NBA Player News

Zubac (ankle) has progressed enough in his recovery to participate in on-court activities, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Zubac suffered a Grade 2 left ankle sprain against the Lakers on Dec. 20. It's an injury that typically takes at least three weeks to recover from, so the veteran center should be re-evaluated by medical staff in mid-January, at which point the Clippers will have a clearer idea of when Zubac can return to the lineup. Brook Lopez will likely continue to start at center for the Clippers for as long as Zubac is on the shelf.

Duren won't return to Thursday's game against the Heat due to a right ankle sprain.

Duren rolled his ankle late in the second quarter and exited to the locker room. The big man was cleared to start the second half, though he checked out of the game after playing just over three minutes in the third quarter. He'll finish with 12 points (6-12 FG), five rebounds and one steal across 18 minutes. Paul Reed and Ronald Holland are candidates for increased playing time alongside Isaiah Stewart with Duren out.

Duren (ankle) started the second half of Thursday's game against the Heat, per the broadcast.

Duren appeared to roll his ankle late in the second quarter but has returned for the second half. The big man appears to be good to go for the remainder of the contest after being cleared to return.

Jackson-Davis is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Thunder due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

Jackson-Davis appeared on the injury report earlier in December due to right knee soreness. It doesn't appear that his current injury will prevent him from playing Friday, and the third-year pro could see an expanded role in the absence of Draymond Green (rest). Jackson-Davis averaged 5.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.9 blocks over 13.5 minutes per game across 11 outings in December.

Horford (sciatica) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Thunder.

Horford has been working through sciatic nerve irritation since early December. He's on track to play Friday and could enter the Warriors' starting five for the second time this season due to the absence of Draymond Green (rest). Horford's lone start was against the 76ers on Dec. 4, when he tallied three points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 18 minutes.

Duren exited to the locker room in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Heat due to an apparent ankle injury, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports.

Duren appeared to roll his ankle before heading to the back with just 52 seconds remaining in the first half. If the fourth-year big man is unable to return for the second half, Ronald Holland and Paul Reed are candidates for increased playing time alongside Isaiah Stewart.

Gafford won't start against the 76ers on Thursday.

With Anthony Davis (adductor) back in the lineup, Gafford will slide to the second unit. Over his last five games off the bench, the 27-year-old center has averaged 4.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 15.2 minutes per tilt.

Embiid (ankle/knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Embiid continues to manage ankle and knee injuries, but the 2022-23 MVP has been cleared to play in Thursday's road game. He played in seven of the 76ers' 12 December games, averaging 25.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 threes and 1.3 blocks over 31.1 minutes per game last month.

Valanciunas will be re-evaluated in four weeks due to a right calf strain that he suffered during the Nuggets' 106-103 win over the Raptors on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The Nuggets are now down both of their top big men, with Valanciunas joining Nikola Jokic (knee) on the shelf. Valanciunas made his first start of the season Wednesday and was slated to take on a larger role in the absence of Jokic, but with both of them now sidelined, the Nuggets will turn to DaRon Holmes and Zeke Nnaji to fill in the gap at center.

Kalkbrenner (elbow) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks.

Kalkbrenner will miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a left elbow sprain, and it's not a positive sign that he continues to be ruled out a day in advance of games. The rookie second-rounder's next opportunity to play will come Saturday against Chicago. With Kalkbrenner sidelined, Moussa Diabate (wrist) is expected to get the starting nod if he can shake his questionable tag, while PJ Hall is likely to remain in the rotation.