NBA Player News

Nesmith (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with Miami.

Ben Sheppard, Jalen Slawson Quenton Jackson and Kobe Brown are among the players who could be in line for added minutes in the absence of Nesmith. For the time being, Nesmith should be considered questionable for Wednesday's game in Chicago.

Wilson (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kings.

Wilson popped up on Sunday's injury report due to an illness, and he saw he status go from probable to questionable before eventually being scratched. Terance Mann and Ochai Agbaji are slated for more minutes due to Wilson's absence. Wilson's next chance to play is Tuesday against the Hornets.

The Knicks recalled Hukporti from the G League's Westchester Knicks on Saturday.

Hukporti will be available for Sunday's game in Oklahoma City but isn't expected to be featured in the rotation. The second-year center suited up in Westchester's season finale Saturday, recording 32 points (13-23 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, five blocks, one assist and one steal across 38 minutes in a 123-121 win over the Windy City Bulls.

Siakam (knee) is available for Sunday's game against Miami, according to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star

Siakam carried a questionable tag, but head coach Rick Carlisle stated the 31-year-old will be available. He's appeared in five consecutive contests since returning from a six-game stint on the shelf, most recently finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal across 33 minutes in Friday's 114-113 loss to the Clippers.

McConnell (hamstring) is available for Sunday's meeting with Miami, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

McConnell will power through the hamstring issue, and he should be available for his usual minutes in the teens off the Pacers' bench. McConnell is averaging 9.3 points, 5.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game this season.

Nembhard (back) is available for Sunday's game against the Heat, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Nembhard has been playing through a lower-back issue as of late, but the fourth-year point guard has been given the green light to play in Sunday's home tilt. Over his last four outings, Nembhard has averaged 16.3 points, 12.5 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 threes over 32.3 minutes per game.

Walker (back) has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday's game versus the Heat, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

With Walker not expected to play Sunday, Kobe Brown could get a spot start and there will be more minutes available for Ben Sheppard and Jalen Slawson. Check back closer to tipoff for official word on Walker's status.

The Lakers recalled James from the G League's South Bay Lakers on Saturday, Ryan Ward of SI.com reports.

The parent club was off Saturday, so James was assigned to South Bay for the club's regular-season finale in order to pick up some meaningful run. The second-year guard finished Saturday's 140-132 win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce with 26 points (9-12 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal in 37 minutes. While he typically hasn't been a rotation player at the NBA level this season, James could end up getting some minutes in Monday's game against the Wizards due to Luka Doncic being suspended for the contest and Marcus Smart (ankle) being uncertain to play.

The Lakers recalled Bufkin from the G League's South Bay Lakers on Saturday, Ryan Ward of SI.com reports.

Though he was assigned to South Bay ahead of Saturday's game against the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Bufkin ended up being inactive for the contest due to a right shoulder injury. The fact that Bufkin has been recalled by the Lakers could suggest that the shoulder issue isn't anything that will affect his availability for Monday's game against the Wizards, though his status won't be known one way or the other until the team posts its next injury report.

Barrett (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Orlando, according to Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca.

Barrett briefly exited Friday's 119-106 win over New Orleans due to the shoulder injury but was able to return to finish the contest. While the 25-year-old wasn't listed on Saturday's edition of the injury report, he is now questionable because of left shoulder stiffness. With Brandon Ingram (heel) and Collin Murray-Boyles (back) also questionable, and Immanuel Quickley (foot) unavailable, the Raptors may need Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, Sandro Mamukelashvili or Gradey Dick to move into the starting lineup alongside Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl.