NBA Player News

Jokic ended with 31 points (13-23 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 15 rebounds, six assists and two blocks in 38 minutes during Wednesday's 113-104 win over the Raptors.

Jokic finished as the leading scorer and leading rebounder among all players in the contest, putting up his third double-double over his past four games. That kind of stretch is nothing new for the big man, who leads the NBA with 24 double-doubles -- and 10 triple-doubles -- on the campaign. Jokic's shooting performance Wednesday was also a positive development, as he entered the contest uncharacteristically shooting just 43.2 percent over his previous seven games.

The Knicks applied for a disabled player exception for Robinson (ankle) on Wednesday, signaling that they project him to miss the rest of the season, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Robinson was originally projected to miss 8-to-10 weeks after he was diagnosed with a significant left ankle injury. However, after he recently underwent surgery to address the injury, the Knicks have applied for the exception, which can only be granted if the player is out through June 15. If Robinson is in fact done for the season, he'll finish his sixth NBA campaign with averages of 6.2 points (on 59.2 percent shooting from the field), 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.3 blocks and 0.7 assists in 29.2 minutes per game over 21 appearances. Isaiah Hartenstein is expected to see the bulk of the minutes at center moving forward, though Jericho Sims (ankle) could slot into the starting role once he's healthy.

Hartenstein will start Wednesday's game against the Nets.

With Mitchell Robinson (ankle) injured, Jericho Sims moved into the starting lineup, but Hartenstein saw more minutes and has been more productive off the bench, averaging 8.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.0 blocks in 29.2 minutes over a five-game stretch. Sims suffered an ankle injury during Monday's win over the Lakers, allowing Hartenstein to log a season-high 39 minutes and a career-high 17 rebounds. Taj Gibson is also in the center mix, but Hartenstein figures to see all the playing time he can handle moving forward, as Robinson is slated to miss at least two months and Sims is expected to be sidelined for a week or two.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd said Wednesday that Lively (ankle) doesn't have a return timetable, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.

Lively sprained his ankle during Saturday's win over Portland and missed Monday's loss to Denver. He's already been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Clippers and will likely miss at least a few more games, but we'll continue to update his status game-by-game until there's a concrete update. Dallas is handling Kyrie Irving's (heel) injury similarly, and he's slated to miss his sixth straight contest Wednesday.

Jackson isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Hornets, Scott Agness of FieldhouseFiles.com reports.

Myles Turner will replace Jackson in the starting five Wednesday after missing Indiana's previous game with a hamstring injury. Jackson is averaging 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 17.2 minutes across his previous five appearances coming off the bench this season.

Williams (back) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Pacers.

Williams' absence streak will extend to six games Wednesday while dealing with a back contusion. His next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Denver. Nick Richards has been playing as the starting center in Williams' stead.

Turner (hamstrings) is available for Wednesday's game against the Hornets, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Turner sat out Monday's game against the Clippers due to bilateral hamstring soreness, but he was a full participant in practice Tuesday and will be able to return to action for the first half of a back-to-back set Wednesday. Jalen Smith (heel) is also available, so the Pacers' frontcourt will be back to full strength. Turner has averaged 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 27.4 minutes per game over his last five appearances.

Bitadze isn't in the starting five for Wednesday's game versus the Heat.

Wendell Carter will replace Bitadze in the starting lineup Wednesday after missing the last 20 games with a fractured finger. Bitadze has averaged just 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 3.3 minutes across his previous three appearances coming off the bench this season. However, Carter will be on a minutes restriction against Miami, and Bitadze will likely split backup center minutes with Moritz Wagner.

Carter (finger) will start Wednesday's game against the Heat.

Carter will slide right into the starting lineup during his return from a 20-game absence due to a fractured finger on his left hand. Goga Bitadze will shift to the bench but should still garner a solid backup role, as Carter is expected to have a minor minute restriction for a few games.

Clarke (Achilles) said Wednesday that he expects to make his season debut around the NBA All-Star break, which begins Feb. 16, Marc J. Spears of ESPN.com reports.

Clarke has yet to make season debut after tearing his left Achilles in March of 2023 and undergoing surgery. However, he posted a story on his personal Instagram on Wednesday, showing him making a "rehab milestone" by dunking a basketball. With Steven Adams (knee) out for the season, Clarke could carve out a sizable role for himself in Memphis' rotation when he returns.