Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: All-around outing not enough
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Nurkic closed with 23 points (9-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 27 minutes during Sunday's 117-102 loss to the Clippers.
Nurkic posted easily his most combined points, rebounds, assists and blocks since returning from a month-long injury absence on March 8. The talented big man has played at least 25 minutes in three straight contests and appears to be on the final stages of any post-injury restrictions. As the Blazers attempt to hang around for a play-in tournament spot, Nurkic should be busy through the team's upcoming three-game week.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: To have minutes increased Friday
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Nurkic will have his minutes increased during Friday's matchup against the 76ers, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.
Nurkic started and played 17 minutes in his return from a 14-game absence Wednesday against the Celtics, and the center will get more run against a tough matchup in Joel Embiid on Friday. When seeing minutes in the 20s this season, Nurkic has averaged 13.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Scores five in return
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Nurkic (calf) ended Wednesday's 115-93 loss to Boston with five points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), six rebounds and two assists across 17 minutes.
After missing about five weeks due to a calf injury, Nurkic returned to the starting five Wednesday but saw only limited run, likely due to a combination of caution on the part of the Trail Blazers as well as the blowout nature of the contest. Expect Nurkic's minutes to pick up gradually in the games to come, but even before his shutdown, the veteran center had failed to eclipse 30 minutes in any of his prior nine outings.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Will make his return Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) will return to the floor for Wednesday's game against the Celtics, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
This will be Nurkic's first game back since Feb. 1, so he'll likely be eased back into things, but he's safe to activate in season-long settings. His return will likely result in Drew Eubanks heading back to the second unit, where he'll lose most of his value. Trendon Watford's minutes could also dip.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Termed questionable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) holds a questionable designation for Wednesday's game versus the Celtics.
Nurkic hasn't suited up for a game since Feb. 1 versus Memphis, leaving two minutes into the tilt with a calf issue that's sidelined him since. Nurkic isn't guaranteed to retake the floor against the Celtics, but the questionable designation marks a step in the right direction. Drew Eubanks figures to see his role scaled back a bit once Nurkic is cleared to return.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Remains out Monday
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Nurkic (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Pistons.
Nurkic is slated to miss a 14th straight game due to a left calf strain. Despite the lengthy absence, he remains day-to-day, so his next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in Boston.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) is out for Sunday's matchup against the Magic.
Nurkic will miss a 13th straight game Sunday. He remains day-to-day, with his next chance to return arriving Monday against the Pistons.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Sidelined again Friday
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Nurkic (calf) remains out for Friday's game versus the Hawks.
Nurkic hasn't logged action in a contest in over a month, and there is no specified target date for his return, though coach Chauncey Billups suggested last week that the big man is "progressing well." Nurkic's next opportunity to take the floor arrives Sunday against the Magic.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Won't play in back-to-back
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) is listed as out for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
Coming out of the All-Star break last week, head coach Chauncey Billups told Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com that Nurkic is "progressing well," but the veteran center still remains without a definitive target date for a return to the court while he recovers from a left calf strain. Given that Tuesday marks the front end of a back-to-back set, Nurkic appears safe to rule out for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans, and he probably won't have a realistic chance at suiting up Friday in Atlanta unless he's able to get in some on-court activity Thursday.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Still out
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Rockets, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Nurkic will miss a ninth straight game due to a left calf strain. The team continues to say that the big man is making progress, but he still doesn't have a clear return timetable. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday in Golden State. Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford should continue to garner increased roles during Nurkic's prolonged absence.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Progressing, but still not ready
Rotowire
Head coach Chauncey Billups said Nurkic (calf) is progressing, but the big man will remain out for Thursday's matchup against the Kings, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Nurkic missed seven straight games heading into the All-Star break due to a left calf strain and will remain sidelined when Portland resumes action Thursday. His next chance to suit up will come Sunday against the Rockets, but barring a return to practice over the weekend, Nurkic will likely remain out for that contest as well. Drew Eubanks figures to continue drawing starts at center until Nurkic is ready to return.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Set to sit through All-Star break
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The Trail Blazers announced Nurkic is expected to be sidelined through the All-Star break after an MRI on Thursday revealed that he's dealing with a left calf strain.
Nurkic departed Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Grizzlies with what the team initially termed as a sore left calf, only to provide an update later in the night that he had suffered a strain. Considering that Nurkic previously missed one game a week earlier due to an injury to the same calf, the Trail Blazers will err on the side of caution and hold the big man out for the next three weeks. While Nurkic is sidelined, Drew Eubanks should be first in line to step in as the Trail Blazers' starting center, while Trendon Watford should become a regular in the rotation as the top backup. Nurkic's first chance to return following the All-Star break comes Feb. 23 against the Kings.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Sitting out Friday
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Nurkic has been ruled out for Friday's game versus the Wizards due to what's been labeled a left calf strain.
Nurkic was spotted in a walking boot following Wednesday's game versus the Wizards, so his unavailability isn't a major surprise. The team hasn't placed a timetable on the 28-year-old center's return to action, but his absence Friday figures to open a starting role and extra minutes for Drew Eubanks, who compiled just his second double-double of the season Wednesday following Nurkic's departure. While Saturday versus the Bulls marks Nurkic's next opportunity to retake the floor, it wouldn't be stunning to see the big man take the weekend off.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Spotted in walking boot Wednesday
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Nurkic, who departed in the first quarter of Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Grizzlies with a sore left calf, was spotted in a walking boot following the game, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
The fact that Nurkic was in a walking boot doesn't necessarily foreshadow a long-term absence, but the 28-year-old center at least appears likely to miss Friday's game in Washington following his latest setback with the left calf. Just one week earlier, Nurkic was removed from the Trail Blazers' 134-124 win over the Jazz with the same injury, then proceeded to miss a game before returning to action for Monday's 129-125 win over the Hawks. He lasted just two minutes before exiting in the first quarter Wednesday, paving the way for Drew Eubanks (11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 24 minutes) to step in as the Blazers' primary center. Until the Trail Blazers provide an update on his injury, Nurkic can be viewed as unlikely to play Friday in Washington, making Eubanks an appealing streaming option in the short term.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Leaves early with calf injury
Rotowire
Nurkic has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies due to left calf soreness. He finished with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and one assist in two minutes of court time.
Just one week earlier, Nurkic exited a game against the Jazz with a calf injury, but he proceeded to miss just one game before returning to action for Monday's 129-125 win over the Hawks. However, after Nurkic succumbed to a setback with the calf in the first quarter of Wednesday's contest, fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility that he misses more than one game this time around. Drew Eubanks will be the top candidate to pick up extra minutes over the rest of Wednesday's contest, and Trendon Watford should also re-enter the rotation. Nurkic can be viewed as day-to-day until the Trail Blazers provide another update, but look for Eubanks to pick up a start in his stead Friday in Washington.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Heads to locker room
Rotowire
Nurkic exited Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies with an unspecified injury, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Nurkic came into Wednesday's tilt as probable with left calf soreness. It's unclear whether he re-aggravated the injury or if his exit is unrelated. Regardless, Nurkic should be considered questionable to return.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Available Wednesday
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Nurkic (calf) is available Wednesday against the Grizzlies.
Nurkic was probable ahead of Wednesday's matchup, and he'll unsurprisingly be able to suit up against Memphis. He's scored in double figures in three consecutive appearances and has averaged 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 23.7 minutes per game during that time.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Likely to play against Memphis
Rotowire
Nurkic is probable for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies due to left calf soreness.
Nurkic is expected to play in his second straight game after missing Saturday's contest against the Raptors with a calf injury. The 28-year-old big man has averaged 10.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 22.2 minutes across his last five appearances.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Gets 26 minutes in return
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Nurkic (calf) played 26 minutes and finished with 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in Monday's 129-125 win over the Hawks.
Nurkic missed just one game on account of the calf injury he suffered in last Wednesday's win over the Jazz. He took back his spot in the starting five from Drew Eubanks on Monday and ended up seeing the larger share of the playing time between the two centers, though only by four minutes. Even before picking up the calf injury, Nurkic hadn't surpassed 29 minutes in any of his prior five outings, so while Nurkic remains Portland's clear top option at center, Eubanks appears to be encroaching on his role a bit.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Cleared to play
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Nurkic (calf) is available for Monday's game against Atlanta, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.
Nurkic will take the floor Monday evening after missing Saturday's clash due to a calf injury. He's coming off a sluggish performance against the Jazz last Wednesday, when he posted 10 points, four rebounds and four assists in just 18 minutes.
