Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Productive in spot start Saturday
Rotowire
Valanciunas closed with 16 points (6-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Saturday's 124-114 loss to Milwaukee.
Valanciunas earned his first start since Nov. 8, when he recorded 16 points in a loss to the Grizzlies, in an effort to counter the Bucks' frontcourt physicality of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez. Even though the Wizards suffered another loss, Valanciunas had a decent showing, and the veteran continues to remain valuable in fantasy even if he's not starting. Valanciunas has scored at least 15 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season, and he's registered double-digit points in 12 of his 18 contests.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Moving to starting role Saturday
Rotowire
Valanciunas is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Bucks, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.
The Wizards will add size to their frontcourt to counter the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, so Valanciunas will start at center and Alex Sarr will get the nod at power forward. Valanciunas is averaging 11.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game since the beginning of November.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Plays just 14 minutes
Rotowire
Valanciunas recorded four points (2-4 FG), three rebounds and one assist over 14 minutes during Tuesday's 127-108 loss to the Bulls.
Valanciunas' minutes continue to trend in the wrong direction, as he's now played 19 or fewer minutes in four straight contests. He's usually been very productive in limited minutes, but Tuesday's game was an outlier. He'll be a popular trade candidate going forward, and a change of scenery could provide a big boost to his upside.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Produces off bench Monday
Rotowire
Valanciunas notched 18 points (8-11 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 18 minutes during Monday's 134-106 loss to the Knicks.
Alex Sarr continues to struggle on offense, but since the Wizards are going through a rebuilding process, there's not a realistic scenario in which Valanciunas will replace Sarr at center any time soon. The veteran big man is averaging 11.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks per game in his last six outings off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Logs third double-double Sunday
Rotowire
Valanciunas supplied 13 points (4-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block over 20 minutes in Sunday's 124-104 loss to the Pistons.
Valanciunas registered his third double-double of the 2024-25 regular season Sunday, two of which have come over his last three outings. Valanciunas has provided some decent output as the first big man off the Wizards' bench behind 2024 No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr. Valanciunas is averaging 12.2 points on 54.8 percent shooting, 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 20.3 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Double-doubles off bench
Rotowire
Valanciunas had 16 points (6-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks over 22 minutes during Wednesday's 139-130 loss to the Spurs.
Valanciunas racked up just his second double-double of the season, logging in excess of 20 minutes for the first time in the past three games. It's been an underwhelming start to his career in Washington, with rumors already swirling regarding his long-term future. As long as he is pushing 20 minutes per night, he should continue to be a nightly double-double threat.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Not starting Sunday
Rotowire
Valanciunas won't start Sunday's game against the Magic.
Valanciunas made a spot start Friday against the Grizzlies but was benched to start the second half in favor of Kyshawn George, who's back in the starting lineup versus Orlando. In six appearances off the bench this season, Valanciunas has averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 20.6 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Starting Friday
Rotowire
Valanciunas is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.
The Wizards will opt to go big with Valanciunas in the starting lineup. He totaled seven points, nine rebounds and four assists across 22 minutes in his only other start this season.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Double-doubles in loss
Rotowire
Valanciunas chipped in 16 points (6-10 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds and seven assists across 21 minutes during Monday's 125-112 loss to Golden State.
This was Valanciunas' first double-double of the campaign, as he continues to be the focal point for the second unit. He has only one block to his name through six games, but he's been productive elsewhere with averages of 12.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Well-rounded effort off bench
Rotowire
Valanciunas registered 22 points (8-10 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds and six assists in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 133-120 win over the Hawks.
Valanciunas entered Washington's starting five Monday against Atlanta, but he retreated to the bench for Wednesday's rematch. His change of role didn't seem to bother him, however, as he put together a well-rounded game while pacing the Wizards' bench in scoring. The veteran center will provide valuable backup minutes behind Alex Sarr and will occasionally enter the starting lineup throughout the 2024-25 regular season.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Coming off bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Valanciunas is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Washington will roll with rookie Alex Sarr at center, flanked by the shooting of Kyshawn George and length of Bilal Coulibaly. Valanciunas has logged between 20 and 22 minutes in all three of Washington's contests thus far.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Starting Monday
Rotowire
Valanciunas will enter the starting lineup in Monday's matchup against the Hawks, Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network reports.
The club will opt for its jumbo lineup as the veteran center is slated to replace Carlton Carrington in the starting five. Valanciunas will join Alex Sarr in the frontcourt against Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela. Valanciunas has appeared in two games off the bench, during which he has amassed 28 points and 13 rebounds across 41 total minutes.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Starting Friday
Rotowire
Valanciunas (rest) is available and in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game versus the Knicks.
Valanciunas will return to action for Friday's preseason finale after sitting out the Wizards' previous contest for rest purposes. The veteran big man will replace Marvin Bagley in the starting lineup against New York.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Resting Monday vs. Nets
Rotowire
Valanciunas (rest) has been ruled out for Monday's preseason game against the Nets, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.
Marvin Bagley will pick up the start with both Alex Sarr (calf) and Valanciunas sitting out. The 32-year-old's last chance to suit up during the preseason will come Friday against the Knicks.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Not starting against Toronto
Rotowire
Valanciunas is not in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Valanciunas had started the previous two preseason games alongside Alex Sarr in the frontcourt, but the rookie will start at center in this game, so Valanciunas will head to the bench, and it's uncertain if he'll see the court at all. Kyshawn George will start in Valanciunas' place.
... See More... See Less
Wizards' Jonas Valanciunas: Bound for D.C. on three-year pact
Rotowire
Valanciunas agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Wizards on Sunday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Valanciunas played at least 74 regular-season games in each of his three seasons with the Pelicans, but his role declined in 2023-24 while New Orleans enjoyed better health from frontcourt mate Zion Williamson. Though he appeared in all 82 games, Valanciunas' averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game all represented notable downturns from the season before. The 32-year-old should have a chance to bounce back as a veteran presence for the Wizards, who just selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick in this year's draft.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Strong effort in loss
Rotowire
Valanciunas supplied 19 points (6-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 26 minutes during Monday's 97-89 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 4 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Valanciunas finished second on his team in scoring and put together a valiant effort on the glass, marking his second double-double of the first round. However, his production wasn't enough to avoid a series sweep as the Thunder were simply too much to handle without the help of Zion Williamson (hamstring).
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Productive in Game 2 defeat
Rotowire
Valanciunas closed Wednesday's 124-92 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference first round with 19 points (8-14 FG, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes.
Valanciunas has been doing everything he can to slow Chet Holmgren down, and while that has proven to be a daunting task for the veteran, he's finding a rhythm on the offensive end of the court. Valanciunas has now scored at least 13 points in each of his last three postseason appearances, and he should continue to experience an uptick in his usage rate since Zion Williamson (hamstring) will still be sidelined for Game 3 on Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Pulls down 20 boards in loss Sunday
Rotowire
Valanciunas registered 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-4 FT), 20 rebounds, two assists and one steal across 29 minutes during Sunday's 94-92 loss to the Thunder in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.
Valanciunas was heavily criticized for his play during the loss to the Lakers in the first round of the Play-In Tournament, but he's responded extremely well with back-to-back double-doubles against the Kings and Thunder. The veteran big man feasted on the glass against Chet Holmgren and used his physicality to dominate. Expect him to play a prominent role in the paint in Game 2 on Wednesday, especially with Zion Williamson (hamstring) still sidelined.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Delivers double-double
Rotowire
Valanciunas ended Friday's 105-98 Play-In Game win over the Kings with 19 points (8-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 27 minutes.
Valanciunas was a non-factor in the loss against the Lakers during the first round of the Play-In Tournament. However, he stepped up in a big way Friday to help New Orleans avoid elimination and posted his second double-double since the beginning of April. With Zion Williamson (hamstring) sidelined, the Pelicans will likely need more consistent production from Valanciunas in the paint.