NBA Player News

Kalkbrenner totaled six points (3-4 FG), two rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal across 14 minutes during Wednesday's 118-89 win over the Celtics.

Kalkbrenner continues to play a limited role as the backup center, having logged fewer than 19 minutes in six straight games. Charlotte has won 16 of its past 19 games, with Moussa Diabate playing a huge part in the recent success. With Diabate seemingly locked in as the starter, Kalkbrenner should be viewed as nothing more than a blocks streamer.

The Clippers announced after Wednesday's 130-107 win over the Pacers that Niederhauser will remain in Los Angeles to undergo further evaluation for his right foot injury and won't travel with the team for its upcoming two-game road trip, Farbod Esnaashari of SI.com reports.

The rookie first-round pick will sit out Friday in San Antonio and Saturday in Memphis after playing just eight minutes and recording six points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two blocks before exiting Wednesday's win with the injury. A clearer timeline for Niederhauer's return should become available once the Clippers return to Los Angeles. In the meantime, the Clippers could lean on Nicolas Batum and Isaiah Jackson to play backup minutes at center when starter Brook Lopez is off the court.

Niederhauser won't return to Wednesday's game against the Pacers due to a right foot injury, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports. He will finish with six points (2-2 FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and two blocks across eight minutes.

Niederhauser landed awkwardly on his right foot after blocking a shot and required assistance getting back to the locker room. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Friday's game in San Antonio. If the rookie big man is forced to miss time, Isaiah Jackson would likely see a bump in minutes behind Brook Lopez.

Niederhauser exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Wednesday's game against the Pacers due to an apparent lower right leg injury, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Niederhauser came down awkwardly after blocking a shot and required assistance getting back to the locker room. If the rookie big man is unable to return, Brook Lopez and Isaiah Jackson should pick up the slack the rest of the way.

Towns totaled 17 points (7-8 FG, 3-4 FT), 17 rebounds and one assist in 33 minutes before fouling out of Wednesday's 103-100 loss to the Thunder.

Towns dominated the glass, notching his league-leading 43rd double-double of the season, but he also made a fair amount of mistakes in the narrow loss. Towns fouled out for the first time since the All-Star break, finished with a team-worst minus-18 differential, and with him unavailable down the stretch, the Knicks had their three-game win streak snapped. They'll look to get things back on track Friday in Denver.

Hartenstein won't return to Wednesday's game versus the Knicks due to tightness in his left calf, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

This is the same calf that caused Hartenstein's most recent lengthy absence, so the Thunder will proceed with caution and hold him out of the remainder of the game. Hartenstein will finish with five rebounds, two assists and one turnover across 17 scoreless minutes, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Williams has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Bulls due to left foot soreness.

Williams will be held out of the front end of this back-to-back set, marking his first absence since Dec. 29. His next chance to play will come Friday against New Orleans. With the 24-year-old center out, Oso Ighodaro will likely get the starting nod, while Khaman Maluach is in line to see increased minutes off the bench.

Drummond won't start Wednesday's game against the Jazz.

The veteran big man will slide to the second unit in favor of Adem Bona with Joel Embiid (oblique) sidelined. Over his last five outings off the bench, Drummond has averaged 3.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 10.2 minutes per contest.

Kleber (back) is questionable for Thursday's game in Denver.

Kleber isn't a consistent part of the rotation for the Lakers, so his status for Thursday's game won't impact fantasy leagues. Kleber is averaging 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game on the season.

Vucevic won't start Wednesday's game against the Hornets, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

With Neemias Queta (rest) back in the lineup, Vucevic will slide to the second unit. Over his last five appearances off the bench, the veteran big man has averaged 11.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 21.8 minutes per contest.