NBA Player News
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Ivica Zubac C | LAC
Clippers' Ivica Zubac: Double-double in Friday's win
Zubac had 10 points (5-8 FG), 15 rebounds, four assists and one block in 31 minutes during Friday's 104-88 victory over the Kings.
The veteran center pulled down double-digit boards for the fifth straight game and the 15th time in 17 contests to begin the season. Zubac's inconsistent offense has led him to only 10 double-doubles, but he's still on track for a breakout campaign, averaging 15.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.1 blocks while shooting 57.7 percent from the floor. He may be able to find another gear, too -- his 57.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line is well below his career 73.1 percent mark.
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Domantas Sabonis C | SAC
Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Extends double-double streak Friday
Sabonis closed Friday's 104-88 loss to the Clippers with 24 points (9-17 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 40 minutes.
After missing the prior two games due to back tightness, Sabonis appeared to be fully healthy in his return and reeled off his 13th straight game with a double-double or better. The 28-year-old center has seen his distribution numbers fall off a bit with DeMar DeRozan in the lineup, but he's averaging career highs in points (20.4), threes (1.0) and field-goal percentage (63.0 percent) to begin the season while supplying 12.7 boards and 6.4 assists per contest.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Triple-double in return
Jokic (personal) recorded 33 points (13-22 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 17 rebounds and 10 assists over 39 minutes during Friday's 123-120 loss to Dallas.
The perennial MVP candidate missed the prior three games to be with his family as his wife gave birth to their second child, but Jokic didn't miss a beat in his return, producing his fifth straight triple-double and seventh of the season in 11 contests. Friday's game was his first of 2024-25 in which he didn't record a block or a steal, however. Jokic is averaging 30.0 points, 14.0 boards, 11.5 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks to begin the season, numbers that would be career highs almost across the board if he can keep them up. He's also shooting an eye-popping 58.5 percent from three-point range.
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Disappoints again Friday
Okongwu closed with seven points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes during Friday's 136-122 loss to the Bulls.
Okongwu scored fewer than 10 points for the third straight game, continuing his poor start to the season. Across 15 games, Okongwu is averaging 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in just 23.5 minutes per game. He is someone who has seemingly been ready to take the next step in his career for the past few seasons, yet he remains a backup center who has yet to reach his potential.
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Alex Sarr C | WAS
Wizards' Alex Sarr: Modest production in loss
Sarr registered six points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt), nine rebounds, one assist and one block over 28 minutes during Friday's 108-96 loss to the Celtics.
Sarr continues to deliver modest production despite starting in all 14 games thus far. In 25.8 minutes per game, Sarr is putting up 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks, all while shooting a disappointing 35.0 percent from the floor and 70.0 percent from the line. His role should remain secure, and should Jonas Valanciunas be moved at any point, Sarr's playing time could trend upwards. For now, he should continue to be a somewhat reliable source of blocks and rebounds.
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Luke Kornet C | BOS
Celtics' Luke Kornet: Logs 24 minutes in win
Kornet closed Friday's 108-96 win over the Wizards with six points (3-3 FG, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 24 minutes.
Kornet played at least 24 minutes for just the second time in the past nine games, continuing his underwhelming start to the season. With Kristaps Porzingis yet to see the court, there was some belief that Kornet would assume the role as the backup center behind veteran Al Horford. However, Neemias Queta has seemingly moved ahead of Kornet in the rotation, cutting into his overall appeal even more.
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Neemias Queta C | BOS
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Quiet in spot start
Queta ended Friday's 108-96 victory over Washington with seven points (1-3 FG, 5-6 FT), two rebounds and one block over 18 minutes.
Queta moved into the starting lineup after Al Horford was ruled out due to illness. Having assumed the primary backup role behind Horford, Queta was the obvious choice to run with the starters. However, his production was far from inspiring, and he was replaced by Luke Kornet to begin the second half. Although he has carved out a consistent role, Queta's upside remains relatively limited.
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Nicolas Claxton C | BKN
Nets' Nic Claxton: Double figures off bench in return
Claxton ended with 12 points (6-9 FG), eight rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes during Friday's 113-98 loss to the 76ers.
Claxton returned to action Friday after missing Brooklyn's previous three outings with a back injury, coming off the bench and leading all Nets players in rebounds while ending as one of three players in double figures in scoring. Claxton, who ended two boards short of a double-double, has recorded at least 10 points and eight rebounds in seven contests this season.
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Alex Len C | SAC
Kings' Alex Len: Back to bench Friday
Len is not in the Kings' starting lineup for Friday's game against the Clippers, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.
Len made his second start of the regular season Monday against the Hawks and finished with two points, three rebounds, one assist and three blocks over 17 minutes. Len will retreat to the bench Friday as Domantas Sabonis (back) returns from a two-game absence.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Out through Sunday
Embiid was diagnosed Friday with swelling in his left knee and has been ruled out through Sunday's game against the Clippers before he receives further evaluation at some point next week, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.
Embiid had already missed the 76ers' first six games of the season due to left knee injury recovery, then served a three-game suspension before debuting Nov. 12. He appeared in just four games before succumbing to yet another left knee injury, and he looks like he'll have to miss at least two games as a result of the setback, as Embiid will sit out against the Clippers in addition to Friday's game against the Nets. After Sunday, the 76ers have two days off before returning to action Wednesday versus the Rockets. For whatever length of time Embiid is sidelined, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele will cover most of the minutes at center.