NBA Player News

Kalkbrenner (elbow) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Chicago.

It'll be Kalkbrenner's seventh straight absence as the rookie center battles a sprained left elbow. With Moussa Diabate (wrist) also sidelined, PJ Hall and Tidjane Salaun are slated to handle expanded roles. Kalkbrenner's next chance to play will come Monday at Oklahoma City.

Nurkic (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Golden State.

Nurkic will miss a second straight game due to a sprained toe on his left foot. Kyle Filipowski will likely draw another start Saturday night, while Kevin Love could see a bump in minutes. Nurkic's next chance to play will come Monday at Portland.

Adams (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Mavericks.

Adams will end up missing a second consecutive game while recovering from a sprained right ankle, and his next chance to play is Monday against the Suns. Clint Capela stands to absorb most of the backup center minutes behind Alperen Sengun in Adams' absence.

Duren (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Duren sprained his ankle during Thursday's loss to the Heat, and the issue will prevent him from playing for at least one week. With Duren and Tobias Harris (hip) out, Paul Reed, Isaiah Stewart and Ronald Holland should see increased playing time going forward.

Williams (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Williams has played in each of the Trail Blazers' last three games, including Friday's win against the Pelicans, when he finished with four points, six rebounds, one assist and one block over 18 minutes. The veteran center will sit for the second leg of Portland's back-to-back set Saturday while managing a left knee injury, so Yang Hansen and Duop Reath are candidates to see their minutes off the bench increase while providing big-man depth behind starter Donovan Clingan. Williams' next opportunity to play is Monday against the Jazz.

Porzingis (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Raptors, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Porzingis has come off the bench in each of the Hawks' last two games following a 10-game absence due to an illness, though he was limited to just 17 minutes in each of those contests. He'll be sidelined for Saturday's contest but could be available for Monday's rematch against Toronto. Onyeka Okongwu will continue to serve as the Hawks' starting center, while Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell are in line for more minutes off the bench in Porzingis' absence.

Wembanyama (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Portland.

Wembanyama hyperextended his left knee Wednesday, but additional testing came back clean, which is an encouraging sign for the superstar's long-term health. However, the Spurs will give Wembanyama some additional time to rest. His next chance to play will come Tuesday against Memphis in what will be the first leg of a back-to-back set. In the meantime, Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk should handle most of the center duties.

Robinson (ankle) is not in the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the 76ers.

Robinson missed the Knicks' last three games due to a sprained left ankle, but the veteran big man has been cleared to play on the back end of New York's back-to-back set Saturday. Robinson's return will likely eat into the minutes of Guerschon Yabusele and Ariel Hukporti, the latter of whom started in Friday's loss against the Hawks and finished with eight points, 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal over 28 minutes.

Towns (illness) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the 76ers.

Towns wasn't feeling well enough to play in Friday night's loss to the Hawks, and he's at risk of missing Saturday's contest as well. If Towns sits Saturday, look for Mitchell Robinson and Ariel Hukporti to handle most of the center minutes.

Carlson ended with 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's 131-94 victory over the Warriors.

The Thunder gave their starters the fourth quarter off in the rout, allowing Carlson and other members of the second unit to get extra run. The 26-year-old center cashed in the opportunity and produced his first double-double of the season. Carlson has seen at least 20 minutes of court time in five of OKC's last 13 games, all in contests the defending champs won by 16 or more points, and in those appearances he's averaging 12.0 points, 6.6 boards, 2.0 threes and 1.6 assists.