NBA Player News

Powell is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Houston, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Powell will have a minutes restriction Friday, so his fantasy upside will remain limited despite the starting role. The veteran big man has averaged 4.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 0.5 blocks in 16.7 minutes over two games as a starter this season.

Powell is still on a minutes restriction for Friday's game versus the Rockets, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Powell has suited up in each of Dallas' last nine outings after missing 16 straight contests due to a right hip strain. Considering Powell has averaged 14.4 minutes a game over that span, it seems reasonable to assume his playing time will continue to hover around 20 minutes.

Ware is not in the Heat's starting lineup against the Celtics on Friday.

Ware has started in every game he has appeared in since Jan. 21. The rookie first rounder will shift to a reserve role Friday as head coach Erik Spoelstra goes with Bam Adebayo at the five with Jaime Jaquez and Andrew Wiggins rounding out the Heat's starting frontcourt.

Kornet is in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Heat on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

With Jaylen Brown (knee) out Friday, head coach Joe Mazulla has opted to go with a big starting frontcourt of Kornet, Al Horford and Jayson Tatum. It marks the fifth time Kornet will be in the starting five over Boston's last seven games. Kornet has averaged 5.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 blocks over 21.3 minutes per game since the All-Star break.

Jones (quadriceps) won't play in Friday's game versus the Rockets.

Jones will miss his sixth straight contest Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to a left quadriceps strain. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia.

Missi (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Spurs.

Missi is in jeopardy of missing his second consecutive contest due to the left ankle sprain that he sustained during Tuesday's win over the Clippers. The rookie big man was able to return during Tuesday's game, though he sat out Thursday's loss to Orlando. If Missi remains on the shelf, Karlo Matkovic and Mo Bamba are candidates for an uptick in playing time.

Porzingis (illness) is out for Friday's game versus the Heat, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official sitereports.

Porzingis will miss his eighth straight contest Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to an illness. Al Horford and Luke Kornet should continue to receive increased playing time in his absence. Porzingis' next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Brooklyn.

Horford (toe) is available for Friday's game against Miami, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.

Horford is good to go for the first half of Boston's back-to-back Friday, meaning he's unlikely to play Saturday against Brooklyn. With Kristaps Porzingis out with an illness against the Heat, Horford should stick in Boston's starting lineup. The veteran big man has averaged 11.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.1 three-pointers in 31.1 minutes while shooting 42.5 percent from downtown over his last eight appearances (six starts).

Drummond (toe) is out for Friday's game against Indiana, Ky Carlin of USA Today reports.

A left toe sprain will prevent Drummond from playing Friday. The veteran big man's next chance to suit up arrives Sunday against Dallas. Guerschon Yabusele should see the lion's share of the center minutes against the Pacers, and he's averaged 7.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 three-pointers in 25.5 minutes across his last nine outings.

Holmgren (rest) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pistons.

With the Thunder playing a back-to-back set this weekend, Holmgren will get the day off Saturday and should return for Sunday's contest against Milwaukee. Isaiah Hartenstein will likely re-enter the Thunder's starting lineup due to Holmgren's absence.