NBA Player News

Valanciunas accumulated 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals over 27 minutes during Friday's 127-109 win over San Antonio.

The Kings have managed to go 2-1 without Domantas Sabonis (hamstring), due in large part to Valanciunas' solid play under the basket. He's logged three double-doubles over the past four games and should be added in all fantasy formats while Sabonis is sidelined.

Nurkic logged 12 points (6-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 15 rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 28 minutes during Friday's 118-117 loss to Cleveland.

Nurkic had his best game since arriving in Charlotte, recording just his ninth double-double of the season. With Mark Williams given the night off for rest purposes, Nurkic stepped into the starting role for the fourth time as a Hornet. However, it wasn't enough to secure the victory as Charlotte fell to their ninth straight loss.

Allen produced 14 points (4-10 FG, 6-6 FT), 11 rebounds, one block and five steals over 32 minutes during Friday's 118-117 victory over the Hornets.

Allen was a pest on the defensive end, tallying a season-high five steals. Better known for his shot-blocking, Allen surprised many with his efforts, especially given he had recorded no more than three steals in any one game thus far this season. The Cavaliers have now won 13 consecutive games, with Allen continuing to be a key figure up front.

Jokic recorded 31 points (13-22 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 21 rebounds, 22 assists and three steals across 45 minutes in Friday's 149-141 overtime win over the Suns.

Jokic became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 20 boards and 20 assists in a single game. The star center took over the game on multiple occasions and carried Denver to a huge overtime win whole doing something no other player in the history of the league had ever done. This was Jokic's 23rd game this season with at least 30 points and his fifth with at least 20 boards, but it was his first with 20 or more dimes in 2024-25. He also has four triple-doubles in eight contests since the All-Star break.

Kessler closed Friday's 118-109 loss to the Raptors with 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-7 FT), 25 rebounds and eight blocks over 33 minutes.

Kessler became only the sixth player in NBA history to record at least 15 points, 25 rebounds and eight blocks in a single game, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elvin Hayes, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal and Dikembe Mutombo in a prestigious list. That doesn't mean Kessler will have a career like theirs, but his impact whenever he's been healthy and available has been massive for this rebuilding Jazz team. Kessler reached the 18-point mark for the seventh time this season, but the 25 boards and eight blocks were career-high marks for him.

Jokic has been cleared to play in Friday's game against the Suns.

Jokic is having another MVP-caliber season for the Nuggets, and despite dealing with an ankle issue, he'll be on the floor for Denver on Friday against Phoenix. The superstar big man is averaging career-high numbers in points (28.8), rebounds (12.8), assists (10.4) and steals (1.8) while shooting 57.6 percent from the floor and a career-high 43.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Powell is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Grizzlies, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

The shorthanded Mavs are tweaking their starting lineup once again, and Powell will move to the bench, allowing Kessler Edwards to enter the first unit. Powell missed 16 games between Jan. 20 and Feb. 23 due to a right hip strain, but he's averaged 3.6 points, 3.8 boards and 2.0 assists per game in five outings and 15.6 minutes per game since returning to the hardwood.

Filipowski is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

The Jazz will tweak their starting unit for this contest, and Filipowski will return to his bench role, as Walker Kessler will be back in the first unit. The former Duke standout has been playing well of late and is averaging 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.5 steals per game since the All-Star break, starting in three of those eight appearances.

Robinson will be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Jazz, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Robinson will replace Jakob Poeltl (rest) in the starting lineup during Friday's game against Utah. The 23-year-old big man is averaging 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game as a starter this season.

Gobert (back) is out for Friday's game versus the Heat, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.

Gobert's absence streak will extend to 10 games Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to lower back injury maintenance. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with San Antonio.