NBA Player News

Filipowski finished Friday's 126-118 loss to the Raptors with 18 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals across 33 minutes.

The double-double was his eighth of the season, six of which have come in the last 14 games. Filipowski is averaging 15.4 points, 7.7 boards, 2.5 assists, 2.1 threes and 0.8 steals in 24.6 minutes a contest over that span while shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and 48.3 percent from beyond the arc. Walker Kessler is getting frequent rests while the Jazz try to secure the NBA's worst record and hasn't played more than three games in a row since early February, so Filipowski's workload could continue to rise over the final weeks of the campaign.

Robinson posted 14 points (4-10 FG, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks across 34 minutes off the bench during Friday's 126-118 victory over the Jazz.

The 24-year-old center has been taking full advantage of his opportunity in the Toronto frontcourt with Jonathan Mogbo (nose) sidelined and Jakob Poeltl (rest) having his workload managed. While Colin Castleton got the start in the middle Friday, Robinson was the more productive player as he delivered his third career double-double, all of which have come in the last three games. Robinson's played more than 20 minutes in eight straight contests (two starts), averaging 10.8 points, 8.4 boards, 2.9 assists and 1.1 blocks over that span while also flashing some potential as a stretch big -- he's gone 5-for-12 from three-point range as well.

Sabonis checked out of Friday's 122-106 loss to the Suns with 6:50 remaining in the fourth quarter after he appeared to aggravate a left hamstring strain, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports. The center finished the contest with 12 points (4-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 assists, 11 rebounds, three steals and one block in 30 minutes.

Though he had missed the Kings' previous six games with the hamstring injury, Sabonis didn't seem to be operating under any restrictions in his return to action. Sabonis took back his spot in the starting five and came away with his ninth triple-double of the season, but his status will now warrant monitoring again heading into Monday's game against the Grizzlies after he was spotted grabbing at his hamstring around the eight-minute mark of Friday's contest. Sabonis initially stayed in the game before exiting for good during a timeout a minute later. Though the Kings were trailing by 21 at the time of Sabonis' departure, Sacramento's other four starters stayed in the game coming out of the timeout, which suggests that Sabonis' exit wasn't merely precautionary. If Sabonis ends up sitting out again Monday, Jonas Valanciunas would likely step back into the starting five and take on heavy minutes.

Jokic ended Friday's 131-126 win over the Lakers with 28 points (8-16 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 12-17 FT), seven rebounds, five assists, one block and three steals across 38 minutes.

Jokic's result on Saturday was below average by his standards, as he failed to hit the double-double milestone for the 16th time over 61 games. Denver's inability to pull away from the short-handed Lakers is a cause for concern, and it's imperative for Jokic to play closer to his triple-double averages as Denver jockeys for playoff position.

Landale posted six points (3-4 FG), five rebounds and one steal over 23 minutes during Friday's 133-96 win over Dallas.

Landale saw some extra playing time while playing the entire fourth quarter during Friday's easy win, but it was still just a pedestrian performance off the bench. Over his last eight appearances, Landale has averaged a mere 3.0 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 11.1 minutes. The 29-year-old big man should continue carrying minimal fantasy appeal as long as Alperen Sengun is healthy.

Okongwu supplied 18 points (6-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 32 minutes during Friday's 121-98 loss to the Clippers.

Okongwu led the Hawks in scoring Friday, recording his 18th double-double of the campaign in the absence of Clint Capela (personal). It's been a breakout year for the 24-year-old big man, who's averaged 14.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, 0.8 steals and 0.7 three-pointers in 31.0 minutes in 12 games following the All-Star break.

Plumlee has been ejected from Friday's game against the Kings after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

It's the second game in a row that Plumlee has been ejected, this time for receiving a Flagrant 2 foul after elbowing Domantas Sabonis in the head and neck area while boxing out for a rebound. Plumlee will end the night with two points (1-3 FG), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 16 minutes. Oso Ighodaro will likely see more minutes at center for the rest of Friday's game.

Valanciunas is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game the Suns.

With Domantas Sabonis returning from a hamstring strain Friday, it's not surprising to see Valanciunas shift back to the second unit. Over nine outings off the bench since joining the Kings, the veteran big man has averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 16.0 minutes.

Sabonis (hamstring) is available for Friday's game against the Suns.

The Kings waited until shortly before the 10 p.m. ET tipoff to provide confirmation on Sabonis' status, but the star big man will be back in action following a six-game absence due to a left hamstring strain. With Sabonis set to take back his spot in the starting five, Jonas Valanciunas is expected to return to the second unit.

Kessler is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Toronto.

The Jazz didn't rule Kessler out for this contest, but the fact that he won't be starting suggests he might not even see the court at all, as noted by Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Kyle Filipowski, who has been one of the best players for Utah in recent weeks, will start at center.