NBA Player News

Gafford closed Saturday's 110-93 win over the Spurs with 22 points (9-10 FG, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 18 minutes.

Gafford and Dereck Lively have been alternating in the starting role, but the former is expected to continue coming off the bench in the next few games, according to Jason Kidd and per Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life. Gafford has been playing at a high level in recent days and has scored in double digits in six straight contests.

Collins posted 20 points (6-13 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 8-8 FT), six rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 26 minutes during Saturday's 110-93 loss to the Mavericks.

Collins got the start in place of Victor Wembanyama (knee), and even though he struggled with his shot from beyond the arc, he ended up leading the Spurs in scoring. Collins should return to the bench as soon as Wembanyama is ready to return to the hardwood, so his potential upside in most formats will be directly tied to the Frenchman's availability.

Davis scored 31 points (12-20 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 5-7 FT) while adding 14 rebounds, an assist, two steals and a block across 37 minutes in Saturday's 104-99 win over the Pelicans.

Dalton Knecht and LeBron James posted impressive performances Saturday, but Davis was the main offensive weapon for Los Angeles and once again carried the team in scoring. This was the big man's eighth game with at least 30 points in his 12 appearances thus far.

Poeltl finished Saturday's 126-123 overtime loss to the Celtics with 35 points (16-19 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds and one steal over 37 minutes.

Poeltl scored a career-high 33 points Saturday as he dominated the paint all night long. He grabbed a game-high six offensive rebounds in the process and carried the scoring load for a short-handed Raptors team playing the second leg of a back-to-back. Poeltl now has eight double-doubles through the first 14 games of the regular season, and he's averaging a career-high 16.2 points along with 11.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.1 steals over 32.6 minutes per game.

Len is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Utah.

Len is back on the bench for the second half of this back-to-back set, as Trey Lyles will get the nod at center. Len posted just two points and one rebound in nine minutes in Friday's loss to Minnesota.

Fernando (ankle) is available to return to Saturday's game against the Celtics, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.

Fernando left in the second quarter of Saturday's game after rolling his right ankle. However, he's back on the Raptors' bench for the second half and is available to check back into the game.

Fernando went to the locker room in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Celtics due to a right ankle injury, Kayla Grey of TSN reports.

Fernando rolled his right ankle while attempting to grab a defensive rebound midway through the second quarter of Saturday's game. The good news was he was able to limp to the locker room under his own power, though it's unclear if he will be able to return to Saturday's contest. Jonathan Mogbo and Chris Boucher should see more minutes while Fernando is sidelined.

Bamba (knee) is available to play Sunday against the Jazz, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Bamba has spent the past week in the G League with the San Diego Clippers while in the final stages of his rehab for his left knee. He managed to play in Thursday's game against the Valley Suns and finished with 13 points, 12 rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes. Bamba will serve as the Clippers' backup center Sunday behind starter Ivica Zubac, though the former will likely operate on a minutes restriction.

Williams (rest) will be available against the Hawks on Sunday.

After sitting out the Trail Blazers' first nine games of the 2024-25 regular season due to a hamstring injury, Williams returned for the next three contests and averaged 12.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.7 steals over 17.7 minutes per game. He was held out of this past Wednesday's game against Minnesota, but he will return Sunday following three days of additional rest. Williams could see big minutes off the bench if Deandre Ayton (finger) is unable to play.

Collins will start Saturday's game against the Mavericks, interim head coach Mitch Johnson told Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.

Collins will get the nod at center with Victor Wembanyama (right knee contusion) out. Sandro Mamukelashvili and Charles Bassey are also expected to see time at center. Collins is averaging 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game off the bench this season, but he should experience an uptick in his usage as a starter.