Metu chipped in four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and two blocks in 12 minutes during Wednesday's 123-115 victory over the Warriors.
Metu played double-digit minutes for the first time this season and didn't have stellar offensive production, but he recorded two blocks in the comfortable win. However, he's unlikely to see a significant role for the Suns moving forward.
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Suns' Chimezie Metu: Back to bench
Rotowire
Metu will return to the bench for Thursday's preseason game against the Blazers.
The Suns are throwing Kevin Durant back out there after giving him a rest on Tuesday. Metu has had a solid preseason so far with averages of 11.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers through two games.
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Suns' Chimezie Metu: Enters starting lineup
Rotowire
Metu is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's preseason game against Denver, Duane Rankin of Arizona Central reports.
With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal resting, the Suns will go with a more traditional lineup with Metu alongside Jusuf Nurkic in the frontcourt. Metu made a nice impression in the preseason opener Sunday, scoring 14 points in 19 minutes.
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Suns' Chimezie Metu: Headed to Phoenix
Rotowire
The Suns signed Metu to a one-year contract Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Metu will head to Phoenix after spending the first five seasons of his career in Sacramento. In 2022-23, he averaged 4.9 points and 3.0 rebounds in 10.4 minutes across 66 appearances. Metu will likely compete for backup center role behind Deandre Ayton in 2023-24.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Solid production off bench
Rotowire
Metu notched 15 points (5-8 FG, 5-9 FT) and nine rebounds over 17 minutes during Friday's 119-97 loss to the Warriors.
With Sacramento resting the majority of its regulars, Metu saw an increased role off the bench. He scored a season-high 15 points and tied his season-best mark with nine boards. When he's played at least 15 minutes this season (10 games), Metu has averaged 6.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 16.4 minutes.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Tallies seven points in win
Rotowire
Metu provided seven points (3-4 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) over eight minutes during Wednesday's 117-114 victory over the Bulls.
Metu has been held under 10 minutes of playing time in four of his last six appearances, but he was efficient from the floor with his limited opportunities during Wednesday's narrow win. Across his last six outings, he's averaged 6.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.5 minutes per game.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Nearly double-doubles
Rotowire
Metu closed with eight points (4-4 FG, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes during Friday's 176-175 double-overtime victory over the Clippers.
Metu picked up some extra run Friday with Domantas Sabonis fouling out after 31 minutes. Metu usually sees minutes in the low teens most nights and that's likely to be the case Sunday against the Thunder.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Shines as backup center
Rotowire
Metu finished Sunday's 136-104 loss to the Pelicans with seven points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two blocks and one assist in 10 minutes.
Even though none of the Kings' starters played more than 30 minutes in the blowout loss, Metu didn't see an expanded role as the backup to starting center Domantas Sabonis. Instead, head coach Mike Brown turned the game over to most of his deep reserves in the fourth quarter, with Richaun Holmes playing the final 10:19 of the contest while Metu rode the bench. Metu at least managed to produce well during his time on the floor, and he looks to have clearly supplanted Holmes for the No. 2 role at center. Even so, Metu likely won't be the fantasy radar outside of the deepest of leagues unless Sabonis misses time at some point.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Available Wednesday
Rotowire
Metu (knee) will play in Wednesday's matchup with the Raptors, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Metu will officially be active for Wednesday's tilt after expressing optimism following morning shootaround regarding his return. He sat out Monday's contest with a bruised left knee that he sustained in the Kings' previous game but should be a full go off the bench Wednesday. In the three games leading up to the injury, Metu averaged 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds across 13.3 minutes.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Expected to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Metu (knee) remains listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Raptors, but he expressed optimism he'll be available to play after taking part in the Kings' morning shootaround, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Barring any setbacks leading up to the 10 p.m. ET opening tip, Metu looks like he'll be available off the bench after a bone bruise in his left knee kept him from playing in Monday's 133-100 win over the Grizzlies. Before sitting out due to the injury, Metu had appeared in each of the Kings' previous seven games and averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 10.6 minutes.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Questionable Wednesday
Rotowire
Metu (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Raptors.
Metu missed Monday's game against the Grizzlies, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to face the Raptors. Even if he ends up being available, he's unlikely to alter many fantasy lineups due to his limited role off the bench.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Unavailable Monday
Rotowire
Metu (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Grizzlies, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Metu took the floor for morning shootaround, but he was unable to gain clearance to play. Trey Lyles and Richaun Holmes could pick up a few extra minutes with Metu sidelined.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Participates in shootaround
Rotowire
Metu (knee) was active in Monday's shootaround ahead of their matchup with the Grizzlies, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.
Metu was handed a questionable designation Monday after exiting Saturday's contest with a left knee injury. He underwent an MRI which came back clean, but considering the Kings are fully healthy and Metu owns a depth role, it would not be surprising to see him sit. If that happens, Trey Lyles and Richaun Holmes could pick up extra minutes off the bench.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Dealing with bone bruises in knee
Rotowire
Metu (knee) is questionable for Monday's game against the Grizzlies, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Metu left Saturday's game against the 76ers in the second quarter due to a left knee injury and underwent an MRI, which revealed no structural damage. It's encouraging to see him not immediately ruled out for Monday's contest, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him miss some time.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Won't return Saturday
Rotowire
Metu has been ruled out of Saturday's game against the 76ers due to a left knee injury, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Metu appeared to hyperextend his left knee on a drive to the basket during the second quarter, but the Kings likely won't have an update on the nature of his injury until evaluating him after Saturday's contest. Before departing, Metu posted two points (1-2 FG) and two turnovers over his five minutes of court time.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Scoreless in win
Rotowire
Metu finished with zero points (0-3 FG), one rebound and one steal across four minutes during Friday's 122-113 victory over the Pistons.
Metu only saw four minutes of playing time and missed all three of his shot attempts. He's almost completely fallen out of the rotation at this point and doesn't garner any fantasy relevancy outside of the deepest of leagues.
Metu had 10 points (3-3 FG, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 15 minutes during Saturday's 123-96 victory over the Clippers.
Metu attempted only three shots from the field, but he drained each of them and also knocked down a season-high four attempts from the charity stripe. Saturday marked the first time since Nov. 22 against Memphis that he was able to score in double figures. It's also worth noting that Metu has secured eight boards in back-to-back contests after averaging 3.1 rebounds per game through his first 11 contests of the 2022-23 campaign.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Nets 10 in win
Rotowire
Metu recorded 10 points (4-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 14 minutes during Thursday's 130-112 victory over the Spurs.
Metu matched his season-high point total by going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field, which included making his lone three-point try. The fifth-year pro's effectiveness was emphasized by his plus-19 mark over just 14 minutes on the court, and he added three boards and a steal while turning the ball over only once. Metu has been getting minutes in the low-to-mid teens but hasn't done much with them, averaging 5.6 points, 3.0 boards and 1.0 assists per game.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Another rough night Thursday
Rotowire
Metu ended with two points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists in 14 minutes during Thursday's 125-110 loss to the Grizzlies.
Metu saw 14 minutes in the loss, up from the 11 he played in the last game. While he did have a few bright spots last season, his role moving forward remains clouded, to say the least. He is well off the fantasy radar right now but should his playing time continue to increase, he could be a name to consider in deeper formats.
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Kings' Chimezie Metu: Contract guaranteed for 2022-23
Rotowire
Metu had his $1.9 million team option picked up by the Kings on Wednesday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
Metu was a starter during the early portion of the 2021-22 season before shifting to more of a reserve role, averaging 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds across 21.3 minutes per contest in his fourth NBA season. With the Kings selecting Keegan Murray with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 Draft, Metu will likely be competing for minutes as a reserve behind Domantas Sabonis and others in Sacramento's frontcourt for 2022-23.
