NBA Player News
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Day'Ron Sharpe C | BKN
Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe: Progressing in recovery
Sharpe (hamstring) has begun 1-on-1 workouts with coaches and is expected to be integrated into team activities in the next 7-to-10 days, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.
Sharpe has yet to play this season due to a left hamstring strain. However, Sharpe appears to be progressing well in his recovery and could return to action at the start of December if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.
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Nicolas Claxton C | BKN
Nets' Nic Claxton: Questionable for Friday
Claxton (back) returned to practice Thursday and is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the 76ers, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Claxton has missed Brooklyn's last three contests due to a lower back strain but could return to action Friday. If the 25-year-old center is able to suit up against Philadelphia, he will likely reclaim his starting spot from Ben Simmons.
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Trayce Jackson-Davis C | GS
Warriors' Trayce Jackson-Davis: Posts double-double
Jackson-Davis provided 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 120-97 win over Atlanta.
Jackson-Davis recorded his first double-double of the season Wednesday, and it was also the first time he scored in double digits since the 125-112 win over the Wizards on Nov. 4. Jackson-Davis' role as the Warriors' starting center is not under any threat. He's averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game since the beginning of November while starting in each of his nine outings.
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Clint Capela C | ATL
Hawks' Clint Capela: Another double-double
Capela totaled 11 points (5-12 FG, 1-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 120-97 loss to Golden State.
Capela is making the most of his minutes in recent weeks, scoring in double digits in all but one of his last six appearances while posting three double-doubles in that stretch. That said, Capela is splitting time at center with Onyeka Okongwu, and that's undoubtedly limiting his upside. The veteran big man is averaging 11.9 points and 9.1 boards per game since the beginning of November, and he'll remain valuable in most formats as long as he remains in the starting lineup. For now, that's not expected to change.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Scores 35 points in loss
Embiid registered 35 points (10-21 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 14-14 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 35 minutes during Wednesday's 117-111 loss to Memphis.
Embiid was one of Philadelphia's few standout performers in this defeat, leading the team in scoring and rebounding despite the outcome. Embiid has been limited to just four appearances after missing the team's initial nine contests due to a knee injury and a suspension. The 76ers will monitor Embiid's fitness and rest levels throughout the season, but the big man is expected to be available for Friday's game against the Nets, particularly if Paul George (knee) is unable to feature.
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Brook Lopez C | MIL
Bucks' Brook Lopez: Strong two-way play in win
Lopez finished Wednesday's 122-106 win over the Bulls with 21 points (9-12 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and three steals over 35 minutes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard thrived in this win for Milwaukee, but the impact Lopez made on both ends of the court can't go unnoticed, since he was a dominant presence throughout the contest. Lopez has been trending in the right direction as a scorer after reaching the 20-point mark in three of his last four contests.
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Nikola Vucevic C | CHI
Bulls' Nikola Vucevic: Poor shooting effort in loss
Vucevic had 14 points (6-15 FG, 2-7 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists, one block and three steals over 35 minutes during Wednesday's 122-106 loss to Milwaukee.
The Bulls looked outmatched on both ends of the court Wednesday, and Vucevic didn't escape the team's woes after finishing with more field-goal attempts than points scored. He posted solid numbers in other categories to salvage his fantasy line, but the Bulls need Vucevic to be a reliable scoring weapon on a game-to-game basis. Vucevic is averaging 20.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game since the beginning of November.
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Ivica Zubac C | LAC
Clippers' Ivica Zubac: Records 10th double-double in win
Zubac closed with 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-4 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Wednesday's 104-93 victory over the Magic.
Zubac continues to perform well while experiencing an extreme usage increase during his ninth season. His perfect attendance record is impressive when you consider the load he has to carry, but the lack of reasonable competition on the roster makes his increased presence necessary to the team's success.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | PHO
Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Brings down double-double in loss
Nurkic had 14 points (5-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 138-122 loss to the Knicks.
Nurkic held his own despite an enormous night from Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint. The Suns are relieved to have one of their impact players off the injury report after he joined Kevin Durant (calf) and Bradley Beal (calf) on the sidelines twice over the past week. Nurkic's 2024-25 campaign has been a mixed bag, as he's performing slightly below last season's averages in every major category. Field-goal percentage is the most glaring shortcoming, as his 40.4 percent conversion rate is the lowest of his career, and a full 11 percentage points behind his 2023-24 average.