Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Sidelined again Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) is listed as out for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
As anticipated, Nurkic will remain on the bench for the regular-season finale, marking his 10th straight absence to close out the campaign on account of right knee soreness. Before he was shut down, Nurkic appeared in 52 games and averaged 13.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 three-pointers in 26.7 minutes per contest.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) is out for Saturday's game versus the Clippers.
Nurkic hasn't played since March 24 due to right knee soreness. At this point, it would be surprising for him to suit up Sunday with the Trail Blazers already eliminated from playoff contention.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Will remain out Thursday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Spurs.
Nurkic will miss an eighth straight game Thursday, and he'll presumably remain sidelined for Portland's final two regular-season games, as well. Drew Eubanks (back) and Trendon Watford (ankle) have both been playing increased roles in Nurkic's absence, but if either of them have to miss time, John Butler and Jabari Walker would be candidates for elevated usage.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Remains out Tuesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) will not play Tuesday at Memphis.
For whatever reason, the Blazers continue to update the statuses of Nurkic, Jerami Grant (quad) and Anfernee Simons (foot) on a game-to-game basis, but all three players are essentially shut down. Tuesday will mark Nurkic's seventh straight absence, and he's highly unlikely to play in any of the team's remaining games this week.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Out again Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) remains out for Sunday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Nurkic remains part of a hefty injury report for the Trail Blazers, who are looking toward lottery odds rather than playoff chances with just over a week remaining in the regular season. With Nurkic out again , Drew Eubanks should draw another start at center.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Still out Friday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) will not play in Friday's game against the Kings.
Nurkic is part of another lengthy injury report for the Trail Blazers, who have already shut down Damian Lillard (calf) for the season and could consider doing so to Nurkic also. Drew Eubanks should continue to start in Nurkic's place for as long as he remains out.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Will not play Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) will not play Wednesday against the Kings.
The Blazers have already shut down Damian Lillard (calf) for the season, and it's possible that other Blazers could join him soon. With Nurkic among several key players sitting out Wednesday, Drew Eubanks will continue to be the main beneficiary in the frontcourt.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Ruled out Monday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pelicans.
Nurkic will miss a third consecutive game and is one of several starters who will be unable to suit up for the Trail Blazers on Monday. With Trendon Watford (ankle) doubtful, Drew Eubanks should see plenty of run at center against New Orleans.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Not facing OKC on Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's game against the Thunder.
Nurkic is in line to miss a second straight game and his 15th one since the beginning of February. The Blazers are dealing with a plethora of injuries in the frontcourt, so Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford might have expanded roles Sunday.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Won't play against Bulls
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) will not play against the Bulls on Friday, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.
Nurkic was previously considered doubtful. The Blazers will be very thin up front, so we could see both Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford provide some solid fantasy value Friday evening.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Downgraded to doubtful
Rotowire
Nurkic (knee) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Nurkic has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful and will likely be sidelined for the first time since March 6, which was the end of a month-long absence due to a calf injury. If Nurkic is sidelined, Drew Eubanks figures to move back into the starting lineup, while Trendon Watford would also be a candidate for increased minutes off the bench.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Termed questionable for Friday
Rotowire
Nurkic is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Bulls due to right knee soreness.
Nurkic's injury pops up at an unfortunate time, as the big man is coming off of back-to-back 20-point efforts for Portland. He could still take the floor against the Bulls, but it will be worth monitoring his status ahead of the 10 p.m. ET opening tipoff. Drew Eubanks would presumably draw the start if Nurkic can't play.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: All-around outing not enough
Rotowire
Nurkic closed with 23 points (9-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in 27 minutes during Sunday's 117-102 loss to the Clippers.
Nurkic posted easily his most combined points, rebounds, assists and blocks since returning from a month-long injury absence on March 8. The talented big man has played at least 25 minutes in three straight contests and appears to be on the final stages of any post-injury restrictions. As the Blazers attempt to hang around for a play-in tournament spot, Nurkic should be busy through the team's upcoming three-game week.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: To have minutes increased Friday
Rotowire
Nurkic will have his minutes increased during Friday's matchup against the 76ers, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.
Nurkic started and played 17 minutes in his return from a 14-game absence Wednesday against the Celtics, and the center will get more run against a tough matchup in Joel Embiid on Friday. When seeing minutes in the 20s this season, Nurkic has averaged 13.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 steals.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Scores five in return
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) ended Wednesday's 115-93 loss to Boston with five points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), six rebounds and two assists across 17 minutes.
After missing about five weeks due to a calf injury, Nurkic returned to the starting five Wednesday but saw only limited run, likely due to a combination of caution on the part of the Trail Blazers as well as the blowout nature of the contest. Expect Nurkic's minutes to pick up gradually in the games to come, but even before his shutdown, the veteran center had failed to eclipse 30 minutes in any of his prior nine outings.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Will make his return Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) will return to the floor for Wednesday's game against the Celtics, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.
This will be Nurkic's first game back since Feb. 1, so he'll likely be eased back into things, but he's safe to activate in season-long settings. His return will likely result in Drew Eubanks heading back to the second unit, where he'll lose most of his value. Trendon Watford's minutes could also dip.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Termed questionable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) holds a questionable designation for Wednesday's game versus the Celtics.
Nurkic hasn't suited up for a game since Feb. 1 versus Memphis, leaving two minutes into the tilt with a calf issue that's sidelined him since. Nurkic isn't guaranteed to retake the floor against the Celtics, but the questionable designation marks a step in the right direction. Drew Eubanks figures to see his role scaled back a bit once Nurkic is cleared to return.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Remains out Monday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Pistons.
Nurkic is slated to miss a 14th straight game due to a left calf strain. Despite the lengthy absence, he remains day-to-day, so his next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in Boston.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Out Sunday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) is out for Sunday's matchup against the Magic.
Nurkic will miss a 13th straight game Sunday. He remains day-to-day, with his next chance to return arriving Monday against the Pistons.
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Trail Blazers' Jusuf Nurkic: Sidelined again Friday
Rotowire
Nurkic (calf) remains out for Friday's game versus the Hawks.
Nurkic hasn't logged action in a contest in over a month, and there is no specified target date for his return, though coach Chauncey Billups suggested last week that the big man is "progressing well." Nurkic's next opportunity to take the floor arrives Sunday against the Magic.
