NBA Player News
-
Ivica Zubac C | LAC
Clippers' Ivica Zubac: Records 10th double-double in win
Zubac closed with 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 104-93 victory over the Magic.
Zubac continues to perform well while experiencing an extreme usage increase during his ninth season. His perfect attendance record is impressive when you consider the load he has to carry, but the lack of reasonable competition on the roster makes his increased presence necessary to the team's success.
-
Jusuf Nurkic C | PHO
Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Brings down double-double in loss
Nurkic had 14 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 138-122 loss to the Knicks.
Nurkic held his own despite an enormous night from Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint. The Suns are relieved to have one of their impact players off the injury report after he joined Kevin Durant (calf) and Bradley Beal (calf) on the sidelines twice over the past week. Nurkic's 2024-25 campaign has been a mixed bag, as he's performing slightly below last season's averages in every major category. Field-goal percentage is the most glaring shortcoming, as his 40.4 percent conversion rate is the lowest of his career, and a full 11 percentage points behind his 2023-24 average.
-
Isaiah Hartenstein C | OKC
Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Posts excellent numbers in return
Hartenstein (hand) finished with 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, four blocks and three assists across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 109-99 victory over Portland.
Hartenstein made his season debut for the Thunder, returning from a non-displaced fractured left hand that cost him the first month of the season. Though the Thunder brought him off the bench, Hartenstein played major minutes, tallying a double-double while putting up a team-best plus-16 point differential. Given the long-term absence of Chet Holmgren (hip), Hartenstein should be a candidate to move into the starting five eventually, perhaps after getting another practice or two under his belt. Regardless, Hartenstein should have a sizable role for the Thunder while the team is short on healthy centers.
-
Donovan Clingan C | POR
Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Flirst with double-double in loss
Clingan accumulated 10 points (4-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-4 FT), nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 21 minutes during Wednesday's 109-99 loss to the Thunder.
Clingan fell just one rebound short of recording his second career double-double, putting together another encouraging performance. A thumb injury to Deandre Ayton has opened up more playing time for the rookie, providing him with an opportunity to play upwards of 20 minutes in each of the past four games. He has recorded 35 rebounds and 14 blocks in that span, a glimpse of what he can do when afforded meaningful minutes.
-
Moses Brown C | IND
Pacers' Moses Brown: Plays seven minutes in debut
Brown had six points (3-4 FG) and four rebounds in seven minutes during Wednesday's 130-113 loss to the Rockets.
Brown came off the bench in his season debut, playing seven minutes. With Indiana having lost both James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson to season-ending Achilles injuries, Brown should be able to pick up consistent minutes playing behind Myles Turner. Brown has the ability to be a strong per-minute producer and could step into a larger role should Turner miss any time over the course of the season.
-
Mitchell Robinson C | NY
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Not yet cleared for practice
Robinson (ankle) has not been cleared to begin basketball activities, with coach Tom Thibodeau noting that the big man is only shooting thus far, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
Robinson' troublesome left ankle, which was most recently surgically repaired in May, continues to yield a slow return to action, although no setbacks have been reported. Robinson's game is solely dependent on his athleticism and movement skills defensively, so a comprehensive increase in on-court reps will be needed prior to estimating his return.
-
Jusuf Nurkic C | PHO
Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Returning to action Wednesday
Nurkic (ankle) has been cleared for Wednesday's game against New York, Kellan Olson of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Nurkic will return after missing two of Phoenix's last five games due to a nagging ankle injury. Mason Plumlee has filled in admirably as a rebounder while earning a plus-6.5 net rating on the season, so there's no guarantee that Nurkic will exceed the 23.7 minutes he has averaged across his 13 appearances this year.
-
Orlando Robinson C | SAC
Kings' Orlando Robinson: Back to G League
Robinson was assigned to the G League Stockton Kings on Wednesday, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Robinson signed a one-year deal with Sacramento during the offseason but didn't make his NBA debut until Saturday. He's played in two NBA games and is averaging 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds across 9.5 minutes.
-
Anthony Davis C | LAL
Lakers' Anthony Davis: Returns to injury report
Davis is listed as probable for Thursday's game against Orlando due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Davis and Rui Hachimura (ankle) represent key members of the Lakers' rotation with injury designations heading into Thursday's contest. That being said, Davis has missed only one game this season and appears firmly on track to suit up Thursday. He averaged 27.0 points, 16.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 5.0 blocks across two contests versus Orlando last season.
-
Isaiah Hartenstein C | OKC
Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Seismic return for Oklahoma City
Hartenstein (hand) has been cleared for action and will play Wednesday versus Portland, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.
Hartenstein was set to be re-evaluated at the end of November, so his availability Wednesday crushes his initial timeline after he suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left hand. He steps into a critical role with Chet Holmgren (hip) slated to be sidelined beyond the next month, although Hartenstein's initial ramp-up over the next week could be gradual. He profiles as a huge boost to Oklahoma City's rebounding as well as an asset in the pick-and-roll for all involved.