

Sat Mar 15 9:42am ET
Field Level Media
Nikola Jokic tormented the Washington Wizards three months ago and his impressive effort didn't even result in a victory.
Because his career-high 56 points ended in defeat, Jokic figures to pack plenty of motivation when the Denver Nuggets host the Wizards on Saturday night.
Jokic made 22 of 39 field-goal attempts and collected 16 rebounds and eight assists but his one-man domination ended with a 122-113 setback on Dec. 7.
Jokic's scoring effort was the second best in Nuggets history behind David Thompson's memorable 73-point outing on the final day of the 1977-78 season. Thompson was bidding for the scoring title but finished second because George Gervin scored 63 for the San Antonio Spurs later that day.
Nothing major like that was at stake but lowly Washington was thrilled with the outcome.
Jordan Poole made a career-best nine 3-pointers and scored 39 points in the contest as the Wizards snapped a six-game skid in the series.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone hasn't forgotten what happened in D.C.
"They already beat us," Malone said after Friday's victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. "Even if we won by 40 or lost by 40, Washington already beat us. If there's any, 'Oh, we got these guys,' - that's what we thought last time and they beat us.
"When you're playing against a team that has already beaten you, that should be all the attention you need going into the game, in my opinion."
Washington rested Friday night in Denver while the Nuggets (43-24) were fighting off the Lakers for a 131-126 home victory.
The score was tied at 126 when Jamal Murray buried a 3-pointer with 5.6 seconds left. Murray had 26 points.
Jokic scored 28 points and Christian Braun added 22.
Malone was displeased with the contest against a shorthanded Los Angeles team missing LeBron James and Luka Doncic, among others.
"This isn't a beauty pageant," Malone said. "We don't get rated on our wins. It's a win."
One thing that bothered Malone was that Jokic and Murray only took 16 shots apiece.
"I got to get those two guys 20 to 25 shots per game, easy," Malone said. "That's no disrespect to anybody else. We need those guys to carry the offensive load."
Saturday's contest will be Denver's fifth in seven nights.
League-worst Washington (14-51) has played well lately by going 5-4 over its last nine games.
The Wizards split a two-game series in Detroit, taking the latter one 129-125 on Thursday. Washington outscored the Pistons 33-24 in the final quarter.
"Guys just stepped up," Washington coach Brian Keefe said. "Everybody was supporting each other. Whoever is out there, got it done. ... Guys stepped up when their opportunity was there. It's great."
Seven Wizards scored between 14 and 19 points in a truly balanced effort.
Alex Sarr had team highs of 19 points and four blocked shots and he also scored the go-ahead dunk with 53.6 seconds to play.
Poole and Justin Champagnie scored 17 points apiece and Khris Middleton and Bub Carrington each added 16. Marcus Smart had 15 points and Corey Kispert added 14.
Carrington said Tuesday's 123-103 loss to the Pistons was a motivating factor.
"It's a mix of discipline and individual pride," Carrington said. "We knew we had to keep our intensity."
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (knee) has been downgraded to out for Thursday's game against the Jazz. Williams logged five points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 12 minutes Wednesday and remains on a light workload when active. His absence solidifies Donovan Clingan's role as the primary center and could open a few backup minutes for Yang Hansen. Hansen has totaled six points and five rebounds across his last five appearances, limiting him to emergency depth in deep leagues.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (back) has been downgraded to out for Thursday's game against the Jazz. Avdija logged 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes Wednesday but struggled to 21 percent shooting on 14 attempts. His absence opens usage on the wing, with Vit Krejci a clear beneficiary after posting 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes. Sidy Cissoko could also see an expanded run. Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant should shoulder more offensive responsibility, while Avdija remains a hold if this proves short-term.
Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (calf) will not play Thursday against the Thunder. Turner posted five points, eight rebounds, and two blocks in 31 minutes in his last outing. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) also sidelined, Milwaukee's frontcourt minutes are up for grabs. Jericho Sims started on Wednesday and delivered 17 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes, making him a strong short-term streamer for rebounds and field goal percentage. Bobby Portis and Ousmane Dieng should also benefit, while Pete Nance could pick up some minutes, but his role is too inconsistent to rely on in most formats.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (foot) has been upgraded to probable ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Marshall was initially tagged as questionable on the injury report due to a left foot strain. He appears to be feeling better now and is likely going to suit up for Thursday's game. He figures to see a larger role in the rotation with Cooper Flagg (ankle) out for this game. Marshall finished with 31 points, four rebounds, and two assists across 36 minutes of action on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of tip-off, but they should be able to get Marshall active in their lineups on Thursday.
Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (ankle) has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He was tagged as questionable to start the day after tweaking his ankle during Tuesday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. There's now a good chance that Martin is unable to go for the final game before the All-Star break. The Mavs are already without Cooper Flagg (ankle), so losing Martin as well will hurt. Klay Thompson and Khris Middleton both figure to see larger roles in the rotation, assuming Martin is unable to go. Thompson is the better option between the two, but both should have streaming value for this small slate on Thursday.
Forward/center Jeremy Sochan is expected to sign with the New York Knicks once he clears waivers, per ESPN. San Antonio moved on after Sochan fell out of the rotation amid a crowded frontcourt. In 28 games this season, he averaged 4.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 68.8 percent at the line, a sharp dip from last season's 11.4 points and 6.5 rebounds. He projects as a low-usage reserve behind OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, limiting fantasy appeal to deep formats only.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (foot) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against the Thunder. Kuzma has started in each appearance since Jan. 19 but did not play Feb. 6. His recent lines underscore the volatility, posting 31 points on 12-of-22 shooting against Chicago, then three points on three attempts two games later. He finished with 15 points and seven rebounds in 30 minutes Wednesday. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) still out, Kuzma retains scoring opportunity, though Cam Thomas and Kevin Porter Jr. continue to siphon usage, keeping Kuzma in risk-reward territory.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (foot) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against Oklahoma City. Rollins remains day-to-day, but his absence keeps Milwaukee's backcourt usage condensed. Cam Thomas is the clear short-term beneficiary after erupting for 34 points with four threes, four rebounds, and two assists in 25 minutes Wednesday. He profiles as a points-and-threes streamer while Rollins sits. Kevin Porter Jr., who logged 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in 39 minutes, should continue handling primary playmaking duties. AJ Green's role remains steady, but low usage limits his ceiling.
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Shaedon Sharpe (calf) will miss his fourth consecutive contest on Thursday against the Utah Jazz.` He strained his left calf last week and will be out through the All-Star break, possibly returning against the Nuggets on Feb. 20. Vit Krejci will continue to see an expanded role during Sharpe's absence. He finished with 17 points, one rebound and one assist across 20 minutes against Minnesota on Wednesday. Scoot Henderson and Blake Wesley could also take on extra minutes.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (hamstring) is expected to play Thursday against the Utah Jazz. He recorded 18 points, four rebounds, and two assists in 19 minutes during Wednesday's loss to Minnesota. The 22-year-old had been a candidate for a maintenance day, but he has been cleared to suit up. That said, Henderson will likely remain on a limited workload as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring tear in just his fourth appearance of the season.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (knee) will not suit up for Thursday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. He's set to miss his second straight contest due to right knee soreness. With Ayton sidelined, Jaxson Hayes is expected to draw another start, while Maxi Kleber should handle increased minutes off the bench. In his starts this campaign, Hayes has averaged 11.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. Dallas has surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, making this a favorable matchup for the Lakers' frontcourt.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (rest) will not play on Thursday against the Bucks in the second game of his team's back-to-back set before the All-Star break. Hartenstein played only 18 minutes on Wednesday in the Thunder's blowout win in Phoenix, producing eight points, six assists, and four rebounds. Despite the light workload, he'll get Thursday off, with Jaylin Williams in a great spot to step up in his place. Kenrich Williams could also be in the mix more, and the team could also go with more small-ball lineups against Milwaukee. Jaylin Williams is the main value to target for streaming and DFS usage while Hartenstein is sidelined.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (hamstring) missed 10 straight games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 7 and left Wednesday's game after aggravating the injury. Williams will miss at least Thursday's game, but the team could be cautious to try to get him back for their playoff push. Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen), and Isaiah Hartenstein (rest) will all be absent from Thursday's favorable matchup against the Bucks, leaving lots of potential production available for Jaylin Williams, Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, and Alex Caruso.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (rest) will not play in his team's final game before the All-Star break. He played on a minutes limit on Wednesday, producing 19 points in 21 minutes in his team's win over the Kings, but he'll rest on Thursday on the second night of the team's back-to-back. Keyonte George (ankle) and Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) are also out for Thursday, which will leave plenty of playing time and usage for Kyle Filipowski, John Konchar, and Brice Sensabaugh. It will be a makeshift rotation, to be sure, but there should be value from the Jazz players available since the Trail Blazers are also playing for the second day in a row.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (lower back injury management) is uncertain to play on Thursday night in Utah after being listed as questionable for the second game of his team's back-to-back. Avdija had a huge night with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists on Monday in a win over the 76ers, but he only managed 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists on Wednesday in a loss to the Timberwolves. He has been critical to the Trail Blazers success and is having a breakout season, but he has been dealing with some back issues over the last few weeks. If the team opts to give him Thursday off, Vit Krejci and Sidy Cissoko would pick up more work, especially with Shaedon Sharpe (calf) missing a fourth straight contest.
Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (ankle) will miss a third straight game as his team finishes their back-to-back with a home game against the Trail Blazers on Thursday. George has played just once in Utah's last six contests, spraining his right ankle in his first game back after missing three games with a left ankle sprain. In his continued absence on Thursday, Isaiah Collier will continue to get an expanded workload and be a great play in all fantasy formats. The Jazz will likely continue to manipulate their rotation in unusual ways to improve their draft stock, but their young players, like Collier, and some of their recent acquisitions from Memphis, like John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr., should get plenty of playing time with George and Lauri Markkanen (Rest) out on Thursday.
Utah Jazz forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) is likely to miss the remainder of the season and will undergo surgery on his left knee to deal with a localized PVNS growth. The issue was discovered after the Jazz acquired Jackson in a trade from the Grizzlies, and the procedure will hopefully ensure his long-term health. Jackson has been excellent in limited minutes for the Jazz, and he'll be a big part of their future plans if he's able to start next season healthy. The star big man can be dropped in re-draft formats for this season, while Kyle Filipowski, Jusuf Nurkic, Brice Sensabaugh, and John Konchar will help pick up more minutes the rest of this season.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, ESPN's Tim Bontemps reports. The big man felt soreness in his right knee last weekend against Phoenix and missed a second consecutive game on Wednesday night versus the Knicks. Philadelphia won't return to action until Feb. 19, giving Embiid a full week to shake off the soreness. The 2023 MVP has been back to his best lately, averaging 33.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across his last 10 appearances. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona have filled in as starters with Embiid out of the lineup, and both will maintain their elevated roles if he isn't able to return next week.
Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 30-year-old injured his left ankle on Tuesday night against Phoenix and could be sidelined for the first time since Dec. 20. Martin has averaged 7.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 24.1 minutes per game since Jan. 15, mostly appearing as a starter. Cooper Flagg (foot) has been ruled out, and Naji Marshall (foot) is also questionable for Thursday, meaning players like Klay Thompson, Khris Middleton, and Brandon Williams could have larger roles.
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Klay Thompson (rest) is not on the injury report for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran was rested by Dallas on Tuesday night versus Phoenix. Thompson's exit from the lineup coincided with Khris Middleton's team debut. On Thursday, Thompson will replace Cooper Flagg (foot) in the rotation. Dallas may also have a couple of additional absences, putting Thompson in a position to play a larger role. The five-time All-Star has shown improved form in recent weeks, averaging 13.4 points over his last 14 appearances.
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