NBA Player News

Nurkic is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Magic.

With the Hornets missing Mark Williams (not injury related) and Moussa Diabate (eye) on Wednesday, Nurkic will draw the start at center while operating with a minutes restriction in his team debut. Nurkic averaged 9.5 rebounds, 8.8 points, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in 24.3 minutes over 23 games as a starter with the Suns this season.

Holmes is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.

Alex Sarr is returning from an ankle injury Wednesday, pushing Holmes to the bench. Holmes has averaged 4.0 rebounds, 3.9 points, 0.8 assists and 0.5 blocks in 11.5 minutes over 12 games off the Wizards' bench this season.

Capela (back) will be inactive for Wednesday's game against the Knicks, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Head coach Quin Snyder says Capela is ramping up and will continue to do so through the All-Star break following an extended absence with back spasms, which surprisingly rules the veteran big man out Wednesday despite having been omitted from Atlanta's injury report. His next chance to play comes Feb. 20 against the Magic. Onyeka Okongwu will hang on to enhanced fantasy value for at least one more game, as he's averaged 13.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks in 28.6 minutes over nine games with Capela unavailable this season.

Bagley (ankle) will not play Wednesday against the Clippers.

Bagley isn't quite ready to make his Memphis debut and remains without an official timetable to return. His next chance will come after the All-Star break.

Portland announced Wednesday that Ayton has been diagnosed with a left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

This is a brutal blow for Ayton and Portland, as this sidelines him through at least March 15th. The Trail Blazers are unlikely to be playing for much by that point, so he could miss additional time. Donovan Clingan will be a popular fantasy pickup in the meantime, and Robert Williams (knee) could emerge with some fantasy value once he gets healthy.

Tillman will not play Wednesday against the Spurs due to left knee inflammation.

Tillman was not on Boston's initial injury report, so this is apparently a new issue for the forward. Tillman has played just six minutes in one February appearance, however, so this news won't impact the rotation much.

Vucevic (ankle) has been listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.

Vucevic has popped up on the Bulls' injury report for Wednesday's game against the Pistons. The veteran big man is dealing with a left ankle sprain but will likely play against Detroit. The 34-year-old is averaging 19.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game for Chicago this season.

Sarr (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.

Sarr has been upgraded from questionable to available and will make his first appearance since Jan. 27. The rookie will likely face restrictions given his lengthy layoff, and this is Washington's final contest before the All-Star break. Over his nine appearances before the ankle injury, Sarr averaged 11.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.2 minutes per game.

Poeltl (hip) will not play Wednesday against the Cavaliers, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Poeltl will be sidelined for a fifth straight game Wednesday as he continues to rehab his hip injury. The center will have some extra time to heal up during the All-Star break, but for now, fantasy managers can consider him questionable for Feb. 21 against the Heat. Jonathan Mogbo will likely hold down the fort in the meantime.

Embiid (injury management) will not play Wednesday against the Nets.

No surprise here, as Embiid will be held out for maintenance on the second leg of this back-to-back set. During Tuesday's loss to Toronto, Embiid recorded 27 points (8-19 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 10-13 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal over 38 minutes. Guerschon Yabusele is likely to see the bulk of the center minutes Wednesday with Andre Drummond backing him up.