with 28 points (8-15 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 12-15 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists, five blocks and two steals across 29 minutes.
Wembanyama produced a solid all-around performance in the decisive win, and he padded his production with a season-high 12 converted free throws at the charity stripe. His totals could have been higher, but he was used sparingly in the third quarter and was limited to 29 minutes. Through 33 games, Wembanyama is averaging 24.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 blocks.
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Karl-Anthony Towns C | NY
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns: Inhales 22 rebounds in win
Towns closed Wednesday's 119-92 victory over Toronto with eight points (3-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 22 rebounds, two assists and one block in 35 minutes.
Towns has been in a shooting slump over the past two games, converting just 30.8 percent of his shot attempts, but he's still been a beast on the glass and set a new season high in boards Wednesday evening. The five-time All-Star will have a decent chance of snapping out of his funk Friday with a favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers.
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Alperen Sengun C | HOU
Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Briefly exits Wednesday
Sengun exited Wednesday's game against the Spurs in the fourth quarter due to an apparent right ankle issue, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com. However, he returned with 7:47 remaining.
Sengun limped to the locker room but returned to the bench shortly thereafter. He appears to be good to go for the remainder of the contest after checking back in.