NBA Player News
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Trayce Jackson-Davis C | TOR
Raptors' Trayce Jackson-Davis: Cleared for Toronto debut Sunday
Jackson-Davis (recently traded) is available for Sunday's game against the Pacers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Jackson-Davis was acquired by the Raptors from the Warriors on Wednesday in exchange for a second-round pick, and the third-year center is ready to make his debut with his new team Sunday. He averaged 4.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists over 11.4 minutes per game with the Warriors this season, though his playing time fluctuated over the course of the season. It'll be interesting to see what Jackson-Davis' role with the Raptors will be, especially with Jakob Poeltl (back) nearing a return from an extended absence, during which Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles both took on expanded roles.
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Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Chance to return Sunday
Poeltl (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pacers, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl has been sidelined by a lower-back strain since Dec. 21, which has resulted in Sandro Mamukelashvili and rookie Collin Murray-Boyles stepping into larger roles for the Raptors. Poeltl drew the questionable tag for Sunday's contest after fully participating in Saturday's practice, but he would likely operate under a heavy minutes restriction if he's given the green light to return. The veteran center is averaging 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 25.3 minutes per game across 21 regular-season appearances thus far.
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Khaman Maluach C | PHO
Suns' Khaman Maluach: Returns from G League assignment
Phoenix recalled Maluach from the G League's Valley Suns on Friday.
Maluach took part in practice with the G League club Friday but rejoined the parent club immediately after. He'll be available off the bench for Saturday's game against the 76ers but is unlikely to be part of the rotation so long as Mark Williams and Oso Ighodaro are available to cover the center spot.
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Moussa Cisse C | DAL
Mavericks' Moussa Cisse: Unlikely to play Saturday
The Mavericks list Cisse (two-way) as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Spurs.
The two-way player has been active for 42 games this season, and since he's eligible to suit up just eight more times at the NBA level before he would need to be converted to a standard deal, the Mavericks could be conservative with deploying him in the weeks to come. Cisse returned to the G League and made his first appearance for the Texas Legends since Jan. 6 in Friday's 115-105 loss to the Stockton Kings, finishing with 16 points (6-11 FG, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block.
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Maxime Raynaud C | SAC
Kings' Maxime Raynaud: Chips in 12 points in loss
Raynaud produced 12 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and two steals across 26 minutes during Friday's 114-111 loss to the Clippers.
Making his third start in the last four games while Domantas Sabonis (back) struggles to stay healthy, Raynaud ended up being the only Sacramento starter to score in double digits. The rookie center has scored in double digits in all three of those recent starts, and during 26 games as part of the starting five this season he's averaging 11.3 points, 8.2 boards, 1.3 assists and 1.1 combined blocks and steals in 27.5 minutes while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor.
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Brook Lopez C | LAC
Clippers' Brook Lopez: Falls just short of double-double
Lopez ended with 15 points (5-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal in 36 minutes during Friday's 114-111 victory over the Kings.
Making his second start since Ivica Zubac (ankle) was dealt to the Pacers, Lopez set a new season high in rebounds while posting his best scoring effort since a 31-point eruption in Portland on Dec. 26. The 37-year-old center may not have a lot left in the tank, but the Clippers will be counting on him to step up as part of the new supporting cast around Kawhi Leonard. Over nine starts this season, Lopez is averaging 10.1 points, 4.7 boards, 2.2 threes, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in 25.8 minutes.
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Donovan Clingan C | POR
Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan: Dominates glass again Friday
Clingan contributed 13 points (6-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and 17 rebounds in 25 minutes during Friday's 135-115 win over the Grizzlies.
The second-year center continues to emerge as one of the NBA's top rebounders. Clingan has pulled down at least 15 boards in six of his last nine games, averaging 11.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.0 threes during that span. His 11.3 boards per game rank third in the league behind five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
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Jay Huff C | IND
Pacers' Jay Huff: Swats two shots in loss
Huff supplied five points (1-4 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes during Friday's 105-99 loss to the Bucks.
Huff turned in a poor performance on the offensive end, failing to score in double figures for the second time over his last three outings. However, the big man still recorded two blocks and has tallied multiple swats in three of his last four appearances. Ivica Zubac (ankle/recently traded) isn't expected to make his Pacers debut until Tuesday against New York at the very earliest, so Huff could continue to see significant playing time for now.
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Jericho Sims C | MIL
Bucks' Jericho Sims: Grabs 15 boards in start
Sims provided four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists and two blocks over 31 minutes during Friday's 105-99 win over Indiana.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and Kyle Kuzma (calf) both sidelined Friday, Sims got the starting nod for the first time since Dec. 18. The big man grabbed a game- and career-high 15 rebounds while also tying the game-best mark in swats. He isn't guaranteed to see significant minutes when the team is near full health and doesn't offer much on the offensive end, though he has logged 20-plus minutes in three straight outings. However, it's worth noting Bobby Portis missed the first two games of that stretch due to a hip issue.
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Joan Beringer C | MIN
Timberwolves' Joan Beringer: Depth role continues
Beringer provided two points (1-1 FG, 0-1 FT) and two rebounds across five minutes during Friday's 119-115 loss to the Pelicans.
Beringer continues to be deployed minimally, having only appeared in two of the past four games. While he does possess an interesting fantasy game, the opportunities simply aren't there at the moment. As long as both Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid are healthy, expect to see Beringer spending a lot of his time on the sideline rather than on the court.