NBA Player News

Sharpe is coming off the bench in Friday's game against the Clippers, Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports.

The Nets have deployed Sharpe as a starter for three consecutive games, though the club plans to have Nic Claxton return to his usual role in the first unit Friday. Sharpe has averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 17.1 minutes per tilt across his last 10 games off the bench, so he should be able to maintain a decent level of fantasy value from the second unit.

Claxton will start against the Clippers on Friday, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Claxton operated under a minutes restriction off the bench in Wednesday's loss to Orlando following a two-game absence due to personal reasons, though he'll return to the starting five Friday. As a result, Day'Ron Sharpe will slide back to the second unit. Claxton has averaged 13.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks in 29.2 minutes per game over his last five starts.

Duren (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Clippers.

Duren will miss his fourth straight game due to a right ankle sprain, and his next opportunity to play won't come until Thursday's matchup against the Suns. With the 22-year-old center and Tobias Harris (hip) remaining sidelined, Paul Reed, Ronald Holland and Isaiah Stewart are candidates for increased playing time.

Jackson is out for Saturday's game against Miami with a concussion.

Jackson's absence is extending to 10 games Saturday. Until he passes each step of the league's concussion protocol, Jay Huff should see the lion's share of the center minutes while Micah Potter and Tony Bradley compete for the backup role.

Collins (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Dallas due to a sprained right toe.

The Bulls announced back on Dec. 31 that Collins would need to miss at least 10 days due to a right big toe sprain. Though Collins has now reached his 10-day re-evaluation period, the Bulls haven't indicated that the big man is close to returning to the court.

Davis sustained ligament damage in his left hand and could miss a "number of months," ESPN's Shams Charania reports.

This is a brutal blow for Davis and for Dallas, as he was expected to be a prime trade deadline target. But now, depending on a second opinion and a possible need for surgery, Davis may be sidelined through the Feb. 5 trade deadline. More clarity on a timetable will likely be known in the coming days, but Davis' fantasy managers should be bracing for a lengthy absence. His absence will open up plenty of minutes in Dallas, and players such as P.J. Washington (ankle), Naji Marshall, Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin will be candidates to soak up some of them.

Porzingis is questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets due to left Achilles tendinitis.

Porzingis is a late addition to the injury report Friday, which tends to be an ominous sign. The star big man has come off the bench in four consecutive games, and his possible absence would open up more playing time for Mouhamed Gueye in the frontcourt rotation.

Reid posted nine points (3-6 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 24 minutes during Thursday's 131-122 win over the Cavaliers.

Despite being stuck in a reserve role behind Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert for most of the season, Reid has managed to keep up a strong level of production across the board. Reid has averaged 15.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 blocks, 0.7 steals and 2.4 three-pointers in 27.1 minutes per contest in his last 14 games.

Embiid (knee) has been upgraded to probable for Friday's game against Orlando.

Embiid was initially labeled as questionable. He's been in really good form lately, posting averages of 28.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over his last three games. Although he's expected to play Friday, it's worth noting the 76ers have a back-to-back set coming up Sunday and Monday.

Huff totaled 10 points (4-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt), two rebounds and three blocks in 24 minutes during Thursday's 114-112 victory over the Hornets.

Huff has started the past two games after Micah Potter temporarily filled that spot in the first two games of the new year. The 28-year-old big man was perfect from the field on four attempts and added three blocks on the defensive end. Huff now leads the league with eight games this season of at least three blocks and two triples.