NBA Player News

Durant logged 15 points (4-11 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), five rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block over 33 minutes during the Rockets' 114-93 loss to the Celtics on Wednesday.

Durant was cleared to return Wednesday from a one-game absence due to a left ankle sprain. Despite logging just 15 points, the All-Star forward still finished as the Rockets' leading scorer in a game during which Houston struggled offensively. Durant has scored 15 points or less in each of his last two outings but tallied at least 30 points in four of the five games prior, and the veteran forward will look to have a more productive outing against the Hornets on Thursday.

Scheierman posted 15 points (5-10 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, four assists and one steal over 23 minutes during the Celtics' 114-93 win over the Rockets on Wednesday.

Scheierman's 23 minutes Wednesday were his lowest as a starter since Jan. 12 against the Pacers (20). The second-year pro was effective while on the floor, finishing as the Celtics' fourth-leading scorer while recording a career-high in rebounds en route to the first double-double of his NBA career. Scheierman has started in each of Boston's last two games and could remain a starter if head coach Joe Mazulla opts to have Payton Pritchard remain in a reserve role after the Celtics traded Anfernee Simons to the Bulls on Tuesday in exchange for Nikola Vucevic.

Queta recorded 10 points (3-4 FG, 4-4 FT), 19 rebounds, two assists, five blocks and two steals over 39 minutes during the Celtics' 114-93 win over the Rockets on Wednesday.

Queta showed off his defensive chops during Wednesday's win, serving as the Celtics' anchor in the paint while matching a season high with five blocks. He was also dominant on the boards, with his 19 rebounds being his most in a game since Jan. 7 against the Nuggets, when he hauled in a season-high 20 rebounds. Queta has been productive for the Celtics in his first season as a full-time starter, though how his role will change following Boston's acquisition of Nikola Vucevic from Chicago on Tuesday remains to be seen.

Harper registered 11 points (4-8 FG, 3-7 3Pt), nine rebounds and three assists over 33 minutes during Boston's 114-93 win over Houston on Wednesday.

Harper has spent the vast majority of the 2025-26 season in the G League with the Maine Celtics. Despite appearing in just seven games with Boston prior to Wednesday's contest, head coach Joe Mazulla gave Harper the starting nod for the first time in the latter's NBA career due to the absence of Jaylen Brown (hamstring/knee). Harper took advantage of the opportunity, showcasing his energy with four offensive rebounds while showing his range from beyond the arc. Brown will likely be back for Friday's game against the Heat, but Harper's performance against Houston may have earned him some rotational minutes in the short term.

Pritchard finished Wednesday's 114-93 win over the Rockets with 27 points (9-20 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven assists and three rebounds over 33 minutes.

Pritchard came off the Celtics' bench for a second consecutive game despite Jaylen Brown (hamstring/knee) being ruled out for Wednesday's contest. Pritchard was still effective in his bench role, connecting on five three-pointers or more for the ninth time this season while finishing as the Celtics' second-leading scorer behind Derrick White (28 points). Pritchard -- who won the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year award -- has scored 53 points over his last two outings, and he gives the Celtics a much-needed ball handler off the bench after Boston shipped Anfernee Simons to Chicago on Tuesday in exchange for Nikola Vucevic.

White registered 28 points (10-25 FG, 6-14 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight assists and one rebound over 37 minutes during the Celtics' 114-93 win over the Rockets on Wednesday.

White struggled from the field during the Celtics' win over the Mavericks on Tuesday, connecting on just one of his eight attempts from three-point range. He was much better from the field Wednesday, leading the Celtics offensively in the absence of Jaylen Brown (hamstring/knee). White's six three-pointers were his most in a game since Dec. 19 against the Heat (nine), and the versatile wing has dished out at least eight assists in four consecutive games.

Jokic generated 30 points (10-27 FG, 1-13 3Pt, 9-12 FT), 14 rebounds and 10 assists across 44 minutes of Wednesday's 134-127 double overtime loss to the Knicks.

Jokic struggled to find his shot from beyond the arc despite tying his season high in three-point attempts. Still, he wound up tallying his first triple-double since returning from a 16-game absence Friday. Jokic has appeared in four games since being cleared for game action, and he's averaging 25.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals during that stretch.

Brunson finished Wednesday's 134-127 double-overtime win over the Nuggets with 42 points (14-27 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 9-11 FT), nine assists, eight rebounds and two steals over 47 minutes.

It was a vintage performance out of Brunson on Wednesday, with the All-Star guard coming alive with 15 third-quarter points before scoring 10 points in the second OT frame to propel the Knicks to a tough victory. It was his third game of 40-plus points this season and the first time he scored at least 30 points since Jan. 24 against the 76ers. Things won't get easier for Brunson and the Knicks as they hit the road to face the East-leading Pistons on Friday.

Jones exited Wednesday's 134-127 double-overtime loss to the Knicks after the first quarter due to a head contusion and didn't return. He finished with zero points (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three rebounds, one steal and one block.

Jones suffered the injury when he butted heads with the Knicks' Karl-Anthony Towns late in the first quarter. Per Katy Winge of Altitude Sports, Jones was being evaluated for a concussion, and the Nuggets didn't want to risk his health by having him return. Even if Jones doesn't land in concussion protocol and is cleared in advance of Nuggets' next game Saturday in Chicago, he could still be inactive for the contest. Jones has now been active for the maximum 50 games allotted to two-way players, so the Nuggets will need to convert him to a standard NBA contract in order for him to be eligible to play again this season.

Watson (hamstring) left Wednesday's 134-127 double-overtime loss to the Knicks with 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter and didn't return. He finished with 10 points (4-13 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 33 minutes.

Per Katy Winge of Altitude Sports, Watson is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his right hamstring as the Nuggets look to confirm the severity of his injury. If Watson is dealing with a strain rather than minor soreness, he'll most likely wind up missing the Nuggets' next game Saturday in Chicago, and potentially additional contests to follow. Watson has enjoyed a breakout fourth season for Denver and is averaging 17.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.9 three-pointers, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals in 33.4 minutes per game over 38 contests since he moved into a starting role in mid-November.