NBA Player News

The Hornets announced Thursday that Hall underwent a procedure to address a fractured right ankle and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Hall sustained the injury in the G League Greensboro Swarm's playoff win over the Maine Celtics on March 31. The big man appeared in 19 regular-season games (two starts) with Charlotte, averaging 4.5 points and 3.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per contest. He's signed to a two-way deal with the Hornets and is slated to return next season.

Smart is out for Thursday's game against the Warriors due to a right ankle contusion, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.

The veteran guard will be sidelined for an eighth consecutive contest Thursday, and he has a short turnaround looming Friday versus the Suns. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia are both worthy of streaming consideration in all fantasy leagues in Smart's absence.

The 76ers announced Thursday that Embiid has been diagnosed with appendicitis and needs to undergo surgery.

Embiid was ruled out with an illness ahead of Thursday's game against Houston, but now he's been diagnosed with more than just a minor ailment. It's unclear how much time the star big man will need to miss, though more information about his timeline for a return to the court should come to light once the procedure is completed. With Embiid's status up in the air, Adem Bona and Andre Drummond will hold down the fort at center in the meantime.

Curry (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

Curry will miss the front end of this back-to-back set for injury maintenance. Presumably, he'll be back in action against the Kings on Friday. Brandin Podziemski and Pat Spencer could be more involved in the backcourt with this news.

Howard (ankle) is out for Friday's game against Chicago, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.

A left ankle sprain will sideline Howard for a fourth consecutive contest. His last chance to return before the end of the regular season is Sunday in Boston against the Celtics.

Isaac (knee) is out for Friday's game against the Bulls, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Isaac remains without a timetable, and there's been no indication he's close to a return. He can be considered doubtful for Orlando's regular-season finale in Boston on Sunday.

Bassey (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

Bassey is expected to play through a sprained left ankle Thursday. With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out, Bassey is lined up to take on the No. 2 center gig behind Draymond Green after posting a double-double in 27 minutes during Tuesday's win over the Kings.

Richard (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

Richard is missing his second straight contest and the first half of this back-to-back set with a lower-back strain. Gary Payton and Pat Spencer should help pick up the slack in the backcourt for the Warriors on Thursday.

Valanciunas racked up 14 points (6-6 FG, 2-3 FT), four rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes during Wednesday's 136-119 win over the Grizzlies.

It was an incredibly efficient outing by Valanciunas, who has managed to total 48 points in just 42 minutes covering his past four appearances. The veteran center still hasn't logged at least 15 minutes since the March 17 win over the 76ers, and Aaron Gordon has effectively taken most of the backup center minutes while also serving as Denver's starting power forward.

Hartenstein finished with 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 20 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 victory over the Clippers.

The Thunder might be scaling back Hartenstein's workload to preserve the big man for the postseason. Hartenstein has averaged 6.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in just 17.3 minutes per tilt in his last four games, shooting 73.3 percent from the floor.