NBA Player News

Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Suns.

Embiid has appeared in five of Philadelphia's last six games and could miss Saturday's contest due to right knee injury management. If the big man isn't cleared to play, Andre Drummond would be expected to start, while Adem Bona would likely see increased playing time off the bench.

Duren (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against New York.

Duren initially drew a questionable tag for Friday's game due to right knee soreness, but the fourth-year center will be sidelined for the first time since Jan. 10. Isaiah Stewart figures to be the top candidate to start at center in Duren's absence.

Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Friday that Zubac is working through an ankle injury and won't play until Tuesday's game against the Knicks at the very earliest, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Thursday's trade between the Clippers and Pacers has not been finalized as all players involved -- including Zubac -- have yet to pass physicals. Carlisle relayed that Zubac could make his Pacers debut Tuesday, but it appears as though the veteran center's absence could extend beyond that depending on the severity of his injury. Jay Huff figures to be the Pacers' starting center for as long as Zubac is sidelined.

Kornet (ankle/adductor) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Mavericks.

Kornet is in danger of missing a second consecutive contest due to left ankle soreness and left adductor tightness. If the big man isn't cleared to play, Victor Wembanyama and Carter Bryant would be candidates for a bump in minutes, while Kelly Olynyk could enter the rotation.

Hartenstein (eye) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Rockets.

Hartenstein missed Wednesday's loss to San Antonio due to a corneal abrasion but will return to action Saturday. The big man has appeared in three outings (two starts) following a 16-game absence with a right calf injury, averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 21.0 minutes per contest over that stretch. He has yet to log more than 23 minutes since the extended absence and may remain on a minutes restriction versus Houston.

Vucevic suggested that he will come off the bench for his Celtics debut Friday against the Heat, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Vucevic has been an established starter in every season of his NBA career other than his rookie campaign with the 76ers in 2011-12. The Celtics' newest addition expressed his excitement Friday in joining his new team and relayed that he expects that his role in Boston will be different from what it has been for his career. That suggests that Neemias Queta will remain the Celtics' starting center for at least the short term, and with Vucevic coming off the bench, that will mean fewer rotational minutes will be available for the likes of Luka Garza, Amari Williams and Jordan Walsh.

Towns (eye) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.

Towns was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Friday's game due to a laceration above his right eye that he sustained during Wednesday's double-overtime win over the Nuggets. The veteran big man will end up being sidelined for the first time since Jan. 2, and his next chance to play is Sunday against the Celtics. Mitchell Robinson will likely start at center against Detroit and Ariel Hukporti should see more minutes off the bench in Towns' absence.

Jokic (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bulls.

After appearing in four straight outings following a 16-game absence with a left knee bone bruise, Jokic is in jeopardy of missing Saturday's contest due to a sprained left ankle. If the three-time MVP is ultimately ruled out, Jonas Valanciunas and Zeke Nnaji would likely see increased playing time. Over his last four games, Jokic has averaged 25.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals across 33.0 minutes per tilt.

Bagley (recently traded) is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Bagley was part of the Wizards' trade package that was sent to the Mavericks on Wednesday in exchange for Anthony Davis (finger), Dante Exum (knee), D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Jaden Hardy (recently traded). Bagley was not available for Thursday's loss to San Antonio, but it appears the veteran big man will make his Dallas debut in Saturday's rematch. He's expected to serve as the Mavericks' primary backup center behind Daniel Gafford while Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell provide depth at the position.

Richards (recently traded) is off the injury report for Saturday's game against Denver.

Richards is set to be available off the bench for his Bulls debut Saturday. The 2020 second-rounder offers Chicago some frontcourt depth, but considering he last appeared Jan. 7 for the Suns, Richards would likely need Jalen Smith (calf) to be out in order to see significant minutes.