NBA Player News

Poeltl (rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nets, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.

Poeltl will get the first night of a back-to-back set off and likely return to action Monday against Cleveland. Backup center Sandro Mamukelashvili has been playing well and should start in Poeltl's absence, while Collin Murray-Boyles (knee) and Jonathan Mogbo are candidates for increased roles.

Zubac supplied 18 points (9-12 FG), nine rebounds, six assists and one block over 30 minutes during the Clippers' 131-116 win over the Hornets on Saturday.

Zubac and the rest of the Clippers players took a back seat to James Harden (55 points) in the scoring category. Zubac ended Saturday's as the team's co-leader in rebounds, and his six dimes were a season high. In 11 games since Nov. 3, the veteran center has averaged 16.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 32.6 minutes per game while shooting 60.2 percent from the field.

Ayton did not participate in Saturday's practice due to an illness, but he will travel with the Lakers ahead of Sunday's game against the Jazz, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.

Ayton can be considered questionable for Sunday's contest, and his status will become more clear when he goes through morning shootaround and pregame warmups. Ayton's absence would likely lead to Jaxson Hayes entering the Lakers' starting five, and Maxi Kleber would be in line for more minutes off the bench. Over his last eight games, Ayton has averaged 17.8 points on 75.3 percent shooting, 9.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.9 steals over 29.6 minutes per game, and he has registered a double-double in three consecutive outings.

Lively (knee/rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Grizzlies.

As expected, Lively will take a seat for the second half of Dallas' back-to-back set after posting four points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 18 minutes off the bench during Friday's win over the Pelicans. In his absence, Daniel Gafford should start at center, with Moussa Cisse carving out a larger role in the frontcourt.

Kalkbrenner (ankle) has been ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's game against the Clippers.

The Hornets are referring to Kalkbrenner's ankle issue as soreness, which should be taken as a good sign. However, the rookie center can be considered highly questionable for the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back set in Atlanta on Sunday. In Kalkbrenner's absence, Moussa Diabate should see increased usage. Kalkbrenner notched two points, two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes before leaving the contest in the second quarter.

Kalkbrenner is headed to the locker room after appearing to tweak his ankle during Saturday's game against the Clippers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The Hornets have yet to release an update on Kalkbrenner's status, but he can be considered questionable to return. While he's unavailable, Moussa Diabate should see increased usage. Kalkbrenner notched two points, two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes before leaving the contest in the second quarter.

Bagley (hip) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bulls.

Bagley will be sidelined for a second consecutive game due to a hip injury. The Wizards are at least getting Alex Sarr (toe) back for Saturday's game, and Bagley's absence means Tristan Vukcevic should still see meaningful minutes off the bench despite reverting to a bench role. Bagley's next opportunity to play is Tuesday against the Hawks.

Sarr (toe) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Bulls.

A left toe injury sidelined Sarr for the Wizards' last two games, but the 2024 No. 2 overall pick has been cleared to play in Saturday's road contest. Sarr's return means Tristan Vukcevic will likely revert to a bench role, though the latter could still see meaningful minutes due to the absence of Marvin Bagley (hip). In his eight games before the toe injury, Sarr averaged 18.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.3 blocks over 29.9 minutes per game while shooting 50.8 percent from the field.

Embiid continues to progress in his recovery from a right knee injury and remains day-to-day, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Embiid has missed the 76ers' last six games due to right knee soreness. It seems like he's inching closer to a return, though it doesn't appear likely that will take place Sunday against the Heat. With Embiid and Adem Bona (ankle) both likely sidelined, Andre Drummond, Trendon Watford and Dominick Barlow will continue to see the majority of minutes at the center position.

Ware registered 20 points (8-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 28 minutes during Friday's 143-107 victory over the Bulls.

Ware moved to the starting lineup due to the absence of Andrew Wiggins (hip) and formed a dominant frontcourt pairing with Bam Adebayo. This was the second-year big man's fifth double-double over his last six games, averaging 14.5 points and 14.5 boards per game in that stretch. The 20-point output was also a season-high mark for Ware.