NBA Player News

LaVine (back) is off the injury report for Thursday's game against the 76ers.

After sitting out two consecutive contests with lower-back soreness, LaVine is slated to return to the lineup Thursday and likely send Nique Clifford back to the bench. LaVine has averaged 17.8 points, 2.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds in 30.7 minutes per contest in his last 10 games.

Monk (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against the 76ers.

Monk is in jeopardy of missing his second straight contest for the Kings. Russell Westbrook (foot) has also been added to the injury report as questionable, while Zach LaVine (back) has been cleared to play. Nique Clifford and Keon Ellis could be more involved for the Kings if Monk is unable to give it a go.

The Rockets announced Wednesday that Adams has undergone season-ending left ankle surgery, per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Adams was already viewed as out indefinitely with a Grade 3 sprain, but he officially won't be able to return during the 2025-26 campaign. The veteran big man averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 22.8 minutes per contest through 32 games before going down, and he's under contract with Houston through the 2027-28 season. With Adams' year now over, Clint Capela and Dorian Finney-Smith are set to split the backup center duties behind Alperen Sengun.

Love is out for Wednesday's game against the Warriors for rest purposes.

The 37-year-old big man drew the spot start in Tuesday's loss to the Clippers, but he'll sit out the second part of this back-to-back. The expectation is that Love will return Friday against the Nets. With Jusuf Nurkic (illness) questionable, Kyle Filipowski could be slated for a featured role at center against Golden State.

George (rest) is off the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

The Jazz elected to give George the night off during Tuesday's loss to the Clippers, but he'll be back in action for the second half of Utah's back-to-back set. The third-year guard is rolling for fantasy managers, averaging 27.3 points, 5.5 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 34.8 minutes per contest in his last eight games. Isaiah Collier figures to hit the bench Wednesday.

Williams (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

Williams was a late addition to the injury report for the second leg of this back-to-back set. The forward has been underwhelming in recent outings, averaging 8.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 52.5 percent shooting from the field in 27.5 minutes over his last eight games (all starts).

Nurkic (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

Nurkic remains day-to-day after missing the front end of this back-to-back set Tuesday against the Clippers. The center has been red hot with three straight triple-doubles to his name. However, he's appeared in only seven of Utah's past 15 games.

Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said that Wagner (ankle), who is out for Wednesday's game against the Heat, was able to ride a stationary bike and take part in standstill shooting during the team's morning shootaround, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

While Wagner hasn't been shut down from activity entirely since he experienced soreness last Thursday in the left ankle that he previously sprained Dec. 7, the 24-year-old hasn't yet resumed taking contact and appears likely to remain out through Friday's home game versus the Raptors. The Magic aren't terming Wagner's injury as a setback and haven't sent him in for an MRI after he previously missed 16 straight contests due to the high-ankle sprain, but the fifth-year wing will need to strengthen his ankle before he's cleared to return to game action. In the meantime, Wagner's absence should extend Anthony Black's stay in the starting five.

Jerome (calf) practiced with the G League's Memphis Hustle on Wednesday.

This is another step in the right direction for Jerome. Based on previous comments from coach Tuomas Iisalo, a return towards the end of January could potentially be on the table for the veteran guard.

Watson racked up 13 points (6-20 FG, 1-6 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 37 minutes during Tuesday's 109-107 loss to the Pistons.

Watson continues to provide some of everything for Denver. He's currently on a 16-game streak of scoring double figures, although he shot just 30.0 percent from the field against Detroit in a two-point loss. Watson's defense remains stellar as he now has 11 blocks in his past four games.