NBA Player News
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Maxime Raynaud C | SAC
Kings' Maxime Raynaud: Starting sans Sabonis
Raynaud will start against the Clippers on Friday, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
With Domantas Sabonis (back) unavailable for the front end of this back-to-back set, Raynaud will get the starting nod. As a starter this season (26 games), the rookie second-rounder has averaged 11.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 27.5 minutes per contest.
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Kristaps Porzingis C | GS
Warriors' Kristaps Porzingis: Won't make Warriors debut Saturday
Porzingis (Achilles/recently traded) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Lakers.
Porzingis was acquired by the Warriors on Wednesday from the Hawks in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. Porzingis has been sidelined for a number of games this season due to an illness, but he's been listed on the injury report with left Achilles tendon injury management. The veteran center's next chance to suit up is Monday against the Grizzlies.
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Jericho Sims C | MIL
Bucks' Jericho Sims: Starting sans Kuzma
Sims will start against the Pacers on Friday.
With Kyle Kuzma (calf) sidelined, Sims will get the starting nod Friday. As a starter this season (four games), the 27-year-old big man has averaged 2.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 24.5 minutes per tilt.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Questionable to face Phoenix
Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Suns.
Embiid has appeared in five of Philadelphia's last six games and could miss Saturday's contest due to right knee injury management. If the big man isn't cleared to play, Andre Drummond would be expected to start, while Adem Bona would likely see increased playing time off the bench.
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Jalen Duren C | DET
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Not playing Friday
Duren (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against New York.
Duren initially drew a questionable tag for Friday's game due to right knee soreness, but the fourth-year center will be sidelined for the first time since Jan. 10. Isaiah Stewart figures to be the top candidate to start at center in Duren's absence.
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Ivica Zubac C | IND
Pacers' Ivica Zubac: Dealing with ankle injury
Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Friday that Zubac is working through an ankle injury and won't play until Tuesday's game against the Knicks at the very earliest, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.
Thursday's trade between the Clippers and Pacers has not been finalized as all players involved -- including Zubac -- have yet to pass physicals. Carlisle relayed that Zubac could make his Pacers debut Tuesday, but it appears as though the veteran center's absence could extend beyond that depending on the severity of his injury. Jay Huff figures to be the Pacers' starting center for as long as Zubac is sidelined.
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Luke Kornet C | SA
Spurs' Luke Kornet: Questionable to face Dallas
Kornet (ankle/adductor) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Mavericks.
Kornet is in danger of missing a second consecutive contest due to left ankle soreness and left adductor tightness. If the big man isn't cleared to play, Victor Wembanyama and Carter Bryant would be candidates for a bump in minutes, while Kelly Olynyk could enter the rotation.
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Isaiah Hartenstein C | OKC
Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Not listed on injury report
Hartenstein (eye) isn't listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Rockets.
Hartenstein missed Wednesday's loss to San Antonio due to a corneal abrasion but will return to action Saturday. The big man has appeared in three outings (two starts) following a 16-game absence with a right calf injury, averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 21.0 minutes per contest over that stretch. He has yet to log more than 23 minutes since the extended absence and may remain on a minutes restriction versus Houston.
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Nikola Vucevic C | BOS
Celtics' Nikola Vucevic: Expected to come off bench
Vucevic suggested that he will come off the bench for his Celtics debut Friday against the Heat, Jay King of The Athletic reports.
Vucevic has been an established starter in every season of his NBA career other than his rookie campaign with the 76ers in 2011-12. The Celtics' newest addition expressed his excitement Friday in joining his new team and relayed that he expects that his role in Boston will be different from what it has been for his career. That suggests that Neemias Queta will remain the Celtics' starting center for at least the short term, and with Vucevic coming off the bench, that will mean fewer rotational minutes will be available for the likes of Luka Garza, Amari Williams and Jordan Walsh.
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Karl-Anthony Towns C | NY
Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns: Won't play Friday
Towns (eye) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pistons, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.
Towns was downgraded from questionable to doubtful for Friday's game due to a laceration above his right eye that he sustained during Wednesday's double-overtime win over the Nuggets. The veteran big man will end up being sidelined for the first time since Jan. 2, and his next chance to play is Sunday against the Celtics. Mitchell Robinson will likely start at center against Detroit and Ariel Hukporti should see more minutes off the bench in Towns' absence.