NBA Player News

Williams (rest) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Dallas, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Williams will get the day off Thursday, and his next chance to play will come Saturday against the Heat. With the big man sidelined, Donovan Clingan should be in line for an uptick in playing time behind Deandre Ayton.

Holmes (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game against Chicago.

Holmes has played in only six games so far this season, but he is coming off a season high in minutes (27) and rebounds (11) in Wednesday's game versus Philadelphia due to Alexandre Sarr's absence due to an illness. If Holmes can't play, Anthony Gill will likely back up Sarr (if he's able to return) and Jonas Valanciunas.

Sarr (illness) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Sarr missed Wednesday's game against the 76ers and could miss Friday in Chicago. The rookie big man has recorded double-doubles in two of his last four games. He's averaging 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks per game while shooting 40.8 percent from the floor and 31.2 percent from beyond the arc.

Gafford (ankle) is available for Thursday's game versus the Trail Blazers and won't operate on a minutes restriction, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Gafford has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing Dallas' previous contest due to a left ankle sprain. Gafford is averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 18.8 minutes across his last 10 appearances.

Turner (illness) is questionable to play in Friday's game against the Warriors.

Turner missed Wednesday's matchup with the Bulls due to an illness and is in danger of missing a second consecutive game (and fourth overall this season). If Turner is unable to play, expect Thomas Bryant, who dropped a season-high 22 points and eight rebounds over 28 minutes, to start again in his place.

Drummond (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans.

Drummond won't return to the floor for the 76ers on Friday as he continues to deal with a toe injury. Philadelphia will also be without Joel Embiid (foot) for the matchup with the Pelicans, making the 76ers shorthanded in the frontcourt. Guerschon Yabusele should see a bump in minutes due to the team's veteran bigs being on the mend.

Embiid (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans.

Embiid will miss a third straight game due to a sprained left foot. Before missing the last two games, the veteran big man recorded back-to-back double-doubles in a loss to the Warriors and a win over the Nets. The 76ers will be shorthanded in the frontcourt against the Pelicans, with Andre Drummond (toe) also out for this game, meaning Guerschon Yabusele will likely get extended minutes.

Williams is listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Mavericks due to rest purposes.

Williams hasn't suffered any injury, but Portland could opt to play it cautiously on the second night of a back-to-back Thursday. If Williams is ultimately ruled out, Donovan Clingan could receive increased minutes as the team's backup center.

Clingan (rest) is available for Thursday's game versus the Mavericks.

Clingan will return to action Thursday after missing the first leg of Portland's back-to-back Wednesday due to rest purposes. The rookie forward should continue to operate as the backup center to Deandre Ayton. Clingan is averaging 4.7 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13.8 minutes across his last 10 appearances.

Holmes ended Wednesday's 109-103 loss to the 76ers with three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 27 minutes.

With rookie center Alexandre Sarr (illness) sidelined, Holmes played the most minutes in a game this season during Wednesday's loss to the 76ers, finishing with a season-high 11 rebounds. It was only the sixth game the big man has played for Washington during the 2024-25 campaign, but he could get more time if he can continue to crash the glass and be a force defensively with his shot-blocking ability.