Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is available for Monday's game against the Bulls despite continuing to manage a hamstring issue. He missed the second half of Saturday's back-to-back set. Williamson has played in just two games since returning from an eight-game absence due to the hamstring injury, averaging 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.0 steals in 29.5 minutes per game in those appearances.
Herbert Jones (New Orleans Pelicans) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Bulls due to a right calf strain, marking his second consecutive absence. His next opportunity to play will be Wednesday against the Grizzlies. With the 27-year-old forward sidelined, Micah Peavy, Saddiq Bey, and Jordan Hawkins are expected to see increased minutes.
P.J. Washington (Dallas Mavericks) is not listed on the injury report for Monday's game against the Heat and is set to return to action. He exited Saturday's loss to the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter due to a low-back issue. Over his last five games, Washington has averaged 15.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks in 33.0 minutes per contest.
Dereck Lively (Dallas Mavericks) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Heat due to right foot injury management. This marks his second consecutive absence. With the third-year center sidelined, Moussa Cisse and Dwight Powell are candidates for increased minutes behind Daniel Gafford.
Donovan Clingan (Portland Trail Blazers) has shed his questionable tag due to a sprained left ankle and will start Sunday's game against the Thunder. Over his last five appearances, the second-year center has averaged 14.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.8 blocks across 27.2 minutes per contest.
Anthony Davis (calf) is listed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Heat. The 32-year-old star big man is expected to miss his 14th consecutive contest due to a strained left calf, with the Dallas Mavericks continuing a cautious approach. With Davis likely sidelined, Daniel Gafford, Moussa Cisse, and Naji Marshall are candidates for increased playing time.
Landry Shamet (right shoulder sprain) has been been ruled out for Monday's game against the Nets. The 28-year-old New York Knicks swingman sustained the injury in Saturday's loss to the Magic and is expected to undergo further evaluation. He is considered doubtful for Wednesday's game against the Hornets. Miles McBride, Jordan Clarkson, and Josh Hart are candidates for increased minutes while Shamet is sidelined.
Jaren Jackson (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Nuggets. He could miss a third consecutive game due to a right ankle sprain. If Jackson is unable to play, Santi Aldama and Vince Williams are expected to see increased roles for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Jaden Ivey is listed as probable for Monday's game against the Pacers due to reconditioning. He made his season debut Saturday against the Bucks, posting 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two assists, one rebound, and one steal across 15 minutes off the bench, after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-October and missing the first 15 games. The 23-year-old guard is expected to face heavy restrictions if cleared to play Monday.
Onyeka Okongwu will start Sunday's game against the Hornets, as Kristaps Porzingis (rest) sits out the second leg of Atlanta's back-to-back set. In his previous six starts this season, Okongwu averaged 20.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.7 steals in 34.3 minutes per game.
Collin Sexton is in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Hawks, marking his 10th start of the season. This opportunity comes as LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Brandon Miller (shoulder) are sidelined. In his nine previous starts, Sexton has averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 2.7 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game.
Wendell Carter (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Celtics, as reported by Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. The Orlando Magic center will miss his first game of the season, sitting out the second half of a back-to-back due to a left ankle sprain. In Carter's absence, Goga Bitadze is expected to step into the starting center role for the Magic.
Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks. The rookie big man sustained a sprained left ankle during Saturday's loss to the Clippers and will miss the second half of the Hornets' back-to-back set. In his absence, Moussa Diabate is expected to enter the starting lineup, with Mason Plumlee also likely to see increased minutes. Kalkbrenner's next chance to play is scheduled for Wednesday against the Knicks.
Golden State Warriors' Al Horford will miss at least three games due to sciatica, a nerve issue. His next opportunity to play will be against the Thunder on Tuesday, Dec. 2. With the veteran big man sidelined, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis are candidates for increased playing time. Over his last five appearances, Horford averaged 6.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks in 22.2 minutes.
Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has missed five games due to bilateral patellar tendinitis, with coach Steve Kerr expressing uncertainty about his return timeline. Kerr noted Kuminga is "not moving well" and didn't participate in drills as hoped, suggesting the injury is "worse than we thought." Kerr mentioned possibly getting imaging done. Kuminga, who reportedly felt like a "scapegoat" after a recent role change, hasn't played since November 12. He's averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 13 games this season. The Warriors are 2-3 in his absence.
Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (foot) is questionable for Monday's game against the Jazz. Green, who had been dealing with an illness, is now managing a foot injury that leaves his status uncertain. If he joins Al Horford (sciatica) on the sidelines, Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis would be in line to cover the center minutes for the Warriors.
Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton is cleared to play in Sunday's game against the Raptors, overcoming a left elbow sprain for which he was previously listed as probable. This follows his first career triple-double performance on Friday against the Celtics. Over the Nets' last five games, Claxton has averaged an impressive 15.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.0 blocks, showcasing strong all-around play.
Miami Heat's Norman Powell delivered a stellar performance in Sunday's 127-117 win over the 76ers, tallying 32 points (11-18 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 6-9 FT), four rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 29 minutes. This marks his third 30-plus point game this season. In his debut year with the Heat, Powell is averaging 24.9 points on 49.1% shooting, 45.6% from three, and 90.4% from the line, consistently reaching double figures in all 13 appearances.
Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant will miss Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns and Wednesday's NBA Cup game against the Golden State Warriors due to an unspecified family matter. He is expected to rejoin the team for the second half of their road trip on Sunday against the Utah Jazz. In his first season with the Rockets, Durant is averaging 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He recorded 13 points and 8 rebounds in Friday's loss to Denver, which snapped Houston's five-game win streak.
The Memphis Grizzlies plan to sign guard Kobe Bufkin via a 10-day hardship exception, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Bufkin, a 2023 first-round draft pick, has played two games this season in the G League. This move comes as the Grizzlies are dealing with significant injuries.
