NBA Player News

Richards will start Monday's game against the Heat.

With Mark Williams (back) sidelined again, Richards will draw another start. When Richards has played at least 18 minutes this season (nine times), he's averaged 11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.

Embiid (knee) will start Monday's game against the Wizards.

Embiid was trending in the right direction despite being listed as questionable. The reigning MVP has scored at least 30 points in seven straight appearances, averaging 35.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.1 steals during that stretch.

Bagley (back) has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Pacers.

As expected, Bagley has been downgraded from doubtful to out and will join Jalen Duren (ankle) on the sidelines. James Wiseman and Isaiah Stewart should see the majority of playing time at center in Bagley's absence.

Coach Erik Spoelstra said Monday that Adebayo (hip) doesn't have a return timetable, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

Adebayo will miss a fourth straight game Monday and will likely remain sidelined for at least a few more. He traveled with the team to Charlotte, but Spoelstra said not to read into that. Following Monday's matchup, the Heat will travel home for a rematch against the Hornets before back-to-back contests against the Bulls on Thursday and Saturday. Given Spoelstra's comments, Adebayo can likely be considered doubtful for all those matchups, barring a return to practice soon.

Williams (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Heat.

Williams was considered doubtful for Monday's matchup, so it isn't very surprising to see him ruled out for the second time in the last three games. Nick Richards, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges are all candidates to see larger roles against Miami.

Bassey has been ruled out for Monday's matchup against Denver due to a left knee injury, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Bassey held an inconsistent role to start the season, appearing in 19 straight contests and averaging 10.7 minutes per game. He was sent to the G League at the beginning of December to get more consistent playing time, but he appears to have suffered an injury. Bassey's next chance to suit up will come Wednesday versus the Lakers.

Gafford (hip) won't play in Monday's game versus the 76ers.

Washington's starting center will miss his first game since Nov. 1 due to a bruised right hip, but he'll be day-to-day going forward, with his next chance to play coming Wednesday versus the Pelicans. The Wizards are thin in terms of frontcourt depth, so Gafford's absence Monday may open up more minutes at center for Danilo Gallinari and Mike Muscala.

The Knicks announced Monday that Robinson will undergo surgery on his left ankle and will be re-evaluated in 8-to-10 weeks.

This is a huge blow for the Knicks as they lose their starting center until at least early February. Robinson, who holds averages of 6.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, left Friday's loss to Boston in the first half but briefly returned in the second half, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes. His fantasy managers will take a hit in boards and blocks while they wait for his return. In Robinson's absence, the Knicks will likely turn to Isaiah Hartenstein to step into Robinson's spot in the starting lineup. Jericho Sims hasn't been in the rotation much this season, but he could get a chance as the primary backup with Robinson out for the foreseeable future.

Embiid (knee), who is questionable for Monday's game against the Wizards, participated in Philadelphia's morning shootaround, Gina Mizell of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Embiid tweaked his knee during Friday's win over Atlanta, and his status for Monday's game is up in the air. However, his participation in shootaround is encouraging, especially after he was a full participant in Sunday's practice session. The 29-year-old will presumably be monitored in the hours leading up to tipoff, but he seems to be trending in the right direction.

The Pistons announced Thursday that Duren will be re-evaluated in two weeks after he suffered a left ankle sprain in Wednesday's 116-102 loss to the Grizzlies, Omari Sankofa II of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Shams Charania of The Athletic initially reported Thursday that Duren was expected to miss two weeks due to the ankle injury, but the Pistons relayed later that day that the two-week mark was merely the point in which the second-year center would be re-evaluated. As a result, fantasy managers who are holding Duren while he recovers from his injury should brace for the possibility that his absence stretches into the final week of December, if not January. While Duren was out for the Pistons' most recent game Friday versus Orlando, Marvin Bagley started at center but exited with a back injury and is now listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Pacers. The Pistons could turn to Isaiah Stewart and James Wiseman to fill most of the minutes at center versus Indiana.