NBA Player News
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Yang Hansen C | POR
Trail Blazers' Yang Hansen: Tagged as questionable Sunday
Hansen is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks due to mid-back soreness.
Hansen was able to play through the issue in Thursday's win over the Bulls, though he saw just two minutes of playing time. However, if he's cleared to play Sunday, Hansen would be in line for a larger role off the bench due to the absence of Robert Williams (knee).
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Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Resting Sunday
Williams has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks due to left knee injury management.
Williams will rest for the second leg of a back-to-back set after he played 17 minutes in Saturday's 109-93 loss to the Hawks and finished with five points (1-2 FG, 3-4 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Sidy Cissoko (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday, but if available, he could end up seeing most of the backup minutes behind starting center Donovan Clingan.
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Nicolas Claxton C | BKN
Nets' Nic Claxton: Not playing Sunday
Claxton (thumb) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Claxton popped up on Saturday's injury report due to a right thumb sprain, and the injury is severe enough for him to miss Sunday's contest. Day'Ron Sharpe should serve as the Nets' starting center against the Cavaliers in Claxton's absence. Claxton's next chance to play is Tuesday against Miami.
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Yves Missi C | NO
Pelicans' Yves Missi: Logs 12 minutes in return
Missi (calf) produced five points (2-3 FG, 1-3 FT), three rebounds, three blocks and one assist across 12 minutes during Saturday's 115-105 win over the Jazz.
Missi returned from a five-game absence due to a left calf strain and handled a small role off the bench. Though DeAndre Jordan made a fourth straight start at center, he could eventually drop out of the rotation and open up a spot on the top unit for Missi. Even if that materializes, Missi would still likely need to move into a consistent 20-plus-minute role before he re-emerges as a viable streaming option for rebounds and blocks.
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DeAndre Jordan C | NO
Pelicans' DeAndre Jordan: Sticks in starting lineup
Jordan contributed three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal in 13 minutes during Saturday's 115-105 victory over the Jazz.
Jordan was given the starting nod for the fourth straight game, although his playing time tells a different story. Despite starting, he has logged no more than 13 minutes in each of the past two games, an indication that he could slide back out of the rotation, especially with Yves Missi returning from a calf strain. Even if Jordan can remain a nightly part of the rotation, his days of being a viable fantasy asset are now well behind him.
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Kel'el Ware C | MIA
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Big effort on glass
Ware closed Saturday's 115-105 victory over Houston with 13 points (6-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt), 15 rebounds, one assist and one block across 29 minutes off the bench.
The double-double was Ware's 19th of the season, with five of them coming in the last eight games (two starts). During that surge, the second-year center is averaging 12.5 points, 11.0 boards and 1.3 threes in 21.1 minutes.
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Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Strong two-way performance
Poeltl chipped in 18 points (7-7 FG, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals in 26 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 134-125 victory over Washington.
Poeltl had arguably his best overall performance of the season, logging at least 26 minutes for the second straight game. The big man has dealt with back issues throughout the campaign, though he finally appears to be healthy. After being dropped in many leagues, and rightfully so, managers should check to see if he is somehow available. While the back could flare up again at any point, now is as good a time as ever to take a chance on a player who has been a proven top-70 asset in the past.
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Al Horford C | GS
Warriors' Al Horford: Reverting to bench role
Horford won't start Saturday's game against the Lakers, Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Horford started Wednesday's win over the Grizzlies in place of Draymond Green (back), but the former will head back to the bench now that Green has been cleared to return. Horford has been productive when called upon and exploded for a season-high 22 points and six three-pointers in a start against the Nuggets last Sunday.
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Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Starting at center
Poeltl will start Saturday's game against the Wizards, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl is set to anchor the frontcourt Sunday after logging 28 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Spurs -- his highest workload since returning from a 24-game absence due to a back strain. The veteran center finished that contest with 15 points, seven rebounds and three blocks, showing no ill effects from the injury that required specialized treatment in January.
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Branden Carlson C | OKC
Thunder's Branden Carlson: Out for Sunday
Carlson has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Mavericks due to a lower-back strain.
Carlson will miss a second consecutive contest after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Pistons due to lower-back soreness. The second-year center has struggled with back issues of late, as he also missed the final game before the All-Star break due to back spasms. His absence shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation.