NBA Player News

Bitadze was ejected with 3:36 remaining in the fourth quarter of Monday's game against the Celtics, Dan Savage of the Magic's official site reports. He'll finish the matchup with eight points (4-7 FG), nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks across 21 minutes.

The big man appeared to shove Kristaps Porzingis by the throat and was ejected in the final minutes of the contest. Wendell Carter should pick up the slack the rest of the way. Bitadze stuffed the stat sheet in his limited run Monday, and his next chance to suit up will come Thursday against Miami.

Reid (ankle) returned to Monday's game against the Hawks with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter, per the broadcast.

Reid went back to the locker room after appearing to injure his ankle in the second quarter. However, the big man should be able to shoulder his normal workload the rest of the way.

Drummond will not return to Monday's matchup against the Spurs due to a left great toe contusion, Austin Krell of USA Today reports. He'll finish the game with two points (1-2 FG), three rebounds and one assist across seven minutes.

The 76ers will be thin on frontcourt options for the rest of the way with Drummond done for the night and with Joel Embiid having been ejected from the contest late in the second quarter. Guerschon Yabusele and KJ Martin will likely pick up the slack in the frontcourt.

Reid went to the locker room in the second quarter of Monday's game against the Hawks due to an ankle injury, Chris Hine of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Reid went back to the locker room after having his ankle evaluated by trainers on the sidelines. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Josh Minott are candidates to see increased playing time off the Timberwolves' bench for as long as Reid is sidelined.

Embiid was ejected with 2:59 remaining in the second quarter of Monday's game against the Spurs, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports. He finished with nine points (2-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, two steals and one assist across 14 minutes.

Embiid was back in action after resting in Saturday's 126-99 loss to the Cavaliers, but his night ended early Monday. The ejection came when after he was assessed an offensive foul, which prompted Embiid to argue with the official and receive a double technical foul. Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele should pick up the slack in the frontcourt the rest of the way.

Zubac (calf) is part of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Grizzlies, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Zubac was a game-time decision Monday due to right calf soreness, but he's been given the green light to suit up. In his last five games, Zubac is averaging 17.4 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 combined steals-plus-blocks.

Valanciunas will enter the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Thunder.

With Alexandre Sarr (back) sidelined, Valanciunas will slide into the starting five. The veteran big man has started in six games thus far, during which he has averaged 15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 blocks across 25.0 minutes per contest.

Horford is in the Celtics' starting lineup for Monday's game against Orlando, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Horford will take Jayson Tatum's place in the starting five, with the latter being a late addition to the injury report due to a non-COVID illness. Monday will be Horford's 19th start of the 2024-25 regular season.

Williams (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Dallas, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

Williams played in the Blazers' last three games after missing the prior seven contests due to a concussion. The ankle injury is a new one, and it will force him to observe Monday's game in street clothes. Williams' next opportunity to play will be against the Jazz on Thursday. Williams' absence opens the door for Donovan Clingan, Jabari Walker and Deni Avdija to see more minutes off the bench behind Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton.

Sarr (back) is out for Monday's game against the Thunder, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.

Sarr will miss Monday's contest with a back issue. This is not the first time the rookie has been dealing with this injury, as he missed two games earlier this month with the same issue. Sarr's absence will likely translate to a bigger role for Jonas Valanciunas.