NBA Player News

Kornet is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Hornets, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Kornet will replace Al Horford (rest) in the starting lineup Friday. While Kornet has yet to play at least 20 minutes in a game this season, he should receive an uptick in playing time against Charlotte.

Wagner is in the starting five for Friday's game versus the Cavaliers, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.

Wagner will replace Wendell Carter (knee) in the starting lineup Friday. Across his first five appearances this season, Wagner is averaging 11.0 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.2 minutes but should see an uptick in playing time against Cleveland.

Carter (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

Carter is a late scratch due to right knee tendonitis. The 25-year-old has averaged 8.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks across 29.8 minutes per game in five regular-season appearances (all starts). Jonathan Isaac and Moritz Wagner are candidates to pick up more playing time in Carter's absence, though his next chance to suit up will come Sunday against Dallas.

Bitadze (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

Bitadze is slated to miss his third consecutive game due to a left foot strain. The 25-year-old's absence is not expected to cause any waves in the club's rotation. His next chance to suit up will come Sunday against Dallas.

Coach Willie Green said he expects Missi (hip) to play in Friday's game versus the Pacers, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Missi is officially listed as questionable with a right lower abdominal contusion, but he is expected to suit up Friday. If Missi is upgraded to available, he will likely serve as New Orleans' backup center to Daniel Theis.

Coach Willie Green said Theis (ankle) is expected to suit up for Friday's game against the Pacers, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Theis left Wednesday's loss to Golden State early after sustaining a right ankle injury, though he is not expected to miss any time. Through five regular-season outings, the 32-year-old has averaged 4.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals-plus-blocks across 16.0 minutes per game.

Davis (hip) is available for Friday's game versus the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Davis sustained a minor hip injury during Wednesday's loss to the Cavaliers. However, the big man will play through the injury, though it is unclear whether he will operate under a minutes restriction. The 31-year-old has produced a stellar start to the 2024-25 campaign, during which he has averaged 30.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.8 steals-plus-blocks and 3.0 assists across 36.0 minutes per game in five regular-season outings.

Adams is out for Saturday's game versus the Warriors due to right knee injury recovery.

Adams missed all of the 2023-24 campaign after undergoing right knee surgery, and it appears that Houston will hold him out of Saturday's contest for precautionary reasons. Jock Landale should operate as the team's backup center in his absence. Adams' next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with the Knicks.

Eubanks registered six points (2-3 FG, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, two blocks and one assist across 20 minutes during Thursday's 106-88 loss to San Antonio.

The 27-year-old produced in his first game hitting the double-digit mark in minutes, due mainly to a depleted frontcourt missing both Taylor Hendricks (lower leg) and Lauri Markkanen (back). With Hendricks out for the season, it would not come as a surprise to see Eubanks play more minutes in the frontcourt behind Markkanen, Walker Kessler, John Collins and Kyle Filipowski.

Embiid (knee) was a full participant in Friday's five-on-scrimmage but won't play in Saturday's game versus the Grizzlies, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Embiid has yet to play this season while dealing with a left knee injury. While the superstar center's return to practice is a good sign that he can suit up in the near future, his next chance to do so will be Monday's matchup with Phoenix. In Embiid's absence, Andre Drummond should continue to start.