NBA Player News

Ayton racked up six points (2-6 FG, 2-4 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists and one block in 32 minutes during Saturday's 114-98 loss to the Timberwolves.

Ayton was quiet on the offensive end, though he did rack up a game-high mark in rebounds. Through 39 regular-season appearances, the big man is on pace to average a double-double and has posted double-digit rebounds in 21 outings thus far. The seventh-year pro has been efficient despite a couple of single-digit scoring outings in his last five outings, during which he has averaged 16.2 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 blocks while shooting 53.2 percent from the field in 32.0 minutes per contest.

Sengun is doubtful to return to Sunday's game against the Raptors due to a lumbar spasm, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

If he's unable to return, Sengun will finish with zero points (0-3 FG) and three rebounds in three minutes. Jeff Green replaced Sengun when the big man went to the locker room, but Jock Landale is also a candidate for increased minutes for the remainder of the game. The Rockets were already thin in the frontcourt, as Steven Adams (lower leg), Tari Eason (ankle) and Jabari Smith (hand) are all in street clothes Sunday.

Sengun exited in the first quarter of Sunday's game against the Raptors after sustaining an apparent back injury, Ben DuBose of USA Today reports.

Sengun checked out of Sunday's contest after grabbing at his back just minutes after tipoff. If the big man is unable to return, Jock Landale and Jeff Green could fill most of the minutes at center for the rest of the contest.

Embiid (knee) is available for Sunday's game against the Bucks, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Embiid will shake off a questionable tag due to left knee injury management and suit up Sunday. The superstar big man has appeared in two of the club's last three outings while the Sixers manage his playing time, amassing 52 points (19-41 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 12-19 FT), 18 rebounds, 16 assists, two blocks and one steal across 66 total minutes. There's no indication that the 30-year-old will operate under a minutes restriction.

Robbins (groin) is available for Sunday's game against Philadelphia.

Robbins hasn't suited up since Jan. 25 in the G League due to a right groin strain, though he'll be available if need be Sunday. The two-way center's availability shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation, as he has averaged only 4.5 minutes per game over just 13 regular-season appearances.

Nurkic (trade pending) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pistons.

Nurkic wasn't listed on Charlotte's injury report but has been ruled out via the NBA's official report with a trade pending designation. With Mark Williams (trade rescinded) and Nurkic unavailable, Taj Gibson will be the primary backup to Moussa Diabate on Sunday.

Sabonis fouled out of Saturday's 123-118 victory over New Orleans after recording a team-high 27 points (10-18 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-10 FT), 16 rebounds and two assists in 34 minutes.

The Kings were staring at a 20-point deficit before the first quarter was over, but Sabonis helped fuel the comeback with his league-leading 46th double-double of the season. Over 19 games since the calendar flipped to January, Sabonis is averaging 20.2 points, 15.5 boards, 6.5 assists and 1.3 threes while shooting 60.3 percent from the floor and an eye-popping 51.0 percent from beyond the arc.

Missi produced two points (1-6 FG), 13 rebounds, one assist and four blocks in 32 minutes during Saturday's 123-118 loss to the Kings.

While he didn't contribute much offense, the rookie center more than held his own at the defensive end in a matchup with Domantas Sabonis. Missi has scored in double digits only once in the last six games while shooting a disappointing 41.2 percent from the floor, but the 20-year-old has averaged 8.3 boards and 1.8 blocks over that stretch along with his 4.7 points.

Bol amassed a season-high 19 points (8-17 FG, 3-10 3Pt), seven rebounds, one assist, four blocks and one steal in 33 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 122-105 loss to the Nuggets.

After not playing more than 12 minutes in any of his appearances this season prior to February, Bol has suddenly gotten a longer look due to Kevin Durant (ankle) being sidelined and has taken advantage, scoring in double digits in back-to-back games while recording 10 rebounds, seven blocks and five three-pointers. The 25-year-old big is still behind Nick Richards and Mason Plumlee on the Phoenix depth chart at center, but Bol's rim protection could earn him a consistent spot in the frontcourt rotation even after Durant returns.

Williams (not injury related) has not joined the Hornets in Detroit for Sunday's game against the Pistons, and his status for Monday's game in Brooklyn remains unclear, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

The Hornets released a statement Saturday welcoming Williams back into the organization after the team's agreed-upon trade with the Lakers was rescinded by Los Angeles due to multiple issues with the center's physical. It's unclear if the Lakers identified any issues with Williams that will prevent him from suiting up for the Hornets now that he's been returned to Charlotte; the 23-year-old big man had appeared in the Hornets' last two games before the trade agreement was reached. Since he's not yet traveling with the Hornets, Williams appears more likely than not to remain out Monday, which should pave the way for Moussa Diabate to see the majority of the playing time at center.