NBA Player News
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Day'Ron Sharpe C | BKN
Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe: Thrives in spot start
Sharpe logged 14 points (6-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in 30 minutes during Friday's 119-99 loss to the Wizards.
Sharpe moved into the starting lineup for the first time this season, replacing Nic Claxton, who was ruled out due to personal reasons. As hoped, Sharpe rewarded anyone who had him in their active lineup, falling one rebound short of what would have been just his second double-double of the season. He added four combined steals and blocks for good measure, a reminder of what he is capable of when afforded starter-level minutes. Claxton could return as soon as Sunday, meaning Sharpe's standard league run could very well end at one game. With that said, he is worth keeping a close eye on, just in case his role elevates at any point.
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PJ Hall C | CHA
Hornets' PJ Hall: Grabs eight boards vs. Milwaukee
Hall finished with four points (1-4 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 19 minutes during Friday's 122-121 loss to the Bucks.
Hall got the nod for the first start of his NBA career Friday due to the absences of Moussa Diabate (wrist), Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and Mason Plumlee (groin). Hall ended up leading the Hornets in both blocks and rebounds, but his minus-22 point differential was tied with Miles Bridges for worst on the team. Even so, Hall would be in line for a second straight start Saturday against the Bulls if Diabate and Kalkbrenner are unable to play.
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Maxime Raynaud C | SAC
Kings' Maxime Raynaud: Doesn't return Friday
Raynaud exited Friday's 129-102 loss to the Suns in the fourth quarter and didn't return due to an apparent left knee injury.
Raynaud required assistance getting back to the locker room and was unable to return to the hardwood in the final minutes of the fourth. The rookie big man finished with six points (3-7 FG, 0-4 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal across 25 minutes. The Kings are expected to provide an update on Raynaud's status for Sunday's game against the Bucks by Saturday night. If the 22-year-old joins Domantas Sabonis (knee) on the sidelines, Precious Achiuwa and Drew Eubanks are candidates for increased playing time, while Dylan Cardwell could rejoin the Sacramento rotation.
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Wendell Carter Jr. C | ORL
Magic's Wendell Carter: Logs double-double in loss
Carter logged 13 points (4-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist over 32 minutes during Friday's 121-114 loss to the Bulls.
Carter struggled to find his rhythm on the offensive end but still managed to score in double digits. He tallied his first double-double since Dec. 9 and recorded double-digit rebounds for a second straight matchup. The Duke product is averaging 12.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his last five games.
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Maxime Raynaud C | SAC
Kings' Maxime Raynaud: Helped to locker room Friday
Raynaud exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Friday's game against the Suns due to an apparent left knee injury, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Raynaud grabbed at his left knee before limping to the locker room with 4:19 remaining in the final quarter. The big man required assistance getting to the back, so it appears unlikely he'll return in the final minutes of the fourth.
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Alex Sarr C | WAS
Wizards' Alex Sarr: Protects the rim vs. Brooklyn
Sarr logged 19 points (8-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and four blocks over 29 minutes during the Wizards' 119-99 win over the Nets on Friday.
Sarr was responsible for four of the Wizards' 10 blocked shots during Friday's win, and the second-year center has recorded at least four blocks in four of his last six outings. He is now averaging 2.4 blocks per game, which leads the league among qualified players ahead of Jay Huff (2.3) and Isaiah Stewart (2.0). In his second NBA season, Sarr is averaging 17.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 threes over 28.4 minutes per game while connecting on 50.4 percent of his field-goal attempts.
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Al Horford C | GS
Warriors' Al Horford: Good to go Friday
Horford (sciatica) is available for Friday's game against the Thunder.
As expected, Horford will shake off his probable tag due to right sciatic nerve irritation. The veteran big man has averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game across his last three outings. However, he's likely to see a bump in playing time Friday with Draymond Green (rest), Jimmy Butler (illness) and Jonathan Kuminga (back) sidelined.
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Returns to Friday's contest
Okongwu (laceration) has been cleared to return to Friday's game against the Knicks.
Okongwu received stitches for a laceration to his head and re-entered the game at the 6:32 mark of the second quarter. He logged 11 points and two rebounds over seven minutes prior to his exit late in the first quarter.
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Exits to locker room
Okongwu exited to the locker room in the first quarter of Friday's game against the Knicks due to an apparent laceration, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Okongwu headed to the back with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter to treat a cut. If he's unable to return, Kristaps Porzingis and Asa Newell are candidates for increased minutes the rest of the way.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Questionable to play Saturday
Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors.
Nurkic was unable to play against the Clippers on Thursday due to a left toe sprain, but the veteran big man has a chance to return for Saturday's road contest. Kyle Filipowski would figure to start at center for a second consecutive game if Nurkic is unable to play.