NBA Player News

Bassey will be re-examined in San Antonio on Tuesday and appears to be at risk of missing extended time, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

Bassey rejoined the Spurs on Monday, one day after he suited up for the G League's Austin Spurs and recorded 30 points (12-24 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals in a 115-111 loss to the Texas Legends. He apparently sustained the left knee injury at some point during Sunday's appearance with Austin and wasn't available Monday for the NBA team's loss to the Rockets, and the third-year center now looks as though he could be in danger of a long-term absence. Bassey notably saw his 2022-23 season come to an early end in mid-March after he suffered a non-displaced fracture of the patella in the same knee.

Sabonis logged 15 points (6-14 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 16 rebounds, nine assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 131-118 win over the Nets.

Sabonis didn't have his best shooting performance in this one, but he still posted an outstanding fantasy line with his contributions in rebounds and assists. The star big man has posted four double-doubles in a row while averaging 7.8 assists per game in that span. His elite two-way ability and above-average passing make him an outstanding fantasy asset even when he has off nights from time to time.

Sengun logged 15 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), nine rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals across 30 minutes during Monday's 93-82 win over the Spurs.

Sengun is firmly entrenched as one of the most productive big men in the Western Conference due to his two-way ability, and he's posting career-best numbers in his third year in the league by playing alongside two skilled guards in Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet. Through 20 appearances, Sengun is averaging 20.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game -- all career-best numbers.

Jokic accumulated 25 points (9-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), eight rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and three steals across 36 minutes during Monday's 129-122 win over the Hawks.

Jamal Murray and Julian Strawther stood out on offense for the Nuggets, and while Jokic still posted the second-highest scoring mark on the team, he made his presence felt in other areas, as evidenced by the fact that he ended just two rebounds and one assist away from a triple-double. Filling out the stat sheet is nothing special for the star big man, who continues to deliver first-round value even when he doesn't play at his best. Through his last 10 games, Jokic is averaging an outstanding 27.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 10.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Embiid notched 34 points (14-20 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals in 30 minutes during Monday's 146-101 win over the Wizards.

There are not many players as hot as Embiid these days. He's scored at least 30 points in his last eight appearances, and the 76ers are 6-2 in those games. During that span, Embiid has been the second-best player in nine-category leagues, behind only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, with averages of 35.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.1 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers.

Valanciunas registered 14 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals over 35 minutes during Monday's 121-107 win over Minnesota.

Valanciunas led all players in Monday's game in rebounds while tallying team-best marks in steals and blocks in a double-double performance. Valanciunas has recorded a double-double in 12 games this season, including in four of his last five outings.

Bitadze totaled 15 points (6-8 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks over 29 minutes during Monday's 104-94 victory over the Cavaliers.

This was the second game in a row that Bitadze tallied four blocks, and it was his fifth game of the season with at least four. Wendell Carter (finger) has been sidelined since Nov. 2 and still doesn't have a concrete return date, so Bitadze will continue to benefit in the meantime. Through five December games, he's averaging 8.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2.4 blocks.

Towns racked up 17 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 12 rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 121-107 loss to New Orleans.

Towns led all Timberwolves in rebounds while posting a team-high-tying point total in a double-double performance in the road defeat. Towns has hauled in 10 or more boards in 13 games this season, finishing with a double-double in 12 of those outings.

Thompson racked up 10 points (5-7 FG), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 29 minutes during Monday's 104-94 loss to Orlando.

Evan Mobley (knee) missed his second game in a row for Cleveland, and Jarrett Allen fouled out after just 15 minutes. Dean Wade started for Mobley and played well, but Thompson had an even bigger impact in relief of Allen, posting season-best marks in points (10) and rebounds (13) en route to his first double-double of the campaign. With Mobley's status up in the air for Tuesday against the Celtics, Thompson could get another decent opportunity for minutes.

Allen notched four points (2-3 FG), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 15 minutes before fouling out of Monday's 104-94 loss to Orlando.

This was the first time this season that Allen fouled out. He's normally pretty good about keeping them in check. For his career, he averages 2.1 fouls per game. Evan Mobley (knee) missed his second straight game Monday, which put more pressure on Allen, and the Cavaliers were forced to turn to Tristan Thompson with Allen limited to just 15 minutes.