NBA Player News
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Jarrett Allen C | CLE
Cavaliers' Jarrett Allen: Doesn't practice Friday
Allen (knee) did not practice Friday, Spencer Davies of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Allen injured his right knee midway through the third quarter of Tuesday's 113-109 win over the Pistons and didn't return. The severity of the issue remains unclear, but the Cavaliers don't play until Sunday which helps his case.
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis: Listed as questionable
Porzingis (illness) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Thunder.
Porzingis can presumably be considered day-to-day after missing Golden State's last six games. He's traveling with the team on this road trip, suggesting a return to action is in his near future.
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Maxi Kleber C | LAL
Lakers' Maxi Kleber: Out again Friday
Kleber (back) won't play Friday versus the Pacers.
This will be Kleber's second straight game on the inactive list due to the back injury, and with Deandre Ayton (knee) also unavailable for Friday's game, Jaxson Hayes should get all the run he can handle. Kleber's next chance to play will come Sunday against the Knicks.
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Deandre Ayton C | LAL
Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Ruled out Friday
Ayton (knee) will not play Friday against the Pacers.
Ayton left Thursday's game against Denver due to left knee soreness and was unable to return. The severity of the issue isn't known, but it's not a surprise to see the team exercise caution. Jarred Vanderbilt and Jaxson Hayes could see a bump in minutes with this news.
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Naz Reid C | MIN
Timberwolves' Naz Reid: Limited output off bench
Reid recorded 12 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block in 21 minutes during Thursday's 115-107 win over the Raptors.
Reid continues to be a hit-or-miss fantasy asset off Minnesota's bench. He's had a solid season overall, however, posting seventh-round value in nine-category fantasy formats with averages of 13.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers.
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Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Plays well in loss
Poeltl racked up nine points (4-5 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals in 29 minutes during Thursday's 115-107 loss to the Timberwolves.
This was a solid line for Poeltl as he continues to put his lingering back issue behind him. Over his last five games, he's producing third-round value in nine-category formats with averages of 11.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks in 27.8 minutes per contest.
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Mason Plumlee C | SA
Spurs' Mason Plumlee: Unavailable for Friday
Plumlee (reconditioning) is not available for Friday's game against the Clippers, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Plumlee has yet to be cleared to make his San Antonio debut as he continues to build up his conditioning. Even when cleared to play, he won't be guaranteed playing time.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Doubtful Friday
Gafford (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game against the Celtics.
After posting 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-4 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 25 minutes during Thursday's 115-114 loss to the Magic, Gafford is expected to miss the second half of Dallas' back-to-back set as he continues to manage a lingering right ankle injury. The Mavericks' frontcourt will be significantly shorthanded for the matchup against Boston, as Marvin Bagley (neck) is also listed as doubtful. If both big men are ruled out as expected, P.J. Washington and Dwight Powell would be the primary candidates to see expanded minutes at center.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: To be re-evaluated in one week
Embiid (oblique) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week, Noah Levick of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports Friday.
Embiid has been sidelined since Feb. 26 after sustaining a right oblique strain during a win over the Heat. While he remains out for the immediate future, the 76ers announced that the big man has begun individual strength work, a positive sign in his recovery process. Philadelphia has a busy slate over the next week, and Embiid will miss at least the next four contests based on this timeline. Andre Drummond should continue to start at center in the interim, with Adem Bona serving as the primary backup. Embiid's next realistic chance to suit up will likely come in mid-March, although Philadelphia might opt to take a cautious approach with the injury-prone Embiid.
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Al Horford C | GS
Warriors' Al Horford: Posts full line Thursday
Horford contributed 17 points (7-15 FG, 3-6 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal across 33 minutes during Thursday's 115-113 overtime victory over the Rockets.
Horford has alternated between the starting lineup and the bench most of the season, but he's been productive when handed a first-unit role. He has scored in double digits in his four starts since the All-Star break, averaging 16.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists across 28.5 minutes per game.