NBA Player News

Jokic is probable for Friday's game against Dallas despite low-back pain.

Jokic has had a dominant start to the 2023-24 season, averaging 26.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 33.2 minutes per game. Although he's managing a back issue, it seems unlikely that the injury will prevent him from suiting up Friday.

The Grizzlies announced the signing of Biyombo to a one-year contract Thursday.

Shams Charania of The Athletic previously reported Saturday that Biyombo had agreed to terms on a deal with Memphis, but the Grizzlies weren't able to formally add the veteran center to the 15-man roster until the team completed its fifth game of the season Wednesday. Biyombo is joining the roster via an exemption that the league has allotted to the Grizzlies while guard Ja Morant serves a 25-game suspension to open the season. Though Biyombo is essentially taking Morant's spot on the roster, his addition is more about the Grizzlies looking to shore up their frontcourt with Steven Adams (knee) sidelined for the season and Brandon Clarke (Achilles) likely out until late in the campaign. Biyombo will be eligible to make his team debut Friday in Portland, and he could immediately have a spot in the rotation as the primary backup to starting center Xavier Tillman.

Claxton (ankle) is out for Friday's game versus the Bulls, Evan Barnes of Newsday reports.

Claxton will miss his fourth consecutive game Friday due to a left ankle sprain. Royce O'Neale and Ben Simmons should continue to see extended minutes in his absence. Claxton's next chance to suit up is Saturday, but coach Jacque Vaughn said the starting center would "probably not" play versus the Celtics.

Horford posted five points (1-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one block and one steal across 11 minutes during Wednesday's 155-104 home win over the Pacers.

Horford's services were generally not needed during Wednesday's blowout win. The 37-year-old, who has come off the bench in all four of Boston's contests, was able to enjoy most of Wednesday's victory from the bench. The Celtics are making an effort to reduce Horford's minutes, and the offseason addition of Kristaps Porzingis allows coach Joe Mazzulla to reduce Horford's time on the court. The Celtics now travel to Brooklyn for a Saturday night matchup. Should Nets center Nic Claxton (ankle) remain injured, Horford might once again play only minor minutes.

Drummond posted eight points (4-5 FG), three rebounds and two steals over 12 minutes during Wednesday's 114-105 loss to Dallas.

Drummond tied his season high for points in Wednesday's loss. The veteran big man is currently operating as Chicago's backup center, but his 13.8 minutes per game aren't enough to garner serious fantasy consideration.

Jackson provided seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, one assist and four blocks over 19 minutes during Wednesday's 155-104 loss to the Celtics.

Although the Pacers struggled to keep up with Boston on Wednesday, Jackson was productive on the defensive side of the ball with four blocks, matching the fourth-highest total of his career. Despite his defensive success Wednesday, the 21-year-old hasn't been a consistent part of Indiana's rotation early in the year and has struggled to find a role in closer matchups.

Gafford (ankle) was a partial participant in Thursday's practice session, Josh Robbins of The Athletic reports.

Gafford hasn't appeared in Washington's last two games due to a sprained left ankle, but it's encouraging that he got some work in during practice Thursday. It's not yet clear whether he'll be able to suit up for Friday's game in Miami.

Thompson accumulated six points (3-4 FG) and five rebounds in 13 minutes during Wednesday's 95-89 win over the Knicks.

Thompson wasn't part of the Cavaliers' rotation over the first two games of the season, but he played eight minutes during his season debut against the Pacers on Saturday and has now played double-digit minutes in back-to-back matchups. While it's been encouraging to see the veteran get some playing time, it doesn't appear as though he'll have a fantasy-relevant role during his first year back in Cleveland.

Kessler is probable for Thursday's game versus the Magic due to left elbow soreness, Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Kessler has yet to miss a game this season and is expected to play on the second leg of Utah's back-to-back Thursday. The second-year center is averaging 8.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 22.8 minutes per game across his first five appearances this season.

Yurtseven chipped in three points (1-2 FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds and one assist in seven minutes during Wednesday's 133-109 victory over the Grizzlies.

Yurtseven has had minimal playing time early this season but saw a handful of minutes during Wednesday's blowout victory. He made just nine appearances for the Heat last year while dealing with injuries and hasn't had a fantasy-relevant role with his new club.