NBA Player News
-
Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Remaining in bench role
Wembanyama will come off the bench Thursday night against Washington.
This marks the third straight game in which Wembanyama has been deployed off the bench. The Spurs are continuing to monitor his minutes closely, especially in the first half of a back-to-back. Luke Kornet will continue to run with the starters while Wembanyama comes off the bench.
-
Jericho Sims C | MIL
Bucks' Jericho Sims: Back with first unit
Sims is starting Thursday's game against the Raptors.
Sims will draw his third start in five games after Kyle Kuzma (illness) was ruled out Thursday. Sims hasn't been able to capitalize on his previous two opportunities with the first unit, as he's been held to two points in each start despite logging 30 or more minutes.
-
Marvin Bagley III C | DAL
Wizards' Marvin Bagley: Headed to bench
Bagley will come off the bench for Thursday's game in San Antonio.
Alex Sarr is back and starting, so Bagley will return to a reserve role, where his value will take a hit. As a member of the second unit this season, Bagley has recorded averages of 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per game.
-
Kel'el Ware C | MIA
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Entering starting lineup
Ware is in the Heat's starting lineup against the Nets on Thursday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
The Heat will go with two bigs in the starting five Thursday in Ware and Bam Adebayo while Simone Fontecchio comes off the bench. Ware has started in 16 of 26 regular-season games, and as a starter he has averaged 11.9 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over 26.4 minutes per game.
-
Anthony Davis C | WAS
Mavericks' Anthony Davis: Getting green light Thursday
Davis (calf) will play Thursday night against Detroit, Noah Weber of TheSmokingCuban.com reports.
Davis will make his return to the hardwood after a one-game absence due to a calf issue. He was off to a strong start to December before being sidelined, averaging 20.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists , 1.4 steals and 1.8 blocks in five appearances.
-
Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Still on restriction Thursday
Wembanyama will be on a minutes limit Thursday against the Wizards, Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com reports.
Wembanyama was also on a restriction Tuesday in the NBA Cup title game, logging 25 minutes off the bench. "We've got to get through tonight first and that will have all of our attention, but in terms of his minutes, we'll be mindful of that," said head coach Mitch Johnson, per Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. It remains to be seen whether Wembanyama will enter the starting lineup Thursday, or if San Antonio will continue to deploy him as a reserve as he works back from left calf strain.
-
Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Ruled out for Thursday
Poeltl (injury management) won't suit up for Thursday's game in Milwaukee, Ian Finlayson of Sportsnet reports.
The Raptors haven't played since Monday, and Thursday's game does not come as a back-to-back set, so it's somewhat concerning that Poeltl is taking the night off. Toronto's next two games come as a Saturday-Sunday back-to-back, so there's a chance Poeltl will need to miss at least one more match. With the big man unavailable Thursday night, expect more minutes for Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles.
-
Ariel Hukporti C | NY
Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Joining starting five
Hukporti is starting Thursday's game against the Pacers, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.
Hukporti is in line for his third start of the season but his first since Oct. 26. He'll get a look as a starter with both Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined Thursday.
-
Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Questionable with illness
Embiid is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks due to an illness.
Friday is the front half of a back-to-back for the 76ers, which could influence how they handle the superstar big man this weekend. Expect the team to provide an update on his status closer to tipoff. Should Embiid need to sit out, Andre Drummond would likely be inserted into the starting lineup and see a massive boost in fantasy appeal.
-
Mitchell Robinson C | NY
Knicks' Mitchell Robinson: Sitting out Thursday
Robinson (ankle) won't play in Thursday's game against the Pacers, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.
Thursday is the first part of a back-to-back, so the Knicks are opting to hold Robinson out for left ankle injury management. Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is also sidelined Thursday, which leaves New York in position to experiment with small-ball lineups. In terms of a potential streaming option, Guerschon Yabusele stands out as the most likely candidate to soak up the lion's share of the center minutes.