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NBA News

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

Thursday, March 5

Naji Marshall Returns to Mavericks Rotation Against Magic

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After missing two games with a right finger contusion, Naji Marshall has been cleared to play against the Orlando Magic. Initially upgraded from probable to active, Marshall will return to the Mavericks' rotation. Despite early reports suggesting a return to the starting lineup, he is officially slated to come off the bench for Thursday's contest, marking his first appearance as a reserve since January 3 as the team continues to utilize Khris Middleton in the starting unit.

Brandon Ingram Cleared to Play Through Thumb Sprain

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Brandon Ingram has been cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves despite dealing with a thumb sprain. The Duke product has been a consistent contributor for the Raptors, averaging 22.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists over his previous five appearances. He will manage the injury while remaining in the lineup for the contest.

Jabari Smith Returns to Action Against Warriors

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Jabari Smith is available for Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors after missing two games with a sprained right ankle. His return is expected to move Reed Sheppard back to the bench. Before the injury, Smith was in strong form, averaging 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks over his last eight games while shooting 57.6 percent from the field.

Deni Avdija Doubtful for Friday Against Rockets

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Deni Avdija is doubtful for Friday's game against the Houston Rockets due to lower-back injury management. If he remains sidelined, it will mark his sixth consecutive missed contest. The forward's absence is expected to provide Scoot Henderson with a larger role in the rotation, whether as a starter or off the bench.

Darius Garland Ruled Out Friday for Rest

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Darius Garland will miss Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs due to left toe injury management. The Clippers are opting to rest the guard for the first half of their back-to-back set after he logged 24 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Pacers. Kris Dunn and Kobe Sanders are expected to see increased minutes in his absence.

Amen Thompson Cleared for Thursday Against Warriors

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Amen Thompson has been cleared to play in Thursday's game against the Warriors after recovering from a right ankle sprain suffered during Monday's matchup. Thompson has been performing at a high level recently, recording three double-doubles in his last five appearances. Over that span, he has averaged 16.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals.

Judge Issues $1 Million Civil Judgment Against Malik Beasley

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A federal judge in New York issued a $1 million civil judgment against NBA free agent Malik Beasley on Thursday. The ruling stems from a contract dispute between Beasley and his former agency.

Anthony Black Cleared to Play Thursday Against Mavericks

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Anthony Black (quadriceps) will play Thursday against the Mavericks after missing the previous two games with a bruised right quad. Black participated in the team's morning shootaround and has been upgraded to available. His return provides the Magic with backcourt depth, potentially reducing the need for increased minutes from Jevon Carter and Tristan da Silva in tonight's matchup.

Jayson Tatum Questionable for Season Debut Against Mavericks

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Jayson Tatum is officially listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks, signaling a potential return after a 10-month absence due to a ruptured Achilles. Tatum has ramped up his recovery with 5-on-5 workouts and G League practices. While the Celtics plan to manage his return with minutes restrictions, his comeback is highly anticipated. Tatum averaged 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists last season and will make a final decision on his status shortly.

Anthony Davis Cleared for Limited On-Court Basketball Activities

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The Wizards announced that Anthony Davis has been cleared for limited individual on-court activities as he recovers from ligament damage in his left hand sustained on Jan. 8. Davis, who elected against surgery, will be re-evaluated in two weeks. With only 13 games remaining in the season after his next assessment, it is possible the 32-year-old waits until next season to make his Wizards debut. The team continues to manage center depth in his absence.

Josh Hart Questionable for Friday Against Nuggets With Back Injury

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Josh Hart is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets due to a lower back contusion sustained in Wednesday's loss to the Thunder. Despite the injury, Hart managed to return to Wednesday's game, finishing with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes of play. If he is sidelined on Friday, the Knicks are expected to increase the roles of Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson, and Jeremy Sochan to compensate for his absence.

Keyonte George Sidelined for Ankle Injury Management

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Keyonte George will miss Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards due to right ankle injury management. The Jazz are opting to rest the guard during the second half of a back-to-back. George has recently served as the primary offensive focal point for Utah, highlighted by a 36-point performance against the Nuggets and a 30-point outing against the 76ers. Isaiah Collier is expected to start in his place.

James Harden Thriving in Early Cleveland Cavaliers Tenure

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The Cavaliers are 9-3 since acquiring James Harden, who is averaging 19.1 points and 7.9 assists while shooting 45.6% from three-point range. Despite playing through a fractured thumb, Harden has successfully integrated into the offense, developing a strong pick-and-roll rapport with Jarrett Allen and helping to stagger minutes with Donovan Mitchell. His playmaking has been a catalyst for Cleveland's high-efficiency offensive performance.

Jonathan Kuminga Impresses in Early Atlanta Hawks Stint

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Following his departure from the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga has made a strong impression in his first three games with the Atlanta Hawks, totaling 64 points in 80 minutes. Coach Quin Snyder praised Kuminga's maturity and willingness to move the ball. While Warriors coach Steve Kerr defended his past management of Kuminga, the young forward is now focused on carving out a core role in Atlanta's rotation alongside Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels.

SGA Leads Thunder Past Knicks Amidst Coaching Criticism

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander powered the Thunder to a 103-100 win over the Knicks with 26 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 performance from the free-throw line. Despite his success, Knicks coach Mike Brown publicly criticized Gilgeous-Alexander's ability to draw fouls, calling him the best in the league at convincing officials. Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranks among the league leaders in free-throw attempts, maintained his composure, finishing with three personal fouls in the victory.

Jokić Struggles to Connect with New Teammate Cam Johnson

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The Denver Nuggets are facing chemistry issues as Nikola Jokić struggles to integrate Cam Johnson, who was acquired in the trade for Michael Porter Jr. Johnson is shooting just 35.7% on three-pointers when receiving passes from Jokić, compared to 43.4% from other teammates. With key players Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson sidelined by hamstring injuries, the Nuggets are under pressure to resolve these offensive inefficiencies before the postseason begins.

Austin Reaves Thriving in Lakers' High-Impact Three-Guard Rotation

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Austin Reaves is playing a key role in the Lakers' successful three-guard lineup, which also features Marcus Smart and Luka Dončić. This unit has provided a significant boost to the team's performance, yielding a +22.9 net rating over 599 possessions. The Lakers are currently 37-24 and remain focused on securing a top seed in the Western Conference as the regular season nears its conclusion.

Marcus Smart Emerges as Defensive X-Factor for Lakers Postseason Push

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Marcus Smart has become a vital defensive anchor for the Lakers, recently recording 4 steals and 3 blocks in a win over the Pelicans. Coach JJ Redick has praised Smart's energy and defensive instincts, noting his impact as a starter. The Lakers are +22.9 in 599 possessions when Smart shares the floor with Austin Reaves and Luka Dončić. Keeping the veteran healthy is considered imperative for the team's postseason aspirations.

Kon Knueppel Leapfrogs Cooper Flagg as Rookie of the Year Favorite

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Charlotte's Kon Knueppel has overtaken Cooper Flagg as the betting favorite for the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year award. Knueppel, who is currently priced at -155, has surged while Flagg has been sidelined with an injury. Knueppel recently set an NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season, with a quarter of the schedule still remaining, drawing significant betting handle and interest.

Jaylen Brown Reflects on Struggles After Celtics Loss

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Jaylen Brown took accountability for Boston's 118-89 loss to the Hornets, citing poor energy and execution. Brown recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds but struggled with efficiency, shooting 7-for-19. While he has shouldered a heavy workload this season, his efficiency has dipped recently, with his shooting percentages falling over the last 23 games. Brown remains a key figure as the Celtics prepare for the potential return of Jayson Tatum.