NBA Player News

The Mavericks announced Friday that Gafford (knee) is showing progress in his recovery and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford was diagnosed with a Grade 3 right MCL sprain in mid-February and was expected to miss at least six weeks. The big man seems to be on track in his recovery from the injury, and he could be available to make his return to the court by early April if he's able to increase his on-court work later this month. With Dereck Lively (ankle) and Anthony Davis (adductor) also out indefinitely, Kai Jones (quadricep) and Dwight Powell could end up seeing most of the minutes at center for the foreseeable future.

The Mavericks announced Friday that Lively (ankle) has progressed to individual court week after a recent re-evaluation, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Lively remains without an official timetable to return to action, but he's going to be re-evaluated weekly. The second-year center hasn't played since Jan. 14 due to a right ankle stress fracture, and his absence has loomed large while the Mavericks remain without Anthony Davis (adductor) and Daniel Gafford (knee) due to long-term injuries. All three of the big men look to be multiple weeks away from playing again.

Sengun ended with 22 points (11-14 FG, 0-3 FT), six rebounds, eight assists, one block and three steals across 36 minutes during Thursday's 109-97 win over New Orleans.

The fourth-year center led the Rockets in scoring as he topped 20 points for the sixth time in his last seven appearances. During that span, Sengun is averaging 22.9 points, 10.3 boards, 5.0 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 53.0 percent from the floor.

Claxton closed Thursday's 121-119 loss to Golden State with eight points (4-7 FG), nine rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and two steals over 30 minutes.

The 25-year-old center has never recorded a triple-double in his career, but Claxton came within a bucket and a board of doing just that Thursday while setting a new personal best in assists. He remains a force on the defensive end of the court, recording multiple blocks and steals for the fourth time in his last 10 appearances -- a stretch in which Claxton is averaging 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.7 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting 51.0 percent from the floor.

Collins accumulated three points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), two rebounds and one block in 12 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 125-123 victory over the Magic.

Collins was limited to just 12 minutes as a result of fouling out, bringing to an end his recent productive stretch. While this was a night to forget, Collins has been playing his best basketball of the season, slotting in as the starting center with Nikola Vucevic sidelined with a calf injury. Until Vucevic is cleared to return, expect to see Collins running with the starters.

Okongwu notched 20 points (7-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 34 minutes in Thursday's 124-118 win over Indiana.

Okongwu held things down in the paint for Atlanta in Thursday's contest, leading all Hawks players in rebounds while finishing as one of three players with 20 or more points in a double-double performance. Okongwu has tallied at least 20 points and 13 boards in four contests this season and has recorded a double-double on 17 occasions.

Robinson (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against the Lakers, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.

Robinson will be available for this matchup against a red-hot Lakers team, but he'll be coming off the bench since OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns will start in the frontcourt. Robinson is averaging 5.0 points, 3.7 boards and 0.3 blocks per game in his three appearances this season, though he's started only once, and it happened in a contest during which Towns was out.

Bassey (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.

Bassey will miss his sixth consecutive contest while he deals with an acute-on-chronic bone bruise in his left knee. His next chance to feature will come Sunday against Minnesota. The Spurs will lean on a combination of Bismack Biyombo, Jeremy Sochan and Sandro Mamukelashvili at center due to Bassey and Victor Wembanyama (shoulder) being sidelined.

Jones (quadricep) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.

Jones missed Wednesday's loss against the Bucks and will now miss a second consecutive game due to a left quad strain. The Mavericks will continue to rely on Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards to fill minutes at center.

Queta is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the 76ers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

The Celtics will rest most of their regulars, except Derrick White and Jayson Tatum, so they're tweaking the starting five considerably. Queta will start in the frontcourt alongside Luke Kornet, though how many minutes he'll end up seeing remains uncertain.