NBA Player News

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.

Allen ended Wednesday's 113-110 victory over the Mavericks with 24 points (9-17 FG, 6-6 FT), 23 rebounds, six assists and two steals in 35 minutes.

Allen led all players in the contest in rebounds, falling one short of his career-high mark. The big man finished with his second straight double and his seventh overall this season. Allen has also surprisingly been excelling as a playmaker of late, totaling 13 assists over his past two games. He had been averaging just 2.3 dimes per contest prior to the surge.

Landale supplied five points (2-4 FG, 1-2 FT) and five rebounds across 12 minutes during Wednesday's 129-113 loss to the Suns.

Landale was back in the rotation after missing the previous two games, logging 12 minutes in the loss. Jabari Smith suffered an ankle injury after only 22 minutes, so Landale stepped in as the backup center. If Smith misses more time, Landale could feature a little more over the next few games. He won't play enough to be considered in standard leagues but should at least touch the floor most nights.

Nurkic chipped in eight points (3-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two blocks over 14 minutes during Wednesday's 129-113 win over the Rockets.

Nurkic returned from a two-game absence, logging 14 minutes in the win. He picked up a couple of early fouls and then remained on the bench as the Suns stuck with a lineup that was getting things done. This was merely a perfect storm in terms of Nurkic being limited, meaning managers should have nothing to worry about moving forward. Look for him to get back on track in a favorable matchup against the Hornets on Friday.

Gafford posted 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and four steals over 30 minutes during Wednesday's 132-102 loss to the Raptors.

The fifth-year center failed to produce multiple blocks for only the second time in his last 15 games, but Gafford made up for it by continuing to rack up steals -- he's snatched 11 in the last four contests. He was already having a breakout campaign, but Gafford has taken another step forward in December, averaging 13.7 points, 8.3 boards, 2.5 blocks, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals through 11 games while shooting 68.2 percent from the floor and 75.6 percent from the free-throw line.

Williams (bacK) is doubtful to play in Thursday's game against the Lakers.

Williams has been labeled doubtful before being ruled out in each of the Hornets' last eight games. Assuming he's absent from Thursday's contest, expect Nick Richards to draw the start while P.J. Washington and Nathan Mensah could see more work off the bench.

Ayton (knee) won't play in Thursday's game against the Spurs.

Ayton will miss a second straight tilt with a right knee injury. However, with Thursday's game being the opener of a back-to-back set, he may be set up for a Friday return. Duop Reath and Moses Brown should see expanded workloads Thursday.

Eubanks won't start Wednesday's game against the Rockets.

Eubanks enjoyed a two-game stint in the starting lineup due to the absence of Jusuf Nurkic. However, with Nurkic back in action, Eubanks will return to his typical reserve role. In his last 13 games, Eubanks is averaging 4.5 points and 4.3 rebounds across 15.5 minutes.

Sharpe is in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Bucks.

Sharpe will replace Nic Claxton (ankle) in the starting lineup Wednesday. While Sharpe is making his first start of the season against Milwaukee, he has recorded a double-double in two of his last three appearances coming off the bench.

Brown accrued zero points (0-1 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 11 rebounds, one steal and one block across 14 minutes in Tuesday's 130-113 win over the Kings.

After being outside of the Portland rotation in each of the previous five games, Brown was surprisingly handed the starting nod over the team's normal No. 2 center, Duop Reath, while Deandre Ayton (knee) was sidelined. Reath still ended up seeing the bulk of the minutes at center and poured in a career-high 25 points to go with nine rebounds in 32 minutes, but Brown wasn't a total zero for those that streamed him for rebounds and blocks. Even so, Brown will likely find himself back outside of the rotation Thursday against the Spurs if Ayton is cleared to play.