NBA Player News

Okongwu totaled 13 points (4-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 5-7 FT), nine rebounds, four blocks and two steals in 30 minutes during Thursday's 108-97 victory over the Nets.

This was Okongwu's second straight game with four swats and nine boards, and he finished with a plus-six differential in the 11-point win. Okongwu is on pace to hit career highs in points (16.1), assists (3.3), triples (2.1) and steals (1.2) this season, and he's flirting with top-30 value on the year.

Claxton racked up eight points (4-6 FG, 0-2 FT), four rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes during Thursday's 108-97 loss to the Hawks.

This was Claxton's second straight game without any defensive statistics and his fourth consecutive single-digit scoring performance. He's been quiet over that four-game stretch, posting meager averages of 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest.

Duren logged 14 points (6-7 FG, 2-3 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and one block over 15 minutes during the Pistons' 131-109 win over the 76ers on Thursday.

Duren saw limited playing time due to foul trouble, but he was productive in the third quarter with nine points and six rebounds. Four of the five Pistons starters did not play in the fourth quarter, and despite playing just 15 minutes, Duren was able to record his 32nd double-double of the season, which is tied with Victor Wembanyama (ankle) for fifth most in the Association. Duren has averaged 21.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals over 27.2 minutes per game since the All-Star break.

The Jazz waived Bamba on Thursday, Kevin Reynolds of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.

Bamba went down with an illness and wasn't able to travel with the team on its upcoming three-game road trip, and Utah cut him. In two games with the Jazz, Bamba accounted for a total of 10 points, 20 rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two turnovers across 38 minutes.

Kleber is expected to miss additional time while recovering from a lumbar injury, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Kleber has already been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Bulls, and it sounds as though he's line for at least a few more absences while he tends to a lumbar issue. The 34-year-old can be considered week-to-week until the Lakers have a concrete timetable to share.

Kornet will start Thursday versus the Nuggets.

Kornet is getting the start with Victor Wembanyama (ankle) unavailable, and he'll be joined in the first unit by De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie. As a starter this season, Kornet has posted averages of 8.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per contest.

Wembanyama (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Nuggets, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.

Wembanyama tested out his right ankle injury during warmups, but he's simply not feeling healthy enough to give it a go. Luke Kornet and Kelly Olynyk are candidates to start in Wembanyama's place.

Ware is in the starting lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Bucks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ware is back and starting after a one-game absence, and he'll be joined in the first unit by Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis and Bam Adebayo. As a starter this season, Ware owns averages of 13.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.3 triples and 1.3 swats per contest.

Zubac is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Phoenix, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Zubac will be inserted right into the starting five for his first action since being dealt to Indiana. It's unclear as to how many minutes he may go Thursday, as he's spent a little over a month rehabbing from an ankle injury, but it's a great sign for the Pacers to get him out there on a night where a good chunk of the rotation is sidelined due to injury.

Huff will come off the bench for Thursday's game against the Suns, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

Ivica Zubac is making his Pacers debut Thursday evening, which will result in Huff heading to the second unit, where his value figures to take a hit. As a reserve this season, Huff has posted averages of 6.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 three-pointers and 1.7 blocks per game.