NBA Player News
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Kel'el Ware C | MIA
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Will miss at least two more games
Ware returned to Miami for treatment on his strained right hamstring Thursday, and he won't play in the Heat's back-to-back set against the Jazz on Saturday and the Suns on Sunday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Ware is set to miss his fourth consecutive contest Sunday, and his next opportunity to play will come at home against the Magic on Wednesday. With the second-year big man sidelined, Nikola Jovic will likely see increased playing time behind Bam Adebayo.
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Jock Landale C | ATL
Grizzlies' Jock Landale: Starting Friday
Landale will start against the Pelicans on Friday.
The Australian big man will get the starting nod against New Orleans, pushing John Konchar to the second unit. As a starter this month (six games), Landale has averaged 11.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 26.7 minutes per contest.
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Jay Huff C | IND
Pacers' Jay Huff: Bench role Friday
Huff is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Thunder, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Huff will retreat to the bench in favor of Jarace Walker, giving the Pacers a smaller opening lineup. The big man has started 26 of 49 games this season and had been entrenched as a starter over the past six contests, averaging 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals in 20.8 minutes per game during that span. Even without a starting role, Huff should still see plenty of action off the bench.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Unlikely to play Saturday
Nurkic (illness) is doubtful for Saturday's game against Miami.
Nurkic is unlikely to play Saturday while battling an undisclosed illness. The big man started the previous three games and posted massive production, averaging 17.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists in 30.7 minutes per contest, including two triple-doubles. With Nurkic doubtful and Kevin Love (knee) already ruled out, Utah's thin frontcourt may have to lean on Kyle Filipowski and Kyle Anderson for extended minutes at center.
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Neemias Queta C | BOS
Celtics' Neemias Queta: Upgraded to available
Queta (illness) is available for Friday's game against the Nets.
Queta is feeling well enough to move past an illness and give it a go Friday. The big man hasn't missed a game since Nov. 30. For the month of January, Queta has averaged 11.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals in 25.2 minutes per game while shooting 64.5 percent from the field over 11 appearances.
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Jock Landale C | ATL
Grizzlies' Jock Landale: Will play Friday
Landale (personal) is available for Friday's game against the Pelicans, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Landale will shed his questionable tag due to personal reasons and suit up Friday. The big man has logged 20-plus minutes in each of his nine January appearances (six starts), during which he has averaged 12.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 25.7 minutes per tilt.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Officially probable for Saturday
Gafford (ankle) is probable for Saturday's game against the Lakers.
Gafford is on the injury report with a right ankle sprain, but Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reported earlier Friday that the big man is expected to play Saturday. The 27-year-old has started 20 of 29 games this season and is averaging 7.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in 20.1 minutes over his past 10 appearances. Gafford's anticipated return to action may cut into Dwight Powell's fantasy appeal.
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Moussa Cisse C | DAL
Mavericks' Moussa Cisse: Iffy for Saturday
Cisse (illness) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Lakers.
Cisse is still under the weather, though he was cleared to play in Thursday's win over Golden State. However, he logged just six minutes in that contest, and with Daniel Gafford (ankle) expected to return from a four-game absence, Cisse isn't guaranteed to see meaningful playing time.
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Ryan Kalkbrenner C | CHA
Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Likely to suit up Saturday
Kalkbrenner is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Wizards due to a right wrist sprain.
The wrist injury is a new concern for Kalkbrenner, though he's still likely to suit up Saturday. Over seven appearances (one start) so far this month, the rookie second-rounder has averaged 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in 20.0 minutes per tilt.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Probable for Saturday
Embiid (ankle) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Knicks.
Embiid missed Tuesday's loss to the Suns -- the second leg of a back-to-back set -- due to right ankle injury management. However, the star big man was able to shed his probable tag ahead of Thursday's win over Houston, when he dropped 32 points (10-19 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 11-12 FT), 15 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and one steal across 46 minutes. It appears likely he will suit up Saturday, and he'll look to remain hot against New York. Over 10 January appearances, Embiid has averaged 27.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 53.7 percent from the field in 33.7 minutes per contest.