NBA Player News
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Jaxson Hayes C | LAL
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Unlikely to face Kings
Hayes (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Sacramento.
Hayes is slated for a second consecutive absence due to a left ankle injury. If the backup center winds up missing Sunday's matchup, Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber would likely see a bump in playing time.
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Mark Williams C | PHO
Suns' Mark Williams: Not starting Saturday
Williams is not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Pelicans.
Even though Williams was cleared to play in the second leg of a back-to-back set for the first time this season, it seems the Suns will monitor his minutes closely by having him come off the bench. This means Oso Ighodaro will start at center. Williams will play off the bench for the fourth time this season, and he averaged 11.0 points and 9.3 boards per game in the previous three.
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Luke Kornet C | SA
Spurs' Luke Kornet: Back to bench Saturday
Kornet is not starting against the Jazz on Saturday, according to NBA reporter Matthew Tynan.
Kornet will return to his regular bench role with Victor Wembanyama back in the first unit. This will limit Kornet's fantasy upside considerably, as he's averaging just 9.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game when playing off the bench.
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Steven Adams C | HOU
Rockets' Steven Adams: Starting sans Sengun
Adams is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, Tanner Nichols of IE Sports Radio reports.
The veteran big man will move to the first unit due to the absence of Alperen Sengun (calf). Adams doesn't bring the same skill set as Sengun, but he's an excellent rim protector and rebounder. Adams is averaging 5.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.6 blocks per game across 23 appearances (five starts) this season.
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Alperen Sengun C | HOU
Rockets' Alperen Sengun: Out vs. Cleveland
Sengun (calf) is out for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, Tanner Nichols of IE Sports Radio reports.
Sengun will miss Saturday's contest due to left calf tightness, meaning Steven Adams will jump into the starting lineup while playing alongside Jabari Smith in the frontcourt. Sengun will aim to return to the hardwood when the Rockets take on the Pacers on Monday.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Starting vs. Utah
Wembanyama will start against the Jazz on Saturday, NBA reporter Matthew Tynan reports.
After coming off the bench in six straight regular-season outings following a 12-game absence due to a calf strain, Wembanyama will return to the starting five. With the star big man back in the starting lineup, Luke Kornet is expected to slide to the second unit. It's unclear if Wembanyama will remain on a minutes restriction, though he was able to play 26 minutes in Thursday's win over the Thunder, during which he posted 19 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal off the bench.
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Kel'el Ware C | MIA
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Available Saturday
Ware (quadriceps) is available for Saturday's game against the Pacers, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Ware was added to the injury report due to a right quadriceps contusion but will shed his probable tag and suit up in the second leg of Miami's back-to-back set. The second-year center has started five consecutive contests, racking up four double-doubles over that stretch.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Won't face OKC
Embiid is out for Sunday's game against the Thunder due to a right ankle sprain.
Embiid registered 31 points (10-19 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 9-9 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block across 32 minutes during Friday's 109-102 loss to the Bulls. However, the big man won't suit up to face the reigning NBA champions on Sunday, as the 76ers will once again be depleted in the frontcourt. The absence of Embiid means Andre Drummond and Adem Bona will likely handle most of the minutes at center, with Dominick Barlow also seeing sizable playing time.
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Mark Williams C | PHO
Suns' Mark Williams: Upgraded to available
Williams (knee) is available for Saturday's game against the Pelicans.
Williams posted 24 points (9-13 FG, 6-8 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals across 27 minutes in Friday's win over New Orleans. Even though injury management initially made him questionable for this contest, the big man should suit up and handle his regular workload. He's averaging 12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game since the beginning of December.
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Jock Landale C | ATL
Grizzlies' Jock Landale: Iffy for Sunday
Landale (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Wizards.
Landale is in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive contest due to right calf soreness. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Christian Koloko could see significant playing time once again. Over his last five outings (one start), Landale has averaged 12.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 blocks in 25.6 minutes per contest.