NBA Player News

Wagner posted 15 points (4-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-8 FT), four rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes during Monday's 126-99 loss to Cleveland.

With Wendell Carter recently moving into the starting lineup, Wagner appears to be the preferred center off the bench at the expense of Goga Bitadze. Whether or not this is a permanent change remains to be seen, but Wagner certainly made a strong case Monday evening.

Sims is expected to start Tuesday's contest against the Nets, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) is listed as questionable but trending in the wrong direction, and if he's ruled out, Sims would move into the starting lineup. Sims made five straight starts from Dec. 11-18 after Mitchell Robinson (ankle) suffered a long-term injury, but the former saw over 20 minutes of playing time just once during that stretch. Precious Achiuwa would also likely see increased minutes off the bench if Hartenstein is ruled out.

Powell (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Monday's 119-110 loss to the Celtics.

With Dereck Lively and Maxi Kleber recently returning from five- and 31-game absences, respectively, Powell's minutes had already started to trend down last week, and the veteran center ended up being ousted from the rotation entirely Monday. Powell could still resurface in the rotation in certain matchups, but while the Mavericks have all of their key frontcourt contributors available, his path to consistent minutes is much more complicated.

The NBA announced Tuesday that Thompson has been suspended 25 games for violating the league's Anti-Drug Program, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Thompson has been serving as the top backup to starting center Jarrett Allen of late, but he likely would have been at risk at dropping out of the rotation once Evan Mobley (knee) likely returns to action shortly before the All-Star break. With Mobley's return still likely a week or more away, however, the Cavaliers will presumably turn to Damian Jones to fill minutes at center when Allen is off the floor. Thompson is first eligible to return from suspension March 16 versus the Rockets.

Hartenstein (Achilles) remains listed as questionable but is considered unlikely to play Tuesday against Brooklyn, Fred Katz of The Athletic reports.

Hartenstein appears on track to miss his first game of the season after exiting Saturday's 126-100 win over the Raptors with an injury that the Knicks are labeling as left Achilles tendinopathy. Assuming Hartenstein is ruled out ahead of the 7:30 p.m. ET opening tip, Jericho Sims is expected to slot in as the starting center, though Precious Achiuwa had been running as Hartenstein's primary backup of late and could end up seeing the larger share of minutes. After Hartenstein's early departure Saturday, Achiuwa stepped in to post 18 points, 11 rebounds and one block in 25 minutes.

Embiid ended Monday's 133-123 win over San Antonio with 70 points (24-41 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 21-23 FT), 18 rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 37 minutes.

The 70 points were not only a new career high for Embiid, they also set a new 76ers record, topping the 68 points scored by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967. The 29-year-old center has scored at least 30 points in 21 straight games dating back to Nov. 17, averaging 38.3 points, 11.6 boards, 5.9 assists, 2.0 blocks, 1.3 steals and 1.2 threes over that stretch as he pushes for his second straight MVP Award.

Lopez finished Monday's 122-113 win over Detroit with 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists and four blocks in 35 minutes.

Lopez recorded a team-best blocks total while ending second on the team in rebounds and as one of five Bucks players with a double-digit point total in a double-double outing. Lopez has hauled in 10 or more rebounds in three games this year, including back-to-back contests. Those two straight double-digit rebound performances have also ended in a double-double, his only two double-doubles of the year thus far.

Duren logged 12 points (5-14 FG, 2-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block across 33 minutes during Monday's 122-113 loss to the Bucks.

Duren led all Pistons in rebounds while ending as one of five players with a double-digit point total to finish as the lone player with a double-double in a losing effort. Duren has posted a double-double in 21 games this season, including in 13 of his last 15 appearances.

Capela chipped in 11 points (4-10 FG, 3-4 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes during Monday's 122-107 loss to the Kings.

Capela had a productive night despite logging seven fewer minutes than Onyeka Okongwu, who had nine rebounds of his own. The veteran is less likely to explode for a big night with Okongwu in the second unit, and the platoon situation caps the fantasy value of both players.

Sabonis contributed 14 points (4-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 21 rebounds, six assists and two steals in 38 minutes during Monday's 122-107 victory over the Hawks.

Sabonis' result tied Oscar Robertson for the second-longest double-double streak in franchise history. He needs only five more to break the record, also owned by Robertson. The center ranks first in the league with 38 double-doubles ahead of Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis, who are both hot on Sabonis' heels.