NBA Player News

Wright went to the locker room in the first quarter of Wednesday's Game 5 against the Celtics after taking an elbow to the face. However, he'll be available to return after receiving stitches, the Heat announced.

Wright was elbowed in the chin as Jaylen Brown went up for a shot and ended up going back to the locker room after the play. He'll have stitches put on the inside of his lower lip/chin and will then return to the contest. Patty Mills and Duncan Robinson should see more minutes while Wright is absent.

Horford will enter the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against the Heat.

Horford played 34 minutes in Game 4 with Kristaps Porzingis (calf) going down with an injury in the first half. With Porzingis sidelined Wednesday -- and likely longer -- Horford will step into the starting center role, where he's expected to remain until Porzingis returns.

Wright will enter the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 5 against Boston, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Wright will enter the first unit in place of Jaime Jaquez (hip) for just his second start of the season. The guard has been a sizeable part of the rotation throughout the first-round series, averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 25.0 minutes per game, and should see an even larger workload Wednesday.

Beverley (oblique) is probable for Thursday's Game 6 against Indiana.

Beverley is dealing with an oblique injury once again, but he played through the issue in Tuesday's Game 5 and tallied 13 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block in 36 minutes. Damian Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup, so if Beverley is available, he'll likely have plenty of chances to contribute.

Middleton (ankle) is probable for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers.

Middleton sprained his right ankle in Game 2 but continues to play through the pain and will likely do so again Thursday. Over the last three matchups, Middleton has carried the Bucks, averaging 32.0 points, 10.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 40.3 minutes per game. With Damian Lillard (calf) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) both doubtful, Middleton should be in store for a hefty workload during Game 6.

Haliburton (back) is questionable for Thursday's Game 6 against Milwaukee.

Haliburton has also been on the injury report ahead of the last two matchups but suited up and averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game over those appearances. If he's available again Thursday as the Pacers attempt to clinch the series, he'll likely be able to handle a sizable workload.

Lillard (Achilles) is doubtful for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.

Lillard is listed as doubtful for a third straight matchup after aggravating a right Achilles injury during Game 3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is also doubtful, so Bobby Portis and Malik Beasley should remain in the starting lineup. The Bucks had a valiant effort in Game 5 at home to extend the series, led by Portis and Khris Middleton (ankle), but they still need to win back-to-back games to advance to the second round.

Antetokounmpo (calf) is doubtful for Thursday's Game 6 against the Pacers, Pat Boylan of Bally Sports Indiana reports.

Although the Bucks managed to keep their season alive Tuesday, they'll likely have to play without Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard (Achilles) once again as the series shifts back to Indiana on Thursday. Assuming he's unavailable for Game 6, it's unclear whether Antetokounmpo will be in the mix to return for a potential Game 7.

Robinson (ankle) is questionable ahead of Thursday's Game 6 matchup with the 76ers.

Robinson missed Game 4 due to an ankle issue but returned for Game 5 and logged 25 minutes. The big man has averaged 3.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 21.3 minutes during the opening-round series.

Embiid (knee) is questionable for Game 6 against the Knicks on Thursday.

Embiid has been listed as questionable for every game in this series so far, but he's yet to miss a game, so he feels much closer to probable. While the reigning MVP hasn't looked 100 percent, he continues to stuff the stat sheet and has averaged 31.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.2 steals in 41.8 minutes.