NBA Player News

Queta posted 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals over 25 minutes during Monday's 126-94 victory over the Clippers.

The Celtics were missing Al Horford (illness) and Luke Kornet (hamstring) for the second leg of this back-to-back set, while Kristaps Porzingis returned to action with 23 minutes. Queta absorbed the available center minutes and made the most of them, recording a season-high four blocks in the process. He's been excellent in limited minutes for the Celtics this season, but it's hard to see a path to consistent value now that the team is getting healthier up front.

Porzingis (foot) finished with 16 points (6-12 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 23 minutes in Monday's 126-94 win over the Clippers.

As anticipated, Porzingis started but was operating on a minute restriction in his 2024-25 debut, after he had missed the first 17 games of the season while completing his recovery from the surgery he underwent in June to fix a tear in the tissue that holds the ankle tendons in place. Though Porzingis had been expected to require 5-to-6 months of recovery time, he made it back on the court in a little under five months. Aside from some poor shooting from the perimeter, Porzingis more or less looked like himself Monday, and he should see his playing time gradually increase during the Celtics' upcoming games. Porzingis will be a candidate to sit out one half of back-to-back sets for the rest of the season, however.

Wagner contributed 16 points (7-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-4 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes during Monday's 95-84 win over the Hornets.

With Wendell Carter (foot) sidelined and Goga Bitadze starting, Wagner has been playing at a high level off the bench in recent games, and his consistency as a second-unit threat makes him a solid streaming option in some formats, particularly category-based leagues. Wagner has scored in double digits in all but one of his previous 11 appearances, averaging 14.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest.

Missi registered 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Monday's 114-110 loss to the Pacers.

Despite coming off the bnch in his return from a one-game absence, Missi saw the largest workload of his campaign and recorded his third double-double in the process. Although the Pelicans are expected to get some reinforcements back Wednesday against Toronto, they are still very shorthanded in the frontcourt, meaning Missi's fantasy arrow will continue to point upward.

Duren supplied 13 points (4-7 FG, 5-8 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists and four blocks over 25 minutes during Monday's 102-100 win over the Raptors.

Duren recorded his seventh double-double of the campaign, and that's a relief after he posted a couple of duds in his previous two games. This was his fifth career game with at least four blocks, as he finished one swat shy of his career best. He's averaging 24.8 minutes compared to 29.1 during the 2023-24 campaign, and that's currently capping his upside.

Fernando racked up nine points (4-7 FG, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 14 minutes during Monday's 102-100 loss to the Pistons.

Fernando set season-best marks in points and assists, doing all his damage in just 14 minutes. He's had a very quiet season so far, but he could become an intriguing streamer if Jakob Poeltl misses time at any point this season.

Clarke logged 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-3 FT), nine rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 25 minutes during Monday's 123-98 victory over Portland.

Clarke logged just his second game of the season with a block while also tying the team high in swats. The 28-year-old big man set season highs in both rebounds and blocks Monday, and he has been solid since returning from a one-game absence due to a toe injury. In his last five games (five starts), Clarke has averaged 9.4 points and 6.8 rebounds across 22.2 minutes per game.

Hartenstein (face) checked back in to Monday's game against Sacramento in the third quarter, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Hartenstein suffered a cut above his eye earlier in the quarter but has been cleared to return after a quick stop to the locker room. He should be a full-go down the stretch of Monday's clash.

Hartenstein ran to the locker room after suffering a laceration above his eye during Monday's game against the Kings, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Hartenstein took an elbow from Domantas Sabonis on a rebound attempt and was visibly bleeding immediately after the play. He presumably went to go get stitched up in an effort to return to a tight contest, though the training staff will have the final say on whether he'll be able to continue.

The Trail Blazers announced that Williams won't return to Monday's game against the Grizzlies while he undergoes an evaluation for a concussion. He recorded six points (1-4 FG, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal across 12 minutes before exiting.

It's unclear when Williams suffered the head injury, nor will be known whether he's been diagnosed with a concussion until after the Trail Blazers complete their testing. In any case, Williams' absence for the rest of the contest is untimely news for the Blazers, who were already without centers Deandre Ayton (finger) and Donovan Clingan (knee). Duop Reath and Jabari Walker should eat up minutes at center down the stretch.