NBA Player News

Valanciunas (illness) is probable for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.

Valanciunas was added to the injury report with an illness but is expected to play Thursday after pushing through it Monday and Tuesday. The veteran has operated as Nikola Jokic's primary backup this season, averaging 8.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13.1 minutes across 29 appearances.

Hayes (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Rockets.

Hayes will miss the Lakers' Christmas Day matchup while dealing with left ankle soreness after exiting Tuesday's game against the Suns early. His absence could lead Los Angeles to lean more on small-ball lineups, with Jarred Vanderbilt and Maxi Kleber candidates for increased roles. Hayes' next chance to suit up will come Sunday against the Kings.

Robinson is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers.

Robinson drew the start Tuesday against the Timberwolves but will move to the bench for the Knicks' Christmas Day matchup with the Cavaliers as Jalen Brunson (ankle) and OG Anunoby (ankle) return to the starting lineup. The center has come off the bench in nine of his 20 appearances this season, averaging 5.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.1 assists and 1.1 blocks in 18.4 minutes per contest in a reserve role.

Hayes (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Rockets, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes left Tuesday's game against Phoenix with a sore left ankle, and the issue remains a problem ahead of Thursday's matchup with Houston. If he can't play Thursday, Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt would handle most of the backup center minutes behind Deandre Ayton.

Sengun is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Lakers due to left calf tightness.

Sengun is at risk of missing the Rockets' game on Christmas Day due to a calf injury. If the standout center were to miss the contest, Steven Adams, Clint Capela and Jabari Smith would handle most of the center duties. In his last six games, Sengun is averaging 23.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks across 35.5 minutes.

Powell (illness) is listed as probable for Thursday's game against the Warriors.

Powell has not played in the Mavericks' last four games, though his last two absences were due to an illness. He's on track to be available for Christmas Day, though it's unclear whether he'll be in the Mavericks' rotation in Thursday's road game.

Holmgren (face) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against the Spurs.

Holmgren was forced to leave in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's loss to San Antonio due to a facial injury, but he has been cleared to play in Thursday's rematch. In eight games since Dec. 2, Holmgren has averaged 18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.4 blocks over 26.8 minutes per game.

Horford (back) is probable for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Danny Emerman of SFStandard.com reports.

Horford has been sidelined for eight of the Warriors' last nine games due to sciatica, but the veteran big man appears poised to be available for Christmas Day. He has played in just 13 of 30 regular-season games while working in a rotational role, averaging 5.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks over 21.4 minutes per game.

Hall agreed to a two-way contract with the Hornets on Wednesday, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.

Hall will take over the two-way slot vacated by forward Drew Peterson, whom the Hornets waived Tuesday. A second-year center, Hall was previously under contract with the Grizzlies on a two-way deal earlier this season before being cut in mid-November. Hall has seen the bulk of his action in the G League throughout the 2025-26 campaign, averaging 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 blocks in 27.5 minutes per game over 12 appearances between the Memphis Hustle and Greensboro Swarm.

Drummond closed Tuesday's 114-106 loss to Brooklyn with 12 points (5-10 FG, 2-2 FT) and 13 rebounds across 17 minutes.

Drummond reverted to the 76ers' bench Tuesday following the return of Joel Embiid (knee/illness), but the former still made an impact in a reserve role with eight offensive rebounds, en route to his 11th double-double of the regular season. Drummond was limited to just 40 games during the 2024-25 regular season due to multiple injuries, but he has played in 27 of 28 regular-season games (including 13 starts) to open the 2025-26 campaign, which has been particularly important given Embiid's knee injury management.