NBA Player News

Valanciunas will start Wednesday against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

This is an expected move with Nikola Jokic (knee) expected to miss multiple weeks for Denver. As a strong per-minute producer in points and rebounds, Valanciunas has been a popular pickup in fantasy hoops.

Embiid (ankle/knee) is probable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Embiid is managing injuries to his right ankle and knee, but he's likely to push through them Thursday. During Tuesday's overtime win over Memphis, the star big man produced 34 points (11-28 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 11-12 FT), 10 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks and one steal across 38 minutes.

Davis (thigh) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the 76ers.

The All-Star big man missed Dallas' last two games due to right adductor soreness, but Davis' absence from the injury report puts him on track to return Thursday. Per Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports, Davis is expected to play about 30-34 minutes, and his return means fewer minutes will be available for Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell. Across the four games prior to his most recent injury, Davis averaged 26.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals over 35.5 minutes per game.

Capela is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Brooklyn due to illness.

Capela is at risk of missing Thursday's contest due to illness. He's one of three Rockets' centers on the injury report, as Steven Adams (ankle) and Alperen Sengun (foot) are also listed as questionable. Sengun has missed the last two games, and Capela has played 18 and 13 minutes, respectively, as a result.

Sengun (calf) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Brooklyn.

Sengun has been sidelined for the Rockets' last two games due to a strained left calf, but the fifth-year center could return to action for the start of the new year. Steven Adams (ankle) is also listed as questionable, so if the former and Sengun are unable to play against the Nets, then Clint Capela would be the top candidate to start at center for the Rockets.

Adams (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Nets.

Adams sprained his right ankle during the Rockets' 126-119 win over the Pacers on Monday, finishing with eight points, five rebounds and one block over 22 minutes. The injury may not prevent the veteran center from missing any time, but if he is ruled out for Thursday's game, then Clint Capela, Jeff Green and Dorian Finney-Smith would be in line for more minutes.

Collins is expected to miss at least 10 more days with a sprained right toe, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports.

Including Wednesday's contest against the Pelicans, the timetable for a return likely puts Collins out for at least six games. With Collins on the shelf, Jalen Smith is set to pick up the slack as the top backup center behind starter Nikola Vucevic.

Drummond (coach's decision) didn't see any playing time in Tuesday's 139-136 overtime win over the Grizzlies.

With Joel Embiid (ankle/illness) back in action following a one-game absence, Drummond ended up being the odd man out of the Philadelphia frontcourt rotation. Head coach Nick Nurse opted to keep Adem Bona (26 minutes) in the fold as Embiid's top backup, leaving no playing time available for Drummond. The 32-year-old had been trending down before exiting the rotation, as Drummond had averaged 6.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 19.0 minutes per game while shooting just 45.9 percent from the field over his first 11 appearances of December.

Davis (adductor) is expected to play in Thursday's game against the 76ers, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.

Davis has missed the Mavericks' last two games due to right adductor soreness, though head coach Jason Kidd said Wednesday that he expects Davis to play about 30-34 minutes Thursday, per Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports. With the star big man expected to return, Dwight Powell should see a significant decline in playing time. In 10 appearances during December, Davis averaged 21.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 30.0 minutes per game.

Hukporti (lips) is available for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.

Hukporti will shed his questionable tag and suit up Wednesday after sustaining a lip laceration in Monday's win over the Pelicans. The big man has appeared in three of the Knicks' last four games and will likely continue to see increased burn with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined.