NBA Player News

Valanciunas is questionable for Friday's game against the Bucks with his right calf strain.

Valanciunas played in his first game since Dec. 31 on Thursday against Toronto, finishing with 16 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes. This questionable tag does not mean he suffered a setback, as it's common practice for players to get a maintenance day in situations like these, with this being the second leg of a back-to-back set. Zeke Nnaji could find himself with a larger role if Valanciunas is held out.

Landale is questionable for Friday's game against the Pelicans for personal reasons.

The big man is working against the clock if he wants to join the Grizzlies for Friday's tilt. If Landale ends up being away from the team, the likes of GG Jackson, Vince Williams and John Konchar would likely have more playing time in the frontcourt.

Sarr closed with 15 points (5-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Thursday's 107-97 loss to the Nuggets.

Sarr put together a full stat line Thursday, and he came two boards short of his 10th double-double of the year. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick is improving his efficiency during his second season, averaging 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 blocks in 27.4 minutes per tilt while shooting 50.0 percent from the field over 11 games this month.

Lopez racked up 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt), two rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes during Thursday's 112-104 victory over the Lakers.

Lopez scored in double figures for the eighth time this season and drilled multiple triples for the 13th time. The veteran big man has maintained a modest role off the bench for the Clippers this season, starting seven outings and exceeding 20 minutes in only 10 games. The 37-year-old is averaging 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.0 threes, 0.9 assists and 0.9 blocks in 16.7 minutes over 12 games this month.

Queta is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Nets due to an illness, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Queta was a late addition to the injury report, and his status will now warrant monitoring leading up to Friday's 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff. If Queta is unable to play, Luka Garza could step in as the Celtics' primary center, and the team could utilize some small-ball combinations as well.

Valanciunas (calf) recorded 16 points (6-13 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes Thursday in the Nuggets' 107-97 win over the Wizards.

After straining his right calf in a Dec. 31 win over the Raptors, Valanciunas had been projected to miss about a month before being re-evaluated, but he ended up returning just over a week earlier than anticipated. Though the Nuggets kept Valanciunas' minutes in check in his return, he moved straight into the starting five and delivered a respectable line. Valanciunas could be a candidate to rest in the second leg of a back-to-back set Friday in Milwaukee, but he looks like he'll be in line for a regular 20-plus-minute role on the top unit in the short term until the Nuggets get Nikola Jokic (knee) back in the fold.

Wembanyama ended Thursday's 126-109 victory over Utah with 26 points (9-14 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists, five blocks and one steal in 33 minutes.

It was Wembanyama's 14th career game with four or more blocks and four or more three-pointers -- he's the NBA's all-time leader in that unique category, surpassing Brook Lopez (12) and Kristaps Porzingis (11). Wembanyama's double-double was his 19th of the season, including three straight. Over seven games since rejoining the Spurs' starting five, he's averaging 25.7 points, 9.6 boards, 3.3 threes, 1.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals.

Reid amassed 20 points (8-12 FG, 4-7 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals over 29 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 120-115 loss to the Bulls.

The 26-year-old big man headed to the locker room during the second quarter to get his shoulder checked out, but he quickly returned and wound up making an impact at both ends of the court. It was the first time since Dec. 19 that Reid had recorded multiple steals and blocks in the same contest, and over his 10 full games in January -- not counting a Jan. 17 loss to the Spurs in which he played only five minutes -- he's averaged 18.0 points, 6.6 boards, 3.1 assists, 3.0 threes, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.0 minutes.

Gobert ended Thursday's 120-115 loss to the Bulls with 10 points (3-5 FG, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 34 minutes.

It was Gobert's third straight double-double and his 20th of the season, tied for seventh in the league. The veteran center has grabbed double-digit rebounds in 11 consecutive contests dating back to Dec. 29, averaging 10.1 points, 12.5 boards, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals during that stretch while shooting 71.2 percent from the floor.

Phoenix recalled Maluach from the G League's Valley Suns on Thursday.

Maluach has gone back and forth between Phoenix's NBA and G League teams throughout the season and remains unlikely to earn significant opportunities in the parent club's rotation. However, he'll be available ahead of Friday's clash with the Hawks. During his most recent spell in the G League, the rookie logged a double-double against the Stockton Kings.