NBA Player News

Embiid (knee) started the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Knicks, Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic reports.

Embiid left Saturday's contest in the second quarter following an awkward fall after throwing an alley-oop to himself. However, the star big man, who was helped off the court after that sequence, started the third quarter, and he's expected to play for as long as he's able to.

Davis (back) has been upgraded to available for Game 1 against the Nuggets on Saturday, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Similar to what happens with LeBron James, Davis has been listed on the injury report pretty much the entire season but has been available for every important game, so his availability is not surprising here. The star big man should handle his regular workload, as well as his regular usage rate, in the playoff opener.

Embiid headed to the locker room during the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Knicks with an apparent knee injury, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.

Embiid made a spectacular play after throwing an alley-oop to himself, but he grabbed his left knee after landing and was helped off the court before going to the locker room. If Embiid can't return, that would mean a significant turn of events for a Sixers team that struggled massively without the star big man. Paul Reed should see more minutes if Embiid is unable to return to the game.

Gafford (elbow) is not on the official injury report and will be available for Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Clippers on Sunday.

With Dallas already locked into its playoff matchup, Gafford didn't play in the Mavericks' final game of the regular season. He shouldn't have any limitations for the playoff opener against the Clippers. He averaged 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game over his last 10 appearances and should continue to start at center, though Dereck Lively (knee) will also be available.

Gobert ended with 14 points (4-6 FG, 6-7 FT), 16 rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes during Saturday's 120-95 win over the Suns in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals.

Gobert owned the glass in Saturday's Game 1 victory, leading all players in the contest in rebounds while posting the lone double-double. Gobert concluded the regular season with at least 10 points and 15 rebounds in four of his final five outings.

Kleber (back) is not on the official injury report and will be available for Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Clippers on Sunday.

Kleber didn't play in the Mavericks' final game of the regular season because the training staff wanted him to rest a lingering back injury. He shouldn't have any limitations for the series opener against the Clippers on Sunday and should handle his regular workload off the bench as a frontcourt option behind Daniel Gafford.

Lively (knee) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Clippers.

Coach Jason Kidd said Friday that Lively was trending in the right direction and was on track to play in Sunday's series opener, so this is not entirely surprising, though it does boost the team's depth in the frontcourt. Lively should see decent minutes off the bench, although Daniel Gafford is expected to be the starting center, as was the case down the stretch in the regular season.

Embiid (knee) will play Saturday against the Knicks, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Embiid went through his pre-game routine unscathed, and the star big man will be ready to handle his regular workload in the series opener against New York. Embiid has averaged 29.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks across 31.8 minutes per game in six appearances since returning from the knee injury that sidelined him for two months earlier this year.

Coach Nick Nurse said Embiid (knee) will go through his usual pre-game workouts to determine his availability for Saturday's series opener against the Knicks, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.

Embiid is officially listed as questionable due to injury maintenance on his surgically repaired left knee. However, barring a setback during his pre-game routine, he's expected to be available and handle his regular workload. Embiid has averaged 29.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks across 31.8 minutes per game in the six games since returning to the hardwood.

Kornet is out for Sunday's game against the Heat due to a right calf strain, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Kornet gives the Celtics size down low, but he wasn't expected to play heavy minutes off the bench as long as Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are healthy. Kornet averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across 15.6 minutes per game in 63 regular-season appearances.