NBA Player News

Williams finished with 26 points (10-18 FG, 6-7 FT), 16 rebounds, three assists and one block over 31 minutes during Thursday's 103-96 loss to the Mavericks.

Williams capitalized on a depleted Mavericks frontcourt by registering his 10th double-double of the season and scoring a game-high 26 points Thursday. The star big man has been rolling since the middle of January, as evidenced by his averages of 18.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 blocks in 30.0 minutes while shooting 54.4 percent from the field across his last 14 appearances. As long as he stays healthy, Williams should continue playing a featured role in the middle for the injury-ravaged Hornets.

Jokic recorded 32 points (13-16 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 14 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal over 37 minutes in Thursday's 121-112 loss to Milwaukee.

Jokic once again shined for Denver in Thursday's contest, shooting a near-perfect mark from the field while pacing all Nuggets in scoring, rebounds and assists in another triple-double performance. Jokic has been a triple-double machine all season long, and he recorded his fifth triple-double over the last 10 games.

Lopez ended with 22 points (7-16 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one block over 37 minutes in Thursday's 121-112 win over Denver.

Lopez provided a nice lift form inside the paint Thursday despite not having great success shooting the ball, finishing second among Bucks players in scoring while posting one of two 20-point performances in the contest. Lopez has recorded 20 or more points in 10 outings this season, doing so in two of his last five appearances.

Carter finished Thursday's 121-115 loss to the Warriors with nine points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt), 14 rebounds, four assists and one steal over 27 minutes.

Carter led both teams in rebounding Thursday, with five of his boards coming on the offensive side of the floor, and he was one point shy from registering his ninth double-double of the season. He has started in each of the Magic's last five games, and over that span he has averaged 9.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals over 26.9 minutes per game.

Tillman (knee) recorded zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one steal across five minutes in Wednesday's 117-97 loss to the Pistons.

Tillman missed three straight games due to knee inflammation before being cleared to play Tuesday, but he didn't see the floor in the Celtics' 10-point win over the Raptors. He remained out of the rotation for the second leg of the back-to-back set, as Tillman didn't check into the game until the Pistons already had the victory well in hand. After re-signing with Boston on a two-year deal over the summer, Tillman has endured the worst season of his five-year career; he's averaging just 7.1 minutes per game over his 28 appearances and is shooting just 23.8 percent from the field.

Brown will enter the starting lineup in Thursday's game against Charlotte.

The big man will supplant Kessler Edwards in the starting five, drawing his first start of the 2024-25 campaign with P.J. Washington (ankle) sidelined. Over 10 appearances with Dallas, Brown has averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per contest.

Nurkic (illness) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Nurkic won't suit up Thursday after coming down with an illness. The Hornets will rely on Mark Williams and Moussa Diabate at center in Nurkic's absence.

Collins (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Timberwolves, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

The questionable tag is an upgrade for Collins, who will have a chance Friday to end a three-game absence with back soreness. If the star big man can rejoin Utah's lineup against Minnesota, fewer minutes would be available to KJ Martin and Brice Sensabaugh. Look for the Jazz to update Collins' status closer to tip-off.

Powell (hip) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against the Hornets

The big man was deemed questionable due to a right hip strain, but he'll suit up and should see minutes with the second unit as a depth option in the frontcourt. Powell returned to the hardwood following a 16-game absence in Tuesday's loss to the Lakers, and he posted two points, five rebounds and one block in 16 minutes. Head coach Jason Kidd said Powell will be on a 10-to-12 minutes restriction once again, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.

Vucevic is doubtful for Friday's game against the Raptors with a right calf strain.

Vucevic is unlikely to return from a two-game absence Friday. If the star big man is ultimately ruled out as expected, his next chance to return would come Sunday against the Pacers. Jalen Smith remains in the concussion protocol, so Zach Collins could stay in Chicago's starting lineup with a clear pathway to the center minutes.