NBA Player News

Richards (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Pistons.

Richards is in danger of missing his fourth consecutive game Wednesday while dealing with a right ankle sprain. P.J. Washington will likely continue to start at center if Richards is ruled out.

Sharpe (knee) said Tuesday that he's ramping up his conditioning work and weightlifting, but he's without a timeline for returning to game action, Lucas Kaplan of NetsDaily.com reports.

Sharpe hyperextended his left knee on Jan. 7 and has been sidelined ever since. The 22-year-old was logging a career-high 16.0 minutes per game across 37 appearances for Brooklyn prior to the injury, producing 7.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 blocks per game.

Sarr has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers with a right hip flexor strain.

Sarr hasn't seen any game action over the Thunder's last two contests, but he may have sustained the injury while suiting up for the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday. Despite starting for the Blue, Sarr was lifted after playing just eight minutes in the team's 128-105 win over the Mexico City Capitanes. Sarr is now back with the NBA club and looks set to be evaluated on a game-by-game basis until the Thunder provide further updates on his condition.

Porter provided zero points (0-2 FG), two rebounds and one block over six minutes during Monday's 108-100 loss to Memphis.

Porter was poked in the eye during Monday's game and was cleared to return, according to Kayla Grey of TSN, but the Raptors decided to roll with small-ball lineups for most of the game. Porter should be set to reprise his role as the starting center Friday against the Clippers, though Jakob Poeltl (ankle) is nearing a return.

Wagner posted 15 points (4-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-8 FT), four rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes during Monday's 126-99 loss to Cleveland.

With Wendell Carter recently moving into the starting lineup, Wagner appears to be the preferred center off the bench at the expense of Goga Bitadze. Whether or not this is a permanent change remains to be seen, but Wagner certainly made a strong case Monday evening.

Sims is expected to start Tuesday's contest against the Nets, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) is listed as questionable but trending in the wrong direction, and if he's ruled out, Sims would move into the starting lineup. Sims made five straight starts from Dec. 11-18 after Mitchell Robinson (ankle) suffered a long-term injury, but the former saw over 20 minutes of playing time just once during that stretch. Precious Achiuwa would also likely see increased minutes off the bench if Hartenstein is ruled out.

Powell (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Monday's 119-110 loss to the Celtics.

With Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber recently returning from five- and 31-game absences, respectively, Powell's minutes had already started to trend down last week, and the veteran center ended up being ousted from the rotation entirely Monday. Powell could still resurface in the rotation in certain matchups, but while the Mavericks have all of their key frontcourt contributors available, his path to consistent minutes is much more complicated.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Thompson has been suspended 25 games for violating the league's Anti-Drug Program, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Thompson has been serving as the top backup to starting center Jarrett Allen of late, but he likely would have been at risk at dropping out of the rotation once Evan Mobley (knee) likely returns to action shortly before the All-Star break. With Mobley's return still likely a week or more away, however, the Cavaliers will presumably turn to Damian Jones to fill minutes at center when Allen is off the floor. Thompson is first eligible to return from suspension March 16 versus the Rockets.

Hartenstein (Achilles) remains listed as questionable but is considered unlikely to play Tuesday against Brooklyn, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

Hartenstein appears on track to miss his first game of the season after exiting Saturday's 126-100 win over the Raptors with an injury that the Knicks are labeling as left Achilles tendinopathy. Assuming Hartenstein is ruled out ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET opening tip, Jericho Sims is expected to slot in as the starting center, though Precious Achiuwa had been running as Hartenstein's primary backup of late and could end up seeing the larger share of minutes. After Hartenstein's early departure Saturday, Achiuwa stepped in to post 18 points, 11 rebounds and one block in 25 minutes.

Embiid ended Monday's 133-123 win over San Antonio with 70 points (24-41 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 21-23 FT), 18 rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes.

The 70 points were not only a new career high for Embiid, they also set a new 76ers record, topping the 68 points scored by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967. The 29-year-old center has scored at least 30 points in 21 straight games dating back to Nov. 17, averaging 38.3 points, 11.6 boards, 5.9 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.2 threes over that stretch as he pushes for his second straight MVP Award.