NBA Player News

Zubac (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Lakers.

Zubac will have to wait at least one more game to make his Pacers debut while recovering from a left ankle sprain. His next chance to do so is Sunday against the Trail Blazers, but there's been no indication that the veteran center will be available for that contest.

Kleber (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Nuggets, Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com reports.

Kleber is working through a back injury that will sideline him for Thursday's game, though he could be available for the second leg of the Lakers' back-to-back set against the Pacers on Friday. He's averaging 11.0 minutes off the bench this season, and that playing time will likely be absorbed by Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt.

Williams will be re-evaluated in 2-to-3 weeks after being diagnosed with a stress reaction in the third metatarsal of his left foot, Shane Young of the Suns' official site reports.

This is a huge blow for the Suns, as Williams has managed to remain relatively healthy up until this point in the campaign. His absence for the next few weeks should open up opportunities for Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach at center.

Bitadze will come off the bench Thursday against the Mavericks.

Bitadze drew a spot start Tuesday with Wendell Carter sidelined, but Carter has been given the green light to take the court Thursday. Bitadze has struggled to remain in the rotation over the last few months, but he could see playing time Thursday given that Jonathan Isaac (knee) is out.

Sengun (illness) will play in Thursday's game against the Warriors, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sengun hasn't missed a contest since Jan. 9, and an illness won't change that Thursday. Over his last seven outings following the All-Star break, the star big man has averaged 18.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals in 33.5 minutes per game.

Carter (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Carter did not play in the Magic's 126-109 win over the Wizards on Tuesday due to right ankle soreness. The veteran center has been given the green light to return Thursday, which should bump Goga Bitadze out of the Magic's starting lineup. Carter has averaged 10.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists over 31.3 minutes per game since the All-Star break.

Robinson (ankle) is off the injury report for Friday's game against Denver.

Robinson sat out Wednesday's win over the Thunder, the second leg of a back-to-back set, but he's ready to return to action Friday. The 27-year-old center has averaged 5.8 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 17.2 minutes per tilt in his last eight games, shooting a robust 73.9 percent from the floor.

The Wizards announced Thursday that Davis (finger) will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Davis has been cleared for limited individual on-court activities, which is encouraging. The superstar big man is recovering from ligament damage in his left hand, and it's fair to expect the 16-45 Wizards to take things slowly with Davis. With Alex Sarr (hamstring) also on the shelf, Washington is down to Tristan Vukcevic (thigh), Anthony Gill (illness) and Julian Reese at center.

Bamba ended with four points (2-3 FG), eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 21 minutes during Wednesday's 106-102 loss to Philadelphia.

This was Bamba's first taste of action since he signed a 10-day contract Feb. 26. He made a strong impression, and with his shot-blocking upside, he's worth monitoring in case he sticks around.

Sims supplied four points (2-2 FG), 11 rebounds and three assists in 23 minutes during Wednesday's 131-113 loss to the Hawks.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction, Sims has been able to hold down a significant role in the frontcourt mix. It looks like head coach Doc Rivers is committed to giving Sims meaningful minutes. The fifth-year big man has averaged 4.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 24.9 minutes per tilt in his last seven games while shooting 88.9 percent from the field.