NBA Player News
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Warming up Monday
Embiid, who's listed as doubtful due to an illness, is warming up ahead of Monday's game against the Heat, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.
Embiid was initially listed as questionable but got downgraded to doubtful Monday morning. However, now it appears he's trending more toward questionable again. Either way, if he gets the green light, Embiid will likely be limited against Miami. The 2022-23 MVP has made only two appearances in the current campaign. He made his season debut against the Knicks on Nov. 12, playing 26 minutes while recording 13 points, five assists, three rebounds and a block. That was the first night of a back-to-back set, and Embiid was back on the sidelines the next night. However, he returned to action Friday in Orlando, posting 20 points, eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 33 minutes.
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Zach Edey C | MEM
Grizzlies' Zach Edey: Won't play Tuesday
Edey (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Nuggets.
Edey rolled his ankle in the third quarter of Sunday's game against Denver, and the rookie big man was diagnosed with a sprained ankle. It's unlikely Edey will be able to suit up for the Grizzlies' second leg of a back-to-back Wednesday against the 76ers. While Edey is sidelined, Jay Huff should see additional playing time off the bench behind starting center Brandon Clarke.
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Day'Ron Sharpe C | BKN
Nets' Day'Ron Sharpe: Still working through injury
Sharpe (hamstring) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against Charlotte.
Sharpe suffered a left hamstring strain in early October during training camp. He was ruled out for at least six weeks due to the injury, so Sharpe could be close to making his 2024-25 regular-season debut. His next chance to do so will be Friday against the 76ers.
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Mark Williams C | CHA
Hornets' Mark Williams: Won't play Tuesday
Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Nets.
Williams continue to rehab from a strained tendon in his left foot that he suffered in late September. He is still limited to individual drills, and unless the Hornets announce that Williams has progressed to team drills and 5-on-5 work, the third-year big man should be considered doubtful to play. Regardless, his next opportunity to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut will be against Detroit on Thursday.
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Kevon Looney C | GS
Warriors' Kevon Looney: Downgraded to out
Looney (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Clippers.
Looney will be in street clothes for the first time this season -- his only other absence was a healthy DNP. In the veteran's absence, Trayce Jackson-Davis may play more minutes, but Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Kyle Anderson are also candidates for increased roles because the Warriors lack a true center behind Jackson-Davis and Looney.
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Mo Bamba C | LAC
Clippers' Mo Bamba: Iffy for Monday
Bamba is questionable for Monday's game against the Warriors due to left knee recovery, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com reports.
Bamba made his season debut Sunday, playing 15 minutes off the bench during a win over the Jazz. The big man said before Sunday's game that he doesn't anticipate having to miss time during back-to-back sets moving forward, but it's not surprising to see the Clippers exercise caution. If Bamba is ruled out, Kai Jones and Nicolas Batum would be candidates for increased roles.
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Jusuf Nurkic C | PHO
Suns' Jusuf Nurkic: Listed out Monday
Nurkic (ankle) is listed as out for Monday's game against Orlando.
After three straight appearances for the Suns, Nurkic will be held out with a left ankle sprain, something that continues to pop up. With Nurkic on the shelf, this will be a big opportunity for Oso Ighodaro to step up for the Suns after a strong performance Sunday against the Timberwolves. Mason Plumlee started at power forward during that contest but will likely slide over to center in Nurkic's absence.
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Mo Bamba C | LAC
Clippers' Mo Bamba: Serves as backup center in debut
Bamba (knee) scored nine points (4-8 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT) and added eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in 15 minutes off the bench in Sunday's 116-105 win over the Jazz.
Making his season debut after missing the Clippers' first 13 games while recovering from a left knee injury that dated back to the start of training camp, Bamba immediately settled in as the backup center behind Ivica Zubac. The Clippers had been cycling through several players as Zubac's primary backup, but the return of Bamba should bring some stability to the second unit. According to Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com, Bamba said before Sunday's contest that he doesn't anticipate being held out for one-half of back-to-back sets this season, though it wouldn't be surprising if the Clippers opted to take a cautious approach by resting him for Monday's contest versus the Warriors. If Bamba isn't available Monday, the Clippers could turn to Kobe Brown, Kai Jones and/or Nicolas Batum to handle the backup center role.
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Steven Adams C | HOU
Rockets' Steven Adams: Removed from injury report
Adams (knee) will be available for Monday's game against the Bucks.
Adams was held out of Sunday's game against the Bulls for the first game of Houston's back-to-back set. He's likely to see a handful of minutes as the backup center Monday night.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Downgraded to doubtful
Wembanyama (knee) has been downgraded to doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Thunder.
It appears that the Spurs are prepared to hold Wembanyama out for the second straight contest. Zach Collins started Saturday's game against Dallas in Wembanyama's absence and fared well, scoring 20 points with six rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 26 minutes.