NBA Player News

Howard (ankle) is out for Friday's game against Chicago, per Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel.

A left ankle sprain will sideline Howard for a fourth consecutive contest. His last chance to return before the end of the regular season is Sunday in Boston against the Celtics.

Isaac (knee) is out for Friday's game against the Bulls, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.

Isaac remains without a timetable, and there's been no indication he's close to a return. He can be considered doubtful for Orlando's regular-season finale in Boston on Sunday.

Bassey (ankle) is probable for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

Bassey is expected to play through a sprained left ankle Thursday. With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out, Bassey is lined up to take on the No. 2 center gig behind Draymond Green after posting a double-double in 27 minutes during Tuesday's win over the Kings.

Richard (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Lakers.

Richard is missing his second straight contest and the first half of this back-to-back set with a lower-back strain. Gary Payton and Pat Spencer should help pick up the slack in the backcourt for the Warriors on Thursday.

Valanciunas racked up 14 points (6-6 FG, 2-3 FT), four rebounds and two blocks in 13 minutes during Wednesday's 136-119 win over the Grizzlies.

It was an incredibly efficient outing by Valanciunas, who has managed to total 48 points in just 42 minutes covering his past four appearances. The veteran center still hasn't logged at least 15 minutes since the March 17 win over the 76ers, and Aaron Gordon has effectively taken most of the backup center minutes while also serving as Denver's starting power forward.

Hartenstein finished with 10 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block over 20 minutes during Wednesday's 128-110 victory over the Clippers.

The Thunder might be scaling back Hartenstein's workload to preserve the big man for the postseason. Hartenstein has averaged 6.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in just 17.3 minutes per tilt in his last four games, shooting 73.3 percent from the floor.

Avdija finished Wednesday's 112-101 loss to the Spurs with 29 points (13-21 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds and six assists over 38 minutes.

Avdija dropped a game-high 29 points Wednesday, reaching the 20-point threshold in his sixth consecutive game. Over this stretch, the All-Star forward has averaged 24.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 35.6 minutes per game while shooting 49.0 percent from the floor.

Fox recorded 25 points (10-20 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), five rebounds, seven assists and three steals over 35 minutes during Wednesday's 112-101 victory over Portland.

The star guard led the Spurs in scoring, and he's really stepped up in a big way this year when Victor Wembanyama (ribs) has been out of the lineup. Over 17 games without Wembanyama available this season, Fox has averaged 24.6 points, 6.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 32.5 minutes per contest.

Beringer posted nine points (4-10 FG, 1-1 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 23 minutes during Wednesday's 132-120 loss to the Magic.

The Timberwolves rested multiple players, including Rudy Gobert. Naz Reid started and saw 24 minutes, while Beringer soaked up the backup center minutes and made the most of his rare opportunity.

Embiid (illness) won't play in Thursday's game against Houston, per Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com.

After not being on the initial injury report, Embiid presumably woke up under the weather Thursday and was scratched from the lineup. Adem Bona and Andre Drummond figure to split the center minutes evenly against the Rockets.