NBA Player News
-
Maxi Kleber C | DAL
Mavericks' Maxi Kleber: Doesn't practice Friday
Coach Jason Kidd said that Kleber (illness) didn't participate in Friday's practice, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Kleber is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive outing in Sunday's matchup against the Warriors due to an illness. The veteran big man can be considered questionable at best for Sunday until the team provides an update on his status. Over his last five appearances, Kleber has averaged 0.6 points and 3.0 rebounds across 21.4 minutes per game.
-
Paul Reed C | DET
Pistons' Paul Reed: Plays 15 minutes in blowout loss
Reed closed with four points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), three assists, two steals and one block in 15 minutes during Thursday's 123-99 loss to the Celtics.
With Jalen Duren (wrist) sidelined, the 25-year-old worked his way into the rotation behind Isaiah Stewart. Reed tied his season-high mark in minutes Thursday, though he shouldn't see much playing time when Duren returns. Reed has averaged 4.8 points and 1.9 rebounds across 10.3 minutes per game in 12 regular-season appearances.
-
Kyle Filipowski C | UTA
Jazz's Kyle Filipowski: Lackluster in G League loss
Filipowski finished with eight points (2-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal across 18 minutes during Thursday's 115-113 G League loss to the San Diego Clippers. After the game, he was recalled from the G League's Salt Lake City Stars on Friday.
Filipowski briefly returned to the G League for Thursday's matchup, though he had a negative impact during his limited run. The rookie will join the Jazz ahead of their matchup against the Suns on Friday, and he'll attempt to increase his workload during his second consecutive matchup following a seven-game absence due to a lower leg injury.
-
Domantas Sabonis C | SAC
Kings' Domantas Sabonis: Explodes for massive double-double
Sabonis notched 32 points (11-15 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 9-9 FT), 20 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 34 minutes during Thursday's 111-109 victory over the Pelicans.
De'Aaron Fox and DeMar DeRozan had excellent performances Thursday, but there's no question Sabonis carried the Kings to what ended up being a closer-than-expected win. The star big man recorded his fifth double-double in six outings in December. He's averaging 23.7 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game since the beginning of the month. This was also the first 30-point, 20-rebound performance from any player in the current NBA season.
-
Bam Adebayo C | MIA
Heat's Bam Adebayo: Monster double-double
Adebayo ended Thursday's 114-104 victory over the Raptors with 21 points (8-17 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 16 rebounds, five assists and one block in 35 minutes.
Tyler Herro led the Heat in scoring Thursday, but there's no question Adebayo stood out due to his impressive two-way play in this comfortable victory. The star big man has recorded four double-doubles in a row while dishing out at least five assists in each of those contests. Furthermore, Adebayo has seven double-doubles and one triple-double across his past 10 games, averaging 16.1 points, 11.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game in that span.
-
Jakob Poeltl C | TOR
Raptors' Jakob Poeltl: Stuffs stat sheet in loss
Poeltl closed with 16 points (7-12 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), four rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 27 minutes during Thursday's 114-104 loss to Miami.
Poeltl was scratched from the starting lineup due to back spasms only a few minutes before tipoff, but the big man entered the game in the first quarter and didn't look hindered by the injury. Aside from posting a solid stat line, Poeltl also logged 27 minutes compared to Bruno Fernando's two-minute cameo -- and Fernando was the one who replaced him in the starting unit. It seemed like an emergency measure, though, and Poeltl's availability going forward isn't expected to be affected.
-
Mark Williams C | CHA
Hornets' Mark Williams: Not listed on injury report
Williams (foot) is not on the injury report for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Williams didn't play last Sunday against the Pacers due to left foot injury management, but the big man benefited from four days of rest. It's unclear if he'll start or not, but his availability is a positive sign. The big man is averaging 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across 10.3 minutes per game in his first three outings this season.
-
Kristaps Porzingis C | BOS
Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis: Solid all-around line in win
Porzingis logged 19 points (8-18 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 30 minutes during Thursday's 123-99 win over Detroit.
It wasn't the most efficient night from downtown for Porzingis, but he filled the box score and nearly secured a double-double for a Celtics team that was without superstar Jayson Tatum (knee) on Thursday. In seven appearances with Tatum sidelined dating back to last season, Porzingis is now averaging 19.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.0 blocks and 2.4 three-pointers per game If Tatum remains unavailable for Sunday's contest against a Wizards club giving up the most points per game (123.8) in the league this year, Porzingis will likely experience an uptick in usage and handle a more pronounced role on offense for Boston once again.
-
Robert Williams III C | POR
Trail Blazers' Robert Williams: Officially questionable
Williams (concussion) is questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.
Williams was a full participant in practice Thursday, and as expected, he's being considered a game-time decision ahead of Friday's game. He'll likely need to prove his health during morning shootaround and warmups before Portland feels comfortable enough to clear him for game action.
-
Deandre Ayton C | POR
Trail Blazers' Deandre Ayton: Iffy for Friday
Ayton (illness) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Spurs.
Ayton is in jeopardy of missing his first matchup since Nov. 25 due to an illness. In his last six outings, the big man has averaged 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.3 blocks across 32.0 minutes per game. The Trail Blazers could be shorthanded in the frontcourt Friday with Ayton, Donovan Clingan (knee), Robert Williams (concussion) and Duop Reath (back) all landing on the injury report.