NBA Player News

Gafford will start Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Gafford enters the starting five due to Dereck Lively (knee) being sidelined. This marks Gafford's first start since Nov. 12 and his 12th of the season. Through 11 starts, Gafford holds averages of 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 21.2 minutes per game.

Wagner supplied 12 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 16 minutes during Sunday's 100-92 victory over Brooklyn.

Wagner provided a nice lift off Orlando's bench in Sunday's win, leading all second-unit players in scoring and rebounds while also recording a team-high-tying pair of blocks in a near double-double outing. Wagner tied a season high in rebounds, and he's now reached double figures in scoring in six of his last seven contests.

Bitadze totaled 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals across 32 minutes during Sunday's 100-92 victory over the Nets.

Bitadze once again owned the paint in Sunday's victory, leading all players in the contest in rebounds while pacing the Magic in steals to go along with a team-high-tying pair of blocks in a double-double performance. Bitadze has recorded a double-double in six outings this season, including in two of his last three appearances.

Davis (foot) will play Sunday against the Jazz, Jovan Buha of The Athletic reports.

Davis has been dealing with nagging left plantar fasciitis, but he will be able to play through it once again Sunday. Davis has seen a slight dip in scoring of late, averaging 18.3 points per game over his last four contests compared to his 28.4 average for the season.

Claxton was assessed a flagrant two foul during Sunday's game against the Magic, Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports.

Claxton was tossed from the game after he appeared to hit Franz Wagner in the face on a foul late in the fourth quarter. Claxton concludes Sunday's contest with nine points (4-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-4 FT), seven rebounds, two steals and a block in 27 minutes of action.

Horford will start Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

With Jaylen Brown (illness) and Derrick White (foot) unavailable, Horford and Sam Hauser will move into the starting lineup. Across 14 starts this season, Horford has averaged 10.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks in 27.9 minutes per game.

Ware (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Ware was a late addition to the injury report before he was eventually ruled out due to right foot tendinitis. The rookie big man's absence shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation, as he has appeared in three of the Heat's last five games, during which he averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds across 7.3 minutes per game. Ware's next chance to play will come Monday versus Boston.

Lively has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a right knee hyperextension.

Lively left Saturday's win over Utah late in the fourth quarter, and while he returned to the bench, he never reentered the game. His next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against Memphis. In Lively's absence, Daniel Gafford will likely move into the starting lineup, while Maxi Kleber is a candidate for increased minutes off the bench.

Ware is questionable for Sunday's game against the Raptors due to right foot tendinitis, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Ware was a late addition to the injury report while he deals with a lingering foot issue. The rookie has yet to carve out a significant role with the club and has appeared in three of its last five games, during which he averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds across 7.3 minutes per game.

Horford (toe) is available for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

The veteran big man has been a mainstay on the injury report, though he'll play in this one. Horford will likely come off the bench behind Kristaps Porzingis (knee). In his last five outings (four starts), Horford has averaged 11.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 blocks across 29.8 minutes per game.