NBA Player News

Zubac ended with 16 points (7-10 FG, 2-3 FT), 14 rebounds and two assists in 39 minutes during Friday's 121-117 overtime win over the Raptors.

Zubac returned from a one-game absence with a sprained left ankle and immediately resumed his usual production, recording his 19th double-double of the season. The veteran big man has been a reliable presence on the glass, pulling down double-digit rebounds in 23 of 35 games, and is averaging 14.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 31.5 minutes per contest this year.

Embiid totaled 33 points (10-22 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 11-12 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one block in 33 minutes during Friday's 117-115 loss to the Cavaliers.

Embiid continued his strong run of play Friday, though it wasn't enough to lift the 76ers to a win. The big man has raised his level as of late, averaging 27.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 27.5 minutes per game over his past 10 appearances. While his three-point shooting has lagged at 25.3 percent from deep across 22 games this season, Embiid has otherwise been highly effective when on the floor.

Queen amassed 14 points (5-11 FG, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds and three assists over 28 minutes during Friday's 127-119 loss to the Pacers.

After finishing with just four points on 0-of-5 shooting in Wednesday's win over the Nets, Queen bounced back Friday. The rookie big man was one of six Pelicans players to score in double figures and has posted at least 10 points in four of his last five outings. Additionally, the Maryland product grabbed a game-best 12 boards, securing his fourth double-double in eight appearances this month. During that span, Queen has averaged 10.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists across 27.1 minutes per tilt.

Huff finished with 29 points (13-17 FG, 3-6 3Pt), nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals across 29 minutes during Friday's 127-119 victory over the Pelicans.

This was quite the bounce-back performance for Huff, who was held to just seven points across 16 minutes his last time out, as he set a new career-high in points while only missing four shots. Over the past six games, Huff has averaged 15.5 points per game on 67.2 percent shooting from the field and 100 percent at the stripe. He has also averaged 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 triples, 1.8 blocks and just 1.2 turnovers per contest during that span.

Sabonis is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus the Wizards, Brenden Nunes of KHTK Sactown Sports 1140 reports.

Sabonis will play Friday, but presumably to limit his minutes, he'll be working in a reserve role. Considering he's been out since mid-November, it wouldn't be shocking to see Sabonis operating with a minutes cap for at least the next few games.

Reid won't start against the Rockets on Friday.

Rudy Gobert is back in the lineup following a one-game suspension, so Reid will slide back to the second unit. Over seven outings (one start) so far this month, the 26-year-old big man has averaged 17.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 blocks across 25.9 minutes per tilt.

Sabonis (knee) is available for Friday's game versus the Wizards.

Sabonis will likely have some sort of minutes restriction in his first game back, but his return is bad news for the fantasy outlook of Maxime Raynaud. Precious Achiuwa also figures to take a hit with Sabonis back in the mix. Even with a minutes limit, Sabonis is a must-start player whenever he's active.

Ayton (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Ayton is managing left knee soreness that puts his availability in question for the first leg of the Lakers' weekend back-to-back. With backup center Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) also questionable, Los Angeles could be without its top two bigs Saturday. If both are sidelined, Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme would be candidates to handle frontcourt minutes.

Hayes is questionable for Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers due to left hamstring tendinopathy, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes is in jeopardy of missing his third straight game due to the lingering hamstring issue. If the big man is not cleared to play, Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme would likely see increased minutes, especially if Deandre Ayton (knee) is downgraded from questionable to out as well.

Lopez is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Raptors, NBA writer Justin Russo reports.

The veteran center drew a spot start Wednesday with Ivica Zubac (ankle) sidelined, but Lopez will return to a reserve role now that Zubac is healthy. In his last five games off the bench, Lopez has averaged 3.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 blocks in 16.8 minutes per contest.