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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Jalen Duren exited Thursday's game against the Wizards early and will not return due to right knee soreness. He finished with four points (2-6 FG) and three rebounds in 13 minutes of play. Ron Holland started the third quarter in his place. Duren is considered day-to-day as the team awaits further evaluation of his knee injury.
Center Ivica Zubac has been traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Indiana Pacers in a blockbuster deadline deal, which also sent Kobe Brown to Indiana. The trade is still being finalized, and Zubac, who was recently dealing with a personal issue, will not play Friday against the Bucks. He is considered questionable for Sunday's matchup in Toronto. Zubac is expected to join the Pacers' frontcourt, potentially serving as a replacement for Myles Turner.
Kobe Brown has been traded to the Indiana Pacers along with Ivica Zubac in a multi-player deal. He is ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks as the trade is pending, with his Pacers debut likely Sunday against the Raptors. Brown is expected to serve as a backup to Pascal Siakam. With career averages of 2.3 points and 1.5 rebounds over 118 games, he is considered unlikely to gain significant fantasy value in Indiana.
Bennedict Mathurin has been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a multi-player deal. He is ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings as the trade is pending, with his debut likely Sunday. Despite being limited to 28 games in 2025-26 due to injuries, Mathurin is expected to take on a significant role with the Clippers, especially with James Harden out of the backcourt rotation. He averaged 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 29.6 minutes over his last eight games. He and Darius Garland are projected to be the Clippers' starting backcourt.
Isaiah Jackson has been traded from the Pacers to the Los Angeles Clippers in a major deal. He is ruled out for Friday's game in Sacramento as the trade is pending, with his debut likely Sunday against the Timberwolves. After an inconsistent role with the Pacers, Jackson, who signed a three-year, $21 million deal last summer, could now compete with Brook Lopez for a starting role. He averaged 6.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 16.8 minutes over 38 games (14 starts) for the Pacers this season.
Darius Garland has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings due to a Grade 1 big right toe sprain and his recent trade. Acquired by the Clippers on Tuesday in exchange for James Harden, it's uncertain if he'll be available for his team debut against the Timberwolves on Sunday. Garland and Bennedict Mathurin are projected to form the Clippers' starting backcourt once both are cleared to play.
Domantas Sabonis is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers due to lower back soreness. He recently returned from a two-game absence in Wednesday's loss to the Grizzlies. Given that Friday's game is the first of a back-to-back set, there's a possibility he might be sidelined. If Sabonis is out, Maxime Raynaud, Precious Achiuwa, and Dylan Cardwell would likely see increased playing time.
Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (back) practiced Thursday but is officially listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Grizzlies, though he's considered unlikely to play. This is the first of a back-to-back set, with a possibility of returning for Saturday's rematch against Memphis. Jerami Grant and Sidy Cissoko are anticipated to see increased minutes in his absence.
Santi Aldama has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers due to right knee injury management, taking a rest day after playing 24 minutes Wednesday. While it's uncertain if recently acquired Kyle Anderson or Taylor Hendricks will be available, there will be ample frontcourt minutes for other players if the newcomers are cleared to play.
Stephon Castle will not be in the Spurs' starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Mavericks, marking a shift to a bench role after starting all 40 previous games this season. His production has dipped recently, prompting the team to move veteran Harrison Barnes back into the starting five.
Scotty Pippen is listed as questionable for Friday's game in Portland due to a toe injury, marking his first questionable tag this season and hinting at a possible regular-season debut. If cleared, he's expected to have minutes restrictions but could be a deep-league option. Last March, he averaged 12.1 points, 5.3 assists, 1.5 triples, and 2.1 steals across 15 games.
Ty Jerome has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a calf injury. After missing the first 46 games of the season with a right calf strain, he had played in the last three. As Memphis faces a back-to-back, Jerome will sit the first game but is expected to be available for Saturday's rematch. Cam Spencer is projected to start in his absence.
Peyton Watson has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, sidelining him for an extended period, likely weeks. This injury is comparable to one Aaron Gordon sustained, which kept him out for over a month. Julian Strawther, Spencer Jones, Tim Hardaway, and Zeke Nnaji are expected to fill the void at the forward positions for the Nuggets during his absence.
James Harden has been traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that sent Darius Garland to the Clippers. This move is highlighted as part of the Clippers' strategy for a "brighter future" and impacts their backcourt rotation.
Tari Eason (left lower-leg injury) has been officially ruled out for Thursday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. He was initially listed as questionable due to injury management for the second part of the Houston Rockets' back-to-back set. Josh Okogie is expected to replace Eason in the starting lineup for Thursday's contest.
Jaden Ivey, recently traded from the Pistons to the Chicago Bulls, is available for Thursday's game against the Raptors and will make his debut as a starter. He will join Anfernee Simons, Isaac Okoro, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith in the starting lineup. Ivey averaged 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in his final 10 games with Detroit, all off the bench, and now gets an opportunity to establish himself with a change of scenery.
Dylan Harper (ankle) is officially good to go for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks, returning without restrictions. He had been listed as questionable and missed Wednesday's game against the Thunder. With Harper back in the lineup, Jordan McLaughlin, who saw increased involvement during Harper's absence, could potentially drop from the San Antonio Spurs' rotation.
Khris Middleton, recently traded to the Dallas Mavericks, will not make his debut Thursday against the Spurs as the trade has not yet been officially finalized. He is expected to be cleared for Saturday's meeting with San Antonio. Middleton is also listed among notable NBA buyout candidates, suggesting a potential further move after the trade deadline. He was referenced in news regarding Justin Champagnie.
Jaden Hardy will not play Thursday in Detroit, as his trade to the Washington Wizards has not yet been officially finalized. He is expected to make his debut for the Wizards on Saturday in Brooklyn. Hardy's absence is due to the pending trade status rather than an injury.
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Spurs, marking his sixth consecutive appearance despite a right ankle sprain. With Anthony Davis now out of the picture, the 27-year-old Mavericks big man is looking to establish himself as the top center. Over his last five games, Gafford has averaged 9.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 23.1 minutes, shooting 64.3 percent from the field.
