NBA Player News

Wembanyama (calf) lacks a clear timetable for a return to game action, and he may continue to remain out for the week of the NBA Cup, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.

The NBA Cup runs from Dec. 9 through Dec. 16, and unless news emerges within the next week that Wembanyama has ramped up his on-court work, fantasy managers should prepare for the star center to remain out through the middle of the month. McDonald speculates that Wembanyama has a good chance of playing in games by Christmas Day, but the Spurs have yet to provide any sort of official timetable on the 21-year-old's return since he was first diagnosed with a left calf strain in mid-November. Luke Kornet will continue to serve as the Spurs' primary option at center while Wembanyama is on the mend from the injury.

Duren (leg) is off the injury report for Monday's game against Atlanta.

After being unavailable for Saturday's game against the Heat due to a lower left leg contusion, Duren is shedding his probable tag Monday. For the campaign so far, the star big man is rolling with averages of 19.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks in 29.1 minutes per contest across 17 games.

Poeltl (rest) is off the injury report for Tuesday's game against Portland.

Poeltl got the night off for Sunday's game against the Knicks, with the contest being the second half of Toronto's back-to-back set. The veteran big man is set to carry averages of 10.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26.5 minutes per contest across 15 games this season into Tuesday's matchup.

Drummond (knee) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Wizards.

Drummond attempted to play through the knee issue during Sunday's loss to the Hawks, but he only managed to log six minutes before tapping out after halftime. The 76ers have a four-game week during Week 7, so it might make sense to give Drummond the night off. If he is forced to join Joel Embiid (knee) on the inactive list, Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow would see a boost.

Embiid (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against the Wizards.

Philadelphia is giving Embiid the night off for right knee injury management. The superstar big man's next chance to return is Thursday against Golden State. With Andre Drummond (knee) questionable, Adem Bona could be in line for a huge role at center.

Sarr (adductor), who won't play Monday against the Bucks, will remain out for Tuesday's game against the 76ers, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.

Head coach Brian Keefe said that Sarr's sore right adductor isn't a major concern, so the second-year big man could have a realistic chance at playing Thursday versus the Celtics. With Sarr out of action Monday and Tuesday, Marvin Bagley and Tristan Vukcevic should split the minutes at center.

Clingan (illness) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Raptors.

The second-year big man missed Sunday's game against the Thunder with an illness, and the Trail Blazers are likely to re-evaluate him closer to Tuesday's tipoff. More playing time would be open to Robert Williams off the bench if Clingan is unable to suit up against Toronto, and Kris Murray would also have additional streaming appeal in this case.

Queta (ankle) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Knicks, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Queta sat out Sunday's game against the Cavaliers for ankle injury management, but he's primed to return Tuesday. His presence should push Xavier Tillman to the bench. Queta has been a bright spot down low for the Celtics, having averaged 9.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 blocks in 23.9 minutes per tilt in 18 games this season.

Horford (back) is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Thunder, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Horford is likely to miss a fourth straight game due to sciatica. In his likely absence, more playing time should remain available to Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis at center.

Ayton (knee) is off the injury report for Monday's game against the Suns, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

After leaving Sunday's win over the Pelicans due to right knee soreness, Ayton is good to go Monday and shouldn't have any restrictions. The star big man has averaged 16.0 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 29.5 minutes per tilt across 17 games this season.