NBA Player News
-
Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis: Expected to play Thursday
Porzingis (Achilles) has been upgraded to probable for Thursday's game against the Celtics, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Porzingis appears likely to make his Warriors debut Thursday, though he'll come off the bench and will be on a minutes restriction if he plays. The veteran big man hasn't played since Jan. 7 due to a lingering left Achilles issue. He averaged 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks across 24.3 minutes per game in 17 regular-season outings (12 starts) with the Hawks before being traded to Golden State on Feb. 4.
-
Deandre Ayton C | LAL
Lakers' Deandre Ayton: Will play Friday
Ayton (knee) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.
Ayton missed a pair of games before the All-Star break due to knee soreness, but after a few days off, he's been cleared to return. He'll presumably slot back into the starting five Friday, which would bump Jaxson Hayes back to the bench.
-
Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Fades injury report
Williams (knee) is not on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Nuggets.
Williams was held out of the Trail Blazers' final game before the All-Star break (Feb. 12 against the Jazz) due to left knee injury management, but the veteran center will be available for Friday's contest. Williams hasn't played more than 20 minutes since Dec. 5 and is averaging 6.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 blocks over 16.3 minutes per game this season.
-
Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Coming off bench Thursday
Poeltl is not in the Raptors' starting lineup against the Bulls on Thursday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Poeltl missed 24 games spanning from late December to early February due to a back strain, but he was cleared to return for the Raptors' loss to the Pistons on Feb. 11, when he started and recorded nine points and six rebounds over 20 minutes. The veteran center will come off the bench for Thursday's contest while rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles enters the Raptors' starting five.
-
Santi Aldama C | MEM
Grizzlies' Santi Aldama: Ruled out for Friday
Aldama (knee) is out for Friday's game against Utah.
With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, the Grizzlies appear to be in no hurry to bring Aldama back. That said, his next chance to play comes Saturday in Miami. Kyle Anderson and Taylor Hendricks should take on the majority of the center minutes Friday.
-
Branden Carlson C | OKC
Thunder's Branden Carlson: Off injury report
Carlson (back) isn't listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Nets.
Carlson missed Oklahoma City's final game before the All-Star break due to lower-back spasms but is set to return Friday. The two-way player has appeared in just one game this month and isn't guaranteed to see the floor Friday.
-
Isaiah Hartenstein C | OKC
Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Removed from injury report
Hartenstein (calf) is off the injury report for Friday's game against the Nets.
Hartenstein is good to go after missing Oklahoma City's final outing prior to the All-Star break due to load management. Across his last six appearances, Hartenstein has averaged 8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists in 21.2 minutes per game while shooting 58.1 percent from the field.
-
Andre Drummond C | PHI
76ers' Andre Drummond: Starting sans Embiid
Drummond will start against the Hawks on Thursday, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.
With Joel Embiid (shin/knee) sidelined, Drummond will get the starting nod Thursday. As a starter this season (19 games), the veteran big man has averaged 8.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 26.1 minutes per tilt.
-
Jusuf Nurkic C | UTA
Jazz's Jusuf Nurkic: Sitting out Friday
Nurkic is out for Friday's game against Memphis due to nose injury management.
Nurkic went unused during last Thursday's loss to Portland, and fantasy managers should expect his availability to remain sporadic throughout the course of the stretch run. Kyle Filipowski should handle the bulk of the center minutes Friday, with Kevin Love filling in the No. 2 center spot behind him.
-
Daniel Gafford C | DAL
Mavericks' Daniel Gafford: Game-time call for Friday
Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.
Gafford picked up a right ankle injury in his team's final matchup before the All-Star break against the Lakers, and the issue could cause him to miss additional game action. The team should have a better idea of his availability closer to tipoff.