NBA Player News

Embiid suffered a sinus fracture during Friday's 121-107 loss to the Pacers and is scheduled to be further evaluated over the weekend, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Embiid sustained the injury late in the first half, when he was battling for a rebound and inadvertently struck in the face by the Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin. The star center was ruled out for the second half of the contest, finishing the night with 12 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five assists and four rebounds across 17 minutes in what was just his sixth game of the season. The 76ers are off until Monday against the Hornets and should have a better idea on Embiid's status for that contest upon evaluating him further. Even if Embiid isn't forced to miss any time due to the injury, he could have to play with a protective mask until the fracture fully heals.

Plumlee is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Jazz.

Plumlee will return to his regular bench role since Jusuf Nurkic is back and available to reclaim his starting spot. Plumlee isn't expected to see enough minutes off the bench to be a reliable fantasy option.

Reath (back) is available for Friday's matchup with the Spurs.

With Deandre Ayton (illness) and Robert Williams (reconditioning) sidelined, the Trail Blazers are thin in the frontcourt. Thus, Reath could see more minutes than usual providing depth at center. Donovan Clingan and Jabari Walker are the other available options.

Embiid (face) won't return to Friday's game against the Pacers and will undergo further testing, Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com reports. He finished the game with 12 points (4-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 3.4 FT), four rebounds and five assists across 17 minutes before exiting the contest.

Embiid was hit in the face in the closing moments of the second quarter and went straight to the locker room, and now he's been confirmed as out for the rest of the contest. This is a huge blow not only for the 76ers but also for Embiid, who has struggled to stay on the court throughout the campaign. Further tests will be needed to determine whether he'll miss time or not, with the 76ers' next game coming against the Hornets on Monday. Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele should see most of the minutes at center if Embiid is forced to miss time.

Williams (reconditioning) will not play in Friday's game against the Spurs, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Williams has presumably cleared the league's concussion protocols, but he will miss Friday's game as the team awaits him to get his conditioning back up to par. The absence will mark his seventh straight game on the sidelines. With Deandre Ayton (illness) also sidelined, Portland will lean on Donovan Clingan and Jabari Walker at center.

Ayton (illness) is out for Friday's game against the Spurs, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Ayton will miss a game for the first time since Nov. 25 due to this illness, and this means the Blazers will be extremely thin when it comes to their frontcourt depth. Ayton and Robert Williams (not injury related) are out, while Donovan Clingan will be on a minutes restriction, so Jabari Walker will get the start at center. Ayton's next chance to play will come against Phoenix on Sunday.

Clingan (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Spurs, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Clingan will operate in a minutes restriction, as the big man will be available for the first time since Nov. 23, when he went scoreless but grabbed 19 rebounds in a win over the Rockets. With Clingan on a minutes restriction, Robert Williams (not injury related) out and Deandre Ayton (illness) out, Jabari Walker will get the start at center for Portland.

Embiid headed to the locker room just before the end of the second quarter during Friday's game against the Pacers, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

Embiid got hit in the face going for a defensive rebound late in the second quarter and looked to be in pain, as he headed to the locker room with a towel over his head just before the end of the first half. If he doesn't return for the second half, then Andre Drummond would be in line to see more minutes at center.

Richards is not in the starting unit for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Richards started in the 113-109 win over the Pacers on Sunday and finished with nine points and 14 rebounds across 25 minutes. However, expect him to see a considerable reduction in his playing time since Mark Williams got the start at center for this matchup. Richards is averaging 11.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season, but those numbers are likely to regress if he comes off the bench.

Williams is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Williams returns after a one-game absence due to injury management and will be slotted right into the starting five. The big man is averaging 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 10.3 minutes per game in his first three outings this season, but he should see an uptick in playing time now that he'll run with the starters.