Jonas

Valančiūnas

Valančiūnas did not play in Friday’s win over the Bucks, with Zeke Nnaji starting in his place and playing 37 minutes. Given Denver’s lack of depth in the frontcourt, Nnaji would be worth streaming in deep leagues if he starts.

With Nikola Jokic (knee) and Jonas Valanciunas (calf) out, Nnaji made a spot start and provided the Nuggets with some solid production. In his 37 minutes, he attacked the glass hard to lead Denver in rebounds, and also led them in blocked shots. Additionally, the sixth-year pro scored in double figures to collect his first double-double of the season. He will likely remain the starter at center for as long as Jokic and Valanciunas are out.

Valančiūnas returned to the lineup on Thursday following a multi-week absence, so it isn’t surprising that he’ll miss the second leg of this back-to-back. Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes should take on larger roles with Valančiūnas out of the lineup, though only Nnaji has upside as a streamer.

Valančiūnas returned to the lineup on Thursday and posted a 16/9 line across 22 minutes. After multiple weeks on the shelf, it’s understandable that he’s questionable for the second leg of the Nuggets’ back-to-back set. If JV sits this one out, Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes II could handle additional playing time.

Valančiūnas was back in the lineup after missing the past few weeks, and he immediately started and played 22 minutes. He got off to a hot start, scoring eight points in the first three minutes. He wasn’t quite as effective the rest of the way, but it was important for Denver to have him back out on the floor. This was the first leg of a back-to-back, so don’t expect Valančiūnas to be available to take on Milwaukee on Friday. That should mean a return to the starting lineup for Spencer Jones.

Valančiūnas is available for the first time since straining his right calf on New Year’s Eve, prompting a change to the Nuggets’ starting lineup. With the veteran center available, Spencer Jones heads to the bench, which shifts Gordon back to his familiar power forward position.

Thursday’s game will be Valančiūnas’ first since New Year’s Eve, when he strained his right calf during a win over the Raptors. While a minutes restriction is likely, the veteran center’s return likely means that fewer minutes will be available to Zeke Nnaji.

Valančiūnas has been out since straining his right calf during a December 31 win over the Raptors. A return on Thursday would mean he’s about a week ahead of schedule. While the veteran center will likely be under a minutes restriction, Zeke Nnaji will get less playing time.

On January 1, Valančiūnas was given a four-week timeline for re-evaluation, but the questionable tag indicates that he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a right calf strain. If Valančiūnas is cleared to return, he’ll likely face a minutes restriction, but DaRon Holmes II and Zeke Nnaji could see their playing times reduced.

Already without Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets lost Valančiūnas during Wednesday’s win over the Raptors. The four-week diagnosis means that Denver will be down its top two centers, and with Aaron Gordon (hamstring) also out, they’re in a tough spot depth-wise. DaRon Holmes II played 22 minutes off the bench on Wednesday; look for him to take on a prominent role out of necessity. He’s worth a roll of the dice, while managers can take a “wait and see” approach to Zeke Nnaji, who was a DNP-CD on Wednesday.