NBA Player News

Richards will start Monday's game against the Cavaliers.

The Suns won't waste any more time after Richards erupted for 21 points (7-8 FG, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes in his debut against the Pistons on Saturday. With Richards likely to remain in the starting lineup going forward, Mason Plumlee will retreat to the second unit.

Capela will come off the bench Monday against the Knicks, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

With Onyeka Okongwu in the midst of the best stretch of his career, this move was inevitable. Capela played 21 minutes or fewer in his last three games, and his fantasy upside could be limited going forward with the Hawks giving Okongwu more playing time.

Okongwu will enter the starting lineup for Monday's game against New York, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

The writing has been on the wall for some time now, as Okongwu is in the midst of the best stretch of his career. Clint Capela will move to the second unit with this news. Okongwu's fantasy arrow is pointing straight up, with the big man averaging 18.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.7 blocks over his last three games.

Sims will come off the bench for Monday's game against the Hawks.

This is an expected move with Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) returning from a two-game absence. Sims doesn't always crack the rotation when Towns is active for New York.

Gobert (ankle) is in the starting lineup Monday against the Grizzlies.

Gobert popped up on the injury report with a questionable tag due to a right ankle sprain, so it will be interesting to see how he holds up against Memphis. He has struggled in January so far, averaging 9.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks over his last 10 games.

Adams (migraine) won't play Monday against the Pistons.

Adams is a late scratch for Monday's contest. In Adams' absence, Jeff Green and Jock Landale are candidates to receive the backup center minutes.

Missi (illness) won't play Monday against the Jazz.

Missi missed Friday's game against the Jazz and was unable to practice Sunday, as he remains under the weather. His next chance to play will be Wednesday against the Bucks. Daniel Theis and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will likely see increased run Monday, especially with Zion Williamson (illness) also out.

Ayton chipped in 15 points (7-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 37 minutes during Sunday's 113-102 victory over the Bulls.

Ayton was one of the top performers for the Blazers in this solid win over the Bulls, and the veteran was able to make his presence felt on both ends of the court. He's averaging 11.5 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 blocks in 28.9 minutes across his past 10 games.

Vucevic recorded 17 points (6-14 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists, one block and three steals over 35 minutes during Sunday's 113-102 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Vucevic was coming off a 40-point double-double in the loss to the Hornets on Friday, and while he couldn't post the same scoring line, he was able to leave his mark on both ends of the court. This was his fourth straight double-double, and he's achieved that feat in eight of his 10 outings in January. During that stretch, Vucevic is averaging 20.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest.

Zubac accumulated 21 points (9-16 FG, 3-3 FT), 19 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 35 minutes during Sunday's 116-102 win over the Lakers.

The 27-year-old center has been dominating the glass of late, ripping down 16 or more boards in four of the last seven games. Over that stretch, Zubac is averaging 15.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 blocks while shooting 64.8 percent from the floor. Zubac already has 26 double-doubles on the season in 41 appearances, leaving him just one short of his career-high 27, set in 2022-23.