NBA Player News

Theis (neck) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.

Theis is in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive outing due to neck spasms. In his last five outings (one start), the big man averaged 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds across 13.6 minutes per game.

Richards (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Richards rolled his ankle when he stepped on Cody Martin's foot in the third quarter of Thursday night's game against the Knicks, though Richards was able to stay in the game. If Richards is unable to play Saturday, then Moussa Diabate would be in line to see more minutes off the bench as the backup center behind Mark Williams.

Ware was assigned to the Heat's G League affiliate and has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Suns.

Ware will return to the G League, and he hasn't played in an NBA game since Nov. 27 due in part to right foot tendinitis. However, the rookie has been cleared to play and is expected to suit up for the Sioux Falls Skyforce's next matchup against the Grand Rapids Gold on Sunday.

Poeltl (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Mavericks, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

The big man missed the 129-92 loss to the Thunder due to an illness, and Bruno Fernando got the start in his place. However, the questionable tag is a sign that Poeltl might be ready to return after a one-game absence, and his presence would give a huge boost to the Raptors on both ends of the court. He's averaging 16.0 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocks per game this season.

Wembanyama (back) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Kings, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Wembanyama missed the first leg of the back-to-back set in Thursday's loss to Chicago due to back soreness, and he is not expected back for the second leg on Friday. If the big man is sidelined once again, Zach Collins and Charles Bassey will likely handle the minutes at the center position.

The Jazz assigned Filipowski (lower leg) to the G League's Salt Lake City Stars on Thursday.

Filipowski won't be available for the Jazz's game Friday versus the Trail Blazers, but he could play for the Stars in Friday's matchup with the South Bay Lakers. The rookie second-round pick has missed Utah's last six games due to a left lower leg injury, but his assignment to the G League suggests he's on the cusp of a return.

Vucevic ended Thursday's 139-124 victory over the Spurs with 39 points (16-22 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and one steal over 35 minutes.

Vucevic led both teams in scoring Thursday, and his 39 points was the fifth-best scoring output of his NBA career. Vucevic has shot 58.3 percent from the field and 48.2 percent from three-point range over his last 10 outings, and over that span, he has averaged 22.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists over 31.2 minutes per game.

Horford (toe) is available for Friday's matchup versus the Bucks, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

With Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) sidelined Friday, Horford is expected to get the start. However, it would not come as a surprise if Horford was held out of the second leg of the back-to-back set during Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies. The 38-year-old has appeared in three of the Celtics' last five outings, during which he averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks across 28.3 minutes per contest.

Porzingis has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks due to left posterior tibialis tendon injury management.

Porzingis will sit in the first leg of a back-to-back set, though he'll likely return for Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies. Al Horford is expected to start at center and take on major minutes before resting Saturday to reopen a spot in the lineup for Porzingis. Since making his season debut Nov. 25, Porzingis is averaging 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks across 27.3 minutes per contest over four games.

Embiid (knee), who has already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Magic, was present at the 76ers' morning shootaround but didn't participate, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

Embiid is set to miss his seventh consecutive outing Friday, and his inactivity during Friday's shootaround doesn't bode well for his chances of returning to action for Sunday's matchup versus the Bulls. On a more positive note, the big man has been active in workouts over the last few days, according to Krell. The 76ers are thin in the frontcourt with Embiid and Adem Bona (knee) sidelined, and if Andre Drummond (ankle) is unable to play Friday, the club should continue to take an extended look at Guerschon Yabusele as their starting center. Pete Nance would likely serve as Yabusele's backup if Drummond isn't available.