NBA Player News

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.

Powell recorded 13 points (3-4 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist over 23 minutes off the bench during Friday's 124-105 loss to Memphis.

The veteran center produced his second double-double of the season, with the first coming Jan. 22 against the Warriors. Powell has struggled to get consistent court time even with Dereck Lively (foot) out for the season and Anthony Davis (finger) now in Washington. Friday's 23 minutes represented Powell's highest workload in February and just the third time in eight appearances this month he logged double-digit minutes.

Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter told reporters that Clingan (illness) "felt better" but is still considered a game-time decision for Saturday's game against the Hornets, Owen O'Connor of SI.com reports.

Clingan will go through pregame shootaround, at which point the Trail Blazers' medical staff will have a better idea of whether the second-year center will be able to suit up for Saturday's matinee. Scoot Henderson entered the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Bulls and would likely remain in an elevated role if Clingan is not cleared to return.

Williams finished with 16 points (5-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and four assists across 26 minutes during Friday's 124-105 loss to the Grizzlies.

Getting the start in place of Cooper Flagg (foot), Williams led the Mavericks in scoring while setting a new season high in boards. The fourth-year guard has scored at least 13 points in 12 of his last 13 games (two starts) dating back to Jan. 22, averaging 15.6 points, 4.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 threes over that stretch while shooting 54.4 percent from the floor.