NBA Player News

Embiid posted 33 points (9-19 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 11-13 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and one block over 33 minutes during Saturday's 109-103 victory over the Suns.

Embiid was questionable to play Saturday due to right knee injury management, but the star center not only suited up, he also led the Sixers in scoring while ending just one board shy of a double-double. Embiid has been on a tear of late and has reached the 30-point mark in four of his last five appearances, establishing himself as the Sixers' go-to weapon on offense ahead of Tyrese Maxey when he's fully healthy.

Wagner chipped in 13 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and eight rebounds over 17 minutes during Saturday's 120-117 victory over the Jazz.

Wagner scored in double digits for the second straight game, falling two rebounds short of what would have been his first double-double of the season. It appears as though Wagner has supplanted Goga Bitadze in the rotation, serving as the primary backup behind Wendell Carter. However, his role remains limited, as he is averaging just 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers in 10.0 minutes per game over his past seven appearances.

Nurkic contributed three points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Saturday's 120-117 loss to the Magic.

Nurkic returned from a two-game absence due to illness/rest, moving straight into the starting lineup alongside the newly acquired Jaren Jackson. Utah opted to run with a sizeable lineup, an encouraging sign for anyone rostering Nurkic. With that said, we have already started to see some questionable absences, a situation that could get worse as the season progresses. For now, managers will have to hold Nurkic or try to pass him off while he is still relatively active.

Ayton (knee) will be day-to-day moving forward, head coach JJ Redick told Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com following Saturday's win over the Warriors.

Ayton was ruled out of Saturday's contest due to right knee soreness, and it's unclear whether the big man will miss more time. For now, he should be considered questionable for Monday's game against the Thunder. If he's unable to play, Jaxson Hayes should remain in the starting unit.

Sharpe chipped in 19 points (9-11 FG, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, four assists and two steals over 20 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 127-113 victory over the Wizards.

The fifth-year center tied his season scoring high while just missing his second double-double in the last three games, and his fourth of the campaign. Sharpe also nabbed multiple steals for the fifth time in the last eight contests, a stretch in which he's averaging 11.0 points, 8.8 boards, 1.9 assists and 1.9 steals in just 19.4 minutes a contest.

Embiid (knee) is available for Saturday's game against the Suns.

Embiid was initially listed as questionable due to right knee injury management, but the star big man will suit up Saturday. Embiid has been playing well of late, averaging 31.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 0.9 blocks per game over his last 10 appearances.

Hayes will start Saturday's game against the Warriors, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Deandre Ayton (knee) was a late scratch Saturday, resulting in Hayes getting the starting nod for the first time since Dec. 20. As a starter this season (four games), the seventh-year center has averaged 11.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 28.8 minutes per tilt.

Ayton has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors due to right knee soreness, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.

Ayton was an extremely late addition to the injury report due to the knee issue, and his next opportunity to play will come Monday against the Thunder. With the big man sidelined, Jaxson Hayes will get the starting nod, while Drew Timme and Maxi Kleber are candidates for increased burn off the bench.

The Warriors plan to have Porzingis (Achilles) wait until after the All-Star break to make his team debut, Danny Emerman of SFStandard.com reports.

Porzingis has joined the Warriors after being traded from Atlanta, but the veteran big man has been dealing with an illness and an Achilles injury of late. Golden State will give Porzingis some additional time to recover before making his Warriors debut, holding him out until at least Feb. 19, when the team plays their first game after the All-Star break. With Porzingis sidelined, Draymond Green, Al Horford and Quinten Post should see plenty of minutes in the frontcourt.

Landale won't start against the Hornets on Saturday, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

The Australian big man got the starting nod in his Hawks debut Thursday, though he'll slide to the second unit Saturday with Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) back in action. Landale posted 26 points (10-14 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks over 32 minutes in Thursday's win over Utah and should operate as Atlanta's primary backup center going forward.