NBA Player News

The NBA suspended George for 25 games Saturday for violating the league's Anti-Drug program.

The suspension will start with Saturday's game against the Pelicans and will keep George off the floor until late March. When healthy, George made an impact as the team's third option behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, so George's extended absence is a big blow to a Sixers team in the midst of a crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. In George's absence, Dominick Barlow figures to be the top candidate to enter the 76ers' starting lineup, and Kelly Oubre should also take on an expanded role for Philadelphia.

Barnes is not in the Spurs' starting lineup against the Hornets on Saturday, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

Barnes has struggled since the beginning of January, having averaged 6.8 points per game while shooting just 36.6 percent from the field (including 26.7 percent from three on 4.3 3PA/G) over that span. He'll come off the bench Saturday for the first time this season while Devin Vassell enters the Spurs' starting five alongside De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie and Victor Wembanyama.

Vassell is in the Spurs' starting lineup against the Hornets on Saturday, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

Vassell has come off the bench in each of his last two outings following a return from a 13-game absence due to a strained left adductor, but he'll be in the Spurs' starting five Saturday while Harrison Barnes serves in a reserve role. Vassell was a permanent member of the Spurs' starting lineup prior to his injury, during which he averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.7 threes and 0.9 steals over 31.9 minutes per game.

Miller (migraine) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Saturday's game against the Heat.

Miller is progressing in his recovery from a migraine and should be available for Saturday's contest. He hasn't seen NBA-level action since Dec. 7 but could see the court as Jalen Smith (calf) has been ruled out and Nikola Vucevic (rest) is listed as doubtful.

Smith (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Heat.

Smith injured his right calf during the Bulls' 116-113 loss to Miami on Thursday, which will prevent him from playing in Saturday's contest. Nikola Vucevic (rest) is listed as doubtful for the contest, so the Bulls will have to lean on Lachlan Olbrich and Patrick Williams in Smith's absence. Smith's next chance to play is Sunday's rematch with the Heat.

White (calf) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Heat.

White has been downgraded from questionable to doubtful and will likely miss the first half of Chicago's back-to-back set in Miami. Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Jalen Smith (calf) have already been ruled out, while Nikola Vucevic (rest) is also doubtful, so the Bulls will be extremely shorthanded Saturday, especially with Tre Jones (hamstring) and Zach Collins (toe) still sidelined indefinitely.

Giddey (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Heat.

Saturday is Chicago's first game of a back-to-back set with Miami, so Giddey will sit for the front end while managing a left hamstring injury. Coby White (calf) is listed as doubtful for the contest, so Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter and Jevon Carter are all candidates to take on larger roles in Saturday's contest.

Green (Achilles) is available for Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Green popped up on Friday's injury report as probable due to left Achilles tendinopathy, but the sixth-year pro has been given the green light to play in Saturday's matinee. He has failed to reach double-digit points in nine of his last 10 outings and has averaged 15.7 minutes per game off the bench over that span, so his availability won't move the needle too much in most fantasy formats.

Gillespie notched 16 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, five assists and two steals across 24 minutes during Friday's 126-113 victory over the Cavaliers.

Friday marked the 18th time this season that Gillespie connected on at least four three-pointers in a game, and he finished as the Suns' third-leading scorer behind Dillon Brooks (27 points) and Jordan Goodwin (17 points). Gillespie has scored in double digits in nine straight outings, and over that span he has hit on 53.3 percent of his three-point attempts (on 6.7 3PA/G) and averaged 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals over 28.7 minutes per game.

Goodwin registered 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-8 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and three steals over 22 minutes during Friday's 126-113 win over the Cavaliers.

Goodwin led the Suns' bench in scoring Friday and finished as the team's second-leading scorer behind Dillon Brooks (27 points). Goodwin was particularly effective from beyond the arc, which was a good sign considering that he shot 0-for-9 over the four games prior to Friday's win. His scoring has been inconsistent of late, and he'll wrap up the month of January having averaged 8.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.3 steals over 22.6 minutes per game.