NBA Player News

The Wizards announced Thursday that Sarr has been diagnosed with a right hamstring strain and is expected to face a two-week recovery timeline.

Sarr sat out Wednesday's 138-113 loss to the Cavaliers with what the team had classified as right hamstring tightness, but follow-up tests confirmed that the second-year big man is dealing with a strain. As a result of the injury, Sarr will sit out the Castrol Rising Stars exhibition at All-Star weekend in Los Angeles, and he'll likely miss at least a handful of contests coming out of the All-Star break. Tristan Vukcevic (illness) joined Sarr on the sideline for Wednesday's loss, but Vukcevic will likely be ready to fill in for Sarr as the Wizards' starting center in the team's next game Feb. 19 versus the Pacers.

Capela posted three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and four blocks across 16 minutes during Wednesday's 105-102 loss to the Clippers.

Capela salvaged another poor performance by matching his season-high with four blocks. Despite assuming the primary backup role behind Alperen Sengun, Capela's time as a fantasy-relevant player has certainly come and gone. At best, managers can utilize him for streaming purposes, if and when blocks are at the top of the priority list.

Williams notched six points (3-4 FG) and one rebound across 16 minutes during Wednesday's 136-109 loss to the Thunder.

Although Williams is heading into the All-Star break on a low note, fantasy managers have to be pleased with his results as a whole over the first part of the season. The fourth-year big man has played a career-high 50 games during his first year in Phoenix, cementing himself as the Suns' top center. Williams is averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.6 minutes per contest in his last 10 games, shooting a robust 71.3 percent from the floor.

Ware notched 16 points (7-15 FG, 2-3 3Pt), 12 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 28 minutes during Wednesday's 123-111 win over the Pelicans.

Ware's second season has been up and down, as he's been working his way back from a hamstring strain, but he's finally beginning to show some signs of life with two double-doubles in his past three games. It remains to be seen if the Heat are sticking with the 2024 first-rounder in the starting lineup out of the All-Star break, and Ware is still searching for some consistency. He's averaging 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 three-pointers in 19.6 minutes per game over his last six outings.

Towns supplied 21 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal over 26 minutes during Wednesday's 138-89 win over the 76ers.

Towns continues to stockpile double-doubles, having now collected 37 through 51 appearances on the campaign so far. The All-Star big man is riding a streak of six consecutive double-doubles, during which Towns is shooting a weak 25.0 percent from deep but is averaging a strong 18.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.0 steals in 29.4 minutes per game.

Sharpe supplied 19 points (8-11 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals across 31 minutes in Wednesday's 115-110 loss to the Pacers.

Sharpe got the starting nod for the fourth time this season due to Nic Claxton (hip) being sidelined, and the former made the most of the opportunity. Sharpe racked up 19 points on extremely efficient shooting, matching his season high. The big man was also active on the glass en route to his fourth double-double on the campaign. Sharpe has scored 19 points in three of his last five outings, averaging 13.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 21.2 minutes per game during that span.

Ayton (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Dallas.

Ayton sat out Tuesday's loss to the Spurs and could miss a second consecutive contest ahead of the All-Star break due to right knee soreness. If the big man is unable to play Thursday, Jaxson Hayes would likely get the starting nod, while Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme would be candidates for increased playing time off the bench.

Queta (ankle) returned to Wednesday's game against the Bulls with 8:47 remaining in the second quarter, per the broadcast.

Queta landed awkwardly on his left ankle in the opening quarter and exited to the locker room. However, the big man has been cleared to return and appears to be good to go for the remainder of the contest.

Jokic (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies.

As expected, Jokic will shed his probable tag due to a left ankle sprain and suit up in Denver's final game before the All-Star break. The superstar has appeared in each of the Nuggets' last six games, averaging 24.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.5 combined steals-plus-blocks in 33.0 minutes per game over that stretch.

Missi (calf) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Heat.

Missi was added to the injury report with a sore left calf less than 30 minutes before tipoff, and he'll wind up being unavailable. His absence should mean more opportunities for Karlo Matkovic, while Kevon Looney could crack the rotation. Missi's next chance to play will come after the All-Star break, when the Pelicans begin a back-to-back Feb. 20.