NBA Player News

Horford (toe) is available for Friday's matchup versus the Bucks, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

With Kristaps Porzingis (lower leg) sidelined Friday, Horford is expected to get the start. However, it would not come as a surprise if Horford was held out of the second leg of the back-to-back set during Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies. The 38-year-old has appeared in three of the Celtics' last five outings, during which he averaged 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.7 blocks across 28.3 minutes per contest.

Porzingis has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks due to left posterior tibialis tendon injury management.

Porzingis will sit in the first leg of a back-to-back set, though he'll likely return for Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies. Al Horford is expected to start at center and take on major minutes before resting Saturday to reopen a spot in the lineup for Porzingis. Since making his season debut Nov. 25, Porzingis is averaging 21.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks across 27.3 minutes per contest over four games.

Embiid (knee), who has already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Magic, was present at the 76ers' morning shootaround but didn't participate, Austin Krell of USA Today reports.

Embiid is set to miss his seventh consecutive outing Friday, and his inactivity during Friday's shootaround doesn't bode well for his chances of returning to action for Sunday's matchup versus the Bulls. On a more positive note, the big man has been active in workouts over the last few days, according to Krell. The 76ers are thin in the frontcourt with Embiid and Adem Bona (knee) sidelined, and if Andre Drummond (ankle) is unable to play Friday, the club should continue to take an extended look at Guerschon Yabusele as their starting center. Pete Nance would likely serve as Yabusele's backup if Drummond isn't available.

Sengun ended Thursday's 99-93 loss to the Warriors with 16 points (7-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and two steals across 29 minutes.

Sengun posted a below-average line on a night when the starting five also fell short of projections. Houston's 93 points marked its lowest point total of the season, and the Rockets have lost both games during the California road trip. Sengun failed to hit double-digit rebound totals in both games and averaged a below-average 29.5 minutes during the two losses. Sengun's ejection during Tuesday's game is a partial reason for the usage dip.

Bagley produced 16 points (7-11 FG, 2-3 3Pt), eight rebounds and two steals across 24 minutes during Thursday's 137-101 loss to Dallas.

Making his first start of the season, Bagley co-led the team with 16 points and eight rebounds. Bagley has started 16 games for the Wizards dating back to last season, and he's been productive as a member of Washington's first unit with averages of 12.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks in 26.5 minutes per contest while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. It remains to be seen if coach Brian Keefe will keep Bagley in the starting lineup once Kyle Kuzma (ribs) returns to the fold, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on Bagley.

Jokic finished Thursday's 126-114 loss to Cleveland with 27 points (13-26 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 20 rebounds, 11 assists and three steals across 39 minutes.

Jokic dominated Thursday's contest, putting together eye-popping numbers en route to yet another triple-double performance. Jokic led all players in points, rebounds and assists, matching a season high in boards while posting his second game with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds this season. Jokic has tallied nine triple-doubles thus far, including in two of his last three outings.

Filipowski (lower leg) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Portland, KSL Sports reports.

Filipowski is still on the mend from a left leg injury and hasn't taken the court since Nov. 21. His next chance to return will arrive Sunday in Sacramento.

Williams (concussion) won't play Friday against Utah.

Williams is set to miss his fifth straight game while working through the league's concussion protocol. His next opportunity to suit up will arrive Sunday against the Lakers.

Plumlee is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Pelicans.

With Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) still sidelined, the Suns will tweak things in the frontcourt by giving Plumlee the nod as the rim protector, sending Oso Ighodaro to the bench. The veteran big man is averaging 7.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in four starts this season.

Fernando will start Thursday night's game against the Thunder, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Fernando is in line for an opportunity at center after news broke that Jakob Poeltl (illness) wouldn't suit up. This marks Fernando's first start of the 2024-25 campaign, and he should shoulder a heavier workload after averaging only 8.6 minutes through his first 14 appearances of the season.