NBA Player News

Looney is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Mavericks due to an illness.

Looney is in danger of missing his first game this season Friday due to a non-COVID illness. If the 27-year-old center is ruled out, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Dario Saric will likely receive extended minutes.

Claxton (illness) is available for Friday's game against Washington.

As expected, Claxton has been upgraded from probable to available and will suit up after a one-game absence. Before the illness, Claxton recorded four double-doubles over his last 10 appearances, averaging 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.6 blocks in 27.1 minutes during that stretch.

Reath (back) won't play in Friday's game versus the Spurs.

Reath will miss his second straight game while dealing with lower back soreness. His next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Phoenix.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Friday's game versus the Spurs.

Ayton's absence streak will extend to three games Friday due to right knee tendinitis. With Duop Reath (back) also out, Moses Brown should continue to receive extended minutes. Ayton's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Phoenix, his former team.

Williams (back) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game versus the Suns.

Williams is expected to miss his 10th straight game Friday due to a lower back contusion. Nick Richards will likely receive another start if Williams is ultimately ruled out.

Valanciunas contributed six points (2-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one block over 23 minutes during Thursday's 112-105 win over the Jazz.

Thursday's performance ended an eight-game streak of double-digit scoring for Valanciunas -- a stretch where he had seven double-doubles. Both his minutes and his usage took a hit with Larry Nance (ribs) back in the rotation, the latter playing 25 minutes. Nance has dealt with injury woes for much of his career, but when available, he's a more versatile option at center than Valanciunas and arguably fits better with Zion Williamson. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Valanciunas' minutes in the near future to see how coach Willie Green decides to operate.

Towns recorded 10 points (3-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds and three assists in 27 minutes during Thursday's 118-110 win over the Mavericks.

Towns finished Thursday's win with five fouls in addition to being bothered by a sore knee, leading to an overall rough performance. Minnesota's next matchup Saturday against the Lakers isn't a tremendous get-right spot, given Los Angeles' strong frontcourt defense. Monday's matchup against the Knicks could be a bounceback spot for the big man.

Powell registered 12 points (6-8 FG), 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals over 30 minutes during Thursday's 118-110 loss to Minnesota.

Powell led all players in Thursday's contest in rebounds while dishing out a team-high-tying assist mark and ending as one of five Mavericks with a double-digit point total in a double-double outings. Powell, who set a season high in rebounds, has hauled in 10 or more boards in two games and posted his first double-double of the year.

Lively finished with two points (1-4 FG), four rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes during Thursday's 118-110 loss to the Timberwolves.

After going for 20-and-10 against the Suns sans Jusuf Nurkic on Christmas Day, Lively has hit a wall over the past two games. Going up against Jarrett Allen in Cleveland and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, Lively has totaled six points, eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 40 minutes while committing nine fouls. Fantasy managers shouldn't panic, as the rookie has been fairly inconsistent all year but has generally looked better as the season has gone along. Next up is a matchup against the Warriors on Saturday -- a potential get-right game versus a team lacking skilled size.

Gobert closed with 20 points (7-7 FG, 6-7 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and three blocks across 38 minutes during Thursday's 118-110 win over the Mavericks.

Gobert led all Timberwolves in rebounds while finishing as one of two players with 20 or more points in a double-double performance at home. Gobert has hauled in 10 or more rebounds in six of his last 10 outings and has posted a double-double in 19 games this year.