JUSUF NURKIC NEWS

Trail Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic (calf) out until after All-Star Game Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is sidelined until after the All-Star break due to a left calf strain, the team announced Friday.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Trail Blazers C Jusuf Nurkic (calf) out until after All-Star Game Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic is sidelined until after the All-Star break due to a left calf strain, the team announced Friday.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Set to sit through All-Star break The Trail Blazers announced Nurkic is expected to be sidelined through the All-Star break after an MRI on Thursday revealed that he's dealing with a left calf strain.

Impact Nurkic departed Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Grizzlies with what the team initially termed as a sore left calf, only to provide an update later in the night that he had suffered a strain. Considering that Nurkic previously missed one game a week earlier due to an injury to the same calf, the Trail Blazers will err on the side of caution and hold the big man out for the next three weeks. While Nurkic is sidelined, Drew Eubanks should be first in line to step in as the Trail Blazers' starting center, while Trendon Watford should become a regular in the rotation as the top backup. Nurkic's first chance to return following the All-Star break comes Feb. 23 against the Kings.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Friday Nurkic has been ruled out for Friday's game versus the Wizards due to what's been labeled a left calf strain.

Impact Nurkic was spotted in a walking boot following Wednesday's game versus the Wizards, so his unavailability isn't a major surprise. The team hasn't placed a timetable on the 28-year-old center's return to action, but his absence Friday figures to open a starting role and extra minutes for Drew Eubanks, who compiled just his second double-double of the season Wednesday following Nurkic's departure. While Saturday versus the Bulls marks Nurkic's next opportunity to retake the floor, it wouldn't be stunning to see the big man take the weekend off.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Spotted in walking boot Wednesday Nurkic, who departed in the first quarter of Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Grizzlies with a sore left calf, was spotted in a walking boot following the game, Casey Holdahl of th...

Impact The fact that Nurkic was in a walking boot doesn't necessarily foreshadow a long-term absence, but the 28-year-old center at least appears likely to miss Friday's game in Washington following his latest setback with the left calf. Just one week earlier, Nurkic was removed from the Trail Blazers' 134-124 win over the Jazz with the same injury, then proceeded to miss a game before returning to action for Monday's 129-125 win over the Hawks. He lasted just two minutes before exiting in the first quarter Wednesday, paving the way for Drew Eubanks (11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 24 minutes) to step in as the Blazers' primary center. Until the Trail Blazers provide an update on his injury, Nurkic can be viewed as unlikely to play Friday in Washington, making Eubanks an appealing streaming option in the short term.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will not return Wednesday Nurkic has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies due to left calf soreness.

Impact Nurkic was sent to the locker room early in the first quarter of Wednesday's tilt and will not return after aggravating a lingering calf issue. The 28-year-old will finish scoreless (0-1 FG) with one rebound and one assist across two minutes of play. Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford are strong candidates to receive extra minutes Wednesday. Nurkic's next chance to suit up will come against the Wizards on Friday in the first game of a back-to-back set.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to locker room Nurkic exited Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies with an unspecified injury, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Impact Nurkic came into Wednesday's tilt as probable with left calf soreness. It's unclear whether he re-aggravated the injury or if his exit is unrelated. Regardless, Nurkic should be considered questionable to return.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available Wednesday Nurkic (calf) is available Wednesday against the Grizzlies.

Impact Nurkic was probable ahead of Wednesday's matchup, and he'll unsurprisingly be able to suit up against Memphis. He's scored in double figures in three consecutive appearances and has averaged 15.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.3 steals in 23.7 minutes per game during that time.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play against Memphis Nurkic is probable for Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies due to left calf soreness.

Impact Nurkic is expected to play in his second straight game after missing Saturday's contest against the Raptors with a calf injury. The 28-year-old big man has averaged 10.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in 22.2 minutes across his last five appearances.

FEBRUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets 26 minutes in return Nurkic (calf) played 26 minutes and finished with 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 0-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in Monday's 129-125 win over the Hawks.

Impact Nurkic missed just one game on account of the calf injury he suffered in last Wednesday's win over the Jazz. He took back his spot in the starting five from Drew Eubanks on Monday and ended up seeing the larger share of the playing time between the two centers, though only by four minutes. Even before picking up the calf injury, Nurkic hadn't surpassed 29 minutes in any of his prior five outings, so while Nurkic remains Portland's clear top option at center, Eubanks appears to be encroaching on his role a bit.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Nurkic (calf) is available for Monday's game against Atlanta, Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian reports.

Impact Nurkic will take the floor Monday evening after missing Saturday's clash due to a calf injury. He's coming off a sluggish performance Wednesday against the Jazz when he posted 10 points, four rebounds and four assists in 18 minutes.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against Atlanta Nurkic (calf) is questionable for Monday's game against Atlanta.

Impact Nurkic sustained a calf injury Wednesday against the Jazz and was unavailable for Saturday's game against the Raptors. If he's sidelined once again, Trendon Watford and Drew Eubanks would likely continue to see increased run.

JANUARY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. Raptors Nurkic (calf) is out for Saturday's game against the Raptors.

Impact The Trail Blazers will be missing two of their five starters, as Nurkic and Josh Hart (hamstring) are sidelined. Drew Eubanks, Jabari Walker and Trendon Watford are candidates to see more minutes in the frontcourt.

JANUARY 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Nurkic (calf) is questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Raptors.

Impact Nurkic left Wednesday's matchup against Utah in the third quarter due to left calf soreness and is considered a question mark for Portland's next game. If Nurkic is ultimately ruled out Saturday, Drew Eubanks would be a candidate for increased playing time.

JANUARY 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will not return Wednesday Nurkic has been ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's game against the Jazz due to left calf soreness.

Impact Nurkic left the game in the third period and will finish the contest with 17 points and five rebounds across 33 minutes. Drew Eubanks and Trendon Watford figure to pick up Nurkic's vacated minutes Wednesday. Nurkic's next chance to play will come Saturday against Toronto.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominates in blowout victory Nurkic had 25 points (10-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists and three steals over 27 minutes during Monday's 147-127 win over the Spurs.

Impact Nurkic was a dominant force in the win, taking advantage of the fact that opposing center Jakob Poeltl was in early foul trouble. The Bosnian big man feasted on the inside while also flashing his playmaking skills, with his seven assists tying a season-high total. It's been an up-and-down past few weeks for Nurkic, with managers riding the waves of some questionable performances, as he's scored eight or fewer points four times in January, including in each of the previous three contests. Fantasy managers will simply have to hope that Monday's strong performance provides a springboard for Nurkic leading into Wednesday's game against the Jazz.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lillard scores 37, Blazers beat Spurs 147-127 to stop skid

Damian Lillard had 37 points and 12 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the San Antonio Spurs 147-127 to stop a three-game losing streak

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Productive on boards Nurkic supplied four points (2-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt), 11 rebounds and one steal in 24 minutes during Thursday's 105-95 loss to the 76ers.

Impact Although Nurkic was held to a single-digit scoring total for a second consecutive game Thursday, he remained productive on the boards and tied for the team lead with 11 rebounds. He's now logged at least 10 rebounds in seven of his last eight appearances and has averaged 14.3 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28.8 minutes per game during that time.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available Thursday Nurkic (calf) will play in and start Thursday's game against the 76ers.

Impact Nurkic was initially tabbed as probable due to soreness in his left calf, and, as expected, he will play. Nuirkic will look to rebound from a poor outing Tuesday, when he scored just six points on 2-of-9 shooting and turned the ball over four times.

JANUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely to play Thursday Nurkic is probable for Thursday's game versus the 76ers due to left calf tightness.

Impact Nurkic's calf injury doesn't appear to be serious, as he is still expected to play Thursday. The 28-year-old big man is averaging 16.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals in his last five games.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falls flat in loss Nurkic closed Tuesday's 122-113 loss to the Nuggets with six points (2-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 29 minutes.

Impact Coming into the contest, Nurkic had scored in double figures in seven straight games and had notched three 20-plus-point performances during that stretch. However, he struggled to generate any offense against Nikola Jokic and posted his 10th single-digit scoring outing of the campaign. He somewhat salvaged his fantasy night by grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds, but managers are expecting more out of a high-caliber center like Nurkic. Across 39 games, the veteran big man is averaging 14.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 28.5 minutes, so it's safe to chalk Tuesday's performance up to an off night. Nurkic will look to get back on track Thursday against the 76ers.

JANUARY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 20 points Sunday Nurkic amassed 20 points (5-8 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 8-8 FT), four rebounds and four assists over 20 minutes during Sunday's 140-123 victory over Dallas.

Impact Nurkic logged fewer minutes than normal due to the blowout nature of the contest, but the veteran big man still played a huge role for the Blazers. He has now scored at least 20 points in three of his last four outings and is on a run of seven straight double-digit scoring games, averaging 16.3 points per game in that span.

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures double-double in win Nurkic provided 22 points (9-15 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 23 minutes during Saturday's 136-119 win over the Mavericks.

Impact Nurkic increased his double-double streak to five games, and he's averaged 16.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals since the beginning of that run. If Dallas' frontcourt absences continue, Nurkic could be in line for another excellent total against the Mavericks Sunday.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lillard has 32 and Blazers beat Mavs 136-119 to end skid

Damian Lillard had 36 points and 10 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 136-119 victory over the Dallas Mavericks

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Strong two-way effort Tuesday Nurkic supplied 22 points (7-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 7-9 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and four steals in 31 minutes during Tuesday's 109-106 loss to Orlando.

Impact Nurkic was dominant on both ends of the floor despite the loss, notching a double-double with six combined steals and blocks. That makes three double-doubles in succession, a good indication that he is over his recent illness. He has also played more than 30 minutes in each of the past three games, a welcome sight for fantasy managers frustrated with his inconsistent playing time earlier in the season. As long as he continues to see ample playing time, he should be a solid mid-round asset ROS.

JANUARY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE