NBA Player News
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Looks rusty in season debut
Embiid logged 13 points (2-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 8-8 FT), three rebounds, five assists and one block in 26 minutes during Tuesday's 111-99 loss to the Knicks.
Seeing his first action of the season after overcoming a knee injury and serving a three-game suspension, Embiid was on a minutes restriction and wasn't in peak form. It's not clear how quickly the Sixers are willing to ramp things up with their franchise player, but the 30-year-old center isn't likely to be in the lineup for the second night of a back-to-back Wednesday against the Cavaliers. His next chance to increase his workload should come Friday in Orlando, as Philly begins a brief three-game southern road trip.
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Dereck Lively II C | DAL
Mavericks' Dereck Lively: Splits minutes with Gafford in return
Lively (shoulder) recorded 12 points (4-6 FG, 4-7 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block across 24 minutes during Tuesday's 120-117 loss to Golden State.
Back in action after missing the Mavericks' previous four games with a right shoulder sprain, Lively turned in solid numbers while sharing the minutes at center evenly with starter Daniel Gafford. Though Dallas appears content to stick with Gafford as their starter moving forward, Lively will get his share of opportunities off the bench and will often match or exceed Gafford's minutes.
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Al Horford C | GS
Celtics' Al Horford: Plays through toe issue
Horford closed Tuesday's 117-116 loss to the Hawks with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3Pt), four rebounds and two assists over 26 minutes.
Horford offered very little in terms of tangible production, playing through a toe injury on the first night of a back-to-back set. Given what we know about how the Celtics intend to utilize the veteran, there is a very real chance we see him in street clothes when they face the Nets on Wednesday. While Horford is a key piece for Boston, his role will reduce at some point when Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) returns to the lineup.
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Jalen Duren C | DET
Pistons' Jalen Duren: Efficient in victory
Duren accumulated eight points (4-5 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks over 30 minutes during Tuesday's 123-121 overtime win over Miami.
After missing the Pistons' last two matchups due to a left ankle sprain, Duren returned to game action and posted a team-high 11 rebounds Tuesday. The big man continued his efficient season from the field with a 4-for-5 shooting performance, and he has shot 82.9 percent from the floor through 10 regular-season appearances. Duren is averaging 8.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks across 24.1 minutes per game thus far.
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Bam Adebayo PF | MIA
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Nabs double-double in defeat
Adebayo ended Tuesday's 123-121 overtime loss to Detroit with 20 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block across 44 minutes.
Adebayo produced a bounce-back game after scoring only nine points and shooting 3-for-11 from the field in Sunday's win over Minnesota. The big man secured his fifth double-double of the season and notched the second-highest scoring mark on the club behind Tyler Herro (40) Tuesday. Through 10 regular-season outings, Adebayo has averaged 15.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.4 blocks across 34.8 minutes per game. The 27-year-old has struggled with consistency thus far and is shooting only 40.7 percent from the field.
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John Collins PF | LAC
Jazz's John Collins: Stuffs stat sheet in defeat
Collins logged 29 points (12-19 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block over 34 minutes during Tuesday's 120-112 loss to the Suns.
With Walker Kessler (hip) out Tuesday, Collins made his first start of the season and dominated on both ends of the floor. The big man has produced an extremely well-rounded start to the season through 10 regular-season games, during which he has averaged 17.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks across 25.3 minutes per game. Collins has also been extremely efficient while shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from downtown.
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Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Returns to game Tuesday
Williams has returned to Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.
Williams went back to the locker room in the second quarter, though he was able to come back for the third. The big man should be able to handle his normal workload the rest of the way.
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Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Goes to locker room Tuesday
Williams (undisclosed) went back to the locker room in the second quarter of Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves, Sean Highkin of RoseGardenReport.com reports.
Williams left the game and went straight back to the locker room with a trainer. The nature of the injury is currently unknown, and if the big man is unable to return, Kris Murray and Deni Avdija could see an uptick in playing time with Deandre Ayton (finger) ruled out prior to the game.
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John Collins PF | LAC
Jazz's John Collins: Starting against Phoenix
Collins is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Suns, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Collins will replace Walker Kessler (hip) in the starting five Tuesday. Collins is averaging 16.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 27.0 minutes across his last five appearances.
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Jaxson Hayes C | LAL
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Iffy for Wednesday
Hayes is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies with a left ankle sprain, Ryan Ward of LakersNation.com reports.
Hayes is in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season. The big man was listed on the injury report before Sunday's win over Toronto with left knee soreness, but it's a new injury that's threatening his status for Wednesday. If Hayes is unable to suit up against the Grizzlies, Christian Koloko would likely step into the backup role behind starting center Anthony Davis (foot/eye).