NBA Player News

Jokic ended Wednesday's 122-112 loss to New York with 17 points (6-15 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals over 33 minutes.

Jokic is having arguably the best season of his NBA career, but he couldn't get going the way he usually does during Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. The three-time NBA MVP finished with single-digit assists and rebounds for the first time since Dec. 28. He's currently averaging a triple-double with a career-high 29.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 10.1 assists per game, which shows this was likely nothing more than an off night for the superstar big man who got in foul trouble early against New York.

Vucevic totaled six points (3-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 25 minutes during Wednesday's 122-100 loss to the Celtics.

Vucevic is having a solid season for the Bulls but couldn't get it going Wednesday in the loss to the defending NBA champions. The veteran big man scored a season-low six points against Boston, going 3-for-9 from the floor and failing to hit any of his three attempts from beyond the arc. This could be a fluke shooting performance for the 34-year-old, considering he's averaging a career-high 54.6 percent from the field this season for Chicago.

Kessler (shoulder) has been cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Timberwolves, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

After missing the last two games for the Jazz with a shoulder contusion, Kessler will return to the floor Thursday against Minnesota. The former first-round pick is having his best season yet for Utah, averaging a double-double with 11.3 points and 11.4 rebounds per game, shooting a career-high 73 percent from the floor.

Collins (illness) is available for Thursday's game versus the Timberwolves, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Collins has been upgraded from questionable to available Thursday after missing Utah's last three contests due to an illness. Collins' return to action should result in decreased playing time for Brice Sensabaugh and Micah Potter.

Adams (ankle) was seen at shootaround ahead of Thursday's game versus the Grizzlies, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Adams is officially listed as questionable for Thursday's contest due to left ankle soreness. While Jock Landale would likely receive increased playing time if Adams is ruled out, the veteran big man's presence at shootaround is a good sign of his availability against Memphis.

Sengun (calf) participated in shootaround ahead of Thursday's game versus the Grizzles, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Sengun is in danger of missing his first contest of the season Thursday, as he is listed as questionable due to a left calf injury. However, the 22-year-old big man's participation in shootaround is a good sign of his availability against Memphis.

Sarr (ankle) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Lakers.

A sprained left ankle will force Sarr out for the second straight game. In Wednesday's 106-82 loss to the Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas started at center in Sarr's stead and played 23 minutes, while Richaun Holmes served as Valanciunas' top backup and played 16 minutes. Tristan Vukcevic wasn't part of head coach Brian Keefe's rotation but served as the Wizards' center for the final 8:19 of the contest, when Washington was trailing by 24 and had essentially benched all of its key players.

Zubac recorded 21 points (8-16 FG, 5-5 FT), 22 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Wednesday's 128-116 victory over the Spurs.

Zubac's season-high 22 rebounds helped him record his third straight double-double. The 27-year-old big man's season average of 12.8 boards per contest ranks fourth in the NBA. Zubac also shoots above 60 percent from the field for the sixth consecutive year.

Holmes put up eight points (3-3 FG, 2-2 FT), five boards and three assists in 16 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's 106-82 loss to the Raptors.

The veteran big man set a season high in assists Wednesday, while also matching his season high in rebounds and logging his second-best scoring game of the year. Alex Sarr (ankle) and Marvin Bagley (knee) are currently listed as day-to-day, and so long as they remain out, Holmes should continue seeing some opportunity at the center position behind Jonas Valanciunas. His next chance to take the court comes Thursday against the Lakers.

Hayes said he will start center in Thursday's game versus the Wizards, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

With Anthony Davis (abdomen) out for at least a week, Hayes will get the first opportunity to start at center in his absence. Hayes is averaging 6.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in 28.7 minutes across his previous three starting appearances this season.