NBA Player News

Embiid (ankle) is available for Saturday's game against the Knicks.

Embiid was on the injury report due to right ankle injury management, but the veteran center has been officially cleared to play in Saturday's game. He's coming off a triple-double performance against the Rockets on Thursday and has averaged 27.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 0.8 blocks over 33.7 minutes per game over his last 10 outings.

Cisse (illness) has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of Saturday's game against the Lakers.

Cisse was initially listed as questionable Friday, but the downgrade in status suggests it wouldn't be surprising if he ends up being ruled out. If Cisse ends up being out, the Mavs would have to rely on Daniel Gafford (ankle) and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl as depth pieces at center with Dwight Powell expected to remain the starter.

Queta (illness) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Bulls, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Queta was able to play through an illness during the Celtics' double-overtime victory over the Nets on Friday, when he logged six points (2-3 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block over 28 minutes. He should be available for the second leg of Boston's back-to-back set Saturday.

Head coach Mike Brown told reporters that Towns (back) is a game-time decision for Saturday's contest against the 76ers, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Towns will go through pregame warmups, at which point the Knicks will have a better idea of whether the veteran big man will be able to play through back spasms. Mitchell Robinson would likely start for the Knicks if Towns is unable to play.

Nurkic (illness) has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Saturday's game against the Heat.

Nurkic is battling through an illness, but he is trending positively toward being available for Saturday's game, which tips off at 9:30 p.m. ET. If Nurkic is unable to play, then Kyle Filipowski would like start at center for the Jazz.

Kalkbrenner is not in the Hornets' starting lineup against the Wizards on Saturday.

Kalkbrenner was originally slated to start for the Hornets on Saturday. However, the rookie second-rounder will remain in his bench role while Moussa Diabate stays in Charlotte's starting lineup.

Kalkbrenner is in the Hornets' starting lineup against the Wizards on Saturday.

The rookie second-rounder has come off the bench in six of the Hornets' last seven games, but he'll reenter the starting lineup Saturday in place of Moussa Diabate. Kalkbrenner has averaged 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists over 20.0 minutes per game over his last seven outings.

Sabonis logged 24 points (9-14 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 16 rebounds, six assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Friday's 123-118 loss to the Cavaliers.

Sabonis was brought off the bench for Friday's contest while continuing to manage a left knee injury that caused him to miss 27 straight games. The veteran big man ended up leading the Kings in both points and rebounds while finishing second in assists behind Malik Monk (seven), and it was the former's first double-double since Nov. 16 against the Spurs. The fact that Sabonis played 31 minutes is an encouraging sign, and he could re-enter the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Pistons.

Allen racked up 15 points (3-6 FG, 9-10 FT), nine rebounds, one block and two steals over 34 minutes during Friday's 123-118 win over the Kings.

Allen attempted only six field goals during Friday's win but still reached double-digit points thanks to his season-high nine made free throws. He has logged nine rebounds in each of his last three games and has gone six contests without recording a double-double. Since Jan. 2, Allen has averaged 12.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks over 31.1 minutes per game.

Kalkbrenner (wrist) is available for Saturday's game against the Wizards.

Kalkbrenner popped up on Friday's injury report due to a right wrist sprain, but he has been given the green light to play in Saturday afternoon's contest. In his seven outings (one start) since returning from a 10-game absence, the rookie second-rounder has averaged 8.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 0.9 assists over 20.0 minutes per game.