NBA Player News

Duren notched 20 points (8-8 FG, 4-5 FT), 19 rebounds, four assists and one block in 26 minutes during Monday's 129-117 victory over the Wizards.

The second-year center tied his career high in boards as he continued an impressive run in the Detroit frontcourt. Over 11 games since returning from an ankle injury, Duren has racked up nine double-doubles while averaging 16.3 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 68.5 percent from the floor and an eye-popping 81.8 percent from the free-throw line -- a mark more than 20 points higher than his 61.1 percent shooting from the charity stripe as a rookie. Duren's rapid skill growth could end up making the 20-year-old one of the steals of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Bitadze finished Monday's 98-94 victory over the Knicks with three points (1-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and three assists over 29 minutes.

Wendell Carter returned to the lineup Monday after a five-game absence due to a knee issue, but Bitadze remained in the starting five and continued to be a presence on the glass. Since moving into the starting lineup in late December, Bitadze has pulled down at least six rebounds in nine straight contests, averaging 7.1 points, 8.4 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks and 0.8 steals in 24.6 minutes a game while shooting 62.8 percent from the floor. Monday's game was the first time in that stretch the 24-year-old center failed to record either a block or a steal.

Wagner (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Monday's 98-94 win over the Knicks.

With Wendell Carter (knee) logging 19 minutes off the bench behind starting center Goga Bitadze in his return from a five-game absence, the Magic had no room in the rotation for Wagner. Though the Magic had previously opened up minutes for all three big men during a brief stretch in late December when Carter made his return from a fractured finger, Wagner didn't factor into the equation at power forward, with all of those minutes falling to Jonathan Isaac when Paolo Banchero was off the floor. Wagner thus looks as though he'll need an injury to another frontcourt player before he recaptures a role on the second unit.

Adebayo notched 11 points (5-17 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 20 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 44 minutes during Monday's 96-95 overtime victory over the Nets.

Adebayo's 20 rebounds represent a season-high for the seventh-year center out of Kentucky, and it's the second time in his career he's recorded 20-plus rebounds in a game. He's averaging 20.9 points on 48.1 percent shooting, 12.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists over 37.1 minutes per game in January.

Zubac (calf) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Oklahoma City, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Zubac is in line to miss his second consecutive game due to a right calf issue, and he's been diagnosed with a strain after initially being added to the injury report with calf tightness. This may be a precautionary move by the Clippers to give him a few extra days to rest, as LA doesn't take the court again until Sunday. Daniel Theis will likely make another start at center in Zubac's place Tuesday.

Bol (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Kings, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Bol will miss his second straight contest while dealing with a right foot injury. His next chance at a return will arrive Friday against the Pelicans.

Horford will start Monday night against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Horford gets the nod at power forward in place of Jaylen Brown (knee). Horford is no stranger to the starting lineup, as he's made 15 starts so far this year for the Celtics.

Porter is starting Monday's game against the Celtics, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Porter will draw his first start of the 2023-24 campaign after logging 31 minutes in his last appearance Friday against the Jazz. Thaddeus Young will retreat to a bench role as a result.

Jokic is questionable to play Tuesday against Philadelphia due to a left hip strain.

Jokic, Aaron Gordon (heel), Michael Porter (knee), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (back) and Jamal Murray (leg) all popped up on Monday evening's injury report, likely symbolizing maintenance for Denver's key contributors. Whether this translates to load management in Tuesday's game is unclear, but Jokic is coming off a full 33-minute workload in Sunday's win over Indiana with no in-game injury reported.

Carter (knee) totaled 17 points (7-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds and one block across 19 minutes in Monday's 98-94 win over the Knicks.

Though head coach Jamahl Mosley said prior to the contest that Carter would be limited to 12-to-16 minutes in his return from a five-game absence due to right knee tendinitis, the center ended up slightly pushing past the playing-time restriction. Carter and starter Goga Bitadze (29 minutes) ended up playing the whole game at center, resulting in Moritz Wagner dropping out of the rotation. The Magic seem to like the shot-blocking presence that Bitadze brings on the top unit, and though he could continue to start for the time being, Carter may eventually end up working his way into a more even split of the minutes with Bitadze, if not the larger portion of a timeshare.