NBA Player News
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Cade Cunningham SG | DET
Pistons' Cade Cunningham: Double-doubles with nine dimes
Cunningham recorded 29 points (12-30 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 10 rebounds, nine assists and one block over 45 minutes during Thursday's 116-114 overtime loss to the Mavs.
Despite Cunningham's game-high 29 points, the Pistons weren't able to earn a victory, and they dropped their sixth game of the season. As a team, the Pistons struggled to convert their shots, with Detroit finishing 47-for-122 from the floor and 6-for-33 from distance in the two-point loss. They'll look to get things back on track Saturday with a favorable matchup against the Hornets.
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Marvin Bagley III C | WAS
Wizards' Marvin Bagley: Returns to bench Thursday
Bagley provided 13 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 119-94 loss to the Spurs.
Bagley moved back to the bench, with Alex Sarr returning to the starting lineup following an injury-related absence. Bagley had been a viable 12-team asset during Sarr's hiatus but will likely revert to being more of a streaming candidate. While the production Thursday was serviceable, there is every chance the coaching staff was simply easing Sarr back into the rotation, meaning his playing time could increase rapidly over the next week.
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Bilal Coulibaly SF | WAS
Wizards' Bilal Coulibaly: Inefficient in return
Coulibaly (oblique) ended with three points (1-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 23 minutes during Thursday's 119-94 loss to the Spurs.
Coulibaly returned from a four-game absence due to a right oblique strain, taking back a spot in the starting five while Justin Champagnie slid to the bench. While Coulibaly's role appears relatively secure, the same can't be said about his on-court production. Dating back to mid-November, Coulibaly has averaged just 7.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2..7 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.7 three-pointers in 28.2 minutes per contest while shooting 35 percent from the field.
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Tristan Vukcevic PF | WAS
Wizards' Tristan Vukcevic: Barely visible in loss
Vukcevic amassed six points (2-3 FG, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds over five minutes during Thursday's 119-94 loss to the Spurs.
With Alex Sarr (adductor) returning to action Thursday, Vukcevic was relegated to the third-string center, playing behind both Sarr and Marvin Bagley. While Vukcevic has had some positive moments this season, as long as the frontcourt is relatively healthy, he can be safely ignored in all but the deepest leagues.
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Nikola Jokic C | DEN
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic: Dominates against Orlando
Jokic tallied 23 points (10-17 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, 13 assists and two steals in 38 minutes during Thursday's 126-116 win over the Magic.
Thursday's performance was more of the same from Jokic, who has shown no sign of slowing down after securing his second straight triple-double. Outside of his usual high level of production in points, rebounds and assists, he's now secured two steals in three straight appearances.
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Saddiq Bey SF | NO
Pelicans' Saddiq Bey: Nets 29 points in comeback win
Bey closed Thursday's 133-128 overtime win over Houston with 29 points (11-18 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two steals over 34 minutes.
Bey was held to just 10 points on 4-for-12 shooting his last time out, but he bounced back in a big way Thursday, leading the Pelicans in points as he helped his team overcome a 25-point deficit. The Pelicans have now won three in a row, and they'll look to add another win to their ledger Saturday against the 6-21 Pacers. Bey continues to start, with Zion Williamson playing off the bench in two straight appearances since returning from a six-game absence.
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Paolo Banchero PF | ORL
Magic's Paolo Banchero: Secures triple-double in loss
Banchero produced 26 points (9-21 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 8-12 FT), 16 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal in 39 minutes during Thursday's 126-115 loss to the Nuggets.
Banchero certainly did his part to keep the Magic in the game, tying Wendell Carter for the team lead in scoring while pacing the team in rebounds and assists. After being held to 20 and 24 minutes in his first two games since returning from a groin injury, he's now logged north of 30 minutes in three straight and will draw a favorable matchup Saturday in Utah.
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Alperen Sengun C | HOU
Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Double-doubles with eight dimes
Sengun provided 28 points (11-26 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 6-10 FT), 11 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and two steals across 36 minutes during Thursday's 133-128 overtime loss to New Orleans.
This was Sengun's fifth straight double-double and his 14th of the year. He's been a top-30 stud in his age-23 season, posting averages of 23.6 points, 9.5 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 0.9 triples, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
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Collin Gillespie SG | PHO
Suns' Collin Gillespie: Makes quick return
Gillespie (knee) has returned to Thursday's game against the Warriors, Amanda Pflugrad of 3TV Phoenix reports.
Gillespie evidently got a quick look from the training staff and received the green light to check back in. He should be a full go down the stretch of Thursday's clash.
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Bobby Portis PF | MIL
Bucks' Bobby Portis: Another strong bench performance
Portis logged 24 points (9-16 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, two steals and one block over 39 minutes during the Bucks' 111-102 loss to the Raptors on Thursday.
Portis gave the Bucks the scoring punch off the bench they needed to stay competitive during Thursday's loss. He finished as the team's leading scorer and rebounder en route to his second double-double of the season. He started the second half ahead of Jericho Sims, so it's possible Portis enters the starting lineup against the Timberwolves on Sunday. Either way, Portis should continue to see increased usage until Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) returns to game action.