NBA Player News

Kalkbrenner will start Friday's game against Indiana.

With Moussa Diabate (ankle) out, Kalkbrenner will enter the starting lineup for the first time since Feb. 22. As a starter this season (30 games), the rookie second-rounder has averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.7 minutes per tilt.

Sheppard will start Friday versus the Hornets, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

Quenton Jackson, Kobe Brown, Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff will join Sheppard in the first unit for Friday's game. Across 19 starts this season, Sheppard has posted averages of 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 triples per contest.

Bona won't start Friday's game against Minnesota, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

Bona got the spot start in Wednesday's win over the Wizards, though he'll retreat to the bench with Joel Embiid (illness) back in the lineup. Bona has averaged 3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds across 14.6 minutes per game over his last five appearances off the bench.

Sims (knee) is available for Friday's game against Boston, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

Sims was listed as probable heading into this contest. While it's unknown what his role will be Friday, he should receive plenty of minutes, considering the Bucks are down Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Kevin Porter (knee), Bobby Portis (wrist), Gary Trent (hip) and Ryan Rollins (hip).

Embiid (illness) is in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with Minnesota, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

Embiid is back after a one-game stint on the sidelines, which will push Adem Bona back to the second unit. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George and Dominick Barlow will join Embiid in the starting lineup for Friday's game.

Rollins (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Celtics.

Rollins was recently downgraded from probable to questionable, and he has now officially been ruled out for Friday's contest due to a right hip strain. His next opportunity to play will come Sunday against Memphis. With the 23-year-old point guard sidelined, AJ Green, Cormac Ryan and Gary Harris are candidates to see an uptick in minutes.

Antetokounmpo (calf) is available for Friday's game against the Celtics, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

Antetokounmpo is ready to return from a four-game absence due to a strained left calf. However, he hasn't seen double-digit minutes in any of his 30 appearances this year, making Antetokounmpo an unappealing fantasy option Friday.

Trent (hip) won't play Friday versus the Celtics, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

Ryan Rollins (hip) will join Trent on the sidelines for Friday's game, so guys like AJ Green and Cormac Ryan should get all the run they can handle. For now, Trent should be considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Grizzlies.

Prosper (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Toronto, Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reports.

As expected, Prosper will miss Friday's contest due to lower-back soreness. His next opportunity to play will come Sunday in Milwaukee. In the meantime, Taylor Hendricks and Rayan Rupert are candidates to see increased playing time.

Jones (ankle) is available to play in Friday's game against New York.

Jones was in danger of missing this contest because of a sprained right ankle. However, after initially carrying a questionable tag, he was upgraded to probable before ultimately getting the green light to suit up. The 26-year-old is coming off a quality stretch, averaging 17.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.2 blocks and 1.1 steals across 28.7 minutes in March (15 games).