NBA Player News

Lively (hip) won't play in Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers.

Lively will miss a second straight contest due to a left hip bruise. Daniel Gafford started and logged 29 minutes in place of Lively on Friday and should remain in the first unit Saturday. With P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall suspended, Dwight Powell and Markieff Morris could also take on expanded roles.

Bol (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Bol will miss a fifth straight game due to a left knee contusion. Though he typically isn't a regular rotation piece, Bol could have cracked the rotation Saturday with Jusuf Nurkic serving the first game of his three-game suspension. Bol's next chance to play will come Tuesday against Memphis.

Porzingis (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Pacers, Jay King of The Athletic reports.

Porzingis is in danger of missing his second straight contest Sunday due to a left ankle sprain. If Porzingis is ultimately ruled out yet again, Al Horford will likely draw another start.

The NBA suspended Nurkic for three games for his role in an on-court altercation in Friday's 98-89 loss to the Mavericks.

The incident occurred with 9:02 remaining in the third quarter, when Nurkic committed an offensive foul that sparked a scuffle with Dallas' Naji Marshall in which Nurkic swung his arm and struck Marshall on the head. Nurkic, Marshall and Dallas' P.J. Washington were all ejected from the contest, and Marshall and Washington received four- and one-game suspensions, respectively. Nurkic will begin serving his ban Saturday at Golden State and won't be eligible to play until Jan. 6 against the 76ers. While Nurkic is sidelined, Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro should handle most of the minutes at center.

Fernando is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Hawks due to a toe injury, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Fernando hasn't made an NBA appearance since Dec. 12, when he logged just two minutes. Even if Fernando is ruled out, his potential absence won't impact Toronto's rotation.

Sabonis (illness) intends to play in Saturday's game against the Lakers, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.

Sabonis traveled separately from the rest of the team but participated in morning shootaround Saturday and intends to suit up against the Lakers. The 28-year-old missed Sacramento's previous game due to the illness and is officially listed as questionable Saturday. Assuming he's given the green light, expect Sabonis to replace Alex Len in the starting five.

Sabonis (illness) participated in shootaround ahead of Saturday's game versus the Lakers, Sean Cunningham of Fox 40 Sacramento reports.

Sabonis is officially listed as questionable Saturday after missing Sacramento's previous contest due to an illness. However, the star center's presence at shootaround is a good sign for his availability against Los Angeles.

Bitadze supplied 14 points (6-9 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal in 31 minutes during Friday's 108-85 loss to the Knicks.

Bitadze held things down in the paint for Orlando in Friday's contest, leading all Magic players in rebounds and blocks while tallying the lone double-double of the game. Bitadze has recorded a double-double in 12 outings this season, including in four of his last five appearances.

Drummond (toe) was downgraded to questionable for Saturday's game against the Jazz.

Drummond was initially labeled probable for the contest due to a sprained toe he sustained Monday. However, he's now questionable to play. It's unclear if Drummond suffered a setback, but it's certainly not a good sign for his availability. If he can't play, Guerschon Yabusele could see more action at the center spot while Adem Bona could crack the rotation.

Poeltl (groin) was a full participant in Saturday's practice and is deemed questionable for Sunday's game versus the Hawks, Josh Lewenberg of TSN.ca reports.

Poeltl is in danger of missing his fifth straight contest Sunday due to a bilateral groin strain. If the 29-year-old big man is ruled out yet again, Kelly Olynyk will likely draw another start. However, Poeltl's participation in practice is a good sign of his availability against Atlanta.