NBA Player News

Sabonis didn't participate in Wednesday's practice due to an illness, Frankie Cartoscelli of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Sabonis' absence from practice is a bad sign of his availability for Thursday's game versus the Spurs. If the star big man is ruled out, Trey Lyles, Alex Len and JaVale McGee are candidates to receive increased playing time, but De'Aaron Fox (shoulder), Malik Monk and Keegan Murray would likely have to step up offensively.

Biyombo (not injury related) is available for Thursday's game against the Clippers, Rylan Stiles of FanSided.com reports.

Biyombo is cleared to make his Thunder debut after being claimed off waivers following the All-Star break. Before being waived by Memphis in January, Biyombo made 30 appearances and averaged 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 23.9 minutes per game. The veteran may usurp Jaylin Williams as the top backup center behind Chet Holmgren.

Hartenstein (Achilles) practiced Wednesday and is on track to play Thursday in Philadelphia, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Hartenstein missed the final three games before the All-Star break, but after logging back-to-back practices, he's expected to suit up when New York resumes action Thursday. The big man has been stellar since moving into the starting lineup, averaging 8.3 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game over his last 24 appearances (all starts). There are rumblings of Mitchell Robinson (ankle) returning at some point in the regular season, but he hasn't even resumed running yet, so Hartenstein should remain in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday that Robinson (ankle) is no longer wearing a walking boot but hasn't started running yet, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.

Robinson has started shooting but appears to be far away from being cleared for contact drills. The 25-year-old big man has missed the Knicks' last 34 games after undergoing left ankle surgery but is hoping to return to action before the end of the regular season.

Hartenstein (Achilles) participated in practice Tuesday, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Hartenstein was joined by Donte DiVincenzo and Bojan Bogdanovic in logging limited practice Tuesday, with a potential return Thursday against Philadelphia firmly in play. Hartenstein missed three contests before the All-Star break due to his ongoing left Achilles tendonitis.

Gibson became an unrestricted free agent Tuesday after his second 10-day contract with the Knicks expired, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

If the Knicks are interested in retaining Gibson coming out of the All-Star break, he would need to be signed to a rest-of-season contract now that his pair of 10-day deals have lapsed. Though head coach Tom Thibodeau has a long-term working relationship with Gibson and values the 38-year-old as a locker-room presence, the Knicks may not have much of a need for Gibson if starting center Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) is ready to play Thursday in Philadelphia.

Bolden agreed to a 10-day deal with the Hornets on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

The Hornets will bring Bolden on the 15-man roster after a productive stretch of action in the G League with the Wisconsin Herd, with whom he's averaged 17.0 points, 13.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks during the team's six-game winning streak. Bolden -- who began the campaign as one of the Bucks' three two-way players but appeared in just two NBA contests -- is averaging 13.3 points (on 55.4 percent shooting from the field), 7.7 boards, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 assists in 25.0 minutes per game over 31 appearances overall for the Herd this season. While he's with Charlotte, Bolden could challenge Nathan Mensah for the third-string role at center behind Nick Richards and Grant Williams.

Adebayo will start at center in place of Joel Embiid (knee) for the Eastern Conference All-Star team in Sunday's game, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Adebayo is playing in his third All-Star Game on Sunday after averaging 20.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 34.6 minutes so far in 2023-24. However, a long-term knee injury to Embiid will allow Adebayo to make his first All-Star Game start.

The Trail Blazers converted Reath's two-way contract into a three-year, standard NBA contract Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.

Despite his status as a two-way player, Reath had spent most of the 2023-24 season with the Trail Blazers as the top backup to Deandre Ayton. The rookie is averaging 8.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks in 17.4 minutes per game in 40 appearances (11 starts) this season.

Coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday that Hartenstein (Achilles) is expected to return to action after the All-Star break, Stefan Bondy of the New York Post reports.

Hartenstein missed the Knicks' last three contests due to left Achilles tendinopathy. However, it appears the 25-year-old big man will target Feb. 22 against Philadelphia as a return date.