NBA Notes: Nuggets, Jonas Valanciunas, Warriors, Draymond Green, Hawks

Nuggets

The Nuggets will be without another key big man for an extended stretch.

Center Jonas Valanciunas will be reevaluated in four weeks after being diagnosed with a right calf strain, sources told Shams Charania of ESPN. The team later confirmed the news in a statement.

Valanciunas was injured in the third quarter of Wednesday’s win in Toronto while making his first start of the season in place of Nikola Jokic, who is also expected to miss at least four weeks with a left knee injury.

It’s the latest hit for a Denver team already short-handed. The Nuggets were without four starters Wednesday and will now be missing their primary backup center as well.

Despite playing a career-low 13.3 minutes per game, Valanciunas has been productive, averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 33 appearances. Peyton Watson, DaRon Holmes II, and Zeke Nnaji are among the players who could see expanded frontcourt roles.

Warriors

The Warriors will give Draymond Green the night off Friday against Oklahoma City, according to Anthony Slater of ESPN.

It’s the front end of a back-to-back for Golden State, which hosts Utah on Saturday.

Stephen Curry is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain, as is De’Anthony Melton due to left knee injury management. Centers Al Horford and Trayce Jackson-Davis are probable to play despite lingering issues.

How much Golden State pushes its regulars could depend on how Friday’s game unfolds against the defending champions.

Hawks

Luke Kennard delivered one of his better performances of the season in Wednesday’s win over Minnesota, finishing with 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 27 minutes off the bench.

Even so, Kennard admitted his season has not yet met his own expectations, according to Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

“I’ve had some good moments, but nowhere near what I can be,” Kennard said. “They’ve been on me to be aggressive and shoot the ball when I can.”

Kennard signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Hawks last summer and is set to become an unrestricted free agent again in 2026. He said Wednesday’s performance is something he hopes to build on as the season moves forward.

“Today was a great team win,” he said. “Hopefully we can just build off of that.”