NBA Player News

Raynaud exited to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Friday's game against the Suns due to an apparent left knee injury, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Raynaud grabbed at his left knee before limping to the locker room with 4:19 remaining in the final quarter. The big man required assistance getting to the back, so it appears unlikely he'll return in the final minutes of the fourth.

Sarr logged 19 points (8-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists and four blocks over 29 minutes during the Wizards' 119-99 win over the Nets on Friday.

Sarr was responsible for four of the Wizards' 10 blocked shots during Friday's win, and the second-year center has recorded at least four blocks in four of his last six outings. He is now averaging 2.4 blocks per game, which leads the league among qualified players ahead of Jay Huff (2.3) and Isaiah Stewart (2.0). In his second NBA season, Sarr is averaging 17.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 threes over 28.4 minutes per game while connecting on 50.4 percent of his field-goal attempts.

Horford (sciatica) is available for Friday's game against the Thunder.

As expected, Horford will shake off his probable tag due to right sciatic nerve irritation. The veteran big man has averaged 9.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 13.7 minutes per game across his last three outings. However, he's likely to see a bump in playing time Friday with Draymond Green (rest), Jimmy Butler (illness) and Jonathan Kuminga (back) sidelined.

Okongwu (laceration) has been cleared to return to Friday's game against the Knicks.

Okongwu received stitches for a laceration to his head and re-entered the game at the 6:32 mark of the second quarter. He logged 11 points and two rebounds over seven minutes prior to his exit late in the first quarter.

Okongwu exited to the locker room in the first quarter of Friday's game against the Knicks due to an apparent laceration, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Okongwu headed to the back with 1:02 remaining in the first quarter to treat a cut. If he's unable to return, Kristaps Porzingis and Asa Newell are candidates for increased minutes the rest of the way.

Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Nurkic was unable to play against the Clippers on Thursday due to a left toe sprain, but the veteran big man has a chance to return for Saturday's road contest. Kyle Filipowski would figure to start at center for a second consecutive game if Nurkic is unable to play.

Zubac (ankle) will be available for Saturday's game against the Celtics, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Zubac is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a Grade 2 left ankle sprain he sustained in a win over the Lakers on Dec. 20 and will suit up Saturday following a five-game absence. The veteran center was just recently cleared to return to on-court activities, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him operate under a minutes restriction against Boston. Still, his return will leave fewer minutes available for the likes of Brook Lopez and Yanic Konan Niederhauser.

Missi will start against Portland on Friday.

With Derik Queen (quadriceps) sidelined, Missi will join the starting five for the first time since Nov. 30. In six starts so far this season, the second-year center has averaged 6.2 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor in 23.0 minutes per contest.

Hall will start against the Bucks on Friday.

With Moussa Diabate (wrist) joining Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and Mason Plumlee (groin) on the shelf, Hall will get the starting nod for the first time in his NBA career. The two-way player has averaged 6.0 points and 4.5 rebounds across 16.0 minutes per tilt in his last two appearances, though he'll likely see a bump in playing time against Milwaukee.

Hukporti is in the Knicks' starting lineup against the Hawks on Friday, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Hukporti will draw the start for Friday night's game due to the absences of Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Hukporti made his last start against the Pacers on Dec. 18, when he tallied four points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 27 minutes.