Jonas Valanciunas News, Rumors, Updates - Denver Nuggets

Cleared to play Thursday Valanciunas (illness) is available for Thursday's matchup against the Timberwolves.

Impact As expected, Valanciunas will play through his illness. The backup center is averaging 9.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.9 minutes during December.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Probable for Thursday Valanciunas (illness) is probable for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Valanciunas was added to the injury report with an illness but is expected to play Thursday after pushing through it Monday and Tuesday. The veteran has operated as Nikola Jokic's primary backup this season, averaging 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13.1 minutes across 29 appearances.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Tuesday Valanciunas (illness) is available for Tuesday's game against Dallas.

Impact Valanciunas has been battling through an illness over the last couple of days, but it hasn't prevented the veteran center from playing. He has served as the main backup at center behind Nikola Jokic, and the former is averaging 8.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 13.0 minutes per game in his first season in Denver.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Probable against Dallas Valanciunas is probable for Tuesday's game against the Mavericks with an illness.

Impact The 37-year-old center ultimately shed a probable tag ahead of Monday's game against the Jazz and is likely to do the same Tuesday. Valanciunas has averaged 9.8 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.9 minutes per contest thorough nine games this month.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Good to go Monday Valanciunas (illness) is available for Monday's game against the Jazz.

Impact Valanciunas was a late addition to the injury report Monday, though he'll shed his probable tag due to an illness. Over his last five games, the veteran big man has averaged 10.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per contest.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Probable with illness Valanciunas is probable for Monday's game against the Jazz with an illness.

Impact The Nuggets are likely to confirm the veteran center's status closer to tipoff. He's averaged 9.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13.6 minutes per contest over eight games this month as Nikola Jokic's top backup.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Scores 10 against Houston Valanciunas supplied 10 points (5-10 FG), one rebound, one assist, one block and one steal over 16 minutes during Saturday's 115-101 loss to the Rockets.

Impact Valanciunas attempted double-digit shots for the first time since Oct. 25. As a result, he delivered his third game with at least 10 points in his last four outings. The 33-year-old center has been an excellent per-minute producer behind Nikola Jokic, but his 12.9 minutes per game leave him as an option only in deeper leagues.

DECEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Strong line in win Valanciunas closed with 15 points (7-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds and two assists over 19 minutes during Thursday's 136-105 win over the Kings.

Impact The Nuggets blew the Kings out early, so Nikola Jokic was able to call it a night after 29 minutes. Valanciunas feasted in garbage time as a result, once again showcasing his per-minute upside.

DECEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Jokic has 36 points and 12 boards as Nuggets rout Kings 136-105 for 11th straight road win

Nikola Jokic had 36 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Denver Nuggets breezed past the Sacramento Kings 136-105 for their franchise-record 11th straight road win

DECEMBER 12 • Associated Press

Strong showing in limited minutes Valanciunas ended with eight points (4-7 FG), seven rebounds and two assists across 11 minutes during Monday's 131-121 loss to Dallas.

Impact Valanciunas has done a fine job backing up Nikola Jokic, averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds across just 12.6 minutes this season. While his fantasy floor is very limited, as he will not see the court at the same time as Jokic, Valanciunas could be a great option should Jokic miss time, but currently should not be rostered in most formats.

DECEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Modest role continues Valanciunas provided six points (3-6 FG), six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 14 minutes during Monday's 125-115 victory over the Grizzlies.

Impact Valanciunas played fewer than 15 minutes for the fifth time in the past seven games, serving as the backup to Nikola Jokic. While his skill set sets him up to be one of the more reliable backup centers in the league, the opportunity for him to step up is simply not there. Barring an injury to Jokic, expect to see Valanciunas locked in to a 15-minute role moving forward.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

A former King proved why trading him was a terrible plan The Sacramento Kings trading Jonas Valanciunas to the Denver Nuggets for Dario Saric looks worse every time the two teams meet.

NOVEMBER 24 • AROYALPAIN.COM

Drops 14 points in 16 minutes Valanciunas racked up 14 points (4-5 FG, 6-6 FT) and seven rebounds over 16 minutes during Wednesday's 125-118 victory over the Pelicans.

Impact Valanciunas bounced back from a dismal performance Monday, making all six free-throw attempts and four of five field goal attempts en route to 14 points Thursday. While it appears Valanciunas' role hinges largely on whether superstar Nikola Jokic plays in the fourth quarter, he should still be monitored should Jokic miss any time.

NOVEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 10 points in 15 minutes Valanciunas supplied 10 points (3-8 FG, 4-6 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 15 minutes during Tuesday's 122-108 win over the Kings.

Impact Valanciunas continues to provide Denver with ample production as the backup center, averaging 9.0 points and 5.0 rebounds through the first 10 games of the season. While he is one of the more reliable second-string centers in the league, he would need Nikola Jokic to miss time to have a shot at delivering standard league value.

NOVEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Jonas Valanciunas already making hilarious realization about his former teams It hasn't even been 10 games yet, but brand new Nugget Jonas Valanciunas already seems to be making some hilarious realizations about his fo...

NOVEMBER 12 • NUGGLOVE.COM

Nuggets dominate Warriors without Stephen Curry 129-104, Nikola Jokic just shy of triple-double

Nikola Jokic scored 26 points, and Jamal Murray added 23 as the Denver Nuggets dominated the Golden State Warriors 129-104

NOVEMBER 8 • Associated Press

Blocks two shots in win Valanciunas supplied eight points (4-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, two blocks and one steal in 12 minutes during Monday's 130-124 win over the Kings.

Impact Valanciunas has his role solidified as Nikola Jokic's backup, averaging 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.2 steals over 12.0 minutes. His only path to seeing more playing time would be in the event of injury or absence.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Valanciunas allowing Jamal Murray to shine in a way we've never seen The Nuggets are getting a new side of Jamal Murray this year, but a big reason why is the presence of Jonas Valanciunas.

NOVEMBER 2 • NUGGLOVE.COM

Nikola Jokic Downplays Denver Nuggets' Championship Expectations By adding players like Cam Johnson, Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas throughout the offseason, the Denver Nuggets have b...

OCTOBER 29 • SI.COM

Scores 12 in 13 minutes Valanciunas supplied 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and one assist across 13 minutes during Saturday's 133-111 win over the Suns.

Impact Valanciunas didn't play heavy minutes but was active when on the floor, finishing in double figures and tying for the third-most shot attempts on the team while making his presence felt on the glass. The veteran big man isn't challenging superstar Nikola Jokic for the starting job anytime soon, but Valanciunas has been a steady and productive contributor in his backup role so far this season.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Jokic quotes Peaky Blinders when talking about Jonas Valanciunas: "Tommy Shelby said there's no rest for me in this world" Valanciunas is proving to be an excellent backup for Jokic early in the season.

OCTOBER 26 • BASKETBALLNETWORK.NET

Jonas Valanciunas instantly solves Nuggets' biggest Nikola Jokic problem Denver Nuggets fans no longer need to worry when Nikola Jokic goes to the bench now that they have Jonas Valanciunas.

OCTOBER 24 • NUGGLOVE.COM

Plays well off bench Valanciunas produced eight points (4-5 FG), three rebounds, two assists and one block over 12 minutes during Thursday's 137-131 overtime loss to the Warriors.

Impact As well as Valanciunas played, his workload was pretty disappointing. There's been some talk about Valanciunas sharing the floor with Nikola Jokic in "certain situations," but it's hard to imagine that happening often. Valanciunas' fantasy appeal is likely going to be limited to deeper leagues for the time being.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Longtime NBA veteran believes Bulls' Matas Buzelis is 'going to be one of the greats' After a breakout preseason performance against the Nuggets, Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis earned high praise from veteran Jonas Valanc...

OCTOBER 21 • PIPPENAINTEASY.COM

Christian Braun agrees to $125M, 5-year extension with Denver Nuggets

Christian Braun has agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract extension with the Denver Nuggets

OCTOBER 20 • Associated Press

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Jokic has 36 points and 12 boards as Nuggets rout Kings 136-105 for 11th straight road win

Nuggets dominate Warriors without Stephen Curry 129-104, Nikola Jokic just shy of triple-double

Christian Braun agrees to $125M, 5-year extension with Denver Nuggets