Zeke

Nnaji

Gordon strained his right hamstring during the second quarter of Friday’s win over the Bucks. This is the second time he’s injured his hamstring this season, so an extended absence may be in play. While DaRon Holmes II may pick up a few more minutes, Zeke Nnaji is the player fantasy managers should consider after he logged 37 productive minutes in Milwaukee.

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.

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.

The Nuggets won’t have Aaron Gordon for Sunday’s game, as he’s sitting due to hamstring injury management. He’ll be replaced in the lineup by Holmes, but don’t be surprised if Zeke Nnaji plays more minutes. That’s how things worked out earlier in January when injuries to Nikola Jokić and Jonas Valančiūnas pushed Holmes, who missed all of last season with a ruptured Achilles, into the starting lineup.

Sunday’s game is the second in as many nights for the Nuggets, who continue to exercise caution with Gordon’s workload. DaRon Holmes II was the replacement the last time Gordon missed a game, but Zeke Nnaji played more minutes and was more productive.

Gordon’s workload is still being managed due to a lingering hamstring injury, and it’s possible he sits out the second leg of Denver’s back-to-back set. If Gordon is out, DaRon Holmes II and Zeke Nnaji could see bumps in playing time.