NBA Player News

Jemison will start at center in Friday's game versus Portland.

Jaren Jackson (quadriceps) is sitting out Friday, so Jemison should be in store for significant playing time as his replacement. The rookie hasn't appeared in a contest for Memphis since Feb. 15, as he has a limited number of games that he can appear in for the rest of the season while he's signed to a two-way contract. Over his seven appearances in February, Jemison averaged 5.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals in 19.9 minutes.

Davis (Achilles) is probable for Saturday's game against the Nuggets, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Davis continues to battle soreness in both heels, so the probable tags are par for the course. For now, Davis' fantasy managers should be expecting him to suit up without any restrictions after he poured in 40 points versus the Wizards on Thursday.

Ayton (hand) has been ruled out for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies.

Ayton has been downgraded from doubtful to out Friday due to a right hand sprain, as expected. His next chance to suit up is Saturday's rematch with the Grizzlies.

Brown (wrist) is available for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.

Brown will suit up for the first time since Jan. 1. He's averaging just 9.1 minutes per game across nine appearances (four starts) this season, so his role figures to be minor.

Boucher (illness) is available for Friday's game versus the Warriors.

Boucher has been upgraded from questionable to available despite dealing with an illness. However, the 30-year-old forward has been largely left out of Toronto's rotation.

Reed won't start Friday's game against the Hornets, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

With Joel Embiid (knee) sidelined, Reed has started 14 of Phildelphia's last 15 contests. However, the 76ers are switching things up Friday, replacing Reed with Mo Bamba. Given how depleted the 76ers' frontcourt depth is, Reed figures to see plenty of playing time off the bench, but his fantasy value still takes a hit.

Bamba will start Friday's game against the Hornets, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

With Kelly Oubre (shoulder) and KJ Martin (ankle) joining De'Anthony Melton (back), Robert Covington (knee) and Joel Embiid (knee) on the sidelines, Bamba and Kyle Lowry will enter the starting lineup. They'll be flanked by Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and Buddy Hield, sending Paul Reed to a bench role. Bamba has yet to start a contest this season, but when he plays at least 18 minutes (eight times), he's averaged 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 19.6 minutes per game.

Kessler (foot) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Heat, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Kessler was ruled out for Thursday's loss to the Magic due to a right foot sprain and missed his first game since Dec. 11. In Kessler's absence, Luka Samanic entered the rotation but didn't make a significant impact.

Collins provided 13 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one block across 16 minutes during Thursday's 132-118 win over the Thunder.

Over his last four appearances, Collins has averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists, but he's playing just 17.0 minutes per game. The big man was a solid fantasy producer earlier in the season when he was a regular starter, but his production and playing time as a reserve have been too inconsistent to trust on a nightly basis.

Nurkic recorded 16 points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 8-16 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal in 27 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 110-105 victory over Houston.

Nurkic has totaled 34 points, 35 rebounds, nine assists, four blocks and two steals over Phoenix's last two games, proving to be a difference maker while the team remains without Bradley Beal (hamstring). However, Houston employed the Hack-a-Shaq strategy down the stretch of Thursday's game, and Nurkic struggled to stay efficient from the charity stripe. Fantasy managers in category leagues likely took a hit in the free-throw department due to this performance, but Nurkic, who also committed a season-high seven turnovers, still did enough Thursday to make a positive impact in most leagues.