NBA Player News

Smith (face) exited Friday's 140-106 win over the Jazz in the third quarter and did not return, finishing with 18 points (6-16 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and one steal across 24 minutes.

Smith took a shot to the face in the third quarter and exited to the locker room. He joined his teammates on the bench shortly thereafter, though it's unclear if he was available to return to the blowout win. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's game against the Warriors.

Embiid contributed 19 points (6-17 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks across 34 minutes in Friday's 115-103 win over Minnesota.

Embiid stuffed the stat sheet in his return from a one-game absence due to an illness, securing his ninth outing with a double-double or better across 37 regular-season appearances. The star big man struggled with efficiency but finished as Philadelphia's fourth-leading scorer. He led the Sixers in rebounds and tied Dominick Barlow for the game-high mark in blocks. Additionally, Embiid dished out the second-most assists in the contest behind Tyrese Maxey (eight).

Knueppel accumulated 20 points (7-12 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, four assists and two steals over 30 minutes during Friday's 129-108 win over the Pacers.

Knueppel has been shooting the lights out over the past two games, compiling a total of 40 points and seven triples on 14-of-26 shooting from the field and 7-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc. He'll look to keep the hot shooting going Sunday in Minnesota.

Miller amassed 22 points (9-17 FG, 4-8 3Pt), six rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 30 minutes during Friday's 129-108 victory over Indiana.

Miller finished with a team-best plus-22 differential in the blowout win, and it was nice to see him bring some defensive statistics to the box score after he failed to do so in his previous outing. Miller has been hot over the past three games, scoring 21.3 points per game on 52.3 percent shooting from the field and 100 percent at the stripe to go with 3.3 assists, 3.7 triples and 0.7 swats per contest.

Ball contributed 18 points (6-15 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds, nine assists and two steals over 30 minutes during Friday's 129-108 win over the Pacers.

The Hornets have now won eight of their last 10 games and boast 18 victories of at least 20 points, a new franchise record. Ball has been balling since the All-Star break with averages of 20.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 4.0 triples, 1.3 steals and just 2.1 turnovers per contest, which has been good enough for top-30 value in 9-cat leagues.

Brown recorded 12 points (5-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and four assists across 28 minutes during Friday's 129-108 loss to the Hornets.

Brown has been playing well over the past four games, posting averages of 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.5 triples and 0.8 steals per contest. Siakam exited Friday's game with a back injury, so if he needs to sit out Sunday's meeting with the Cavaliers, Brown could see more shots falling his way.

Huff amassed 12 points (5-18 FG, 2-10 3Pt), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 24 minutes during Friday's 129-108 loss to the Hornets.

Huff set a new career high in shot attempts but made only five of them in the blowout loss. That said, Pascal Siakam left the game with a back injury, so if he can't play Sunday in Cleveland, Huff could be forced into a featured role on offense.

Siakam (back) supplied 30 points (13-24 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes during Friday's 129-108 loss to the Hornets.

Siakam rolled his left ankle and tweaked his back late in the game, which ended his evening prematurely. He didn't require a trip to the locker room, but this could be the sort of injury that swells up overnight, so don't be surprised if he pops up on the injury report ahead of Sunday's game in Cleveland. If Siakam needs to miss a game, Obi Toppin could get a start, and there would be more opportunities for Kobe Brown and Jay Huff on offense.

Ryan sustained a lip laceration that required stitches but is available to return to Friday's game against Boston.

Ryan checked out with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter, though he's available to return in the fourth for the shorthanded Bucks.

Mashack is doubtful to return to Friday's game against the Raptors due to neck soreness.

Mashack finished the second quarter but is unlikely to return during the second half. Adama Bal and Dariq Whitehead are candidates to pick up the slack while Mashack is sidelined.