NBA Player News

Kornet (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Friday's game versus the Nets, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Kornet is expected to miss Friday's contest after tweaking his left hamstring against Golden State. If Kornet is downgraded to out, Xavier Tillman is a candidate to receive increased minutes off the bench in Boston's frontcourt.

Carter (foot) will remain out for Friday's game against New Orleans.

Carter will now miss his third consecutive game, and fourth out of the last five overall, due to his foot injury. Carter's next opportunity to return will be Sunday against the Wizards, but while he is sidelined Moritz Wagner and Goga Bitadze will have an increased role as the team's big men.

Len amassed three points (1-1 FG, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and four blocks over 14 minutes during Wednesday's 122-107 win over the Raptors.

Len continues to receive depth minutes in Sacramento's frontcourt. Against Toronto, the veteran big man was able to record season highs in rebounds and blocks. Len is averaging 1.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 assists in 8.7 minutes across six appearances this season.

Kleber (hamstring) has been upgraded to doubtful for Friday's contest against Phoenix, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Kleber has not played since Oct. 26 due to his hamstring injury, but being upgraded to doubtful is an encouraging sign that he may make his return soon. With P.J. Washington (knee) also out, Naji Marshall and Olivier-Maxence Prosper will see extended playing time until one of Kleber or Washington returns.

Lively (shoulder) will not play in Friday's game against the Suns, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Lively will miss a third consecutive game, and he will join P.J. Washington (knee) and potentially Maxi Kleber (hamstring) as the key inactives for Friday's game. With Lively out, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell will likely occupy the team's minutes at center.

Huff recorded 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3Pt), three rebounds, four assists and one block in 14 minutes during Wednesday's 131-114 win over the Lakers.

Huff has now scored double-digit points in five of his nine appearances this season while coming off the bench. The 27-year-old big man is averaging 10.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 assists in 15.3 minutes. While Huff will likely come back down to Earth with his outside shooting, he is currently converting 52.9 percent of his 3.8 three-point attempts per contest.

Koloko (illness) scored two points (1-2 FG) and added two rebounds and one block across 13 minutes in Wednesday's 131-114 loss to the Grizzlies.

After appearing in 58 games for the Raptors as a rookie in 2022-23, Koloko missed the entire 2023-24 season while battling a blood clotting issue that temporarily forced him to pause his career. The 24-year-old center signed a two-way deal with the Lakers in September, and after receiving clearance from the NBA's Fitness-to-Play Panel to resume playing in games, he took the court Wednesday for his team and season debuts. Though the Lakers opened up a spot in the rotation for Koloko as the backup center to Jaxson Hayes, Koloko will likely lose out on minutes if Anthony Davis (heel) is cleared to play Friday versus the 76ers.

Boucher chipped in 17 points (7-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt), four rebounds and one assist across 25 minutes during Wednesday's 122-107 loss to the Kings.

With Kelly Olynyk (back) still sidelined, Boucher continues to operate as one of Toronto's primary bench options in the frontcourt. However, Boucher has been putting up inconsistent production, as he has scored 13 or more points in four of his nine appearances, but also four or fewer points in four outings. This season, Boucher is averaging 10.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 18.1 minutes.

Ware finished Wednesday's 115-112 loss to the Suns with seven points (3-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three rebounds, one block and two steals in 14 minutes.

Ware made just his third appearance of the season Wednesday, as he has been an inconsistent part of Miami's rotation. The rookie big man capitalized on his season-high 14 minutes to show off his defensive potential and ability to stretch the floor. Thomas Bryant logged no minutes against Phoenix, so it will be worth monitoring to see if Ware replaces him as the Heat's backup center going forward.

Jokic chipped in 23 points (9-20 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-6 FT), 20 rebounds, 16 assists, two blocks and two steals across 39 minutes during Wednesday's 124-122 victory over the Thunder.

Jokic continues to put up monster statlines with ease. He's been at the center of the Nuggets' turnaround following a woeful start to the season. The star big man is averaging 26.6 points, 15.4 rebounds and 13.4 assists per game over his past five contests while carrying Denver to a 4-1 record -- and a three-game winning streak -- in that stretch.