NBA Player News

Sims is starting in Friday's game against the Timberwolves, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.

With Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist) out Friday, Sims will get the start at center for the Knicks. Sims has averaged 6.0 rebounds, 4.0 points and 1.0 assists in 19.1 minutes over four games as a starter this season, and Precious Achiuwa should also play a significant role off New York's bench against Minnesota.

Williams (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Bulls.

Seeing Williams on the injury report is always complicated, but the big man will be available and should handle his regular workload at center in what figures to be a promising matchup against the Bulls. Williams is averaging 18.6 points, 11.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game since the beginning of January.

Richards (recently traded) is not listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Pistons.

It sets the stage for Richards to make his Suns debut after being traded by the Hornets on Wednesday. Although Phoenix could be preparing to have Richards start once he gets acclimated to the system, it's unclear what role he'll play immediately with his new team. In any event, the 27-year-old big man has averaged 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 27.2 minutes over nine games as a starter this season, and his presence likely spells bad news for the playing time of veteran Mason Plumlee.

Nurkic (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pistons.

Nurkic will miss a sixth straight game for the Suns as he battles an illness. With the veteran big man still sidelined, the newly acquired Nick Richards could get some of his minutes along with fellow veteran big Mason Plumlee.

Drummond (toe) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Pacers.

Drummond has missed the last six games due to his toe injury. The veteran big man is trending toward returning to the floor against Indiana, and it couldn't come at a better time with Joel Embiid (knee) out at least seven to 10 days before being re-evaluated for swelling in his knee.

Sabonis racked up 20 points (8-13 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds, seven assists and one block across 38 minutes before fouling out of Thursday's 132-127 victory over the Rockets.

By now, seeing Sabonis record a double-double isn't much of a surprise, and the star big man also ended quite close to recording a triple-double. This was his 17th appearance with a double-double and at least seven dimes, emphasizing just how influential he can be on both ends of the court for the Kings.

Sengun racked up 21 points (8-15 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-7 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and four steals across 34 minutes during Thursday's 132-127 loss to the Kings.

The Rockets lost a high-scoring affair Friday, but Sengun had an impressive stat line en route to his third double-double across his last five appearances. He's notched 22 double-doubles and three triple-doubles this season, and he's firmly entrenched as one of the best big men in the Western Conference, particularly from a fantasy perspective, due to his impressive ability to rack up stats left and right.

Missi won't play in Friday's game versus the Jazz due to an illness.

Missi will miss just his second game of the season Friday due to a non-COVID illness. Daniel Theis and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Missi's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Utah.

Drummond (toe) fully participated in Friday's practice, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Drummond has missed Philadelphia's previous six contests due to a left toe sprain. While the 76ers have yet to release an injury report for Saturday's game versus the Pacers, coach Nick Nurse expects Drummond to be available, per Austin Krell of OnPattison.com.

Embiid continues to experience swelling in his surgically repaired left knee and will receive treatment before being re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Embiid had already missed the 76ers' last six games due to a left foot sprain and had been labeled as day-to-day, but his knee apparently flared up on him during the ramp-up process. It's yet another setback for the superstar big man, who has been limited to just 13 games all season. Guerschon Yabusele will likely continue to shoulder the load in the frontcourt during Embiid's absence, and Andre Drummond (toe) could also play elevated minutes once he's cleared to return from an injury of his own.