NBA Player News

Vukcevic (hamstring) posted 14 points (5-7 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 11 minutes Thursday in the Wizards' 126-117 win over the Pistons.

Making his return from a 10-game absence due to a sore left knee and left hamstring strain, Vukcevic settled into the Washington rotation and provided stellar per-minute production during his limited time on the court. With the Wizards moving Marvin Bagley ahead of the trade deadline, Vukcevic should have a fairly clear path to the primary backup role behind starting center Alex Sarr moving forward. Vukcevic showed Thursday that even in light playing time, he's capable of putting up strong numbers, but he'll probably need to move into a more consistent 20-minute role before fantasy managers can have a greater amount of trust in him as a back-end roster option in 12-team category leagues.

Gordon (not with team) won't play Friday against the Trail Blazers.

Gordon, who was acquired by the 76ers via trade Thursday, is expected to be waived shortly. He may draw interest from contending teams in free agency if that comes to fruition.

Labissiere became a free agent Friday after his 10-day contract with the Wizards expired, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Washington will have the option of retaining Labissiere on a second 10-day deal, though that may be less of a priority after Tristan Vukcevic (hamstring) made his return to action in Thursday's 126-117 win over the Pistons to provide depth at center behind starter Alex Sarr. Over the course of his 10-day deal, Labissiere appeared in three games and averaged 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in 12.7 minutes per contest. Labissiere had been playing with the Wizards' G League affiliate prior to being signed, so he could stick around with the Capital City Go-Go even if Washington elects not to bring him back on another 10-day pact.

James closed with 17 points (7-17 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, 10 assists and one block across 37 minutes during Thursday's 119-115 win over the 76ers.

It was the seventh double-double of the season for James and the 612th of his Hall of Fame career. Since sitting out a Jan. 7 contest due to a foot issue, the 41-year-old is averaging 22.0 points, 6.7 assists, 5.9 boards, 1.3 steals and 1.2 threes over the last 15 games, and while there are signs of erosion in his skills -- James is shooting just 30.5 percent from three-point range during that time -- he still has plenty of offer on the court.

Edgecombe ended with 19 points (7-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and four steals across 39 minutes during Thursday's 119-115 loss to the Lakers.

It was the third career double-double for the rookie, and his first since Nov. 20. Edgecombe is dealing with some predictable inconsistency for a 20-year-old getting his first look at the NBA, but the third overall pick in the 2025 Draft has drained at least one three-pointer in 10 straight games, averaging 13.8 points, 5.9 boards, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.7 threes over that span.

Maxey amassed 26 points (11-22 FG, 1-9 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 13 assists and four steals in 37 minutes during Thursday's 119-115 loss to the Lakers.

The double-double was Maxey's sixth of the season. The star guard has been struggling to find his shot from downtown, going 2-for-14 on three-point attempts over the last two games, but he's scored at least 20 points in nine of the last 12 contests while averaging 23.7 points, 7.8 assists, 3.3 boards, 2.7 steals and 2.4 threes.

Embiid closed with 35 points (13-19 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 8-8 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and one steal across 39 minutes during Thursday's 119-115 loss to the Lakers.

The 31-year-old center led the Sixers in scoring as he delivered 30-plus points for the seventh time in his last nine appearances. Embiid is still being held out for one end of Philly's back-to-backs, but he's been dominant when he's been on the court. Over that nine-game stretch, which stretches back to Jan. 16, he's averaging 33.1 points, 8.6 boards, 5.4 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.6 combined blocks and steals while shooting 53.4 percent from the floor and an impressive 51.9 percent (14-for-27) from long distance.

Williams contributed 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds and one block across 23 minutes during Thursday's 101-97 loss to the Warriors.

The fourth-year center recorded his second straight double-double and his 12th of the season. Williams also extended his streak of games with at least one block to seven, a stretch in which he's averaging 13.7 points, 7.9 boards, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 25.0 minutes while shooting 71.0 percent from the floor.

Brooks amassed 24 points (10-24 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one steal over 35 minutes during Thursday's 101-97 loss to Golden State.

The veteran forward led all scorers on the night as he topped 20 points for the sixth time in the last seven games. Over that surge, Brooks is averaging 25.1 points, 4.7 boards, 2.4 threes, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals as the 30-year-old continues to put together a surprising career-best campaign.

Payton registered 15 points (6-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 19 minutes off the bench during Thursday's 101-97 win over the Suns.

The 15 points represented Payton's best scoring effort since he dropped 19 points on the Pelicans back on Nov. 29, while the three made three-pointers were a season high. The veteran guard had gone 10 straight appearances without scoring in double digits prior to Thursday, however, and even with Stephen Curry (knee) spotting in and out of the lineup of late, there doesn't seem to be a consistent role for Payton.