NBA Player News

The Hornets exercised Williams' fourth-year team option Wednesday.

Williams (foot) has yet to make an appearance this season and remains without an official timetable. Injuries aside, the upside is clear with Williams, and the Hornets made it official Wednesday that he's absolutely still in their future plans.

Bitadze (foot) is doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Bitadze appears likely to miss his second straight contest. He's played a total of 16 minutes in his first three appearances, however, so his status most likely won't have a big impact on the rotation.

Reid accumulated 14 points (5-8 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block over 26 minutes off the bench during Tuesday's 120-114 loss to the Mavericks.

The 25-year-old big came up just short of his second double-double in four games to begin the season while recording his first block of 2024-25. Reid hasn't seen a big jump in his workload with Julius Randle replacing Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota's starting lineup, but Reid's been busier on the glass, averaging 7.5 rebounds through four games after setting a career high last season with 5.2 boards a contest.

Sabonis finished with 28 points (13-18 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds and four assists in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 113-96 win over the Jazz.

Sabonis led the NBA in double-doubles last season and should be one of the strongest candidates to do so again in 2024-25. He's already posted one triple-double and two double-doubles in four appearances this season, so his role as an elite two-way threat for the Kings should continue, meaning the arrival of DeMar DeRozan shouldn't affect Sabonis' overall fantasy production. Through four contests, Sabonis is averaging 24.3 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest.

Missi will return to Tuesday's game versus the Warriors in the second half despite dealing with a lower abdomen injury, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

Missi was shaken up while contesting a shot at the rim during the first half of Tuesday's contest. However, the rookie big man should be available to complete the game.

Jokic recorded 29 points (9-16 FG, 11-13 FT), 18 rebounds, 16 assists and one block in 41 minutes during Tuesday's 144-139 overtime win over the Nets.

Jokic set season highs in rebounds and assists Tuesday while recording his second triple-double in four outings to start the 2024-25 campaign. Jokic also coughed up just one turnover against Brooklyn. The reigning MVP is off to a blistering start this year, and Tuesday's stellar performance puts him in elite company -- Oscar Robertson is the only other player in NBA history to produce at least a 29-18-16 line in a game.

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez said that Claxton will sit out Wednesday's game versus the Grizzlies due to hamstring injury management, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Claxton will miss the second leg of the Nets' back-to-back set after he recorded 16 points (8-9 FG), 12 rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 26 minutes in Tuesday's 144-139 overtime loss to the Nuggets before fouling out with 22 seconds left in overtime. The 25-year-old center has come off the bench in each of the Nets' first four games of the season, but his minutes have increased in every contest, and he should soon move back into the starting lineup once the hamstring injury is further in the rear-view mirror.

Gafford (leg) returned to Tuesday's game versus the Timberwolves with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter.

Gafford left Tuesday's contest with an apparent leg injury but ultimately missed just over eight minutes of action. The 26-year-old big man should be available to finish out the rest of the game.

Gafford (leg) limped off the court in the beginning of the second quarter during Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Naz Reid and Gafford collided and knocked knees, sending the big man limping to the locker room. The 26-year-old's status is something to monitor the rest of the way. Dereck Lively and Naji Marshall are both candidates for an increased role if Gafford is unable to return.

Williams (hamstring) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Clippers.

Williams has yet to suit up this season while dealing with a left hamstring strain. His next chance to play is Friday's matchup with the Thunder.