NBA Player News

Vucevic suggested that he will come off the bench for his Celtics debut Friday against the Heat, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Vucevic has been an established starter in every season of his NBA career other than his rookie campaign with the 76ers in 2011-12. The Celtics' newest addition expressed his excitement Friday in joining his new team and relayed that he expects that his role in Boston will be different from what it has been for his career. That suggests that Neemias Queta will remain the Celtics' starting center for at least the short term, and with Vucevic coming off the bench, that will mean fewer rotational minutes will be available for the likes of Luka Garza, Amari Williams and Jordan Walsh.

Towns (eye) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.

Towns was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Friday's game due to a laceration above his right eye that he sustained during Wednesday's double-overtime win over the Nuggets. The veteran big man will end up being sidelined for the first time since Jan. 2, and his next chance to play is Sunday against the Celtics. Mitchell Robinson will likely start at center against Detroit and Ariel Hukporti should see more minutes off the bench in Towns' absence.

Jokic (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bulls.

After appearing in four straight outings following a 16-game absence with a left knee bone bruise, Jokic is in jeopardy of missing Saturday's contest due to a sprained left ankle. If the three-time MVP is ultimately ruled out, Jonas Valanciunas and Zeke Nnaji would likely see increased playing time. Over his last four games, Jokic has averaged 25.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals across 33.0 minutes per tilt.

Bagley (recently traded) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Bagley was part of the Wizards' trade package that was sent to the Mavericks on Wednesday in exchange for Anthony Davis (finger), Dante Exum (knee), D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Jaden Hardy (recently traded). Bagley was not available for Thursday's loss to San Antonio, but it appears the veteran big man will make his Dallas debut in Saturday's rematch. He's expected to serve as the Mavericks' primary backup center behind Daniel Gafford while Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell provide depth at the position.

Richards (recently traded) is off the injury report for Saturday's game against Denver.

Richards is set to be available off the bench for his Bulls debut Saturday. The 2020 second-rounder offers Chicago some frontcourt depth, but considering he last appeared Jan. 7 for the Suns, Richards would likely need Jalen Smith (calf) to be out in order to see significant minutes.

Okongwu (mouth) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Hornets.

Okongwu underwent a dental procedure Jan. 29 and has missed Atlanta's last four games, though there's a chance he will return Saturday. If the big man is cleared to play, there would be fewer minutes available for guys like Jock Landale and Mouhamed Gueye.

Tillman (recently traded) is off the injury report for Saturday's game against the Hawks.

Tillman is set to be available off the bench for his Hornets debut Saturday, However, he appears to be facing an uphill climb for playing time after playing an inconsistent role for the Celtics earlier this year.

Sarr (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Nets.

Sarr is dealing with ankle soreness on the front end of this back-to-back set. If the second-year big man is held out, the Wizards could lean on Tristan Vukcevic, Anthony Gill and Will Riley.

Sabonis is out for Friday's game against the Clippers with lower-back soreness.

Friday is the front end of a back-to-back, so it's plausible that the star big man will be able to play Saturday against the Cavaliers. Maxime Raynaud figures to jump into the starting lineup in Sabonis' stead, setting him up to split the center minutes with fellow rookie Dylan Cardwell.

Jackson (trade pending) won't play for the Clippers on Friday versus the Kings or Saturday versus the Timberwolves, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

After being acquired from the Pacers ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, Jackson is joining his new squad in Minnesota, but the team doesn't plan for him to make his Clippers debut until Tuesday's game in Houston. With Jackson out for the next two games, Brook Lopez should start at center while Yanic Konan Niederhauser serves as the primary backup.