Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Coming off bench Thursday
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Valanciunas is not in the Nuggets' starting lineup against the Lakers on Friday, Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com reports.
Valanciunas was in the Nuggets' starting five in Monday's 128-125 win over the Jazz, when he finished with 13 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 17 minutes. He'll revert to a bench role for Thursday's contest while Zeke Nnaji starts alongside Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Julian Strawther and Nikola Jokic.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Logs 13 points in starting role
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Valanciunas logged 13 points (4-6 FG, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 17 minutes during Monday's 128-125 victory over the Jazz.
Valanciunas played in unfamiliar territory Monday night, as he ran with the first unit at the four alongside Nikola Jokic. Valanciunas lacks the floor-stretching ability of other big men who can roam beyond the baseline, but the Nuggets made the call given numerous injuries throughout the roster. Putting Valanciunas and Jokic together can make sense down the stretch to give Denver a size advantage up front, so there could be repeat appearances of this scheme until Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (hamstring) can return to action.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Drawing rare start
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Valanciunas is starting Monday's game against the Jazz.
Valanciunas will draw his first start since Jan. 29 due to the absences of Cameron Johnson (ankle) and Spencer Jones (shoulder). Valanciunas is averaging 15.3 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks in his previous four starts.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Limited role continues
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Valanciunas amassed 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one block in 12 minutes during Wednesday's 103-84 victory over the Celtics.
Valanciunas continues to log around 12 minutes per night on a consistent basis, having hit that very mark in four straight games. With Nikola Jokic back steering the ship, Valanciunas is merely a backup now, averaging 7.3 points and 5.0 rebounds during that four-game span.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Double-doubles in 22 minutes
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Valanciunas chipped in 11 points (4-4 FG, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 22 minutes during Tuesday's 124-121 loss to the Pistons.
Valanciunas recorded his third double-double of the season, even sharing the court with Nikola Jokic for a period. Since Jokic made his return, Valanciunas has seen his role regress, serving almost exclusively as the backup center. While this was an encouraging performance, it's difficult to label Valanciunas as a must-roster player, especially given what we saw from him earlier in the season. For now, treat him as a streaming option if you need rebounds.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Won't start Friday
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Valanciunas won't start against the Clippers on Friday.
With Nikola Jokic (knee) back in the lineup, Valanciunas will retreat to the bench. The veteran big man has averaged 8.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game over 32 appearances off the bench this season.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Good to go Friday
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Valanciunas (calf) is available for Friday's game against the Clippers.
As expected, Valanciunas will shed his probable tag and suit up Friday. The veteran big man has appeared in four outings following an extended absence due to a calf strain. During that stretch, he has averaged 14.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 26.0 minutes per tilt. However, with Nikola Jokic (knee) back in the lineup, Valanciunas will likely see fewer minutes.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Probable for Friday
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Valanciunas (calf) is probable for Friday's game against the Clippers.
Valanciunas is expected to play through another probable tag related to his calf injury. He may see a reduced role, however, as Nikola Jokic (knee) is expected back in the lineup Friday.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Will play Thursday
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Valanciunas (calf) has been cleared to play Thursday against the Nets.
Valanciunas was trending in the right direction after being listed as probable, and the team has now officially cleared him to take the court Thursday. The big man is fresh off a double-double Tuesday against the Pistons, recording 16 points and 16 rebounds in 31 minutes.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Probable for Thursday
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Valanciunas (calf) is probable for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Thursday's game will be the first of a back-to-back set, so while Valanciunas is expected to play in that one, he may sit out Friday's game in Utah. Managers can expect to get official confirmation on Valanciunas' status closer to Thursday's tip.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Drops 16 and 16 in defeat
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Valanciunas ended with 16 points (6-10 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 16 rebounds, one assist and one block over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 109-107 loss to Detroit.
Valanciunas had one of his best games of the season in just his second game back from a calf injury that sidelined him for three weeks. His 16 rebounds were a season-best, while his 16 points were just one shy of his best scoring performance this year. He played 31 minutes, which is a good indicator of his recovery from that calf injury.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Available to play
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Valanciunas (calf) is available for Tuesday's game versus Detroit.
Valanciunas is back after a one-game absence, which will likely shift Zeke Nnaji back to the second unit, and DaRon Holmes could drop from the rotation entirely. Over two starts this season, Valanciunas has averaged 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.5 swats per game.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Expected to play
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Valanciunas (calf) is probable for Tuesday's game versus Detroit.
After getting a night off Friday against the Bucks related to maintenance, Valanciunas will likely reclaim his spot with the starters. He will be a popular streaming option until Nikola Jokic (knee) gets the green light to return.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Questionable for Sunday
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Valanciunas (calf) is questionable to play Sunday in Memphis.
Valanciunas returned from an 11-game layoff in a win over the Wizards on Thursday but then hit the sidelines for Friday's win in Milwaukee, with that game coming as the second leg of a back-to-back set. If he needs to miss Sunday's game in Memphis, that would indicate he suffered a setback, but we'll have a better idea on Valanciunas' status following shootaround.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Ruled out Friday
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Valanciunas (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Valanciunas returned from an 11-game absence due to a right calf strain in Thursday's win over Washington, though he'll be held out of the second leg of this back-to-back set. The veteran big man's next opportunity to play will come Sunday against the Grizzlies. In the meantime, Zeke Nnaji will likely see increased minutes, while DaRon Holmes could enter the Denver rotation.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Iffy for Friday
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Valanciunas is questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks with his right calf strain.
Valanciunas played in his first game since Dec. 31 on Thursday against Toronto, finishing with 16 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes. This questionable tag does not mean he suffered a setback, as it's common practice for players to get a maintenance day in situations like these, with this being the second leg of a back-to-back set. Zeke Nnaji could find himself with a larger role if Valanciunas is held out.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Returns with 16 points
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Valanciunas (calf) recorded 16 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes Thursday in the Nuggets' 107-97 win over the Wizards.
After straining his right calf in a Dec. 31 win over the Raptors, Valanciunas had been projected to miss about a month before being re-evaluated, but he ended up returning just over a week earlier than anticipated. Though the Nuggets kept Valanciunas' minutes in check in his return, he moved straight into the starting five and delivered a respectable line. Valanciunas could be a candidate to rest in the second leg of a back-to-back set Friday in Milwaukee, but he looks like he'll be in line for a regular 20-plus-minute role on the top unit in the short term until the Nuggets get Nikola Jokic (knee) back in the fold.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Starting Thursday
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Valanciunas will start Thursday versus the Wizards, Katy Winge of Altitude Sports reports.
Valanciunas will replace DaRon Holmes in the first unit for Thursday's game, and he'll be joined by Jamal Murray, Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon. In Valanciunas' previous start this season, he finished with 17 points (5-6 FG, 7-8 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, three blocks and one turnover in 23 minutes.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Will play Thursday
Rotowire
Valanciunas (calf) is available for Thursday's game against the Wizards.
Valanciunas is available to play for the first time since Dec. 31 due to a calf strain. The veteran center could have a minutes restriction, but his return should have a negative impact on the minutes of Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes.
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Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Expected to play Thursday
Rotowire
Valanciunas (calf) is expected to play Thursday versus the Wizards, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports.
This will be Valanciunas' first game since Dec. 31, so he'll likely have some minutes restrictions, but his return will likely result in less playing time for DaRon Holmes and Zeke Nnaji. While Valanciunas may be brought along slowly, he'll have a ton of opportunity while Nikola Jokic (knee) is out, so make sure he's not floating around on your waiver wire.
