NBA Player News

Kalkbrenner is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Hawks.

Kalkbrenner is getting the start due to Moussa Diabate (suspension) being unavailable, and the former will be joined in the first unit by LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Grant Williams. Over 26 starts this season, Kalkbrenner has registered averages of 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.

Williams will start Wednesday's game against the Hawks.

With Miles Bridges (suspension) unavailable, Williams will get the starting nod for the first time this season. Through four February appearances, the seventh-year forward has averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 19.3 minutes per tilt.

Clowney (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pacers, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Clowney was previously upgraded to available for Wednesday's contest but was unable to get through pregame warmups. The 21-year-old forward's next opportunity to play will come against Cleveland on Feb. 19. Danny Wolf, Jalen Wilson and Ziaire Williams are candidates for increased playing time due to Clowney being sidelined.

Head coach Mike Brown said Wednesday that Anunoby (toe) is day-to-day entering the All-Star break, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.

Anunoby has already been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup with Philadelphia, which marked his fourth straight absence due to a toe injury. While Brown didn't establish a specific timetable for Anunoby's return, the veteran wing's day-to-day status bodes well for his post-All-Star break availability. The Knicks face Detroit on Feb. 19.

Sarr (hamstring) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Cleveland.

Sarr will miss the Wizards' final game before the All-Star break due to right hamstring tightness. With Tristan Vukcevic (illness) also sidelined, Washington will have to get creative with its center minutes. Anthony Gill figures to be one of the top options at the five spot. The Wizards will come out of the All-Star break with a back-to-back set against Indiana that begins Feb. 19.

Poeltl (back/reconditioning) is available for Wednesday's game against the Pistons and will be on an unspecified minutes restriction, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.

Poeltl hasn't played since Dec. 21 due to a lower-back strain but will return to action in Toronto's final game before the All-Star break. It's unclear how many minutes he will be limited to, but his return will leave fewer minutes available for the likes of Sandro Mamukelashvili and Trayce Jackson-Davis. Per Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca, Poeltl is part of the starting lineup Wednesday. Over 21 regular-season appearances thus far, Poeltl has averaged 9.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25.3 minutes per contest.

Barlow (illness) will play Wednesday versus the Knicks, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Joel Embiid (knee) will skip Wednesday's game, so Barlow could see some more shots and minutes falling his way in his return from a one-game absence. Barlow is averaging 8.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks per game this season.

Grimes (illness) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Grimes will miss a second consecutive contest due to an illness, and he'll have until Feb. 19 against the Hawks to recover. With the 25-year-old guard unavailable, Kyle Lowry and Justin Edwards will likely continue to see an uptick in minutes, while Dalen Terry could enter the rotation.

Embiid (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Embiid will miss a second straight game heading into the All-Star break due to right knee injury management. In his stead, look for Andre Drummond and Adem Bona to handle most of the center minutes. Embiid's next chance to play will come Feb. 19 against Atlanta.

Claxton (hip) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pacers, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Claxton is dealing with right hip soreness and will miss just his third game of the season. The big man will have the All-Star break to recover, as his next opportunity to play will come Feb. 19 against the Cavaliers. With Claxton unavailable, Day'Ron Sharpe will likely get the starting nod, while Danny Wolf could see increased playing time.