NBA Player News

Ayton (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against Sacramento.

Ayton will finish his sixth NBA season with a career-low 55 appearances. The 25-year-old averaged 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks in 32.4 minutes per contest when available.

Plumlee is slated to start at center in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Rockets, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.

The Clippers are resting several starters ahead of the playoffs tipping off next weekend. As a result, Plumlee will move into the starting lineup and figures to see a heavier workload than usual. The veteran big man has averaged 8.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 23.2 minutes in 10 starts this season.

Zubac is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Houston.

Precedent indicates that Zubac is in line to log his second DNP-CD across the Clippers' past three contests, as the team is locked into the fourth seed in the Western Conference. Zubac is officially active, but Mason Plumlee will start.

Jones (conditioning) won't play in Sunday's game versus Houston, Justin Russo of the 'Clip & Roll' podcast reports.

Jones is eligible to play in postseason games for the Clippers, but since he didn't sign a contract with the team until Saturday, he won't be asked to play in the regular-season finale. The Clippers are unlikely to open a rotation spot for Jones in the postseason, but he's under contract beyond the 2024-25 season and is viewed as developmental depth at center.

Embiid's (knee) absence in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Nets is considered a precautionary measure, and he is expected to be ready for the playoffs, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.

Coach Nick Nurse indicated earlier Sunday that Embiid was expected to play against the Nets, barring any setbacks. The star big man was later ruled out, but it looks like Philly simply opted to be cautious. The former MVP is expected to be ready for a potential Play-In game or Round 1 matchup, depending on how the seeding ultimately works out.

Sims won't start Sunday's game against the Bulls.

Sims drew a spot start Friday and posted two points, four rebounds and a block in 23 minutes during a win over the Nets. However, Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles/rest) has been cleared to return following a one-game absence and will reclaim his spot as the starting center. Sims may fall out of the rotation completely, as Mitchell Robinson figures to operate as the primary backup.

Fernando will start Sunday's game against the Pacers, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

With Clint Capela (rest) sitting out the regular-season finale, Fernando will draw a spot start. In his only start this season (Feb. 14 versus Charlotte), Fernando posted six points, 12 rebounds, an assist and a block in 26 minutes.

Bamba will start Sunday's game against the Nets.

Joel Embiid (knee/rest) is sitting out the regular-season finale, so Bamba will slide into the startling lineup. As a starter this season (16 games), Bamba has averaged 6.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 19.3 minutes per game.

Holmes (toe) will not play in Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Celtics.

Holmes' absence will be his ninth straight to close out the season. After being dealt to Washington from Dallas, the big man ended up playing 17 games for his new team, including eight starts. He averaged 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds across 18.7 minutes during that span.

Carter (back) has been cleared to play Sunday versus Milwaukee, but he is not in the starting lineup.

It appears that Carter could profile as an emergency alternative Sunday, or operate on a limited workload after being limited to just four minutes of action while attempting to play through his ongoing back injury during Friday's loss to Philadelphia. Jonathan Isaac will run with the first unit against Milwaukee.