RADIO
Nic Claxton Carries Questionable Tag for Sunday
Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. A left hamstring strain has sidelined him for all eight games since Chicago acquired him from Brooklyn in June. Asked Friday whether Claxton would play, head coach Tiago Splitter said "probably," per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, while noting a minutes restriction is likely. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks last season. Splitter plans to test Claxton alongside Jalen Smith (finger), so Smith's value may not take as big a hit as expected.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jalen Smith Listed as Probable for Sunday
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith left Wednesday's loss to the Knicks after seven minutes when he landed awkwardly on his injured left hand. According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Smith expects to play Sunday. Before that shortened outing, the 26-year-old was averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as Chicago's starting center. The bigger concern for Smith's fantasy value is Nic Claxton (hamstring), who is questionable and could make his Bulls debut Sunday, potentially pushing Smith back to the second unit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joel Embiid Expected to Play Sunday in Chicago
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot) is probable for Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Chicago Bulls as he continues to manage a plantar fascia issue. Embiid has sat the second leg of both Philadelphia back-to-backs this season but is trending toward playing Sunday. The 32-year-old followed a 26-point, 15-rebound effort against Detroit with an 0-for-9 shooting night Friday in Cleveland, and he is just 3-for-28 from deep this season. With Adem Bona (neck) ruled out, the Sixers are thin behind him at center, though Embiid's workload remains worth watching after he was limited to 25 minutes against Chicago last Monday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Yanic Konan Niederhauser Still Sidelined Sunday
Los Angeles Clippers center Yanic Konan Niederhauser (foot) remains out for Sunday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans as he continues working back from Lisfranc surgery. The 23-year-old was recently assigned to the G-League's San Diego Clippers before being recalled, and Los Angeles also picked up his 2027-28 team option. Niederhauser averaged 8.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks in 18.2 minutes over his final five games last season before the injury ended his rookie campaign. With Isaiah Jackson (groin) also sidelined, Niederhauser could eventually work his way into the center rotation once he is cleared and fully up to speed.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Isaiah Jackson Won't Suit Up Sunday
Los Angeles Clippers center Isaiah Jackson (groin) is out for Sunday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. Jackson first landed on the injury report Wednesday but played through the soreness against Miami, logging a season-low 13 minutes. The 24-year-old recently moved to the bench but responded with 19 points on 9-for-11 shooting against Toronto on Monday. Brook Lopez should continue handling the bulk of the center minutes after playing 35 minutes Wednesday, while rookie Baba Miller is in line for additional backup work with Jackson unavailable.
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Source: Ohm Youngmisuk
Deandre Ayton Exits Saturday with Lower-Leg Injury
Washington Wizards center Deandre Ayton (leg) was ruled out for the remainder of Saturday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder after leaving in the first half. Ayton finished with two points and one rebound in seven minutes after coming off the bench, with Bilal Coulibaly replacing him in the starting lineup. The 28-year-old entered Saturday averaging just 5.4 points and 4.6 rebounds through seven games. With Anthony Davis (ankle) and Tristan Vukcevic (hip) already sidelined, Alexandre Sarr could be asked to handle an even larger share of the frontcourt work if Ayton cannot play Monday in Detroit.
Source: Washington Wizards
Source: Washington Wizards
Draymond Green Cleared to Play Saturday Versus Orlando
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (elbow) is available for Saturday's matchup with the Orlando Magic, according to ESPN's Anthony Slater. Green entered the day questionable with inflammation and soreness but will be in the lineup as Golden State chases a seventh straight win. The 36-year-old is coming off two points, five rebounds, and a season-high 11 assists in Thursday's win over Miami. He is averaging just 3.0 points but continues to contribute 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.8 combined steals and blocks. Green should settle back into his usual playmaking and frontcourt role against an Orlando team missing Paolo Banchero (ankle).
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Anthony Davis Ruled Out Again on Saturday
Washington Wizards forward/center Anthony Davis (ankle) is out for Saturday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, head coach Brian Keefe told reporters. Davis sprained his ankle Wednesday against Atlanta and will now miss a second straight game. The 33-year-old was averaging 23.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while shooting 50.0% from the field through eight appearances. Deandre Ayton started in his place Friday and should remain the most direct beneficiary, while Alexandre Sarr could also see more frontcourt responsibility. Davis' next chance to return comes Monday in Detroit.
Source: Clemente Almanza
Source: Clemente Almanza
Jarrett Allen Ruled Out Again Saturday Versus Knicks
Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (knee) will miss Saturday's matchup with the New York Knicks, his second straight absence with a knee contusion. Allen suffered the injury Wednesday against Oklahoma City, and Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com reported that it is not considered serious. The 28-year-old is averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks this season. Evan Mobley should spend another night handling most of the center minutes, which gives him more opportunities around the rim, while Thomas Bryant could again pick up a small bump off the bench.
Source: New York Basketball
Source: New York Basketball
Noah Clowney Good to Go Against Atlanta
Brooklyn Nets forward/center Noah Clowney (illness) is available for Saturday's matchup with the Atlanta Hawks, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. Clowney also dealt with right knee soreness after leaving Wednesday's win over Charlotte early, but he will avoid an absence. The 22-year-old is averaging 5.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 21.0 minutes off the bench while shooting 40.0% from the field and 5-for-18 from deep. Danny Wolf gave Brooklyn quality minutes Wednesday, so Clowney may have a little more competition for frontcourt work if his shot continues to lag.
Source: Brian Lewis
Source: Brian Lewis
Draymond Green Carries Questionable Tag for Saturday
Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (elbow) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Orlando Magic due to inflammation and soreness in his right elbow. Green is coming off two points, five rebounds, and a season-high 11 assists in Thursday's 120-100 win over Miami. The 36-year-old is averaging just 3.0 points but remains useful with 7.0 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. If Green sits, Al Horford and Charles Bassey could split more time at center, while Yaxel Lendeborg may also pick up additional frontcourt minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Joan Beringer Exits Friday's Game with Nasal Fracture
Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Joan Beringer (nose) was ruled out for the remainder of Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans after suffering a nasal fracture, the team announced. Beringer was elbowed in the face during the second quarter and finished with two points, three rebounds, and one block in seven minutes. The 19-year-old has served as Rudy Gobert's primary backup this season, while Trey Lyles offers another small-ball option. If Beringer is unavailable for Sunday's home matchup with Utah, Lyles could pick up extra minutes while Gobert handles a larger share of the center workload.
Source: Timberwolves PR
Source: Timberwolves PR
Kristaps Porzingis Stepping Away From Basketball
Golden State Warriors center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) announced Friday that he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health. The 31-year-old has not played this season and said he will work with the Warriors to find a solution that makes sense. Porzingis appeared in 15 games after joining Golden State last February, averaging 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds. His decision does not create any new rotation openings since he has been unavailable all season. Golden State has won six straight while leaning on its current frontcourt, with rookie Yaxel Lendeborg emerging as one of the early-season standouts.
Source: Anthony Slater
Source: Anthony Slater
Jusuf Nurkic to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (foot) is making progress from a partial plantar plate tear and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced Friday. The 32-year-old injured the second toe of his right foot during an Oct. 4 preseason game against Denver and has begun taking part in on-court activities. Nurkic averaged 10.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season. Jaxson Hayes should continue handling most of the center minutes while Nurkic remains sidelined, and Utah will likely keep mixing and matching behind him in the frontcourt.
Source: Utah Jazz
Source: Utah Jazz
Moussa Diabate Downgraded to Out Against Celtics
Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, ending a run of nine straight starts to open the season. The 24-year-old is averaging 8.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while shooting 63.5 percent from the field. Ryan Kalkbrenner is a strong candidate to step into the starting lineup, while Charlotte could also mix in smaller frontcourt looks. Kalkbrenner would have a chance to provide short-term value on the glass if he takes on a larger role.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
