NBA Player News

Cisse (illness) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Bucks.

Cisse is trending toward missing a second consecutive game while battling through an illness. His absence Sunday would leave Dwight Powell as the lone backup big man behind Daniel Gafford. Cisse has averaged 7.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over 16.8 minutes per game over his last six outings.

Horford (toe) is available for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.

With Saturday's game being postponed to Sunday, Horford will end up playing in the first leg of a back-to-back set with Minnesota. Head coach Steve Kerr said Sunday that Horford won't play in Monday's rematch against Minnesota, per Jack Borman of the Locked On Podcast Network. The veteran big man has averaged 7.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.2 blocks over 18.8 minutes per game over his last 10 outings.

The Raptors announced Sunday that Poeltl returned to Toronto to receive targeted pain relief treatment for his back injury and doesn't have an established timeline to return to the court, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Poeltl has been managing the back issue since the start of the season and hasn't played since suffering an aggravation of the injury Dec. 21. The Raptors noted that an update on Poeltl's status will be established once he resumes practicing, but at this point, he looks closer to week-to-week than day-to-day. Rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) and veteran Sandro Mamukelashvili should continue to handle expanded roles at center for as long as Poeltl is sidelined.

Gafford (ankle) racked up two points (0-1 FG, 2-2 FT), two rebounds, two blocks and one assist over 16 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 116-110 loss to the Lakers.

The 27-year-old center had missed the prior four games due to an ankle injury, and while Gafford was eased back into action, he managed to make an impact at the rim. With Anthony Davis (finger) likely out for another month or more and with Dereck Lively (foot) done for the season, Gafford should move back into the starting five eventually, but the Mavericks could be cautious with him on the second half of a back-to-back Sunday in Milwaukee.

Williams chipped in two points (1-1 FG), two rebounds and one block in 10 minutes during Saturday's 114-111 loss to the Bulls.

The rookie second-rounder has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the G League with the Maine Celtics, but he was given the opportunity to start Saturday while Neemias Queta -- who has been battling an illness as of late -- came off the bench. However, Williams played just 10 minutes in his first NBA start and was not on the floor for the entire fourth quarter, so there isn't a glaring need to pick up the Kentucky product off waivers as of yet.

The Clippers recalled Niederhauser from the G League's San Diego Clippers on Saturday.

Niederhauser is back with the Clippers ahead of Sunday's game versus the Nets, but he's unlikely to be part of the rotation since LA will have Ivica Zubac and Brook Lopez available at center. The rookie first-round pick will likely be headed back to the G League in the near future to see extended playing time.

Nurkic generated 17 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 10 rebounds, 12 assists, one steal and one block across 31 minutes of Saturday's 147-116 loss to Miami.

Nurkic became the eighth player in the NBA to post three triple-doubles this season, and he joins Nikola Jokic (knee) and Jalen Johnson as the only players in the association to have three consecutive triple-doubles this year. Nurkic's success hasn't exactly translated to wins -- Utah has lost two straight games by double-digits -- but it's certainly been a welcome sight for fantasy managers. Nurkic had one career triple-double before 2025-26, and it came during the 2018-19 season. In 36 games this season, Nurkic is averaging 11.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 blocks across 26.5 minutes per game.

Sarr amassed 24 points (11-19 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 37 minutes during Saturday's 119-115 loss to the Hornets.

The second-year center scored at least 15 points for a fifth straight game while recording at least one steal and one block in a third straight. Sarr has put together a solid January as he continues to emerge as a core piece of the Wizards' rebuild, averaging 16.9 points, 5.8 boards, 2.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.8 steals over 12 games this month.

Gafford isn't part of the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Lakers.

Gafford will be eased into action after a four-game absence, coming off the bench and backing up Dwight Powell. Despite his reserve role, expect Gafford to see significant run off the bench. In 29 appearances this season, Gafford is averaging 7.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 20.8 minutes.

Nurkic (illness) is available for Saturday's game against the Heat.

Nurkic will power through the illness and make himself available for Saturday's game. The 31-year-old veteran has been hot over the past two contests, posting a triple-double in back-to-back games.