NBA Player News

Wagner (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the 76ers.

Wagner has yet to make his season debut as he continues recovering from a torn left ACL, and there's still no clear timetable for his return. While Wagner remains sidelined, Goga Bitadze stands to serve as the primary backup option at center.

Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Gafford, who entered Sunday listed as doubtful while managing a sprained right ankle, will officially miss his third straight game to start the season. His next opportunity to return will come Monday against the Thunder, with Dereck Lively set to continue handling the bulk of the center minutes in Gafford's absence.

Missi (ankle) was a full practice participant Sunday, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Missi exited Wednesday's season opener against the Grizzlies with a right ankle injury, which kept him sidelined for Friday's matchup with the Spurs. The big man's return to practice is an encouraging sign that a return could be near, with his next opportunity to play coming Monday against the Celtics.

Valanciunas supplied 12 points (4-10 FG, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds and one assist across 13 minutes during Saturday's 133-111 win over the Suns.

Valanciunas didn't play heavy minutes but was active when on the floor, finishing in double figures and tying for the third-most shot attempts on the team while making his presence felt on the glass. The veteran big man isn't challenging superstar Nikola Jokic for the starting job anytime soon, but Valanciunas has been a steady and productive contributor in his backup role so far this season.

Drummond posted seven points (3-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 16 minutes during Saturday's 125-121 victory over the Hornets.

Drummond maximized his minutes, pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds while anchoring the paint. The veteran big man played just three minutes in the 76ers' season opener Wednesday but saw an expanded opportunity Saturday, logging more time than fellow reserve Adem Bona. With Dominick Barlow (elbow) exiting early and Joel Embiid on a minutes restriction to open the year, Drummond could see steady involvement if he continues to produce effectively in the interior.

Vucevic totaled 15 points (5-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, two assists and one block across 31 minutes during Saturday's 110-98 win over the Magic.

Vucevic had a smaller offensive role Saturday, attempting just seven shots to tie for fifth most on the team, but he maximized his opportunities with efficient shooting, including perfect marks from three-point range and the charity stripe. The veteran center remains one of the league's most dependable producers, having averaged a double-double in seven consecutive seasons entering this year and 11 times across his career overall.

Jackson totaled three points (1-4 FG, 1-1 FT), five rebounds and one block across 12 minutes during Saturday's 128-103 loss to Memphis.

After starting Indiana's season opener, Jackson shifted to a backup role during the loss to the Grizzlies on Saturday. He did play four more minutes in this one, but that could have been a result of game script with Memphis up by as much as 30 at one point. Jackson is coming off an Achilles tear he suffered in November last season, so it's likely the Pacers will ease him into a bigger workload as the season progresses.

Wiseman provided four points (2-3 FG), four rebounds and one block across 20 minutes during Saturday's 128-103 loss to Memphis.

After not playing during Indiana's season opener, Wiseman started and played 20 minutes in their loss to Memphis on Saturday. Four Pacers centers received minutes in the blowout defeat, and that trend could certainly continue in their road matchup against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

Landale notched eight points (3-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes during Saturday's 128-103 victory over the Pacers.

Landale started his third consecutive game for the Grizzlies en route to grabbing a season-high eight rebounds. The 30-year-old veteran tied Santi Aldama to lead Memphis in rebounding, and it seems like the starting center job is his to lose as long as Zach Edey (ankle) remains sidelined.

Embiid finished Saturday's 125-121 victory over the Hornets with 20 points (7-11 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 3-5 FT), two rebounds, four assists and two steals over 20 minutes.

Following a four-point outing (1-9 FG, 0-4 3PM, 2-2 FT) in the season opener, Embiid bounced back with 20 points on an efficient 7-for-11 from the field. The 31-year-old has played 20 minutes in each of the Sixers' first two contests to start the year, and it's no surprise the team is taking a cautious approach with the star center. He's expected to suit up for Monday's home tilt against Orlando.