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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Derrick White recorded 29 points (11-26 FG, 5-17 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks across 42 minutes in Saturday's 100-95 loss to the Spurs. White was Boston's best player, finishing just one rebound shy of a double-double. He recorded at least two tallies in each of the five major categories, an impressive feat he has achieved seven times this season.
De'Aaron Fox posted 21 points (9-16 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal across 36 minutes in Saturday's 100-95 win over the Celtics. Fox co-led the Spurs in scoring and led the team in assists, ranking second in rebounds. He surpassed the 20-point mark after not doing so in his previous three outings. This was Fox's eighth game with at least 20 points and six assists this season.
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back soreness) returned to action Saturday against the Heat after missing Thursday's game. He led the Pacers with 29 points (10-16 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 5-6 FT), adding nine assists, six rebounds, and two steals in 29 minutes in the 123-99 win. This marks his second 20-plus point game in his last three appearances, and he's averaged 21.3 points, 10.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals over his last three outings. He's having a career-best season, averaging 17.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game.
Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schröder received a three-game suspension for attempting to strike Lakers star Luka Dončić in a Crypto.com Arena hallway following their Dec. 28 game. Dončić reportedly trash-talked Schröder during the game about a past fumbled contract offer. Schröder, who commented "Attempting 👀 🤣" on Instagram, will miss games against the Rockets, Lakers, and Knicks, becoming eligible to return Jan. 16 vs. the Wizards. He is averaging 13 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.7 rebounds this season, scoring double figures in his last 11 contests.
Ryan Kalkbrenner (sprained left elbow) is available to return for Saturday's game against the Jazz after a 10-game absence, but will come off the bench. This marks only his second non-start this season, with Moussa Diabate remaining in the starting five. The rookie center averaged 8.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks across 25.6 minutes per game this season. In his only prior bench appearance on Dec. 3, Kalkbrenner recorded 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 25 minutes. His return is expected to impact minutes for Diabate and PJ Hall.
LaMelo Ball is starting against the Jazz on Saturday, returning to his regular role as the Hornets' starting point guard. His previous bench appearance was solely for maintenance reasons. Over his last five games, Ball has averaged 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per game, signaling his full return to form for Charlotte.
Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić was reportedly the player Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schröder attempted to strike in a post-game hallway confrontation on Dec. 28, resulting in Schröder's three-game suspension. Dončić had reportedly trash-talked Schröder during the game regarding a past contract offer. Dončić currently leads the NBA in scoring with 33.3 points per game, alongside 8.8 assists and 8.0 rebounds, though the Lakers hold an 8-8 record since December 1.
Corey Kispert is off the injury report and available to make his Atlanta Hawks debut Sunday against the Warriors. His trade to Atlanta was finalized Friday, making the sharpshooting veteran immediately available. Prior to the trade, Kispert averaged 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, shooting 39.5 percent from three in 19 games (two starts) with the Wizards. He is expected to provide an immediate boost to the Hawks' lineup.
CJ McCollum is off the injury report and set to make his Atlanta Hawks debut Sunday against the Warriors. The veteran guard was acquired via trade from Washington on Wednesday. In 35 regular-season appearances (all starts) with the Wizards, McCollum averaged 18.8 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.7 three-pointers in 30.9 minutes per contest. His availability is a significant boost for the Hawks' backcourt.
Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Wizards. He continues to recover from a hamstring injury and has not played since November 10. Despite making progress, he will miss Sunday's contest. Green's next opportunity to return to action will be on Tuesday when the Suns take on the Heat. He is working his way back and a return then is a possibility.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Bucks. He didn't play in Friday's blowout loss to the Hawks and has missed two of the Nuggets' last three games. Not having the star floor general would be significant for Denver, especially with Nikola Jokic (knee) also sidelined. Murray has been averaging 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game over his last 10 outings. If he's out Sunday, Jalen Pickett and Bruce Bowen are expected to see increased minutes at point guard.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is probable for Sunday's game against the Bucks due to a right hamstring strain. He was also probable before Friday's game against the Hawks but played, posting 14 points, nine rebounds, and five assists across 24 minutes. Gordon has not played more than 25 minutes since returning to the rotation on January 4, after missing 19 contests between November 22 and January 2 due to the same right hamstring strain. The probable tag suggests he should be able to play and handle a similar workload.
Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Kings. Eason will miss Sunday's contest after spraining his right ankle in Friday's loss to Portland. His next opportunity to play will come Tuesday against the Bulls. With the 24-year-old forward sidelined, Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith are candidates for increased playing time, while Jae'Sean Tate could potentially enter the Houston rotation.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Kings. Head coach Ime Udoka previously stated that Sengun would likely miss around two weeks due to a right ankle sprain. However, he now has a chance to return Sunday after missing Houston's past three games. If the star big man is cleared to play, he will likely be on a minutes restriction, which would reduce available minutes for Steven Adams and Clint Capela.
Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun is probable for Sunday's game against the Bucks due to a left ankle sprain. He didn't score a single point in the loss to the Hawks on Friday. While he's probable to suit up Sunday, the tag suggests he's likely to play. Braun has had a rough return to the lineup since coming back from an ankle problem three games ago, averaging just 2.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game during that span.
Washington Wizards guard Trae Young (quadriceps/knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Suns. He is still dealing with a right quadriceps contusion and is currently without a timetable for a return. The star point guard should be considered doubtful to make his Wizards debut against the Clippers on Wednesday. In the meantime, Bub Carrington, Malaki Branham, and AJ Johnson are candidates for increased playing time for the team.
Oklahoma City Thunder big man Chet Holmgren (shin) is not on the injury report and will be available for Sunday's game against the Heat. The star big man was one of several regulars who missed Friday's win over the Grizzlies, but he'll return for this contest and should handle his regular workload. Holmgren is averaging a robust line of 17.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game in four games since the beginning of January.
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (right soleus strain) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Heat, marking his eighth consecutive missed contest. Being ruled out a day in advance is not a positive sign for his return. His next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday against the Spurs.
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (right ankle sprain) has been upgraded to available for Saturday's game against the Pistons. He had been listed as questionable after tweaking his ankle during Friday's win over the Nets, where he posted 26 points, five rebounds, five assists, four threes, three steals, and one block in 28 minutes. Leonard has been in stellar form, averaging 29.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game over his last 17 contests since early December.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) is off the injury report and will be available for Sunday's game against the Heat. He returns after missing Friday's 117-116 win over the Grizzlies due to the ankle injury. His return provides a significant offensive boost for the Thunder, as the reigning MVP has been averaging 30.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game since the beginning of January.
