NBA Player News

Poeltl won't return to Monday's game against the Spurs due to lower-back tightness, Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic reports.

Poeltl exited to the locker room with 9:04 remaining in the final quarter and was ruled out for the remainder of the game shortly thereafter. The big man will finish with two points (1-6 FG), two rebounds, one assist and one block across 24 minutes. Sandro Mamukelashvili will likely see a bump in minutes the rest of the way with Poeltl sidelined. His next chance to play will come Wednesday against Houston.

Missi started Monday's game against the Celtics, per the broadcast.

It was initially reported that Saddiq Bey would get the starting nod at center, but Missi ultimately drew the start instead. He recorded five points (2-4 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 23 minutes during Wednesday's season-opening loss to Memphis. However, he sprained his right ankle against the Grizzlies and missed Friday's loss to the Spurs.

Okongwu won't start in Monday's game against the Bulls, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) back in action, Okongwu will retreat to the bench against Chicago. Over three regular-season appearances (two starts) this season, the big man has averaged 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 blocks in 32.7 minutes per game.

Missi won't start in Monday's game against Boston, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

The 21-year-old big man will return to game action after missing Friday's loss to the Spurs due to a sprained right ankle, though Saddiq Bey will get the starting nod at center. Missi sustained the ankle injury in Wednesday's season-opening loss to the Grizzlies, during which he recorded five points (2-4 FG, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 23 minutes.

Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Thunder, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Gafford has yet to make his season debut while dealing with a sprained right ankle. With both him and Dereck Lively sidelined Monday, Dwight Powell should step in to provide frontcourt depth behind Anthony Davis. Gafford's next opportunity to return will come Wednesday against the Pacers.

Lively (knee) won't play Monday against the Thunder, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

With Lively hitting the sidelines, Anthony Davis will likely slide over to center, which could allow D'Angelo Russell to finally move into the first unit. The Mavs play again Wednesday against the Pacers, and for now, Lively should be considered questionable for that one.

Towns (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.

Towns has been a mainstay on the injury report due to a right quadriceps strain, though he has yet to miss a game. If the star big man joins Mitchell Robinson (ankle) on the sideline against Milwaukee, Josh Hart, Ariel Hukporti and Trey Jemison are candidates for increased minutes, especially if Guerschon Yabusele (knee) is downgraded from questionable to out.

Robinson (ankle) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game in Milwaukee.

This will be the third straight game on the sidelines for Robinson with what the team is calling "left ankle injury management." Given we haven't received any positive update on Robinson recently, he should be considered doubtful for Friday's game in Chicago as well.

The Pacers waived Wiseman on Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

After tearing his Achilles tendon in Indiana's 2024-25 regular-season opener, Wiseman was traded to the Raptors in February before being waived. The big man re-signed with the Pacers in July to help bolster their frontcourt depth after losing Myles Turner in free agency. However, Wiseman couldn't capitalize on the opportunity and will now have to explore other opportunities. In a corresponding move, the Pacers signed Mac McClung to bolster their banged-up backcourt.

Adams is not listed in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Nets, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Adams started Houston's first two games of the season, but he'll head to the bench on Monday, with the Rockets opting to go small. Adams could move in and out of the starting unit throughout the season based on the matchup, but as a reserve, he's a far less attractive option in fantasy hoops.