NBA Player News

Williams (ankle) will not play Thursday versus the Lakers.

Williams will miss his ninth straight game Thursday. The Hornets have been labeling him as doubtful for the past few weeks, and there is no clear timetable for his return. He should be considered doubtful at best for Friday's game against the Suns.

Kessler will start Thursday's game against the Pelicans.

Kelly Olynyk will move to the bench after starting the last three games for Utah. Kessler has come off the bench 11 times this season, and Thursday's game will mark his 13th start of the campaign. As a starter, Kessler holds averages of 9.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.

Horford will be in the starting lineup for Thursday's matchup against the Pistons.

Horford will be part of the starting lineup in this matchup against a reeling Pistons team, as Jaylen Brown is out due to a back injury. Horford will play at the five, with Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum completing the frontcourt.

Towns (knee) is available for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Towns was questionable for Thursday's matchup but participated in Minnesota's morning shootaround and will officially be able to suit up for a second consecutive game. In his return from a one-game absence Tuesday against the Thunder, he tallied 16 points, six rebounds and one assist in 29 minutes.

Embiid (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Embiid will be unavailable for a third consecutive game due to a sprained right ankle. He wasn't with the team for Wednesday's matchup in Orlando, and it's unclear whether he's joined the 76ers as their road trip continues. The 29-year-old's next chance to return will be Saturday against the Bulls, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him remain out for the second half of the back-to-back set. Paul Reed will likely continue to serve as the starting center while Embiid is sidelined.

Claxton is probable for Friday's game against the Wizards due to an illness, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Claxton sat out Wednesday's game against the Bucks due to left ankle injury maintenance, and he's dealing with an illness ahead of Friday's matchup. However, he'll likely be able to return to the court against Washington. Over his last five appearances, he's averaged 9.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 27.2 minutes per game.

Koloko (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Boston, Aaron Rose of SI.com reports.

Koloko hasn't yet played this year due to a respiratory illness. He doesn't have a timetable to return.

The Heat assigned Robinson to the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce on Thursday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Robinson has played just one total minute across Miami's last four contests, so his absence won't affect the team's rotation. The second-year big man should receive extended playing time while in the G League.

Towns (knee), who is questionable for Thursday's game against Dallas, participated in the Timberwolves' morning shootaround, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Towns returned from a one-game absence Tuesday against the Thunder but is still dealing with a sore knee ahead of Thursday's matchup. However, his participation in the team's morning shootaround is certainly encouraging and bodes well for his status. Over his last five appearances, he's averaged 23.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33.4 minutes per game.

Sharpe notched 12 points (5-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one block over 16 minutes during Wednesday's 144-122 loss to Milwaukee.

Sharpe was one of several non-regulars who got thrust into a starting role Wednesday, and he responded with solid numbers on both ends of the court. Sharpe has shown he can perform when given enough minutes, but he is expected to return to a bench role against the Wizards on Friday, limiting his upside considerably.