NBA Player News

Adams won't start against the Kings on Sunday, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

With Alperen Sengun back in action following a three-game absence due to a sprained ankle, Adams will slide to the second unit. Over 18 appearances off the bench so far this season, the veteran center has averaged 5.7 points and 8.2 rebounds in 19.7 minutes per contest.

Sengun (ankle) is available for Sunday's game against the Kings.

Sengun will shed his questionable tag and return from a three-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see the star big man operate under a minutes restriction. Still, fewer minutes will be available for the likes of Steven Adams and Clint Capela with Sengun back in action.

Bitadze ended Sunday's 128-118 win over the Pelicans with 14 points (7-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 13 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and three steals in 32 minutes.

With Wendell Carter (hip) ruled out, Bitadze made his first start of the season and played a season high in minutes, and he responded with his first double-double. The 26-year-old center hadn't played more than 20 minutes since Oct. 29 however, and unless Carter's injury proved to be more serious than expected, Bitadze will have a hard time following up this performance, especially with Moritz Wagner (knee) also back and looking for minutes in the frontcourt.

Towns (knee) started the second half of Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, per the broadcast.

Towns exited to the locker room in the final minute of the second quarter due to an apparent knee injury. However, the star big man appears to be good to go for the remainder of the contest after being cleared to start the second half.

Towns exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to an apparent knee injury, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Towns asked for a sub and limped to the locker room with just over 30 seconds remaining in the first half. If the star big man isn't cleared to return for the second half, Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti will likely handle the center minutes the rest of the way.

Porzingis (Achilles) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Warriors.

Porzingis will miss his second consecutive contest due to left Achilles tendinitis. His next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday against the Lakers. With the veteran center unavailable, Asa Newell and Mouhamed Gueye are candidates for increased minutes off the bench.

Carlson is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Heat on Sunday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

Carlson drew the start Friday against the Grizzlies and finished with five points, one rebound, one block and one steal over 16 minutes in a 117-116 victory. He will revert to a bench role Sunday after Chet Holmgren (shin) was cleared to return.

Kornet won't start against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

With Victor Wembanyama returning to the starting lineup, Kornet will slide back to the second unit. Over eight appearances off the bench this season, the 30-year-old center has averaged 9.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 blocks in 22.0 minutes per tilt.

Wembanyama will start against the Timberwolves on Sunday, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.

After coming off the bench in three straight outings following a two-game absence due to a left knee injury, Wembanyama will return to the starting five. It's unclear if the star big man will remain on a minutes restriction, though he has logged 26 minutes in back-to-back outings. With Wembanyama back in the starting lineup, Luke Kornet will slide to the second unit.

Cisse (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Nets.

With Anthony Davis (hand) sidelined indefinitely, Cisse served as the Mavericks' backup center behind Daniel Gafford during Saturday's loss against the Bulls. Cisse may have sprained his right shoulder during that contest, and if he's unable to play Monday, then Dwight Powell would be in line for more minutes off the bench.