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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas has 17/9/4 line in win Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 5:35 PM
Jonas Valan?i?nas had 17 points (5-of-6 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), nine rebounds, four assists, one steal and three blocks against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Despite his minutes declining, Valan?i?nas started 82 games as recently as the 2023-24 season. Last season, he started 21 games, but notably started nine games for the Kings when Domantas Sabonis was injured. Predictably, Valan?i?nas started for the injured Nikola Jokic against the Raptors Wednesday. The results were excellent. Valan?i?nas had 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes. He's rostered in just 29 percent of Yahoo! leagues, but absolutely needs to be picked up in more leagues while Jokic is out. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray has 21/7/6 line in win over Raptors
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 5:26 PM
Jamal Murray had 21 points (6-of-18 FGs, 7-of-7 FTs), seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block and two three-pointers against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: While Murray will have plenty of opportunities to completely takeover the Nuggets offense with Nikola Jokic (knee) out for the next month, the 28-year-old point guard just had a different running mate Wednesday. It was Peyton Watson who stepped up with 24 points in Jokic's absence. Murray still came through in the clutch with a layup with 13 seconds left to put the Nuggets up three. The Nuggets will be back in action Friday against the Cavaliers. |
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Peyton Watson Peyton Watson has 24 points, eight rebounds in win
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 5:18 PM
Peyton Watson had 24 points (9-of-19 FGs, 5-of-7 FTs), eight rebounds, two steals and one three-pointer in the win against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: With the Nuggets down four starters including Nikola Jokic and facing the Raptors on the road, a clunker of a game would've been understandable. Instead, Watson led the Nuggets to victory with 24 points seemingly out of nowhere. The 23-year-old guard is averaging just 10.7 points per game this year. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram even told reporters after the game he didn't expect Watson to play as well as he did. Still, his scoring isn't nearly consistent enough to be worth rostering in most fantasy leagues. |
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Julian Strawther Julian Strawther (illness) available vs. Toronto
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 12:45 PM
Denver Nuggets
Julian Strawther (illness) is available to play against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Strawther will be good to go after initially being listed as probable. He'll be play his typical role off the bench, but he isn't a player that is worth streaming in standard leagues. |
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Julian Strawther Julian Strawther (illness) probable vs. Toronto
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 10:57 AM
NBA Injury Report
Julian Strawther (illness) is probable to play against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Analysis: Strawther is battling an illness, but that isn't expected to keep him out of the lineup. He'll occupy his typical reserve role, which hasn't resulted in much fantasy production this season. |
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Nikola Jokic Shams: Nikola Joki? (knee) out at least four weeks
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 5:45 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Nikola Joki? suffered a hyperextension in his left knee and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
Analysis: Joki?'s injury is devastating for fantasy managers, as the No. 1 player in fantasy hoops was on an incredible tear. The silver lining is that he avoided a more serious injury, but his absence will cause a monumental hole in Denver's lineup. Jonas Valan?i?nas should get the nod as starting center, but he won't be able to replicate Joker's elite playmaking abilities. Jamal Murray should pick up the slack as a facilitator and scorer, while guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown should be leaned on more as well. All three of Valan?i?nas, THJ and Brown are worth picking up, though it's still unclear what Denver will look like without its three-time MVP. |
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Tim Hardaway Tim Hardaway Jr. finishes defeat with 16 points
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 4:24 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. accounted for 16 points (6-of-13 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, two assists and two three-pointers in Monday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: Hardaway has scored at least 16 points in five straight games, moving into the starting lineup for the last four. With Nikola Joki? injuring his left knee, the Nuggets played the second half without four starters. While Hardaway can be a mixed bag offensively, he may be worth picking up in some 12-team leagues for at least the remainder of Week 11 due to the injuries. |
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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas plays 16 minutes vs. Miami
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 4:24 PM
Jonas Valan?i?nas finished Monday's loss to the Heat with six points (3-of-3 FGs), four rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot.
Analysis: While the overall minutes tally for Valan?i?nas was modest, he played 11 of those 16 minutes after halftime. The Nuggets were without Nikola Joki?, who suffered a left knee injury during the final seconds of the first half. If Denver has to play without its three-time MVP, Valan?i?nas will likely move into the starting lineup. More should be learned about the severity of Joki?'s injury on Tuesday. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray records 20 points, 11 assists Monday
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 4:23 PM
Jamal Murray notched 20 points (9-of-21 FGs), six rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Monday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: Murray has recorded a double-double in three of his last four games, and his role became much more critical during Monday's defeat. If the Nuggets are forced to play without Nikola Joki?, who injured his left knee during the second quarter, Murray will become the focal point of the offense. Denver continues its road trip on Wednesday in Toronto; more should be learned about the severity of its star center's injury on Tuesday. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Joki? (knee) will not return Monday vs. MIA
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 3:16 PM
Sam Amick
Nikola Joki? (knee) will not return to Monday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: After hyperextending his left knee late in the second quarter of Monday's game, Joki? has officially been ruled out. While it's unlikely to be another update from the team before the center is further examined by team doctors, an extended absence would have a seismic impact on the Nuggets' rotation and fantasy basketball. Jonas Valan?i?nas entered the lineup to begin the third quarter, and he would be the replacement in the starting five if Joki? misses time. The three-time MVP finished with 21 points, five rebounds, eight assists and one three-pointer in 19 minutes. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Joki? (knee) questionable to return Monday
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 2:57 PM
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Joki? (knee) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Joki? hyperextended his left knee when teammate Spencer Jones stepped on the center's foot while playing defense late in the second quarter. The three-time MVP limped back to the locker room and has not returned to the bench. Jonas Valan?i?nas has replaced Joki? in the lineup to begin the third quarter. |
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Nikola Jokic Joki? records monster 34/21/12 triple-double
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 3:52 PM
Nikola Joki? amassed 34 points (11-of-22 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), 21 rebounds, 12 assists and one steal over 38 points over 38 minutes during Saturday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: On the heels of a historic 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist triple-double earlier this week against the Timberwolves, Joki? finished the first half just three assists shy of a triple-double and accomplished the feat by the end of the third quarter. The 30-year-old generational talent reached the 30-point plateau for the 13th time with a floater in the final two minutes. He sank a pair of free throws in the final seconds to put Denver ahead momentarily in the back-and-forth affair. Joki? leads the NBA in rebounds (12.4) and assists (11.1) and ranks fifth in scoring (29.9) through 31 games. Unreal. The Nuggets are back in action on Monday when they open a four-game week on the road against the Heat. |
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Jamal Murray Murray scores 24 points in loss to Magic
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 3:48 PM
Jamal Murray notched 24 points (9-of-21 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), five rebounds and three assists over 36 minutes during Saturday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Murray shot the lights out in the first half, draining 7-of-13, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, to finish with a game-high 16 points. He hit a driving floater with 37 seconds left to put Denver back in front but wound up missing a fadeaway at the buzzer. The 28-year-old guard has been excellent of late, averaging 28.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.7 assists and 0.1 blocks across seven games over the past two weeks, delivering second-round fantasy value during that span. |
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Tim Hardaway Hardaway notches 20 points in start vs. Magic
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 3:48 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 20 points (6-of-14 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds and two assists over 32 minutes during Saturday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Hardaway, who drew the starting assignment with Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee) out of action, drained a go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes left in regulation to put the Nuggets back in front during a back-and-forth affair. The 33-year-old journeyman has scored at least 19 points in four consecutive games, offering some appeal for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. |
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Nikola Jokic A Christmas Miracle: Joki? posts 56/16/15 line
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:58 PM
Nikola Joki? led the Nuggets with 56 points (15-of-21 FGs, 22-of-23 FTs), 16 rebounds, 15 assists, two blocks, four three-pointers and five turnovers in a 142-138 win over the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Analysis: The stars shine bright on Christmas Day, so it shouldn't be surprising that Joki? got off to a dominant start to this game. He finished the first quarter with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists, which led to him making history by the end of the night. He became the first player in NBA history to finish with at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a game. 18 of his points came in the extra frame to secure the win on Christmas Day. Joki? has once again been the best player in fantasy basketball, but even he won't be able to replicate this performance. This was otherworldly. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray scores 35 points on nine triples
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:54 PM
Jamal Murray lit up the Timberwolves with 35 points (12-of-32 FGs), two rebounds, 10 assists, one block and nine three-pointers on Thursday.
Analysis: Murray's breakout season continued with another strong performance in this game. He had at least 30 points for the ninth time this season, with six of those coming over his last 10 games. This was also his second straight 30-point double-double, and he fell one three-pointer shy of matching his season high. Murray's progress this season can be overshadowed by Nikola Jokic's dominance, but he has provided first-round value this season and should be considered one of the premier options in fantasy basketball for the remainder of the season. |
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Tim Hardaway THJ scored 19 points as starter vs. Minnesota
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:52 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. started on Thursday and contributed 19 points (7-of-15 FGs), four rebounds, one block and three three-pointers against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: In Denver's first game without Cameron Johnson (knee), THJ slid into the starting unit. He provided floor spacing and buckets, which is what he will continue to do as long as he is starting. Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) will likely return long before Johnson, which could impact THJ's place in the lineup. However, he can be considered a decent streaming option in points leagues, though he has never been a consistent producer. |
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Tim Hardaway DEN starts Murray, Hardaway, Watson, Jones, Joki?
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:09 PM
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones and Nikola Joki? will start Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Thursday's game is the first for Denver since losing Cameron Johnson to a right knee injury during Tuesday's loss to the Mavericks. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Hardaway, whose fantasy ceiling is raised with the move into the starting lineup. |
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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) available Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 3:35 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) is available for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Valan?i?nas was initially probable for Thursday's game, so the status upgrade was expected. He'll occupy his usual role as Nikola Joki?'s backup, a spot that offers limited fantasy value at best. |
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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) probable Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 8:23 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) is probable for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Valan?i?nas was dealing with an illness ahead of Denver's last two games but ultimately filled his usual role as Nikola Joki?'s backup. The probable tag suggests that the veteran center will be able to take on those responsibilities on Thursday night. |
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