NBA Player News
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Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Heads to locker room
Poeltl went back to the locker room during Wednesday's game against the Clippers after being hit in the face, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.
Poeltl looked to have taken an elbow to the face, and he exited the contest bloody. For now, the 30-year-old center can be considered questionable to return. While he's sidelined, look for Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles to handle most of the center duties.
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Jalen Duren C | DET
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Double-doubles with two blocks
Duren amassed 26 points (9-15 FG, 8-9 FT), 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 42 minutes during Wednesday's 130-129 overtime loss to Atlanta.
Duren recorded his second straight double-double with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, and he also chipped in some blocks after coming up empty in that category in his previous three appearances. He had a chance to win it in overtime, grabbing an offensive rebound in the closing seconds, but Duren's putback clanked off the rim as time expired.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Double-doubles with 10 stocks
Wembanyama racked up 19 points (8-15 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists, three steals and seven swats in just 27 minutes during Wednesday's 123-98 win over the Grizzlies.
Wembanyama dominated against the Grizzlies' B team, notching his 37th double-double of the season while piling up 10 stocks. He leads the league in total blocks (180), ranks in the top 10 in rebounds (651) and has spearheaded a 23-2 run for the Spurs over their last 25 games.
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Dwight Powell C | DAL
Mavericks' Dwight Powell: Starting against Denver
Powell is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Powell had been out of the rotation for the last two games, but he'll jump into the first unit Wednesday in place of the injured Daniel Gafford (shoulder). Expect Powell to share center duties with Marvin Bagley.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Dazzles in return
Embiid (oblique) posted 35 points (12-17 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven assists, six rebounds and one block over 28 minutes during the 76ers' 157-137 win over the Bulls on Wednesday.
Embiid was given the green light to return from a 13-game absence due to a strained right oblique. The one-time league MVP wasted no time getting to work Wednesday, scoring 15 points in the first quarter before adding another 12 in the third frame. Even with such a large lead, Embiid ended up playing the entire third quarter, an encouraging sign for his conditioning following a lengthy absence. With Paul George also returning to action Wednesday after serving a 25-game suspension and Kelly Oubre (elbow) and Tyrese Maxey (finger) both close to returns, Embiid and the 76ers will look to close out the regular season strongly as they attempt to improve on their seeding ahead of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
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Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Cleared to face Clippers
Poeltl (back) is available for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Poeltl will return from a one-game absence due to a lingering back injury. Since returning from a prolonged absence Feb. 11 due to the back issue, Poeltl has appeared in 14 games, averaging 11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks across 26.1 minutes.
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Moussa Cisse C | DAL
Mavericks' Moussa Cisse: Not available Wednesday
Cisse (two-way) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.
Cisse hasn't suited up for the Mavericks since March 6 while the team continues to manage his availability as the season winds down. After Wednesday, the undrafted rookie out of Memphis will be eligible to play in four of the Mavericks' final nine games while he remains signed to a two-way deal. Cisse's most recent game action came in the G League back on Sunday, when he played 28 minutes and recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in the Texas Legends' 109-106 win over the Iowa Wolves. He had missed the Legends' previous game Friday against the Wolves due to a right shoulder injury.
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Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Won't play Wednesday
Gafford (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Denver, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Gafford has been downgraded from questionable to out Wednesday. The 27-year-old center picked up a sprained right shoulder in the Mavericks' most recent game. With Gafford out of the picture Wednesday, Marvin Bagley and Dwight Powell could see more playing time. Gafford's next chance to play will come Friday at Portland.
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Myles Turner C | MIL
Bucks' Myles Turner: Ruled out for Wednesday
Turner (calf) is out for Wednesday's game in Portland.
Bobby Portis (wrist) and Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) will join Turner on the inactive list for Wednesday's game, leaving Milwaukee very thin up front. Jericho Sims will get a chance to start with Turner out, and there will be more minutes available for Ousmane Dieng. Turner's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Spurs.
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Nick Richards C | CHI
Bulls' Nick Richards: Won't return Wednesday
Richards won't return to Wednesday's game against the 76ers due to a right elbow issue, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
The severity of Richards' elbow injury isn't yet known, but with Friday's game in Oklahoma City being the first of a back-to-back set, it could be tough for Richards to return for that one. Patrick Williams started at center for the second half of Wednesday's game, so he could be in line for major minutes if Richards and Jalen Smith (calf) need to skip some games.