NBA Player News

Powell is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Powell had been out of the rotation for the last two games, but he'll jump into the first unit Wednesday in place of the injured Daniel Gafford (shoulder). Expect Powell to share center duties with Marvin Bagley.

Embiid (oblique) posted 35 points (12-17 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 8-9 FT), seven assists, six rebounds and one block over 28 minutes during the 76ers' 157-137 win over the Bulls on Wednesday.

Embiid was given the green light to return from a 13-game absence due to a strained right oblique. The one-time league MVP wasted no time getting to work Wednesday, scoring 15 points in the first quarter before adding another 12 in the third frame. Even with such a large lead, Embiid ended up playing the entire third quarter, an encouraging sign for his conditioning following a lengthy absence. With Paul George also returning to action Wednesday after serving a 25-game suspension and Kelly Oubre (elbow) and Tyrese Maxey (finger) both close to returns, Embiid and the 76ers will look to close out the regular season strongly as they attempt to improve on their seeding ahead of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Poeltl (back) is available for Wednesday's game against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Poeltl will return from a one-game absence due to a lingering back injury. Since returning from a prolonged absence Feb. 11 due to the back issue, Poeltl has appeared in 14 games, averaging 11.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks across 26.1 minutes.

Cisse (two-way) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.

Cisse hasn't suited up for the Mavericks since March 6 while the team continues to manage his availability as the season winds down. After Wednesday, the undrafted rookie out of Memphis will be eligible to play in four of the Mavericks' final nine games while he remains signed to a two-way deal. Cisse's most recent game action came in the G League back on Sunday, when he played 28 minutes and recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in the Texas Legends' 109-106 win over the Iowa Wolves. He had missed the Legends' previous game Friday against the Wolves due to a right shoulder injury.

Gafford (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Denver, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford has been downgraded from questionable to out Wednesday. The 27-year-old center picked up a sprained right shoulder in the Mavericks' most recent game. With Gafford out of the picture Wednesday, Marvin Bagley and Dwight Powell could see more playing time. Gafford's next chance to play will come Friday at Portland.

Turner (calf) is out for Wednesday's game in Portland.

Bobby Portis (wrist) and Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) will join Turner on the inactive list for Wednesday's game, leaving Milwaukee very thin up front. Jericho Sims will get a chance to start with Turner out, and there will be more minutes available for Ousmane Dieng. Turner's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Spurs.

Richards won't return to Wednesday's game against the 76ers due to a right elbow issue, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

The severity of Richards' elbow injury isn't yet known, but with Friday's game in Oklahoma City being the first of a back-to-back set, it could be tough for Richards to return for that one. Patrick Williams started at center for the second half of Wednesday's game, so he could be in line for major minutes if Richards and Jalen Smith (calf) need to skip some games.

Williams (knee) will play Wednesday against the Bucks, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Williams is back after a one-game absence, which could result in Yang Hansen getting bumped from the rotation. Williams is averaging 6.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this season.

Richards will start Wednesday versus the 76ers.

Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Matas Buzelis and Jalen Smith will join Richards in the first unit for a second straight game. Through five starts this season, Richards has recorded averages of 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 swats per contest on 47/43/55 shooting splits.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Pacers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes will get a spot-start with Deandre Ayton (back) unavailable, and it'll be Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Jake LaRavia joining Hayes in the first unit for Wednesday's game. Through eight starts this season, Hayes has posted averages of 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.