NBA Player News

Horford (sciatica) is available for Friday's game against the Thunder.

As expected, Horford will shake off his probable tag due to right sciatic nerve irritation. The veteran big man has averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game across his last three outings. However, he's likely to see a bump in playing time Friday with Draymond Green (rest), Jimmy Butler (illness) and Jonathan Kuminga (back) sidelined.

Okongwu (laceration) has been cleared to return to Friday's game against the Knicks.

Okongwu received stitches for a laceration to his head and re-entered the game at the 6:32 mark of the second quarter. He logged 11 points and two rebounds over seven minutes prior to his exit late in the first quarter.

Okongwu exited to the locker room in the first quarter of Friday's game against the Knicks due to an apparent laceration, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Okongwu headed to the back with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter to treat a cut. If he's unable to return, Kristaps Porzingis and Asa Newell are candidates for increased minutes the rest of the way.

Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Nurkic was unable to play against the Clippers on Thursday due to a left toe sprain, but the veteran big man has a chance to return for Saturday's road contest. Kyle Filipowski would figure to start at center for a second consecutive game if Nurkic is unable to play.

Zubac (ankle) will be available for Saturday's game against the Celtics, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Zubac is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a Grade 2 left ankle sprain he sustained in a win over the Lakers on Dec. 20 and will suit up Saturday following a five-game absence. The veteran center was just recently cleared to return to on-court activities, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him operate under a minutes restriction against Boston. Still, his return will leave fewer minutes available for the likes of Brook Lopez and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

Missi will start against Portland on Friday.

With Derik Queen (quadriceps) sidelined, Missi will join the starting five for the first time since Nov. 30. In six starts so far this season, the second-year center has averaged 6.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor in 23.0 minutes per contest.

Hall will start against the Bucks on Friday.

With Moussa Diabate (wrist) joining Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and Mason Plumlee (groin) on the shelf, Hall will get the starting nod for the first time in his NBA career. The two-way player has averaged 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across 16.0 minutes per tilt in his last two appearances, though he'll likely see a bump in playing time against Milwaukee.

Hukporti is in the Knicks' starting lineup against the Hawks on Friday, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Hukporti will draw the start for Friday night's game due to the absences of Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Hukporti made his last start against the Pacers on Dec. 18, when he tallied four points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 27 minutes.

Towns (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hawks.

Towns was unable to shake off an illness in time for Friday's 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff and will be sidelined as a result. Ariel Hukporti will draw the start at center due to the absences of Towns and Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Towns' next chance to play is Saturday against the 76ers.

Sharpe is starting in Friday's game against the Wizards.

The big man is getting a crack in the first unit in the absence of Nic Claxton (personal) on Friday. It'll be the first start of the season for Sharpe, who averaged 17.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 30.8 minutes per game covering a pair of regular-season starts in 2024-25.