NBA Player News
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Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Probable to return Monday
Nurkic (toe) is listed as probable for Monday's game against the Cavaliers.
Nurkic is trending toward returning Monday from a two-game absence due to a toe sprain, and his return would likely result in Kevin Love reverting to a bench role. Nurkic has appeared in just 12 of 19 games since Dec. 1 due to injury, and over that span he has averaged 14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 threes and 0.9 steals over 27.9 minutes per game.
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Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Cleared to play Sunday
Williams (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Knicks, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.
Williams will suit up Sunday after leaving Friday's win over the Rockets early due to right knee soreness. In his previous five appearances before Friday's contest, the big man averaged 5.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game.
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Zach Collins C | CHI
Bulls' Zach Collins: Facing longer-term absence
The Bulls announced Saturday that Collins remains confined to a walking boot and is out indefinitely while he continues to recover from a "pretty significant" right big toe sprain, Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
According to Williams, the Bulls have no immediate plans for Collins to undergo a procedure on his foot, but the big man looks like he'll have to don the boot for the foreseeable future while he waits for his sprained toe to heal. Collins has already missed seven straight games due to the injury, and his absence appears likely to extend into February, and potentially through the All-Star break. With Collins out of the mix, the Bulls should have regular spots in the frontcourt rotation available for both Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams.
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Goga Bitadze C | ORL
Magic's Goga Bitadze: Starting sans Carter
Bitadze will start against the Pelicans on Sunday.
The 26-year-old center will enter the starting five for the first time this season due to Wendell Carter (hip) being sidelined. Over five outings this month, Bitadze has averaged 5.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 15.6 minutes per contest.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Questionable for Sunday
Wembanyama (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game in Minnesota.
The Spurs are on the second leg of a back-to-back set, so Wembanyama could be afforded a rest day. If he does sit out, Luke Kornet would likely get the start and the likes of Kelly Olynyk and Bismack Biyombo would have the opportunity to get into the rotation.
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Zach Edey C | MEM
Grizzlies' Zach Edey: Traveling with team
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Sunday that Edey (ankle) will travel with the Grizzlies for Thursday's game against the Magic in Berlin, Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Edey is set to miss his 15th straight game Sunday as he recovers from a stress reaction in his left foot. However, he's traveling with the team to Europe and could return against Orlando on Thursday or in next Sunday's rematch against the Magic in London. Iisalo also relayed that an update on the big man's progress is expected soon. If he remains on the shelf, Jock Landale will likely continue to see increased minutes.
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Wendell Carter Jr. C | ORL
Magic's Wendell Carter: Ruled out for Sunday
Carter (hip) will not suit up for Sunday's game versus the Pelicans, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
With Carter unavailable for Sunday's game, Goga Bitadze will have an opportunity to start and Moritz Wagner will help fill some of the reserve center minutes in his regular-season debut. After Sunday, the Magic don't play again until Thursday, giving Carter a full four days to rest his right hip.
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Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Probable to play Sunday
Williams (knee) has been upgraded to probable for Sunday's game against the Knicks.
Williams was initially listed as questionable due to right knee soreness after leaving Friday's win over the Rockets early, though he now appears likely to play Sunday. In his past five appearances prior to Friday's contest, the 28-year-old big man averaged 5.0 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per tilt.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Out Sunday
Embiid (knee/groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.
Embiid will be held out of the front end of this back-to-back set due to left knee injury management and left groin sorenesss. His next opportunity to play will come in Monday's rematch against Toronto. With the star big man unavailable, Andre Drummond and Adem Bona are candidates for increased playing time.
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Naz Reid C | MIN
Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Drains five triples off bench
Reid logged 25 points (9-12 FG, 5-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 28 minutes during the Timberwolves' 146-134 loss to the Cavaliers on Saturday.
Reid gave the Timberwolves a much-needed spark to keep them competitive during Saturday's loss, with the seventh-year pro co-leading the team in scoring with Anthony Edwards. It was the fourth time this season that Reid scored at least 25 points in a game and the fourth time he connected on five or more triples. Through five games in January, Reid has averaged 17.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.6 threes and 1.4 blocks over 24.4 minutes per game.