NBA Player News

Claxton racked up 14 points (6-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-5 FT), six rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes during Thursday's 118-98 loss to Orlando.

Claxton produced another mediocre line Thursday, and he has been averaging less production across every major category since Jan. 1 when compared with his season-long numbers. While he's a versatile contributor, his overall output has dipped in recent weeks, and it's possible the Nets shut him down eventually as they play for lottery odds.

Duren (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks.

Duren left Thursday's game against the Wizards early due to right knee soreness, and the center remains day-to-day. It wouldn't be a surprise if the team held him out for the second leg of this back-to-back set. If Duren doesn't suit up, the team could rely more on Isaiah Stewart, Ronald Holland and Paul Reed.

Towns is doubtful for Friday's game against the Pistons due to a right eye laceration.

Towns got his right eye bandaged up during Wednesday's 134-127 double-overtime victory over the Nuggets, and now it sounds like he won't be able to play Friday. Mitchell Robinson appears to be slated to handle the starting center job against Detroit, with Ariel Hukporti stepping into the backup role.

Gafford registered 16 points (5-8 FG, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists, four blocks and three steals in 33 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 135-123 loss to the Spurs.

Gafford was upgraded to available shortly before tipoff Thursday and didn't show any signs of his ankle injury hampering his play. The big man has started five consecutive matchups for the Mavs and is averaging 12.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks in 26.4 minutes over this strong stretch.

Embiid closed with 35 points (13-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal across 39 minutes during Thursday's 119-115 loss to the Lakers.

The 31-year-old center led the Sixers in scoring as he delivered 30-plus points for the seventh time in his last nine appearances. Embiid is still being held out for one end of Philly's back-to-backs, but he's been dominant when he's been on the court. Over that nine-game stretch, which stretches back to Jan. 16, he's averaging 33.1 points, 8.6 boards, 5.4 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.6 combined blocks and steals while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor and an impressive 51.9 percent (14-for-27) from long distance.

Williams contributed 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds and one block across 23 minutes during Thursday's 101-97 loss to the Warriors.

The fourth-year center recorded his second straight double-double and his 12th of the season. Williams also extended his streak of games with at least one block to seven, a stretch in which he's averaging 13.7 points, 7.9 boards, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 25.0 minutes while shooting 71.0 percent from the floor.

Wembanyama had 29 points (9-14 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 6-8 FT), 11 rebounds, six assists, three blocks and two steals across 34 minutes during Thursday's 135-123 win over Dallas.

Wembanyama posted a strong shooting line, highlighted by five made triples. Thursday marked his best showing from deep since Jan. 19, when he went 7-for-12 from downtown. Wembanyama continues to feast on the opposite end of the court and has racked up 10 total swats over his last three games.

Landale finished Thursday's 121-119 win over the Jazz with 26 points (10-14 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and four blocks over 32 minutes.

Landale was given the green light to make his Hawks debut Thursday following a tumultuous week in which he was traded by Memphis to Utah on Tuesday before being shipped to Atlanta on Wednesday. Perhaps the Jazz will regret moving on from the fifth-year center, as he put together a dominant display Thursday despite the lack of playing time with his new teammates. Landale ended up leading the Hawks in scoring, three-pointers and blocks while finishing second in rebounds behind Jalen Johnson (16 rebounds). It'll be interesting to see how head coach Quin Snyder shapes the Hawks' rotation once Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) is cleared to return, especially if Landale can come close to maintaining this kind of production.

Horford is not in the Warriors' starting lineup against the Suns on Thursday, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Horford has started in each of the Warriors' last four games, and over that span he has averaged 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 threes, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals over 22.5 minutes per game. The veteran big man will revert to a bench role for Thursday's contest while De'Anthony Melton enters the Warriors' starting five for the first time this season.

Embiid (ankle) will play Thursday against the Lakers, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Embiid was considered a true game-time call leading up to tipoff, and the team has since given him the green light to run the floor in LA. The big man will aim to continue his recent success, as he's averaging 32.9 points over his last eight games.