NBA Player News

Kornet is in the starting lineup at center for Friday's game versus the Raptors, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

With Kristaps Porzingis (calf), Al Horford (rest) and Jayson Tatum (ankle) sidelined, Kornet will get a rare opportunity for minutes in a thin Celtics frontcourt. He is averaging 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds across 12.9 minutes in 17 games this season.

Sharpe won't start Friday's game against the Wizards.

Sharpe will slide back to a bench role after garnering a spot start Wednesday in Nic Claxton's absence. Sharpe has scored in double figures in four games in a row, averaging 11.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.0 steals in 18.5 minutes during that stretch.

Carter is out for Friday's game versus the Knicks due to right knee tendinitis.

Carter hadn't been on the injury report for Orlando but was ruled out shortly before tipoff against the Knicks. Goga Bitadze will replace him in the starting five. Carter's next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Phoenix.

Bitadze will start Friday's game against the Knicks after Wendell Carter (knee) was scratched from the lineup.

The Magic initially announced that Carter would start at center but later ruled him out due to tendinitis in his right knee, so Bitadze will slot in at the five for his first start since Dec. 17. Across 20 starts this season, Bitadze has averaged 8.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.8 steals in 24.1 minutes per game.

Towns is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Lakers due to left knee soreness, Trevor Lane of Lakers Nation reports.

Towns missed a game on Dec. 23 against the Kings due to soreness in his left knee, but that was his lone absence thus far on the season. Keep a close eye on his status as Saturday's game approaches, as the Wolves will likely offer an update after shootaround in the morning. The big man is coming off of a 10-point, eight-rebound showing in Thursday's win over the Mavs.

Embiid (ankle), who has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, will also miss Saturday's game versus the Bulls, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Saturday will mark Embiid's fourth straight absence, but the 76ers are continuing to evaluate him by a game-by-game basis and haven't suggested that he'll be out for a significant lenght of time. Paul Reed should continue to benefit the most from Embiid's absence, and he's coming off an impressive double-double versus Orlando on Wednesday with 15 points and 10 rebounds while also chipping in three assists, three blocks and one steal.

Porzingis (calf) will not play Friday against Toronto, Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe reports.

As expected, Porzingis will take the night off as he deals with a left calf issue. The Celtics are also playing on the second half of a back-to-back, so that's likely part of the decision to hold the big man out. With Jayson Tatum (ankle) and Al Horford (rest) also sidelined, Boston will turn to the likes of Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet, Oshae Brissett, Lamar Stevens and Sam Hauser for increased minutes in the frontcourt.

Jackson is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Knicks due to a hairline fracture in his right finger.

Jackson presumably injured his finger during Thursday's game versus Chicago. If the 21-year-old center is ruled out, Myles Turner, Jalen Smith and Obi Toppin are all candidates to receive extended minutes.

The Spurs announced Friday that Bediako suffered a torn left MCL and will be out 6-8 weeks, Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reports.

Bediako's knee injury helps explain why the Spurs released him from his two-way contract Friday. San Antonio will likely look to add some frontcourt depth with his roster spot.

Looney is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Mavericks due to an illness.

Looney is in danger of missing his first game this season Friday due to a non-COVID illness. If the 27-year-old center is ruled out, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Dario Saric will likely receive extended minutes.