NBA Player News
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Trae Young PG | WAS
Wizards' Trae Young: Exits to locker room Saturday
Young (undisclosed) exited to the locker room in the third quarter of Saturday's game against the Celtics, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reports.
Young checked out of Saturday's contest with 3:10 remaining in the third and immediately went back to the locker room. It's unclear why the star guard headed to the back, though he can be considered questionable to return until more information comes to light. He has already logged 24 minutes Saturday -- his highest mark with Washington thus far -- so it wouldn't be shocking if he doesn't return.
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Kasparas Jakucionis SG | MIA
Heat's Kasparas Jakucionis: Back to bench
Jakucionis is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Magic.
The rookie floor general will retreat to the second unit due to the return of Tyler Herro (quadriceps). Jakucionis is averaging 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in 11 appearances (three starts) since the All-Star break.
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Norman Powell SG | MIA
Heat's Norman Powell: Not starting in return
Powell will come off the bench against the Magic on Saturday.
Powell will return to action and end a seven-game absence due to a right groin strain. He'll operate in a reserve role in his return and will likely play under a minutes restriction. The Heat will roll with a starting five of Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware.
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Jaime Jaquez Jr. SF | MIA
Heat's Jaime Jaquez: Late addition to injury report
Jaquez has been downgraded to questionable for Saturday's game against the Magic due to a left hip issue, Zachary Weinberger of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Jaquez is dealing with tightness in his left hip and was an extremely late addition to the injury report. He'll presumably be a true game-time decision ahead of tipoff at 8:00 p.m. ET.
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Jett Howard SG | ORL
Magic's Jett Howard: Late scratch Saturday
Howard has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Heat due to an illness, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Howard is battling through an illness that will sideline him for Saturday's contest, and he'll look to recover in time for Monday's game against the Hawks. He has averaged 23.0 minutes per game off the bench over his last four outings, and that playing time will likely be absorbed by Jevon Carter, Jase Richardson and Noah Penda.
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker SG | ATL
Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker: Chips in 20 points
Alexander-Walker accumulated 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and three steals over 34 minutes during Saturday's 122-99 victory over the Bucks.
Alexander-Walker helped set the tone with 13 of his 20 points coming in the first half, and he finished as the Hawks' third-leading scorer behind CJ McCollum (30 points) and Jalen Johnson (23 points). Alexander-Walker also logged three steals for a second straight game, tying a season high that he's now set eight times. He has averaged 21.5 points, 3.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds, 3.3 threes and 1.8 steals over 33.9 minutes per game since March 1.
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Kevin Porter PG | MIL
Bucks' Kevin Porter: All-around effort in loss
Porter ended with 18 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists, one block and two steals over 30 minutes during Saturday's 122-99 loss to the Hawks.
Porter did a little bit of everything during Saturday's loss, leading the Bucks in rebounds while finishing second in both points and assists behind Ryan Rollins (22 points and eight assists). Porter has played in Milwaukee's last two games after missing the four previous contests due to right knee synovitis, but it's possible that he sits out for the second leg of the Bucks' back-to-back set against the Pacers on Sunday.
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Andrew Nembhard PG | IND
Pacers' Andrew Nembhard: Now dealing with calf contusion
Nembhard is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bucks due to a right calf contusion.
Nembhard has been a regular on the injury report this season due to back issues (and more recently a neck injury), so he may have injured his calf during the Pacers' loss to the Knicks on Friday, when he finished with eight points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals over 32 minutes. T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is also listed as questionable, so if he and Nembhard are unable to play Sunday, then Kam Jones would be in line for an elevated role against Milwaukee.
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Ben Sheppard SG | IND
Pacers' Ben Sheppard: Questionable for Sunday
Sheppard is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bucks due to a left ankle sprain.
The ankle sprain is a new concern for Sheppard, who hasn't missed a game since Dec. 29. With the Pacers rolling out a lengthy injury report, the team could be very shorthanded Sunday. If Sheppard is ruled out, Kam Jones and Taelon Peter would be candidates to rejoin the rotation.
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Aaron Nesmith SF | IND
Pacers' Aaron Nesmith: Carrying questionable tag
Nesmith is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bucks due to right ankle injury management.
Nesmith missed Thursday's game against the Suns due to management of his right ankle injury, but he did suit up Friday and posted 12 points across 34 minutes. A call on his status will likely be made closer to Sunday's tipoff at 3:30 p.m. ET. Not having Nesmith would be a big blow for a Pacers team that has more than 10 players listed on the injury report for Sunday's game.