NBA Player News

Capela (adductor) is officially starting at center in Friday's matchup with the Raptors, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Capela is set to return to the court following a six-game absence that led into the All-Star break. The 29-year-old will replace Bruno Fernando in the starting lineup. However, given how long he has been sidelined, the big man is expected to be on a minutes restriction, per Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Eubanks is in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus the Rockets, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Eubanks will replace Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) in the starting five Friday. Eubanks is averaging 2.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.3 minutes across his last three starting appearances.

Robinson (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Robinson was a late addition to the injury report with back spasms and will ultimately be sidelined. However, his absence shouldn't impact Miami's rotation.

Nurkic (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

As expected, Nurkic has been downgraded from doubtful to out. Per Rankin, the big man suffered the injury during Wednesday's practice and tried to play through it during Thursday's loss to Dallas. In his absence, Drew Eubanks is a candidate to start at center. Thaddeus Young, who recently joined the team, could be integrated into the rotation as well, while Phoenix will also deploy plenty of small-ball lineups, which should benefit Royce O'Neale.

Davis is questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs due to bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and a left hip spasm, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Davis shook off a probable tag Thursday and posted 27 points (11-19 FG), 15 rebounds and three blocks in 33 minutes during a loss to the Warriors. While the big man may take a seat for the second half of Los Angeles' back-to-back set, LeBron James (ankle) is expected to suit up after missing Thursday's contest.

Nurkic is doubtful for Friday's game against the Rockets due to a right ankle sprain, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports.

Nurkic wasn't part of the Suns' rotation during the fourth quarter of Thursday's loss to Dallas, and it appears that may have been because of an injury, though nothing was reported during the contest. With the big man unlikely to play, Drew Eubanks would be the top candidate to start at center. However, Thaddeus Young, who recently joined the team, could be integrated into the rotation. Phoenix will also deploy plenty of small-ball lineups.

Jokic produced 21 points (10-10 FG, 1-2 FT), 19 rebounds, 15 assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Thursday's 130-110 win over the Wizards.

Jokic made history Thursday, as he finished with an impressive triple-double while also making each of his field goals -- he became the first player in NBA history to achieve that goal. Jokic ranks fourth in NBA history with 121 regular-season triple-doubles. He trails only Magic Johnson (138), Oscar Robertson (181) and Russell Westbrook (198) on the all-time list. Jokic is also averaging 26.0 points, 12.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game on the season.

Collins had nine points (4-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 18 rebounds, two assists and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 115-107 loss to Charlotte.

Getting the start at center as Walker Kessler moved to the bench, Collins set a new season high in rebounds, with the 18 boards representing his best performance in that category since he matched that total back in early February 2022 while still with the Hawks. The 26-year-old big has emerged as a beast on the glass over the last month, recording double-digit rebounds eight times in the last 12 games and averaging 15.8 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.9 blocks over that stretch while shooting 58.9 percent from the floor.

Vucevic logged 22 points (10-19 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 14 rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes during Thursday's 129-112 loss to the Celtics.

Vucevic has been playing at a very high level in recent weeks, posting four double-doubles across his last five appearances. Seeing the veteran big man producing at both ends is not surprising, but he's been putting up strong numbers in the scoring column. He's scored 20 or more points in seven of his last eight contests, averaging 21.4 points while shooting 47 percent from the field in that stretch.

Robinson is questionable for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to lower back spasms, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Robinson wasn't on Miami's initial injury report for Friday's matchup, but it's now unclear whether he'll be able to suit up. However, his status shouldn't impact the rotation.