NBA Player News

Horford is not in the Warriors' starting lineup against the Suns on Thursday, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Horford has started in each of the Warriors' last four games, and over that span he has averaged 10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 threes, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals over 22.5 minutes per game. The veteran big man will revert to a bench role for Thursday's contest while De'Anthony Melton enters the Warriors' starting five for the first time this season.

Melton is in the Warriors' starting lineup against the Suns on Thursday, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Melton will enter the Warriors' starting lineup for the first time this season while Al Horford reverts to a bench role. Melton has scored in double digits in each of his last five outings, and since the new year he has averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.4 steals over 22.6 minutes per game.

Embiid (ankle) will play Thursday against the Lakers, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Embiid was considered a true game-time call leading up to tipoff, and the team has since given him the green light to run the floor in LA. The big man will aim to continue his recent success, as he's averaging 32.9 points over his last eight games.

Drummond is not in the 76ers' starting lineup against the Lakers on Thursday.

Drummond got the start in Tuesday's 113-94 win over the Warriors, when he logged 12 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 29 minutes. He was filling in for Joel Embiid (ankle/knee), but with the latter cleared to play Thursday, Drummond will revert to a bench role.

Barlow agreed to a standard contract with Philadelphia prior to Thursday's game against the Lakers, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Barlow's availability for Thursday was previously in question as the team scrambled to fill out a 15-man roster, which would have allowed him to play while remaining on a two-way contract. However, the big man will be eligible to suit up against LA after putting pen to paper on a standard deal. Barlow has made three straight starts for Philly, averaging 14.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.7 steals during that brief stretch.

Melton (knee) will play Thursday against the Suns, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Melton has been dealing with some soreness in his left knee, but he's received clearance to suit up Thursday evening. He's scored in double figures in five straight matchups, averaging 14.8 points in 23.4 minutes per game during that stretch.

Porzingis (illness/recently traded) will join the Warriors in Los Angeles on Friday but is unlikely to play against the Lakers on Saturday, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Porzingis was acquired by the Warriors on Wednesday in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. Porzingis is not available for Thursday's game against the Suns, and assuming he's ruled out Saturday, his next chance to make his Warriors debut is Monday against the Grizzlies. The veteran big man has been recovering from an illness and has not appeared in a game since Jan. 7.

Duren won't return to Thursday's game against the Wizards due to right knee soreness, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports. He'll finish the night with four points (2-6 FG) and three rebounds in 13 minutes.

Duren wasn't on the court to begin the second half, and the team announced shortly after that he'd suffered a knee injury. Ronald Holland started the third quarter in Duren's place and should see plenty of chances down the stretch. Duren can be considered day-to-day until further notice.

Zubac (personal/recently traded) won't play Friday against the Bucks, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Zubac was away from the team at the time he was traded from the Clippers while attending to a personal matter, and he won't make his Indiana debut Friday due to the fact that the trade is still being finalized. The big man can be considered questionable for Sunday's matchup in Toronto until further notice.

Reaves will be on a minutes restriction Thursday night against the 76ers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Reaves logged 21 minutes in his return Tuesday, marking his first game action since Dec. 25. He'll presumably be kept around the same range Thursday while he continues to build his conditioning back up.