NBA Player News

Ayton tallied 25 points (10-10 FG, 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and one block over 33 minutes during the Lakers' 110-93 win over the Raptors on Sunday.

Ayton was perfect from the field during Sunday's win, with his lone miss coming from the charity stripe. He didn't seem bothered by a left knee injury that kept him out of Saturday's loss to the Trail Blazers, grabbing a game-high 13 boards en route to his 16th double-double of the season (and third over his last four outings). Ayton has averaged 11.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 blocks over 29.1 minutes per game since Jan. 2.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said after Sunday's 119-110 win over the Pelicans that Adams has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports reports. He posted five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes prior to leaving the game.

Udoka relayed that preliminary tests on Adams' ankle revealed no fracture, so the veteran center appears to have avoided a worst-case scenario after being forced out of Sunday's game in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, Adams appears likely to miss time, as he was barely able to put any weight on the ankle upon suffering the injury and required assistance to the locker room. He'll undergo further tests to determine the severity of the sprain. If Adams ends up missing action, Clint Capela could become a more frequent part of the rotation as a backup at center to Alperen Sengun.

Sengun posted 21 points (9-15 FG, 3-5 FT), eight rebounds, four assists, five steals and one block over 33 minutes during Houston's 119-110 win over New Orleans on Sunday.

Sengun tied a career high with five steals during Sunday's win and finished as the Rockets' second-leading scorer behind Jabari Smith (32 points). In his five outings since returning from a three-game absence due to a right ankle injury, Sengun has averaged 20.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.0 blocks over 33.9 minutes per game.

Landale ended with 21 points (9-11 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 23 minutes off the bench during Sunday's 126-109 win over the Magic in London.

Returning to the second unit after six straight starts, Landale didn't miss a step and put together his best scoring effort since Nov. 24. The 30-year-old center has played at least 20 minutes in all eight January games for Memphis with Zach Edey (ankle) and Brandon Clarke (calf) both in street clothes, a span where Landale's averaging 12.8 points, 8.0 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.1 combined steals and blocks.

Carter racked up 18 points (6-11 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in 33 minutes during Sunday's 126-109 loss to the Grizzlies in London.

For the first time this season, Carter produced multiple blocks and steals in the same game, and the four made three-pointers also tied his season high. The 26-year-old center has scored at least 13 points in five of his seven games in January, averaging 13.3 points, 8.0 boards, 2.9 assists, 1.3 threes and 1.0 blocks on the month so far.

Kleber is not in the Lakers' starting lineup against the Raptors on Sunday, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Kleber made his first start of the season during the Lakers' 132-116 loss to the Trail Blazers on Saturday, when he logged 11 points (4-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 21 minutes. He'll revert to the bench for Sunday's game due to the return of Deandre Ayton (knee).

Adams exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to an apparent left leg injury, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Adams appeared to suffer the injury while attempting to block a Zion Williamson layup attempt. Adams had to be helped back to the locker room, and if he's unable to return, he would finish with five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two assists over 27 minutes. Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela are candidates to play more in Adams' absence.

Williams (knee) won't play Sunday against Sacramento, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Williams was added to the injury report earlier in the afternoon due to left knee injury management, and he's since been downgraded to out. The big man's absence likely will open up some playing time for Yang Hansen behind Donovan Clingan.

Kalkbrenner is not in the Hornets' starting lineup against the Nuggets on Sunday.

Kalkbrenner started in Saturday's loss to the Warriors and finished with four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, three assists and two steals over 24 minutes. The rookie second-rounder will revert to the bench Sunday while Moussa Diabate reenters the Hornets' starting lineup following a one-game absence due to a hamstring injury.

Adams is starting Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

The Rockets have elected to move Adams into the starting five with Tari Eason (ankle) set to miss another matchup. Adams has been a strong rebounder in his last five appearances as a starter, averaging 8.8 rebounds in 27.6 minutes per game.