NBA Player News
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Al Horford C | GS
Warriors' Al Horford: Will likely play Friday
Horford (sciatica) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Thunder.
Horford has been working through sciatic nerve irritation since early December. He's on track to play Friday and could enter the Warriors' starting five for the second time this season due to the absence of Draymond Green (rest). Horford's lone start was against the 76ers on Dec. 4, when he tallied three points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 18 minutes.
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Jalen Duren C | DET
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Exits to locker room
Duren exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Heat due to an apparent ankle injury, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports.
Duren appeared to roll his ankle before heading to the back with just 52 seconds remaining in the first half. If the fourth-year big man is unable to return for the second half, Ronald Holland and Paul Reed are candidates for increased playing time alongside Isaiah Stewart.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Not starting vs. Philadelphia
Gafford won't start against the 76ers on Thursday.
With Anthony Davis (adductor) back in the lineup, Gafford will slide to the second unit. Over his last five games off the bench, the 27-year-old center has averaged 4.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 15.2 minutes per tilt.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Cleared to play Thursday
Embiid (ankle/knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.
Embiid continues to manage ankle and knee injuries, but the 2022-23 MVP has been cleared to play in Thursday's road game. He played in seven of the 76ers' 12 December games, averaging 25.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 threes and 1.3 blocks over 31.1 minutes per game last month.
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Jonas Valanciunas C | DEN
Nuggets' Jonas Valanciunas: Out for at least four weeks
Valanciunas will be re-evaluated in four weeks due to a right calf strain that he suffered during the Nuggets' 106-103 win over the Raptors on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
The Nuggets are now down both of their top big men, with Valanciunas joining Nikola Jokic (knee) on the shelf. Valanciunas made his first start of the season Wednesday and was slated to take on a larger role in the absence of Jokic, but with both of them now sidelined, the Nuggets will turn to DaRon Holmes and Zeke Nnaji to fill in the gap at center.
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Ryan Kalkbrenner C | CHA
Hornets' Ryan Kalkbrenner: Remaining out vs. Milwaukee
Kalkbrenner (elbow) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Kalkbrenner will miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a left elbow sprain, and it's not a positive sign that he continues to be ruled out a day in advance of games. The rookie second-rounder's next opportunity to play will come Saturday against Chicago. With Kalkbrenner sidelined, Moussa Diabate (wrist) is expected to get the starting nod if he can shake his questionable tag, while PJ Hall is likely to remain in the rotation.
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Alperen Sengun C | HOU
Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Available Thursday
Sengun (calf) is available for Thursday's game against the Nets.
Sengun will shed his questionable tag and return from a two-game absence due to a left soleus strain. Over nine appearances in December, the star big man averaged 23.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks in 34.7 minutes per tilt. He shot 53.4 percent from the floor during that span.
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Chris Boucher C | BOS
Celtics' Chris Boucher: Upgraded to available
Boucher (personal) is available for Thursday's game against the Kings.
After being away from the team for three games in a row, Boucher has rejoined the Celtics after tending to a personal matter. The 32-year-old center offers Boston some frontcourt depth, though it appears Luka Garza is gaining a grip on the backup role behind Neemias Queta.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Won't play Friday
Wembanyama's MRI on his left knee came back clean, though he will not travel with the Spurs for Friday's game against Indiana, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports.
Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee in Wednesday's win over the Knicks and will stay in San Antonio to receive additional care Friday. Although the star big man is set to miss Friday's road matchup at the very least, Wright relayed that Wembanyama is likely to be listed as questionable for Saturday's home game against the Trail Blazers. With the 21-year-old unavailable against Indiana, Luke Kornet will likely get the starting nod, while Jeremy Sochan and Kelly Olynyk are also candidates for increased playing time.
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Mitchell Robinson C | NY
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Questionable for Friday
Robinson (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Robinson is in jeopardy of missing a third consecutive contest due to left ankle injury management. Ariel Hukporti would play the backup center role behind Karl-Anthony Towns if Robinson remains out.