NBA Player News

Lively exited Tuesday's game versus the Nuggets with 8:04 remaining in the first quarter due to an apparent right ankle injury, Noah Weber of TheSmokingCuban.com reports.

Lively tallied four points (2-3 FG) and one block in four minutes before exiting Tuesday's contest early. If the second-year center is unable to return to action, Daniel Gafford, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell could all receive increased playing time.

Clingan will come off the bench in Tuesday's game against Brooklyn, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

The rookie got the spot start for Deandre Ayton in Saturday's loss to Miami, during which Clingan posted eight points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 10 rebounds, two blocks, one assist and one steal across 27 minutes. The big man should still see significant playing time off the bench against the Nets with Robert Williams (illness) sidelined.

Jokic (illness) has been cleared for Tuesday's game against the Mavericks.

Jokic will face the Mavericks for a second straight game, which bodes well for the Nuggets in this matchup. The veteran big man is having another MVP-caliber season for Denver, averaging a career-high 31.2 points along with 13.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game while shooting 55.5 percent from the floor, including 47.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Claxton (hamstring) is out for Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers, Brian Lewis of the New York Post reports.

The reeling Nets will be without their defensive anchor Tuesday, and Claxton's next chance to suit up comes during the second half of Brooklyn's back-to-back Wednesday against the Clippers. Noah Clowney should take on more responsibility from the starting lineup, and Day'Ron Sharpe appears to be a prime candidate to replace Claxton in the first unit against Portland.

Williams (illness) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Nets, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Williams will miss a third straight game, with the first being due to rest and the last two being the result of an illness. Deandre Ayton (calf) is returning from a one-game absence and should start Tuesday, while Donovan Clingan is locked in as the team's backup center. With that in mind, Williams likely would have been outside of the rotation against the Nets even if he had been available.

Landale (personal) is out for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.

Landale won't be available for personal reasons Wednesday, and his next shot to rejoin Houston's lineup arrives Thursday against the Kings. Veteran big man Steven Adams has taken over as the top backup center behind Alperen Sengun lately, and the former should have a clear pathway to that role against Denver with Landale out of action.

Kessler (rest) isn't on the injury report for Wednesday's game versus the Hornets.

Kessler will return to action Wednesday after sitting out Utah's previous contest for rest purposes. The 23-year-old center should reclaim his starting spot from Drew Eubanks against Charlotte.

Davis (foot) is probable for Wednesday's game against Miami, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Davis has been a mainstay on the injury report throughout the first half of the season due to left foot plantar fasciitis, though he is expected to suit up against the Heat. The superstar big man has missed only two matchups this season, and he has played in each of the Lakers' last four outings, during which he has averaged 24.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, 3.0 blocks, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.5 minutes per contest.

Collins (hip) remains out for Wednesday's game against the Hornets, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Collins' absence streak with a hip injury will extend to six games Wednesday, and his next shot to take the floor for the Jazz arrives Friday against the Pelicans. With Lauri Markkanen (back) ruled out against Charlotte as well, the bulk of Utah's frontcourt minutes should be divvied up among the likes of Micah Potter, Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski and Cody Williams.

Ware (foot) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.

After notching his first career double-double off Miami's bench in Monday's game against the Clippers, Ware is managing right foot soreness but is likely to play Wednesday. The rookie big man is averaging 11.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.1 threes in 20.0 minutes while shooting 65.5 percent from the floor over his last eight games. The Heat may need Ware to play a significant role against Los Angeles if Bam Adebayo (back) remains sidelined.