GOGA BITADZE NEWS

Blocks five shots in victory Bitadze chipped in five points (2-6 FG, 1-4 FT), seven rebounds, six assists, five blocks and two steals over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 126-107 win over Toronto.

Impact Bitadze racked up seven combined steals and blocks, while sneakily handing out a season-high six assists. Although his offensive game is limited, he has been able to do just enough in the other categories to maintain 12-team relevance. However, Wendell Carter (hand) is due back shortly, something that will eliminate any value for Bitadze. For now, he should be viewed as a defensive streamer who can provide decent numbers in the rebounds column.

NOVEMBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in win Bitadze chipped in 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 26 minutes during Wednesday's 96-94 victory over the Bulls.

Impact Bitadze's season-high 11 rebounds helped him record his second double-double of the season. The 24-year-old center has consistently produced defensively since being inserted into the starting lineup, averaging 1.5 blocks and 1.3 rebounds across his last six appearances. Bitadze should continue to see an enhanced role with Wendell Carter (hand) out for multiple weeks.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient against Brooklyn Bitadze supplied 14 points (6-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two steals over 24 minutes during Tuesday's 124-104 loss to Brooklyn.

Impact Bitadze has been part of the starting lineup over the past five matchups with Wendell Carter (finger) sidelined. Although Bitadze has seen consistent minutes in his new role, he's been an unreliable contributor, as he's been held to single-digit scoring totals in two of his starts. However, he's recorded multiple steals in three of those matchups and has totaled eight blocks. Since taking on a starting role, he's averaged 9.0 points and 6.6 rebounds in 22.8 minutes per game. While Carter is set to miss multiple weeks, Bitadze will likely have to perform more consistently if he hopes to retain a relatively sizable role upon Carter's return.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Productive once again Bitadze notched 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-4 FT), five rebounds and two blocks in 21 minutes during Thursday's 120-119 loss to Atlanta.

Impact Bitadze has been starting with Wendell Carter (finger) sidelined for the foreseeable future and has played well in this new temporary role. The big man has scored in double digits in two of his three outings as a starter while grabbing at least five rebounds each time. He's averaging 23.0 minutes per game in a starting role and figures to remain as such while Carter is out.

NOVEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rises to occasion Bitadze supplied 10 points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and five blocks across 26 minutes during Saturday's 120-101 victory over the Lakers.

Impact Orlando opted to start Bitadze while keeping Moritz Wagner in his role with the second unit amid Wendell Carter's (finger) surgery. Bitadze and Wagner bring similar passing skills to Orlando's offense and should help enable Orlando's key contributors in cuts and on on the perimeter. Bitadze's largest sample size is 13.6 minutes per game across 95 appearances with the Pacers in 2020-21 and 2021-22, which yielded 6.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

NOVEMBER 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets starting nod Bitadze is in the starting five for Saturday's game versus the Lakers.

Impact Bitadze will replace Wendell Carter (finger) in the starting lineup Saturday. Bitadze will get his first real run of the season, as he has yet to play more than five minutes across any of his three appearances in 2023-24.

NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores seven off bench Bitadze amassed seven points (2-2 FG, 3-4 FT), three rebounds and one steal across five minutes during Wednesday's 116-86 victory over the Rockets.

Impact Although Bitadze's playing time was limited Wednesday, he had an efficient performance off the bench during the blowout win. He averaged 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game over 38 appearances between the Pacers and Magic last year, and it seems unlikely that he'll have a prominent role during the 2023-24 campaign.

OCTOBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Moves to bench Sunday Bitadze is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Heat, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Impact Bitadze made a spot start Friday against the Nets, but he'll return to his regular bench role with Wendell Carter (hip) moving to the first unit. Bitadze is averaging 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season while appearing off the bench in all but one of his 37 outings.

APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Productive in limited minutes Bitadze registered 13 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal in 13 minutes during Tuesday's 113-108 loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact Bitadze played as the primary backup behind Wendell Carter, ending his night with a line worthy of 12-team leagues. While he can certainly be a viable asset at times, Bitadze's role is simply too unpredictable at this point. The fact he only played six minutes in the previous game and has sat out three of the past nine games should be all the convincing you need to view him as nothing more that a situational streamer.

MARCH 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Near double-double off bench Bitadze finished with 12 points (6-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds, two assists and one steal across 20 minutes during Tuesday's 134-123 loss to Milwaukee.

Impact With Wendell Carter (hip) sidelined, Bitadze saw an expanded role and posted his best performance with his new team. It was his second-best outing of the season, behind only a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double he had while playing for the Pacers on Oct. 22. If Carter remains sidelined, Bitadze could continue to garner an increased role in Orlando's frontcourt, but his overall value remains limited as long as Moritz Wagner is operating as the starter.

MARCH 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Former Indiana Pacers big man Goga Bitadze makes Orlando Magic debut against Pacers Bitadze spent the first three-and-a-half years of his career with Indiana

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • KANSASCITY.COM

Debuts with new team Bitadze chipped in six points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), six rebounds and one assist in nine minutes during Saturday's 121-108 loss to the Pacers.

Impact In his Magic debut, Bitadze posted quality numbers in his limited time off the bench, but he may not be a regular factor in the rotation in most games. Orlando was without Jonathan Isaac (knee) on Saturday, which cleared the way for Bitadze to claim a spot on the second unit. Assuming Isaac is back in action Monday in New Orleans, Bitadze may struggle to see the court with Isaac and Moritz Wagner seemingly locked in as the Magic's top two frontcourt reserves.

FEBRUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't debut Tuesday Bitadze didn't travel with the Magic to Toronto and won't be available for Tuesday's game against the Raptors.

Impact Less than an hour before their 100-91 win over the Bulls on Monday, the Magic announced the signing of Bitadze, who had been cut loose by Indiana last week. Since he's not yet with the Magic and hasn't taken part in a practice, Bitadze won't join the team until after the All-Star break. Once he gets a few practices under his belt and is cleared to make his Orlando debut, Bitadze is likely to fill the third-string center role that was vacated by Mo Bamba, whom the Magic traded to the Lakers last week.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signing with Orlando Bitadze agreed to a contract with the Magic on Monday.

Impact After recently being let go by the Pacers, Bitadze has quickly found a new home with the Magic. The fourth-year pro averaged 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds across 9.6 minutes per game over his 21 appearances with Indiana this season. While Bitadze is not likely to be fantasy relevant for the remainder of the season, Orlando is a man down in their center rotation with Mo Bamba now on the Lakers. Bitazde figures to compete with Moritz Wagner for minutes off the bench moving forward.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pacers waiving Goga Bitadze Shams Charania: Pacers are waiving Goga Bitadze, sources said.Source: Twitter @ShamsCharania What’s the buzz on Twitter? BasketNews @BasketN...

FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Report says Goga Bitadze is the 'most likely' Indiana Pacers big man to be traded this season Bitadze is on an expiring contract for the Indiana Pacers

JANUARY 17, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Report says Goga Bitadze is the 'most likely' Indiana Pacers big man to be traded this season Bitadze is on an expiring contract for the Indiana Pacers

JANUARY 17, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Available Monday Bitadze (illness) is available for Monday's matchup against the Bucks.

Impact Bitadze, who was initially listed as questionable, will suit up Monday after being a late scratch ahead of Saturday's loss to Memphis. However, it's unclear how much playing time he'll receive, as he's averaging just 9.9 minutes across 19 appearances this season.

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Considered questionable Bitadze (illness) is questionable for Monday's matchup against Milwaukee.

Impact Bitadze was a late scratch ahead of Saturday's matchup due to an illness and is in jeopardy of missing a second straight game. Myles Turner (back) is questionable as well, so if both big men remain sidelined, Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson would be candidates for increased roles again.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out Saturday Bitadze won't play Saturday due to a non-COVID illness.

Impact Bitadze was a late scratch for Saturday's game, but his absence shouldn't affect many fantasy rosters since he's averaging a meager 9.9 minutes per game through 19 appearances off the bench this season.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Goga Bitadze discusses his season and Indiana Pacers growth Bitadze is in his fourth season with the Indiana Pacers.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Gets playing time Wednesday Bitadze posted four points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals across 15 minutes during Wednesday's 115-101 loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact Bitadze eclipsed eight minutes of playing time for just the second time in Indiana's last 13 games. His four points scored matched his total since Oct. 31. He's received playing time in four of Indiana's last nine games and does not appear to be in line for predictable minutes.

NOVEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cracks rotation Friday Bitadze finished with one block over two minutes during Friday's 99-91 victory over the Rockets.

Impact Bitadze made a rare appearance in the win, seeing action for just the second time in the last six games. With the Pacers running a healthy frontcourt rotation, Bitadze is simply on the outside looking in when it comes to rotation minutes. Unless injuries clear the path to more playing time, Bitadze can be safely left on the fantasy waiver wire.

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Goga Bitadze shows off growth in Indiana Pacers win over Pistons: 'I love what I saw from Goga' Bitadze had one of his best games ever in the Pacers first win.

OCTOBER 23, 2022 • KANSASCITY.COM

Sizeable double-double in win Bitadze totaled 14 points (6-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-4 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 25 minutes during Saturday's 124-115 victory over the Pistons.

Impact Bitadze came out of nowhere to deliver easily his best game of the season thus far. With Isaiah Jackson moving into the starting lineup and Terry Taylor shifting to the bench, Bitadze was able to soak up the bulk of the backup center minutes. If a guaranteed 25-minute-per-night role was on the cards, he would absolutely be a player to snap up in standard formats. While he is worth a flier, just in case this can stick for a handful of games, it's hard to see him being anything more than a streaming consideration on most nights.

OCTOBER 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE