NBA Player News
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Amari Williams C | BOS
Celtics' Amari Williams: Back to bench Monday
Williams is not in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Trail Blazers on Monday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
The rookie second-rounder made his first NBA start against the Bulls on Saturday, though he logged just 10 minutes while recording two points, two rebounds and one block. Williams will revert to a bench role Monday while Neemias Queta (illness) returns to the starting lineup, and the former could lose out on rotational minutes due to the return of Josh Minott (ankle).
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Neemias Queta C | BOS
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Back with starters
Queta is in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Queta was deployed off the bench Saturday in favor of Amari Williams, but it'll be Williams who comes off the bench Monday night. Queta has scored in double figures in three of his last four starts, averaging 11.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks over this stretch.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Unlikely to play Tuesday
Nurkic (illness) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Clippers.
After posting three consecutive triple-doubles, Nurkic is expected to sit out the front end of this back-to-back set due to an illness. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Kyle Filipowski and Kevin Love (knee), the latter who is listed as probable, would be candidates for increased playing time.
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Santi Aldama C | MEM
Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Will play Monday vs. Houtson
Aldama (knee) is available for Monday's game against the Rockets.
Aldama has been given the green light to return Monday from a two-game absence due to right knee soreness, and the fifth-year pro could move back into the Grizzlies' starting lineup in the absence of Jock Landale (personal). Aldama is averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 threes and 0.9 steals over 28.0 minutes per game this season.
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Ryan Kalkbrenner C | CHA
Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Double-double against Philly
Kalkbrenner closed Monday's 130-93 win over the 76ers with 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-4 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal across 26 minutes off the bench.
The double-double was the third of the season for Kalkbrenner and his first since Nov. 4. The rookie center has scored in double digits in four of nine January games (one start) since returning from an elbow injury, averaging 9.1 points, 6.0 boards, 1.0 assists and 0.8 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game on the month.
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Double-double in win over Indiana
Okongwu logged 12 points (5-13 FG, 2-6 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block in 31 minutes during Monday's 132-116 win over the Pacers.
The 25-year-old center produced his 11th double-double of the season and his first since Jan. 11. Okongwu has struggled to make a consistent impact on the glass in January, pulling down double-digit boards just four times in 12 games, and on the month he's averaging 15.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 threes, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks.
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Chris Boucher C | BOS
Celtics' Chris Boucher: Downgraded to out
Boucher (illness) is out for Monday's game against Portland.
Boucher was a late addition to the injury report Monday and isn't feeling well enough to suit up. However, the big man hasn't appeared in a game for the Celtics since Nov. 23 and was unlikely to play meaningful minutes against the Trail Blazers anyway.
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Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Good to go Monday
Williams (knee) has been cleared to play Monday against the Celtics.
Williams missed Friday's game against the Raptors due to a left knee injury, but he'll be available off the bench Monday night. He's averaging 7.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his last four appearances.
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Isaiah Hartenstein C | OKC
Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Not yet ready for return
Hartenstein (calf) won't play Tuesday against the Pelicans.
Hartenstein hasn't seen the court since Dec. 28 while on the mend from a right calf strain. The team has provided zero indication that he's closing in on a return, but his next chance to take the court will arrive Thursday in Minnesota.
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Neemias Queta C | BOS
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Good to go Monday
Queta (illness) is available for Monday's game against the Trail Blazers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Queta has been dealing with an illness of late, though he hasn't missed a game since late November. Over his last five outings (four starts), the big man has averaged 10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.6 steals in 26.4 minutes per contest.