NBA Player News

Okongwu supplied 18 points (6-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and one steal in 32 minutes during Friday's 121-98 loss to the Clippers.

Okongwu led the Hawks in scoring Friday, recording his 18th double-double of the campaign in the absence of Clint Capela (personal). It's been a breakout year for the 24-year-old big man, who's averaged 14.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, 0.8 steals and 0.7 three-pointers in 31.0 minutes in 12 games following the All-Star break.

Plumlee has been ejected from Friday's game against the Kings after being assessed a Flagrant 2 foul, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

It's the second game in a row that Plumlee has been ejected, this time for receiving a Flagrant 2 foul after elbowing Domantas Sabonis in the head and neck area while boxing out for a rebound. Plumlee will end the night with two points (1-3 FG), five rebounds, one assist and one steal over 16 minutes. Oso Ighodaro will likely see more minutes at center for the rest of Friday's game.

Valanciunas is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game the Suns.

With Domantas Sabonis returning from a hamstring strain Friday, it's not surprising to see Valanciunas shift back to the second unit. Over nine outings off the bench since joining the Kings, the veteran big man has averaged 8.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks in 16.0 minutes.

Sabonis (hamstring) is available for Friday's game against the Suns.

The Kings waited until shortly before the 10 p.m. ET tipoff to provide confirmation on Sabonis' status, but the star big man will be back in action following a six-game absence due to a left hamstring strain. With Sabonis set to take back his spot in the starting five, Jonas Valanciunas is expected to return to the second unit.

Kessler is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Toronto.

The Jazz didn't rule Kessler out for this contest, but the fact that he won't be starting suggests he might not even see the court at all, as noted by Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Kyle Filipowski, who has been one of the best players for Utah in recent weeks, will start at center.

Filipowski is in Utah's starting lineup against Toronto on Friday.

Filipowski will draw the start Friday as Walker Kessler is expected to be a DNP, per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. As a starter this season, Filipowski has averaged 12.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists over 26.4 minutes per game.

Sabonis (hamstring) will go through pregame warmups ahead of Friday's game against the Suns before the Kings decide if he will play, Chris Biderman of The Sacramento Bee reports.

Sabonis looks like a true game-time decision Friday as he works his way back from a left hamstring strain, which has kept him out for the last six games. Clarity on the star big man's status should arrive closer to the 10 p.m. ET tipoff. Jonas Valanciunas would continue to hold down the fort in the middle if Sabonis remains sidelined for another game.

Jokic (elbow/ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers.

Jokic was listed as probable, so the upgrade in status isn't surprising, as he hasn't missed a game since mid-January. The star big man, who's a strong candidate for the MVP award, is averaging 27.7 points. 14.8 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game across six appearances in March.

Richards (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Kings, Gerald Bourguet of GoPHNX.com reports.

Richards missed Wednesday's loss to the Rockets and will now sit out a second consecutive contest. The big man's next chance to play will come against the Lakers on Sunday, meaning Mason Plumlee should see the bulk of minutes at center as his replacement Friday.

Jemison (illness) is out for Friday's game against the Raptors, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Jemison was initially listed as questionable due to an illness, and in the end, the big man won't be able to suit up for this contest. His next chance to play will come against the Suns on Sunday, though given how packed the schedule has been for the Lakers in recent days, the rest could be beneficial for the big man.