NBA Player News

Filipowski is in Utah's starting lineup against Toronto on Friday.

Filipowski will draw the start Friday as Walker Kessler is expected to be a DNP, per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. As a starter this season, Filipowski has averaged 12.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 26.4 minutes per game.

Sabonis (hamstring) will go through pregame warmups ahead of Friday's game against the Suns before the Kings decide if he will play, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Sabonis looks like a true game-time decision Friday as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain, which has kept him out for the last six games. Clarity on the star big man's status should arrive closer to the 10 p.m. ET tipoff. Jonas Valanciunas would continue to hold down the fort in the middle if Sabonis remains sidelined for another game.

Jokic (elbow/ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers.

Jokic was listed as probable, so the upgrade in status isn't surprising, as he hasn't missed a game since mid-January. The star big man, who's a strong candidate for the MVP award, is averaging 27.7 points. 14.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game across six appearances in March.

Richards (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Kings, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Richards missed Wednesday's loss to the Rockets and will now sit out a second consecutive contest. The big man's next chance to play will come against the Lakers on Sunday, meaning Mason Plumlee should see the bulk of minutes at center as his replacement Friday.

Jemison (illness) is out for Friday's game against the Raptors, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Jemison was initially listed as questionable due to an illness, and in the end, the big man won't be able to suit up for this contest. His next chance to play will come against the Suns on Sunday, though given how packed the schedule has been for the Lakers in recent days, the rest could be beneficial for the big man.

Powell is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Houston, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Powell will have a minutes restriction Friday, so his fantasy upside will remain limited despite the starting role. The veteran big man has averaged 4.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.5 blocks in 16.7 minutes over two games as a starter this season.

Powell is still on a minutes restriction for Friday's game versus the Rockets, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Powell has suited up in each of Dallas' last nine outings after missing 16 straight contests due to a right hip strain. Considering Powell has averaged 14.4 minutes a game over that span, it seems reasonable to assume his playing time will continue to hover around 20 minutes.

Ware is not in the Heat's starting lineup against the Celtics on Friday.

Ware has started in every game he has appeared in since Jan. 21. The rookie first rounder will shift to a reserve role Friday as head coach Erik Spoelstra goes with Bam Adebayo at the five with Jaime Jaquez and Andrew Wiggins rounding out the Heat's starting frontcourt.

Kornet is in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Heat on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

With Jaylen Brown (knee) out Friday, head coach Joe Mazulla has opted to go with a big starting frontcourt of Kornet, Al Horford and Jayson Tatum. It marks the fifth time Kornet will be in the starting five over Boston's last seven games. Kornet has averaged 5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks over 21.3 minutes per game since the All-Star break.

Jones (quadriceps) won't play in Friday's game versus the Rockets.

Jones will miss his sixth straight contest Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to a left quadriceps strain. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia.