NBA Player News

Cisse (two-way) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.

Cisse hasn't suited up for the Mavericks since March 6 while the team continues to manage his availability as the season winds down. After Wednesday, the undrafted rookie out of Memphis will be eligible to play in four of the Mavericks' final nine games while he remains signed to a two-way deal. Cisse's most recent game action came in the G League back on Sunday, when he played 28 minutes and recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in the Texas Legends' 109-106 win over the Iowa Wolves. He had missed the Legends' previous game Friday against the Wolves due to a right shoulder injury.

Gafford (shoulder) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against Denver, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford has been downgraded from questionable to out Wednesday. The 27-year-old center picked up a sprained right shoulder in the Mavericks' most recent game. With Gafford out of the picture Wednesday, Marvin Bagley and Dwight Powell could see more playing time. Gafford's next chance to play will come Friday at Portland.

Turner (calf) is out for Wednesday's game in Portland.

Bobby Portis (wrist) and Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) will join Turner on the inactive list for Wednesday's game, leaving Milwaukee very thin up front. Jericho Sims will get a chance to start with Turner out, and there will be more minutes available for Ousmane Dieng. Turner's next chance to play will come Saturday against the Spurs.

Richards won't return to Wednesday's game against the 76ers due to a right elbow issue, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.

The severity of Richards' elbow injury isn't yet known, but with Friday's game in Oklahoma City being the first of a back-to-back set, it could be tough for Richards to return for that one. Patrick Williams started at center for the second half of Wednesday's game, so he could be in line for major minutes if Richards and Jalen Smith (calf) need to skip some games.

Williams (knee) will play Wednesday against the Bucks, Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan Portland reports.

Williams is back after a one-game absence, which could result in Yang Hansen getting bumped from the rotation. Williams is averaging 6.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game this season.

Richards will start Wednesday versus the 76ers.

Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Matas Buzelis and Jalen Smith will join Richards in the first unit for a second straight game. Through five starts this season, Richards has recorded averages of 9.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 swats per contest on 47/43/55 shooting splits.

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Pacers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Hayes will get a spot-start with Deandre Ayton (back) unavailable, and it'll be Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, LeBron James and Jake LaRavia joining Hayes in the first unit for Wednesday's game. Through eight starts this season, Hayes has posted averages of 11.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Embiid (oblique) will play in Wednesday's game against the Bulls, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Embiid will return from a 13-game absence due to a strained right oblique. His return will mean fewer opportunities for Adem Bona and Andre Drummond. However, per Aaronson, Nick Nurse said Wednesday that the 76ers likely won't "go overboard" with Embiid's minutes.

The Celtics recalled Williams from the G League's Maine Celtics on Wednesday.

Williams has rejoined Boston ahead of Wednesday's game against the Thunder, but he's unlikely to be featured in the rotation. The rookie second-round pick saw extended run Tuesday in Maine's 130-105 win over the Cleveland Charge, finishing with 13 points (5-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-4 FT), nine rebounds, four blocks and one assist in 27 minutes.

Duren (knee) is available for Wednesday's game against the Hawks.

Despite being a late addition to the injury report, Duren is playing through knee soreness Wednesday. The All-Star big man has recorded six double-doubles in the past seven games, during which Duren has averaged 23.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 27.1 minutes per contest while shooting a potent 70.9 percent from the floor.