NBA Player News
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Jarrett Allen C | CLE
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Big double-double in win
Allen racked up 29 points (11-12 FG, 7-8 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist across 33 minutes during Saturday's 132-126 victory over the Kings.
Allen is reaping huge dividends during Evan Mobley's (calf) extended absence, and his solid efforts have resulted in an impressive string of wins. Allen recorded his third consecutive double-double during the win, and that streak corresponds with his averages since Mobley's injury. Over the last five games, he's averaged 21.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.2 blocks.
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Donovan Clingan C | POR
Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Explodes with 20/19 double-double
Clingan had 20 points (8-15 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 19 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 36 minutes during Saturday's 122-115 victory over the Grizzlies.
Clingan has been a demon off the glass over the past week, averaging 15.8 rebounds over the past four games. Portland has gone 2-2 during this period, which is impressive considering the continued absence of Deni Avdija (back). Clingan's results have been critical to keeping Portland afloat, and he needs to stay effective as the Trail Blazers try to remain competitive in the playoff race.
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Mark Williams C | PHO
Suns' Mark Williams: Extends double-double streak
Williams ended with 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 31 minutes during Saturday's 109-103 loss to the 76ers.
Williams racked up a third consecutive double-double during the loss, marking his 13th time hitting the milestone this season. It's been an impressive run for the big man, who finishes the week as one of the Western Conference's most dependable centers. He's averaged 15.3 points and 11.0 rebounds during the three-game stint.
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Onyeka Okongwu C | ATL
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Serviceable two-way effort in return
Okongwu (dental fracture) provided 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 31 minutes during Saturday's 126-119 loss to the Hornets.
Back in action following a four-game absence after requiring surgery to address a dental fracture, Okongwu slid back into the starting five and didn't operate with any minutes restrictions. He picked up right where he left off and produced on both ends of the floor to continue what has been a career-best season. With Kristaps Porzingis now in Golden State, Okongwu is firmly established as the starting center moving forward. In 48 appearances, he has averaged 16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 three-pointers, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 32.0 minutes per contest while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 78.1 percent from the free-throw line.
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Jock Landale C | ATL
Hawks' Jock Landale: Regresses in loss
Landale chipped in five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and one assist over 17 minutes during Saturday's 126-119 loss to the Hornets.
With Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) returning from injury, Landale shifted back to the bench. Coming off what was an inspiring debut for the Hawks, Landale was unable to repeat his heroics from two nights earlier. Assuming Okongwu remains relatively healthy moving forward, Landale is likely to be a fringe 12-team asset at best. In many situations, he could even find himself serving as nothing more than a situational streamer.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Goes for 33 points Saturday
Embiid posted 33 points (9-19 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 11-13 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one block over 33 minutes during Saturday's 109-103 victory over the Suns.
Embiid was questionable to play Saturday due to right knee injury management, but the star center not only suited up, he also led the Sixers in scoring while ending just one board shy of a double-double. Embiid has been on a tear of late and has reached the 30-point mark in four of his last five appearances, establishing himself as the Sixers' go-to weapon on offense ahead of Tyrese Maxey when he's fully healthy.
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Moe Wagner C | ORL
Magic's Moritz Wagner: Flirts with double-double
Wagner chipped in 13 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and eight rebounds over 17 minutes during Saturday's 120-117 victory over the Jazz.
Wagner scored in double digits for the second straight game, falling two rebounds short of what would have been his first double-double of the season. It appears as though Wagner has supplanted Goga Bitadze in the rotation, serving as the primary backup behind Wendell Carter. However, his role remains limited, as he is averaging just 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers in 10.0 minutes per game over his past seven appearances.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Back in lineup Saturday
Nurkic contributed three points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Saturday's 120-117 loss to the Magic.
Nurkic returned from a two-game absence due to illness/rest, moving straight into the starting lineup alongside the newly acquired Jaren Jackson. Utah opted to run with a sizeable lineup, an encouraging sign for anyone rostering Nurkic. With that said, we have already started to see some questionable absences, a situation that could get worse as the season progresses. For now, managers will have to hold Nurkic or try to pass him off while he is still relatively active.
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Deandre Ayton C | LAL
Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Day-to-day moving forward
Ayton (knee) will be day-to-day moving forward, head coach JJ Redick told Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com following Saturday's win over the Warriors.
Ayton was ruled out of Saturday's contest due to right knee soreness, and it's unclear whether the big man will miss more time. For now, he should be considered questionable for Monday's game against the Thunder. If he's unable to play, Jaxson Hayes should remain in the starting unit.
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Day'Ron Sharpe C | BKN
Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe: Strong showing off bench Saturday
Sharpe chipped in 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals over 20 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 127-113 victory over the Wizards.
The fifth-year center tied his season scoring high while just missing his second double-double in the last three games, and his fourth of the campaign. Sharpe also nabbed multiple steals for the fifth time in the last eight contests, a stretch in which he's averaging 11.0 points, 8.8 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals in just 19.4 minutes a contest.