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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Reed Sheppard will start in Friday's game against the Trail Blazers with teammate Jabari Smith sidelined due to an ankle injury. As a starter this season across nine games, the second-year guard has averaged 16.0 points, 4.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 combined steals-plus-blocks in 31.7 minutes per game. Sheppard is expected to see significant usage as the Rockets navigate the second leg of their back-to-back set.
Jabari Smith has been ruled out for Friday's matchup against the Trail Blazers due to a right ankle sprain. This marks his third missed game over a four-game span. The 22-year-old forward's next opportunity to return to the court is Sunday against the San Antonio Spurs. In his absence, Reed Sheppard will move into the starting lineup, with Dorian Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie expected to see increased playing time.
Taylor Hendricks has been removed from the injury report and is set to return for Saturday's game against the Clippers. Hendricks missed Wednesday's loss to the Trail Blazers due to an illness. His return to the rotation will likely result in fewer minutes for teammate GG Jackson. While Hendricks has been inconsistent this season, he remains a potential option in deep fantasy formats for those seeking points and rebounds.
Ty Jerome (calf) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Saturday's matchup with the Clippers. Jerome is set to return from a maintenance day and should resume his usual minutes in a starting role, which will likely result in Javon Small heading back to the second unit. There will also be fewer minutes available for Walter Clayton and Cam Spencer following Jerome's return to the rotation.
Cedric Coward (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Clippers and is set to return to the lineup. The rookie first-rounder missed Wednesday's loss to Portland due to right knee injury management. His return will likely reduce available minutes for teammates like Jahmai Mashack, Javon Small, and Rayan Rupert. Coward posted 15 points in 21 minutes during his last appearance on Tuesday against Minnesota.
Santi Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Clippers. He will miss a 13th straight game while recovering from a right knee injury that he was initially cleared from Tuesday before being downgraded to out. His next chance to play is Monday against the Nets, though an updated recovery timeline for the fifth-year pro has not been provided by the Grizzlies.
Baylor Scheierman has transitioned to a bench role for the Celtics following the return of Jayson Tatum to the starting lineup. Scheierman, who started 16 games this season, is expected to maintain meaningful rotation minutes, particularly with Jordan Walsh sidelined due to illness. Since the All-Star break, Scheierman has averaged 9.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 27.6 minutes per game.
Scotty Pippen (toe) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Saturday's meeting with the Clippers. Pippen sat out the second leg of a back-to-back set Wednesday, but he will be back in action Saturday evening, along with Ty Jerome (calf). With both Pippen and Jerome active, Walter Clayton should see a sizeable reduction in minutes.
Deni Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets. He will miss a seventh consecutive game due to the injury. His next chance to play is Sunday against the Pacers, though the Trail Blazers have not provided a clear timeline for Avdija's return.
Myron Gardner will start Friday against the Hornets with both Norman Powell (groin) and Andrew Wiggins (knee) unavailable. He will be joined in the first unit by Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson, and Bam Adebayo. Across four starts this season, Gardner has posted averages of 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 triples, and 1.8 steals per contest.
Jalen Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors. He is still recovering from a right hamstring strain and is without a clear timetable for a return, though the expectation is that he will be re-evaluated soon. The star forward should be considered doubtful for future contests until Oklahoma City provides an update on his progress.
Donovan Mitchell was a full participant in Friday's practice, marking a significant step in his recovery from a groin injury that has sidelined him for the past four games. Head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed Mitchell's progress, noting the injury is not expected to be long-term. While his return is imminent, the Cavaliers' Sunday-Monday back-to-back schedule makes his availability for both contests uncertain. Mitchell is averaging 28.5 points and 5.8 assists this season.
Keyonte George (ankle) is off the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Bucks. George was held out of Thursday's game against the Wizards while managing a right ankle injury, but his availability indicates he is ready to play. George has scored 30-plus points in back-to-back outings while connecting on 52.2 percent of his field-goal attempts, including 45.0 percent from three-point range.
Isaiah Collier (personal) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks. Collier will miss his first game since Nov. 5 for personal reasons, and his next opportunity to play will come Monday against Golden State. Elijah Harkless and Brice Sensabaugh are candidates for increased minutes due to Collier being sidelined.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus the Warriors. Hartenstein tweaked his left calf during Wednesday's win over the Knicks, and his absence should open up minutes for Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams. Hartenstein's next chance to play will come Monday versus the Nuggets.
Daniel Gafford is out for Friday's game against the Celtics due to an ankle injury. The Mavericks are playing the second leg of a back-to-back set, and with Marvin Bagley also unavailable due to a neck injury, Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse are expected to log major minutes in the frontcourt. Gafford is expected to return to the lineup for Sunday's game in Toronto.
Ausar Thompson has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Brooklyn Nets due to a sprained right ankle. Thompson exited Thursday's loss to the Spurs after logging just two minutes. With the third-year forward sidelined for the front end of the team's back-to-back set, Javonte Green, Kevin Huerter, and Caris LeVert are candidates to see an uptick in playing time.
Cade Cunningham is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Nets due to a left quadriceps contusion. The injury likely occurred during Thursday's 39-minute outing against the Spurs, where he recorded 26 points, eight assists, and four rebounds. Given the Pistons have a back-to-back set against the Nets and Heat, he may sit out one game. Daniss Jenkins is the top candidate to start if Cunningham misses time.
Jalen Duren is listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Brooklyn Nets due to low back spasms. Despite the injury, Duren is expected to play through the issue. Official confirmation of his status is expected closer to tipoff. Duren remains a key component of the Pistons' frontcourt rotation.
Rookie VJ Edgecombe is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a lumbar contusion sustained in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs. The No. 3 overall pick, who is averaging 15.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, missed Friday's practice and is currently limited to individual workouts. If he remains sidelined, Quentin Grimes, Tyrese Martin, and Justin Edwards are candidates for increased playing time.
