NBA Player News

Gafford will start Wednesday's game against the Pelicans.

Gafford will join the first unit at center Wednesday for the Mavericks in the absence of second-year big man Dereck Lively, who is out with an ankle injury. Gafford is averaging 12.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks over 15 games as a starter this season.

Carter is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Milwaukee.

Carter will make his first start since Jan. 1 due to Goga Bitadze's (concussion) absence. In 19 starts this season, Carter is averaging 7.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.2 assists across 26.0 minutes.

Huff (knee) is available for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.

Huff is good to go despite managing a knee injury, though it's not certain he'll take the court against San Antonio after sitting out Monday's loss to Houston as a coach's decision. The 26-year-old big man is averaging 7.6 points, 0.7 blocks and 1.6 threes while shooting 44.0 percent from three-point range over his last seven appearances.

The Trail Blazers announced Wednesday that Clingan has been diagnosed with a mild left ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in one week.

Clingan tweaked his ankle late in Tuesday's 132-114 loss to Brooklyn and will be out for at least the next four games -- and quite likely longer -- before the Trail Blazers provide another update on his status. While Clingan is sidelined, the Trail Blazers could look to Robert Williams (illness) to step in as the top backup to starting center Deandre Ayton.

Jackson-Davis (thumb) has been cleared to play Wednesday against the Timberwolves.

Jackson-Davis will play in Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves after spraining his right thumb in Monday's loss to the Raptors. The 24-year-old big man is averaging a career-high 8.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season for the Warriors.

Sims will start in Wednesday's game against the 76ers, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Sims will start for the injured Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) on Wednesday. Sims has averaged 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 points and 1.3 assists in 17.9 minutes over three games as a starter this year.

The Lakers plan to sign Jemison to a two-way contract, NBA reporter Jake Fischer reports.

After waiving Quincy Olivari on Wednesday, Los Angeles has quickly set its sights on his replacement in their two-way spot. Jemison offers the Lakers depth behind Anthony Davis and Jaxson Hayes and played 10.4 minutes per game over 16 appearances with the Pelicans. Still, the 25-year-old big man would appear more likely to receive steady playing time in the G League than at the NBA level.

The Thunder announced Wednesday that Hartenstein sustained a left soleus strain in Tuesday's 118-102 win over the 76ers and will be re-evaluated in one week, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Though Hartenstein will be re-examined in a week, even if he's healed up from the calf injury by then, he could still need a few additional days to regain conditioning before being cleared for game action. When Hartenstein was sidelined earlier in the season with a fractured left hand, the Thunder experimented with Jalen Williams as a small-ball center. Oklahoma City could once again look to give Jalen Williams some exposure at the position, but Jaylin Williams, Kenrich Williams and Branden Carlson may also take on additional minutes at center.

Sims (back) is available for Wednesday's game against the 76ers, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

After being upgraded to probable, Sims will fight off lower back spasms to suit up for the Knicks on Wednesday. With Karl-Anthony Towns (thumb) out, Sims would appear to be in line for a spot start at center, although New York could elect to deploy Precious Achiuwa in its first unit with superstar big man Joel Embiid (foot) sidelined for Philadelphia.

Nurkic (illness) is out for Thursday's game against the Wizards.

After the Suns acquired Nick Richards in a trade with the Hornets on Wednesday, Nurkic's fantasy stock continues to plummet. Nurkic's next chance to play comes Saturday against Detroit, although it's unclear what kind of role he'll have upon returning. If Richards isn't able to join Phoenix's rotation in time for Thursday, Mason Plumlee should continue starting at center against Washington.