NBA Player News

Valanciunas closed with six points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds and four assists across 15 minutes during Thursday's 123-114 victory over the Hornets.

With Alexandre Sarr returning to the starting lineup, Valanciunas has received a decreased role as Washington's backup center. Valanciunas is averaging 15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks in 25.0 minutes across his six starts compared to 10.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 17.7 minutes across his 19 appearances coming off the bench.

Wembanyama ended with a game-high 42 points (13-24 FG, 7-15 3Pt, 9-12 FT), six rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in 37 minutes during Thursday's 133-126 overtime win over Atlanta.

The 42 points were the most for Wembanyama since he buried the Wizards with a 50-point eruption Nov. 13. The second-year phenom has been dealing with a sore back in December that cost him two games earlier in the month, but he's been on fire since returning to the court, averaging 28.8 points, 8.8 boards, 4.5 assists, 4.0 blocks, 3.3 threes and 0.8 steals over his last four appearances.

Sarr produced 19 points (6-13 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-8 FT), nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks across 33 minutes during Thursday's 123-114 win over the Hornets.

Sarr has now scored double-digit points in five straight outings. While the rookie big man is still struggling with his efficiency on the season, he is shooting 40.9 percent on 4.4 three-point attempts per contest over that stretch. Sarr is still raw in his scoring ability, but his average of 1.9 blocks per game this season displays his elite rim-protection upside.

Sengun recorded 23 points (10-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine rebounds, seven assists and one block over 34 minutes during Thursday's 133-113 victory over New Orleans.

Sengun stuffed the stat sheet in an extremely efficient performance Thursday, during which he logged his 13th 20-plus-point outing of the season. The star big man continues to produce monster numbers, and he is on pace to average a double-double this year. Over his last five outings, Sengun has averaged 17.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.4 steals across 32.8 minutes per contest.

Missi ended with 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes during Thursday's 133-113 loss to Houston.

Missi posted a team-high mark in rebounds while logging his eighth double-double through 27 regular-season appearances. The rookie big man has delivered a solid start to his career thus far, and he should continue to play significant minutes for the club, as he has started in 21 of his last 22 games while averaging 26.0 minutes per game on the season. Over his last five outings, Missi has averaged 10.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 assists while shooting 55.3 percent from the field across 31.8 minutes per contest.

Williams amassed 16 points (7-12 FG, 2-3 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 19 minutes during Thursday's 123-114 loss to Washington.

Williams made his third straight start Thursday and appears to be finding his rhythm. Even in fewer than 20 minutes of action, the 22-year-old center was just two boards shy of a double-double. While Williams will likely continue to split minutes with Nick Richards, fantasy owners can expect Williams to maintain his 64.1 field-goal percentage.

Nurkic had 12 points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Thursday's 120-111 loss to Indiana.

The big man posted his eighth double-double of the season and tied Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen for the team-high mark in rebounds Thursday. Nurkic has struggled with efficiency and is on pace to shoot 45.2 percent from the field this season, though he delivered a productive performance against Indiana. The veteran center has played in three consecutive outings following a five-game absence due to a right thigh contusion, during which he has averaged 11.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 60.9 percent from the field across 29.7 minutes per contest.

Turner provided 19 points (5-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), six rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal in 34 minutes during Thursday's 120-111 win over the Suns.

The big man tied Andrew Nembhard for the second-highest mark in scoring on the Pacers behind Pascal Siakam (25 points) on Thursday. Turner also tied his season high in three-point attempts, and he is on pace to shoot a career-high 40.9 percent from downtown while putting up 5.1 attempts per game. Over his last 10 outings, the 28-year-old has averaged 12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 2.0 assists while shooting 39.2 percent from deep across 30.6 minutes per contest.

Hukporti (ankle) played the final 1:50 of Thursday's 133-107 win over the Timberwolves, finishing with one point (1-2 FT) and two rebounds.

Hukporti wasn't available for the Knicks' previous two games with a left ankle sprain, but he was given the green light to play Thursday and ended up seeing the court at the tail end of the blowout win. Though he's now healthy again, Hukporti will remain on the outside of head coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation.

Carter contributed 10 points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-9 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists and one block over 30 minutes during Thursday's 105-99 loss to the Thunder.

Carter secured his first double-double since Oct. 28 despite a rough shooting night from the field. It's been a struggle for the Duke product to produce on a consistent basis, and it's clear that the team's starting center, Goga Bitadze, is performing at a higher level across the board at this point in the season. Even so, perhaps Thursday's showing will be a stepping stone to a hot stretch for the 25-year-old, who has yet to live up to expectations this year.