Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Dominant with double-double
Rotowire
Valanciunas racked up 16 points (7-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 18 rebounds and three assists over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 Play-In Game loss to the Thunder.
Valanciunas took control of the interior in the loss despite suffering a foot injury that forced him to miss three key minutes in the fourth quarter. Valanciunas finished a successful second season with the Pelicans, averaging 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game over 79 contests. Valanciunas has now averaged a double-double for four consecutive seasons.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Rebound machine in second half
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Valanciunas ended Friday's 113-105 victory over New York with eight points (3-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and three blocks across 25 minutes.
Valanciunas registered just three points, one rebound and a block over the first two quarters as the Pelicans held onto a three-point lead heading into the break. The center was a force on the glass in the second half, however, grabbing 11 rebounds to give him a game-high 12 boards on the night while also finishing with three blocks for the second game in a row. Valanciunas has recorded 12 rebounds in two of four games this month but has also failed to score in double figures in two straight.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Limited impact Wednesday
Rotowire
Valanciunas had four points (1-2 FG, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, an assist, a steal and three blocks across 19 minutes in Wednesday's overtime win over the Grizzlies.
Valanciunas was limited by foul trouble and only logged 19 minutes Wednesday, his lowest mark since a March 16 contest in which he only played 16 minutes. Valanciunas also saw the end of his 13-game streak with double-digit scoring with this subpar outing.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Submits another double-double
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Valanciunas recorded 23 points (10-18 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds and one block across 28 minutes in Saturday's 122-114 win over the Clippers.
Though his numbers are mostly down across the board compared to a season ago, Valanciunas is picking the right time to raise his production for fantasy managers. Dating back to March 17, Valanciunas has played 25 minutes or fewer on just two of his nine appearances and is averaging 17.6 points (on 57.4 percent shooting from the field and 84.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line), 14.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 blocks. With four games left in the regular season and Zion Williamson (hamstring) unlikely to be back for any of those contests, Valanciunas should be poised for a big finish as the Pelicans' clear top option in the frontcourt.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Double-doubles in win
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Valanciunas totaled 15 points (5-11 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists and one block over 25 minutes during Thursday's 107-88 victory over the Nuggets.
Valanciunas posted his eighth double-double over his past 10 appearances, making Thursday's effort par for the course of late. During the 10-game stretch, he's averaged 15.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 57.4 percent from the field, and the Pelicans are 7-3 as they aim for a spot outside the Play-In Tournament.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Grabs season-high 21 boards
Rotowire
Valanciunas had 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-4 FT), 21 rebounds and two blocks across 30 minutes during Monday's 124-90 victory over Portland.
Valanciunas grabbed a season-high 21 rebounds and recorded his sixth straight double-double. During the six-game stretch, the talented big man has averaged 18.2 points and 16.1 rebounds.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Posts 17/13 double-double in win
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Valanciunas produced 17 points (8-18 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 13 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 32 minutes during Saturday's 131-110 victory over the Clippers.
Valanciunas extended his double-double streak to five games, even though his shot conversion rate was well below his season average of 55.1 percent. Valanciunas' effort in the paint inches him ever closer to a double-double average for the season. Over 71 games, the big man has averaged 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Fourth straight double-double
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Valanciunas finished Thursday's 115-96 victory over the Hornets with 20 points (10-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 19 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 34 minutes.
Valanciunas grabbed a season-high 19 boards and was efficient from the field en route to 20 points, marking his fourth straight double-double. During that stretch, the talented center has averaged 20.5 points, 15.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in 32.3 minutes.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Strong double-double in win
Rotowire
Valanciunas closed with 21 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 8-9 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 33 minutes during Sunday's 117-107 victory over the Rockets.
Valanciunas finished with at least 20 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for a second straight game and notched his fourth double-double over his past seven appearances. During that stretch, the talented big man is averaging 13.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 assists in 22.7 minutes with 62/43/88 shooting splits.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Strong double-double Friday
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Valanciunas totaled 22 points (10-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 17 rebounds and four blocks over 34 minutes during Friday's 114-112 loss to Houston.
Valanciunas had his best game in over two months, scoring at least 20 points for the first time since mid-January and adding a season-high four blocks. After seeing his minutes scaled back over the past week, this was a performance that could earn him some more trust moving forward.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Solid two-way play Sunday
Rotowire
Valanciunas had 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 FT), 12 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 21 minutes during Sunday's 127-110 victory over the Trail Blazers.
Valanciunas' numbers will not jump out of the stat sheet, but he's one of the most reliable two-way big men in the league and is a double-double threat every time he steps on the court. He has five double-doubles over his last eight outings and is averaging 12.2 points with 9.7 rebounds in just 24.0 minutes per game since the start of February.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Minutes cut in rough outing
Rotowire
Valanciunas notched four rebounds, two assists and one block over seven minutes during Wednesday's 113-106 victory over Dallas.
Valanciunas recorded five turnovers and picked up two early fouls Thursday, causing him to barely play the remainder of the game. New Orleans found much more success with Jaxson Hayes, who posted a plus-11 point differential. However, this is likely a one-off for Valanciunas. He averaged 12.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 29.4 minutes across his previous five appearances and hadn't played fewer than minutes since Jan. 28.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Posts double-double in return
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Valanciunas (calf) ended Monday's 123-108 loss to the Kings with 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block across 32 minutes.
Valanciunas missed each of New Orleans' previous two games with a calf injury, but he was able to exceed his season average with 32 minutes Monday. The big man finished with his 33rd double-double of the campaign, four of which have come over his past five games. During that span, he's averaging 12.6 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 60.5 percent from the field.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Valanciunas (calf) will play Monday against the Kings.
Valanciunas will return to action after missing his team's last two matchups due to a left calf injury. He was averaging 11.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists in his last seven games prior to going down with the injury.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Questionable Monday
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Valanciunas (calf) is questionable for Monday's game against the Kings, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Valanciunas has been dealing with a left calf contusion that has forced him to miss the last two matchups, but he fully participated in practice Sunday and will have a chance to return to game action a day later. However, the Pelicans plan to monitor him Monday before determining his final status.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Fully practices Sunday
Rotowire
Valanciunas (calf) was a full participant in Sunday's practice session, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Valanciunas missed the last two games due to a left calf contusion, but his full participation in practice is encouraging. The team will monitor him ahead of Monday's game against Sacramento, but it's certainly possible he'll be able to return to game action.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Officially out Friday
Rotowire
Valanciunas (calf) has been ruled out Friday against the Warriors, Christian Clark of NOLA News reports.
The Pelicans are off until March 6 after Friday's game, but there is no guarantee Valanciunas is ready for that one since he was carrying a doubtful tag before this update. When Valanciunas sat out Feb. 27 against the Blazers, Willy Hernangomez drew the start and played 20 minutes, but Jaxson Hayes had more success off the bench despite seeing fewer minutes.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Doubtful for Friday
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Valanciunas (calf) is considered doubtful for Friday's matchup against Golden State, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Valanciunas is still dealing with a left calf contusion and is on track to sit out again Friday. With Larry Nance (ankle) ruled out for a couple of weeks, Willy Hernangomez and Jaxson Hayes should continue to see increased roles. If Valanciunas can't play Friday, his next chance to see the floor will be Monday against the Kings.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Ruled out Wednesday
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Valanciunas (calf) will sit out Wednesday's matchup against the Trail Blazers, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Valanciunas was initially tabbed questionable with a left calf contusion and will ultimately be held out of Wednesday's contest due to the issue. With Larry Nance (ankle) also out, Willy Hernangomez and Jaxson Hayes should handle the majority of the center minutes. Valanciunas' next chance to play will come Friday against Golden State.
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Pelicans' Jonas Valanciunas: Questionable Wednesday
Rotowire
Valanciunas (left calf contusion) is questionable Wednesday against the Blazers, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
This is a tough blow for New Orleans as they already have several key players injured. If Valanciunas is unable to play, both Jaxson Hayes and Willy Hernangomez would make for intriguing streaming options.
