Theis (ankle) is available but will play off the bench during Friday's game against the Pacers, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Theis played only five minutes during Wednesday's loss to the Warriors before sustaining an ankle injury. While he's fine to play Friday, the veteran will make way for rookie Yves Missi, who'll be making his first career start.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Cleared to play
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Theis (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Theis played only five minutes during Wednesday's loss to the Warriors before sustaining an ankle injury. However, the issue was minor, and he's expected to be in the starting lineup Friday. Despite being a starter, Theis averaged only 18.8 minutes per game through his first four regular-season appearances.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Expected to suit up Friday
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Coach Willie Green said Theis (ankle) is expected to suit up for Friday's game against the Pacers, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Theis left Wednesday's loss to Golden State early after sustaining a right ankle injury, though he is not expected to miss any time. Through five regular-season outings, the 32-year-old has averaged 4.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks across 16.0 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Status uncertain for Friday
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Theis (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pacers.
Theis departed Wednesday's matchup with Golden State early after suffering a right ankle injury, and the issue could force him to miss additional time. He'll likely be re-evaluated Friday during morning shootaround and leading up to tipoff to determine his availability.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Leaves early with ankle injury
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Theis has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Warriors due to a right ankle injury.
It's unclear how Theis picked up the injury, but it's considered severe enough to keep him sidelined for the rest of Wednesday's tilt. He finishes the contest scoreless (0-2 FG) with three rebounds across five minutes. Yves Missi and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl should share center work the rest of the way. Theis' next chance to play will come Friday against Indiana.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Gets start at center
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Theis contributed five points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes during Friday's 105-103 win over Portland.
With Dejounte Murray (hand) on the shelf, the 32-year-old got the start at center for the Pelicans as Zion Williamson slid over to the four, although Theis didn't see anything close to a starter's workload. It's not yet clear whether that will be the Pels' starting alignment while Murray is sidelined or if coach Willie Green will mix and match reserves in the vacant spot depending on the matchup. Either way, it doesn't seem as though Theis will see a big increase in his court time.
Theis posted 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds, an assist and two steals across 21 minutes in Monday's 106-104 preseason win over the Magic.
There are several positives to extract out of Theis' first start with New Orleans, as he co-led the team in minutes played while being just one of two starters who scored in double digits. However, and perhaps even more importantly, he outplayed rookie Yves Missi in both production and time on the court, with Missi logging 16 minutes off the bench and putting up five points, five rebounds, two steals and a block. It's only one game in preseason, but it seems Theis has a leg up in the race to open the regular season as New Orleans' starting center.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Draws first start
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Theis will start at center for Monday's preseason game against Orlando.
Rookie Yves Missi will likely get a chance with the starters at some point during the preseason, but Theis will get the first chance. In 373 career regular-season NBA games, Theis holds averages of 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 blocks.
Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Comes close to double-double
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Theis finished with seven points (3-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists and two steals for Germany in Friday's 85-71 win over France.
Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner led the way for Germany in the scoring column, but Theis was impressive in other areas, ultimately finishing just two boards and three points shy of a double-double. Theis is expected to remain as Germany's starting center in the knockout stages of the Olympics, keeping Moritz Wagner in a bench role.
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Pelicans' Daniel Theis: Perfect from field in win
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Theis tallied 18 points (7-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds and one steal across 20 minutes in Germany's 97-77 win over Japan in the Paris Olympics on Saturday.
Theis impressed with his performance against Japan, racking up a team-high seven boards while shooting 100 percent from the field. The 32-year-old will likely play a significant role in Germany's Olympic campaign, which is also his first appearance at the Olympics. Theis will be asked to excel on the glass and the defensive side of the ball, especially as the squad still has yet to play France's spectacular frontcourt in the group phase.
Theis and the Pelicans agreed to a one-year deal Monday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Theis will be entering his eighth NBA season and will bring valuable veteran leadership to the locker room. With the Pelicans losing Jonas Valanciunas, Theis could potentially step into a sizable role right away in the frontcourt. Throughout his career, Theis holds averages of 7.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.9 blocks.
