NBA Player News

Drummond will return to the bench for Thursday's game against the Warriors, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Joel Embiid (knee) is back and starting, and Drummond will shift back to a reserve role, so his value will dip. As a member of the second unit this season, Drummond has registered averages of 5.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

Embiid (knee) is listed as available for Thursday's game against the Warriors, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Embiid was initially listed as doubtful for Thursday's game but was bumped to questionable after going through shootaround, and now, he has been cleared to play. This is the first half of a back-to-back set, and given Embiid's history with his knees, fantasy managers can expect him to sit out Friday's matchup in Milwaukee. In his only appearance since Nov. 8, Embiid posted 18 points (6-14 FG), four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 30 minutes during a 142-134 loss to Atlanta.

Horford (back) is listed as available for Thursday's game against the 76ers, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Horford will suit up Thursday after missing his past four games due to sciatica. With Stephen Curry (quad) and Jimmy Butler (knee) banged up, more opportunity could be in line for Horford, although he has played just 21.8 minutes a game this season and is coming off an injury.

Nurkic (ribs) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Nets.

Utah will hold Nurkic out of the front end of a back-to-back set after he picked up a rib contusion. Kyle Filipowski should be the main beneficiary, while Taylor Hendricks and Kyle Anderson are also candidates for increased minutes given Nurkic's absence.

Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game in Oklahoma City.

Gafford was forced out of Wednesday's game after aggravating his right ankle, so he feels a bit closer to doubtful for Friday's match, with that game being the first of a back-to-back set. If Gafford can't give it a go, that would open up some more minutes for Dwight Powell.

Kornet is questionable to play Friday in Cleveland due to left ankle soreness, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

The Spurs have had a rather intensive travel schedule over the past week, playing four games in six nights, and all the miles are beginning to take a toll on the 30-year-old veteran. If Kornet does need to take a maintenance day Friday, that would open up some more minutes for Jeremy Sochan and Kelly Olynyk.

Williams (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pistons.

It's slightly concerning to see the veteran center on the injury report after he missed Wednesday's game against Cleveland due to knee injury management. It's worth noting Friday is not the front end of a back-to-back. Duop Reath would likely handle a couple more backup center minutes if Williams is out.

Kalkbrenner is questionable for Friday's game against the Raptors with a left ankle contusion.

Head coach Charles Lee said Kalkbrenner sprained his left ankle after Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the Knicks, so the fact that the rookie big man is tending to a contusion instead is an encouraging sign. If Kalkbrenner has to sit out, Moussa Diabate and Mason Plumlee would be in line to split the center minutes.

Clingan (leg) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pistons.

After missing Sunday's loss to the Thunder due to an illness, Clingan appeared in both halves of Portland's recent back-to-back set. He was also listed as questionable for Wednesday's win in Cleveland due to this lower leg issue, but he ended up suiting up, posting five points, 13 rebounds and a block in 25 minutes.

Porzingis (illness) is questionable for Friday's game versus the Nuggets, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Porzingis has missed the past four games due to an illness, but it appears he's finally feeling better and could get out there Friday night. He'll likely be a game-time call, but if he can play, Onyeka Okongwu would head back to the second unit and Mouhamed Gueye's minutes would dip.