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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Thursday, March 12

Ayo Dosunmu Questionable for Friday's Game Against Warriors

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Ayo Dosunmu is questionable for Friday's game versus the Warriors due to a thumb injury. Dosunmu sat out Wednesday's loss to the Clippers, which resulted in increased minutes for Terrence Shannon and Kyle Anderson. The team will likely rely on similar rotations if he is unable to suit up on Friday.

Lauri Markkanen Remains Out for Friday's Game Against Trail Blazers

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Lauri Markkanen will not play Friday versus the Trail Blazers due to a hip injury. Markkanen is expected to be re-evaluated soon, but his status remains week-to-week as he has been ruled out 24 hours in advance of tipoff. The Jazz have not provided a specific timeline for his return to the court.

Darius Garland Ruled Out for Friday's Game Against Bulls

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Darius Garland is out for Friday's game against the Bulls due to left toe injury management. Garland will take a seat after playing in three straight games for the Clippers. The team has shown a tendency to start Kris Dunn at point guard when Garland is unavailable, so that option should be expected for Friday's contest.

Rayan Rupert Set to Start Thursday Against Dallas

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Rupert will enter the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Mavericks. In his previous start this season, he logged 32 minutes, finishing with five points, five rebounds, two steals, and one turnover. With several teammates sidelined due to injury, Rupert is expected to see significant playing time as part of a depleted Grizzlies rotation.

Javon Small to Start and See Increased Role Against Mavericks

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Small will start for the Grizzlies on Thursday against Dallas. With Memphis limited to only eight available players, Small is expected to handle a heavy workload. Across two previous starts this season, he has averaged 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 triples, and 1.0 steals per game.

Dwight Howard Officially Retires After 18-Year NBA Career

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Hall of Famer Dwight Howard has officially retired from basketball, 1,434 days after his final NBA appearance. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year and 2020 champion finished with career averages of 15.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks. Amidst personal legal challenges, Howard announced his retirement on social media, noting he plans to focus on family and community work. A career documentary is scheduled for release later this year.

Cedric Coward Ruled Out for Thursday's Game vs. Mavericks

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Coward will sit out Thursday's game against Dallas due to a knee injury. He is expected to return for Friday's matchup against the Pistons. With Coward unavailable, the Grizzlies will rely on Jahmai Mashack, Javon Small, and Rayan Rupert to absorb the extra minutes in the rotation.

Day'Ron Sharpe Out for Season Following Thumb Surgery

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Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Sharpe, who serves as the primary backup to Nic Claxton, has appeared in 62 games this season, averaging 8.7 points and 6.7 rebounds while leading the team with a 60.1 field goal percentage. He will undergo surgery to repair the ligament, with further updates expected following the procedure.

Nic Claxton Remains Primary Center Following Sharpe Surgery

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With backup center Day'Ron Sharpe ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, Nic Claxton remains the primary option at center for the Brooklyn Nets. Claxton will be expected to carry a heavier load in the paint as the team navigates the loss of their key reserve.

Walter Clayton Ruled Out for Thursday's Game vs. Mavericks

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Clayton has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Dallas due to an ankle injury. He was previously listed as doubtful and is currently considered questionable for Friday's game in Detroit. He joins a lengthy inactive list for Memphis, which includes Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen, and Cam Spencer.

Ty Jerome Sidelined for Thursday's Game Against Mavericks

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Jerome has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Dallas due to a calf injury. He was listed as doubtful entering the day, and his absence, along with other injuries to the Grizzlies' roster, will open up significant opportunities for players like Javon Small, Jahmai Mashack, and Rayan Rupert to see increased minutes.

Ryan Rollins Moves to Bench for Thursday's Game in Miami

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Rollins will move to a reserve role for Thursday's game against the Heat, with Kevin Porter replacing him in the starting lineup. As a bench player this season, Rollins has maintained averages of 14.2 points, 4.0 assists, 1.8 triples, and 1.7 steals per game.

Dyson Daniels Ruled Out Thursday with Left Toe Sprain

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Daniels will miss Thursday's game against the Nets due to a left great toe sprain. The injury snaps a historic run for the guard, who recently became the first player in NBA history to record at least 80 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists with fewer than five turnovers over a seven-game span. Considered day-to-day, Daniels is currently targeting a return for Saturday's contest against the Bucks.

Jonathan Kuminga Cleared to Return Against Brooklyn

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Kuminga is available for Thursday's game against the Nets after missing three games due to a left knee bone bruise. Acquired in a February trade with the Warriors, Kuminga has been highly productive in his limited time with Atlanta, averaging 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His return provides a significant boost to the Hawks' rotation as they look to extend their current seven-game winning streak.

Kel'el Ware Cleared to Start Against Milwaukee Bucks

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Ware has been cleared to return for Thursday's game against the Bucks after missing one contest due to a shoulder injury. He will immediately rejoin the starting lineup alongside Davion Mitchell, Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Bam Adebayo. As a starter this season, Ware has averaged 13.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game, and his return is expected to impact the rotation for teammates like Simone Fontecchio.

Tyler Herro Ruled Out for Second Straight Game with Quad Injury

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Herro will miss his second consecutive game on Thursday against the Bucks due to a quadriceps injury. He is currently considered questionable for Saturday's upcoming meeting with the Magic. In his absence, Davion Mitchell and Pelle Larsson are expected to continue filling the void in the Heat's backcourt rotation.

Ivica Zubac Returns to Starting Lineup for Pacers Debut Against Suns

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After being sidelined since February 2 with a left ankle sprain and traded from the Clippers, Ivica Zubac will make his debut for the Indiana Pacers in Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns. Zubac, who averaged 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds with the Clippers this season, is expected to be on a minutes restriction as he acclimates to the team. Coach Rick Carlisle has confirmed he will start immediately to bolster the Pacers' interior defense as the team looks toward next season.

Jay Huff Moves to Bench Role Following Zubac's Pacers Debut

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Jay Huff will move to the second unit for Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns due to the debut of newly acquired center Ivica Zubac. Huff's fantasy value is expected to take a hit with the change in rotation. As a reserve this season, Huff has provided solid production, averaging 6.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 three-pointers, and 1.7 blocks per game.

Justin Edwards Earns Starting Spot for Thursday's Game vs. Pistons

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Justin Edwards will make his sixth start of the season in Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. He joins a starting unit that includes VJ Edgecombe, Trendon Watford, Quentin Grimes, and Dominick Barlow. In his previous starts this season, Edwards has demonstrated reliable production, averaging 7.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest.

Trendon Watford Joins 76ers Starting Lineup Amid Injury Woes

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Trendon Watford is set to start Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. With Kelly Oubre sidelined for multiple weeks due to an elbow sprain, Watford has an opportunity to secure a consistent role in the first unit. Over six previous starts this season, Watford has averaged 9.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 24.0 minutes per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the field.