NBA Player News

The Knicks converted Hukporti from a two-way contract to a two-year standard NBA contract Monday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The second year of the contract is a team option.

The No. 58 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft, Hukporti has appeared in four of the Knicks' first five games of the season, missing his lone field-goal attempt while pulling down seven rebounds and blocking four shots across 29 total minutes. The Knicks had opened the campaign with only 12 players on the 15-man roster, but because league rules require teams to have at least 14 players on standard contracts for no more than 28 days during a season, Hukporti was upgraded from his two-way deal to help fulfill the roster requirement. While the fact that he's been moved off a two-way deal means he won't be restricted to the amount of games in which he can be active for the Knicks, Hukporti still looks to be on the outside looking in for a rotation spot, even while fellow big men Mitchell Robinson (ankle) and Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) remain sidelined. Jericho Sims appears to have at least temporarily settled in as the Knicks' preferred backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns.

Lively had 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist over 20 minutes during Sunday's 108-85 victory over the Magic.

Daniel Gafford continues to start at center, but Lively has been putting up solid numbers off the bench, so the Mavericks' coaching staff keeps finding ways to have him on the floor regularly. Lively has two double-doubles in six appearances this season, and he's averaging a solid 9.3 points and 8.2 boards per game despite logging just 22.8 minutes per contest. He could be an automatic double-double threat if he were to see more minutes regularly.

Wagner registered 10 points (3-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and six rebounds over 20 minutes during Sunday's 108-85 loss to the Mavericks.

Wagner ended up with a decent stat line, though he had one of his worst shooting performances of the campaign. The Magic are extremely thin in terms of frontcourt depth, with Wendell Carter (foot) and Goga Bitadze (foot) being questionable for Monday's matchup at Oklahoma City, so it wouldn't be surprising if Wagner gets the nod in the starting lineup in that contest. For what is worth, Wagner scored in double digits in three of his last four contests, averaging 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest in that span.

Carter (foot) is questionable for Monday's game versus the Thunder.

Carter sustained a left plantar fascia strain during the second quarter of Sunday's 108-85 loss to Dallas, in which he posted six points (2-5 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), two steals, two assists and one rebound across nine minutes. The big man is also dealing with ongoing right knee tendinitis, and it would not come as a surprise to see him sit out on the second day of a back-to-back set. If Carter is unable to play Monday, Moritz Wagner will likely handle an increased workload.

Bitadze (foot) is questionable for Monday's matchup against the Thunder.

Bitadze is in jeopardy of missing a fifth consecutive outing due to a strained tendon in his left foot. If the 25-year-old is able to give it a go Monday, he could see more playing time if Wendell Carter (foot) is ruled out.

Carter has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against Dallas due to a left plantar fascia strain, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.

Carter hobbled off the floor in the second quarter, which could also be attributed to his ongoing right knee tendinitis on top of the new issue with his left foot. The big man played through the knee pain, though the new foot injury is a cause for concern moving forward. Carter's next chance to suit up will come Monday against the Thunder on the second day of a back-to-back set. In the 25-year-old's absence, Moritz Wagner will likely shoulder an increased workload.

Duren supplied 13 points (5-5 FG, 3-4 FT), 17 rebounds, four assists, three blocks and one steal across 33 minutes during Sunday's 106-92 victory over the Nets.

Duren dominated the glass in Sunday's victory, leading all players in rebounds while shooting a perfect mark from the field and finishing with the only double-double of the night. Duren, who also led all players with a trio of blocks, set a new season high in rebounds and has tallied a double-double in three contests this year.

Gafford (undisclosed) returned to Sunday's game against the Magic with 11:04 remaining in the second quarter, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Gafford briefly went back to the locker room in the first quarter before returning to the bench, and eventually to the game. The big man is expected to be available to finish out the remainder of the contest without any restrictions.

Gafford (undisclosed) briefly went back to the locker room in the first quarter of Sunday's game against Orlando but has since returned to the bench, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Gafford briefly exited the game and went to the locker room, though he is back on the bench and will likely return to the floor. If the big man is limited or held out for the remainder of the game, Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell are likely to receive an increase in playing time.

Bamba (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Spurs, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Bamba has yet to make his regular-season debut due to left knee soreness. The big man has no timetable for a return, though his next chance to suit up will come Wednesday against Philadelphia.