NBA Player News

Davis contributed 20 points (6-16 FG, 8-10 FT), 15 rebounds, three blocks and one steal in 40 minutes during Tuesday's 110-106 Play-In Game victory over the Pelicans.

Davis was able to battle through back spasms in Tuesday's win and thinks the extra rest before Saturday's Game 1 against the Nuggets will allow him to fully recover, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports. While the star big man struggled from the field, he hauled in a clutch offensive rebound off a LeBron James miss with 15 seconds and was able to convert on four free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

Davis (back) has been cleared for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game against New Orleans, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.

Davis' aggravating his back/hip spasms in Sunday's win over New Orleans is troubling given that he has battled the affliction all season, but he appears to be no worse for the wear. A rematch against New Orleans pits Davis versus Zion Williamson and Jonas Valanciunas, while Davis has averaged 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.0 blocks across four contests versus the Pelicans this season.

Drummond (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's Play-In Game against the Hawks.

Drummond still has a chance to play in the decisive matchup despite not practicing Tuesday and missing the final three games of the regular season due to a left ankle sprain. If available, he figures to play around 20 minutes off the bench behind Nikola Vucevic.

Embiid (knee) is questionable for Wednesday's Play-In Game against the Heat.

Embiid sat out Sunday's regular-season finale against the Nets due to precautionary reasons but practiced Monday and Tuesday. The 76ers have won eight straight, including five in a row with Embiid back in the lineup, and the reining MVP has looked great in the process, averaging 30.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks in 30.6 minutes per game.

Rockets general manager Rafael Stone said Tuesday that Adams (knee) is on track to be available for training camp, Adam Spolane of Sports Radio 610 Houston.

Adams missed the 2023-24 campaign after receiving a season-ending knee surgery in November. The 30-year-old is likely to serve as a veteran presence off the bench behind Alperen Sengun (knee/ankle) next season.

The Jazz plan to have Kessler (nose) participate in the 2024 NBA Summer League, Tony Jones of The Athletic reports.

After a nice rookie season in 2022-23 in which Kessler started his final 34 appearances, he was selected in the early-to-mid rounds of most fantasy leagues this season. Managers who did so were disappointed. The center's points (8.1) and rebounds (7.5) per game decreased, as did his field-goal percentage (65.4). He also started just 22 games and crossed the 30-minute threshold only eight times. While the Jazz also had interest in developing other bigs like John Collins and Taylor Hendricks, plus giving minutes to Kelly Olynyk before trading him to Toronto, Kessler's role gave the impression that he wasn't impressing coach Will Hardy. The organization seems to believe it would be best for Kessler to get more development minutes this summer.

Lively (knee) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Lively missed the final eight regular-season games due to a right knee sprain, but it looks like he'll have a chance to play in Dallas' opening-round series against the Clippers. However, the Mavericks still have a few days before they release their official injury report, and we won't get clarity on Lively's status until then.

Drummond (ankle) did not practice Tuesday in advance of Wednesday's Play-In Game versus Atlanta, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Drummond was forced to exit last Tuesday's contest in a wheelchair after rolling his ankle, and he's still experiencing too much swelling to practice. His status appears murky, at best, for Wednesday's game, although a depleted Atlanta frontcourt that is without Jalen Johnson (ankle) and Onyeka Okongwu (toe) lessens the blow of a potential absence.

Robinson (ankle/rest) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice and is not dealing with an injury after sitting for the second half of Sunday's win over Chicago, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

Robinson is "fine" in the words of coach Tom Thibodeau, and he has additional time to continue re-charging while New York awaits the outcome of the Play-In Tournament. Robinson has been volatile across 10 games since returning from ankle surgery, but he represents a valuable platoon element of the Knicks' frontcourt.

Embiid (knee) was a full participant at Tuesday's practice, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.

This was Embiid's second straight practice appearance, so he remains on track to play Wednesday against Miami. His absence in the season finale Sunday was merely a precaution based on previous reports.