NBA Player News

Williams (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Dallas.

Williams will be sidelined for a third straight game due to a concussion. His next chance to play will be against the Clippers on Tuesday. Jabari Walker will continue to serve as Portland's backup center behind Deandre Ayton due to the absence of Williams and Donovan Clingan (knee).

Drummond (ankle) won't return to Saturday's game against the Pistons, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. He finished with four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds and a steal across four minutes.

Drummond exited the game in the first quarter after landing on Tobias Harris' foot on a made basket, and he wasn't able to put any pressure on his ankle as he exited the court. He's been diagnosed with a right ankle sprain, and it's unclear if he'll be sidelined for an extended stretch. Guerschon Yabusele will see even more minutes in the frontcourt as a result.

Valanciunas is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Bucks, Varun Shankar of The Washington Post reports.

The Wizards will add size to their frontcourt to counter the duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez, so Valanciunas will start at center and Alex Sarr will get the nod at power forward. Valanciunas is averaging 11.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game since the beginning of November.

Nurkic has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors due to a right quadricep contusion.

A left ankle sprain was behind Nurkic's other two absences earlier this month, but the quad issue is a new concern for the center. Head coach Mike Budenholzer had previously labeled Nurkic as probable for Saturday's game following Friday's practice, but the 30-year-old big man evidently didn't heal up as quickly as the Suns anticipated. Look for Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro to cover most of the minutes at center Saturday while Nurkic sits and turns his focus toward getting ready for Tuesday's matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

Drummond (ankle) went to the locker room in the first quarter of Saturday's game against the Pistons, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Drummond injured his right ankle after landing on Tobias Harris' foot on a made basket. Drummond wasn't able to put any pressure on his ankle and needed help to the locker room, per Ky Carlin of USA Today. If Drummond is unable to return to Saturday's contest, Adem Bona should see additional playing time off the bench.

Davis is probable for Sunday's game against the Jazz due to left plantar fasciitis, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Davis has been a regular name on the Lakers' injury report, but so far he's missed just one game this season. The probable tag suggests he shouldn't have problems handling his regular workload Sunday. Davis is averaging 25.6 points, 12.7 boards, 4.0 assists, 2.1 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting 53.1 percent from the floor over his last nine appearances.

Edey (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pacers.

Per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal on Friday, head coach Taylor Jenkins relayed that Edey should return to action in the upcoming week. While Edey won't play Sunday, his next opportunity to play will be against the Mavericks on Tuesday. Brandon Clarke will continue to start at center for the Grizzlies due to Edey's injury.

Richards (ribs) is available for Saturday's game against the Hawks, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Richards missed the first leg of the back-to-back set, a 99-98 loss to the Knicks, but the big man will return here to add some much-needed depth in the frontcourt. Richards will play for the first time since Nov. 1, meaning he'll return from a 14-game absence.

Sharpe (hamstring) is out for Sunday's game against the Magic, Meghan Triplett of YES Network reports.

Sharpe was cleared for on-court activities Nov. 27, and while his return should come soon, he'll be out for this matchup against the Magic. The big man will aim to return for the second leg of a back-to-back set against the Bulls on Monday.

Porzingis is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers due to knee injury management, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Porzingis recorded 21 points (7-11 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 5-7 FT), eight rebounds and one assist over 25 minutes during Friday's 138-129 victory over the Bulls, but it wouldn't be strange to see him get a day off. Sunday's contest will be the first leg of a back-to-back set, so the Celtics could choose to rest the big man either Sunday or Monday against the Heat. Porzingis has accounted for 37 points, 14 rebounds, three assists and two blocks across 48 minutes in his first two games of the season.