NBA Player News

Cissoko (illness) will play Saturday against the Hornets.

Cissoko will shake off a questionable tag for this contest. Over his last four games, he's averaging 2.0 points, 1.8 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 16.2 minutes per contest.

Riley (ankle) is available for Saturday's game against the Raptors.

Riley popped up on Friday's injury report due to a right ankle contusion, but the rookie first-rounder has been given the green light to play in Saturday's home contest. He started Thursday's 126-96 loss to the Hawks on Thursday and finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal over 36 minutes, marking the first double-double of his NBA career.

Nembhard (back) is unlikely to play Sunday against Memphis, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Nembhard was able to play through his back issue Thursday against the Hornets, but it continues to linger. With the guard expected to sit, the Pacers could rely more heavily on Quenton Jackson, T.J. McConnell and Kam Jones.

Clingan (illness) is available to play Saturday against the Hornets.

Clingan was a true game-time call after missing Thursday's game against the Bulls. The second-year center is going to give it a go, and that means Robert Williams could be less involved for Portland.

Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hornets.

It'll be the third missed game in a row for Avdija as he continues to manage a lower-back injury, and his next chance to play will be the second leg of the Trail Blazers' back-to-back set against the Hawks on Sunday. Kris Murray, Sidy Cissoko (illness) and Jerami Grant should continue to operate in elevated roles for as long as Avdija is sidelined.

Embiid did not participate in Saturday morning's practice due to soreness on his right side, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Embiid felt the issue crop up after Thursday's 124-117 win over the Heat, when he logged 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and one steal over 31 minutes. Per Ky Carlin of USA Today, Embiid will consult with team doctors Saturday, and the injury report should provide more clarity on the 2023-24 MVP's status ahead of Sunday's Atlantic Division road tilt against the Celtics. Andre Drummond and Adem Bona would likely take on more sizable roles if Embiid is not cleared to play Sunday.

Holmgren logged 15 points (5-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 21 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 38 minutes during Friday's 127-121 overtime victory over the Nuggets.

The double-double was his 19th of the season, while the 21 boards were a new career high -- shattering his previous best of 17, set almost exactly a year prior against the Nets on Feb. 26, 2025. Six of Holmgren's double-doubles have come in 10 February appearances, and on the month he averaged 14.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 blocks.

Braun supplied 23 points (8-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 45 minutes during Friday's 127-121 overtime loss to the Thunder.

The 23 points were a season high for Braun, who appears to be rounding into form after ankle issues cost him more than two months of action. Over the last eight games, the fourth-year wing is averaging 13.6 points, 5.8 boards, 3.3 assists, 1.5 threes and 0.9 steals in 34.0 minutes while shooting 56.2 percent from the floor.

Murray recorded 39 points (12-26 FG, 7-13 3Pt, 8-10 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, one block and two steals across 47 minutes during Friday's 127-121 overtime loss to the Thunder.

The 39 points led all scorers on the night, but despite that performance from Murray -- as well as a triple-double from Nikola Jokic -- the Nuggets came up short against the Western Conference's top club. Murray played only eight minutes Wednesday due to an illness, but he's otherwise been very productive in February. Even with that dud on his ledger, the 29-year-old guard is averaging 24.6 points, 6.6 assists, 4.7 boards, 2.9 threes and 1.3 combined steals-plus-blocks over the last 10 games.

Jokic provided 23 points (9-25 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 3-5 FT), 17 rebounds, 14 assists and one steal in 45 minutes during Friday's 127-121 overtime loss to the Thunder.

The triple-double was his 22nd of the season -- Atlanta's Jalen Johnson is second in the league with 11 -- but it wasn't quite enough to steal a road win in OKC. Jokic wraps up February having averaged 25.6 points, 14.0 boards, 9.6 assists, 1.7 threes, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks over 11 games.