NBA Player News

Powell won't start against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.

Daniel Gafford will return to the starting five Wednesday, pushing Powell to the second unit. The veteran big man has averaged 3.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game over his last five appearances off the bench.

Aldama won't start against the Hornets on Wednesday.

With Jock Landale back in the starting five after a one-game absence due to personal reasons, Aldama will retreat to the second unit. Over seven appearances off the bench so far this month, the 25-year-old big man has averaged 13.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 28.4 minutes per tilt.

Nurkic (illness) is available for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

Nurkic missed Tuesday's loss to the Clippers due to an illness but will shed his questionable tag and suit up in the second leg of this back-to-back set. The veteran big man has recorded a triple-double in three straight appearances, and he has averaged 16.2 points, 13.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.6 minutes per game over his last five outings.

Landale will start Wednesday against the Hornets.

Landale will replace Santi Aldama in the first unit for Wednesday's game, and the former will be joined by Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward and Jaren Jackson. As a starter this season, Landale owns averages of 11.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 triples per contest.

Williams will start against the Hawks on Wednesday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

With Neemias Queta (illness) unavailable, Williams will get the starting nod for just the second time this season. The rookie second-rounder logged a career-high 26 minutes in Monday's win over Portland, during which he posted nine points (3-8 FG, 3-5 FT), seven rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal.

Valanciunas (calf) is probable for Thursday's game against the Nets.

Thursday's game will be the first of a back-to-back set, so while Valanciunas is expected to play in that one, he may sit out Friday's game in Utah. Managers can expect to get official confirmation on Valanciunas' status closer to Thursday's tip.

Hartenstein (calf) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game in Minnesota.

Hartenstein is set to return from a month-long absence Thursday, though he may operate under a strict minutes restriction in his first game back. With the big man back in the mix, Chet Holmgren will likely shift back over to the four, which would likely send Jaylin Williams back to the bench. Branden Carlson could drop out of the rotation entirely with Hartenstein active.

Ware (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's game against Orlando.

The second-year big man is putting a four-game absence with a hamstring strain in the rearview mirror Wednesday. His return likely means fewer minutes will be open to Simone Fontecchio and Nikola Jovic in the Miami frontcourt. Over his last six appearances, Ware has averaged 7.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 15.5 minutes per game.

Embiid (knee) is probable to play Thursday against the Kings.

Embiid is on track to play Thursday, and we should get official confirmation on his status closer to Thursday's tip. The former MVP is averaging 25.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 triples and 1.1 blocks per game this season.

Bagley is out for Thursday's game against the Bucks due to a thoracic strain.

Bagley will be out for a fourth consecutive game, and a short turnaround looms Friday against the Lakers. With Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring) also sidelined, Anthony Gill should handle the No. 2 center job behind Alex Sarr (illness), but he wouldn't hold much fantasy utility in that role.