Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bulls, Erin Summers reports. Williamson appears well ahead of his initial timetable for return, having made it through Saturday's practice. The team will re-evaluate his thigh injury Sunday morning before deciding on his availability to suit up in Chicago.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry returned from a five-game absence due to a quadriceps bruise, looking fully healthy as he poured in 39 points (14-28 FG, 6-15 3Pt, 5-7 FT), five rebounds, and five assists in 32 minutes during Friday's 127-120 loss to the Timberwolves. The 37-year-old led all scorers and has averaged 32.5 points, 5.6 threes, 4.4 assists, 4.3 boards, and 1.0 steals over his last eight games dating back to Nov. 12.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) remains out indefinitely with no return timetable. Irving tore his left ACL in early March, ending his 2024-25 season. While initial reports suggested he was ahead of schedule and could return before 2026, coach Jason Kidd tempered expectations. However, reporter Grant Afseth and insider Marc J. Spears note optimism for a pre-All-Star break return (mid-February), with Spears adding Irving is "ahead of schedule" and could play now if it were playoffs. He's doing light, individual drills.
Stephen Curry returned from a five-game absence due to a quad injury, delivering a brilliant 39-point performance for the Golden State Warriors. Despite his efforts, the Warriors lost 127-120 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, allowing 39 fourth-quarter points. Curry noted the team missed Draymond Green and Al Horford, stating, "Draymond and Al understand how to make the impact... but we didn’t have them. We had to figure out a way to get it done, but we just didn’t."
Jalen Duren closed Friday's 142-115 victory over the Hawks with 14 points (6-10 FG, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in 24 minutes. The Pistons' center notched his seventh game with at least two blocks and recorded no turnovers for only the second time this season. Duren is currently averaging 18.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks across 29.2 minutes per game in a breakout season.
Ja Morant returned to the Memphis Grizzlies' lineup on Friday night, ending a 10-game absence due to a right calf strain. In his return, Morant delivered a strong performance, recording 21 points and 10 assists. Despite his efforts, the Grizzlies fell to the Utah Jazz in a 130-126 loss.
Donovan Mitchell powered the Cavaliers to a 130-126 victory over the Wizards on Friday night, scoring an incredible 24 of his 48 points in the fourth quarter. This dominant offensive outburst marked the highest-scoring fourth quarter by any player in the NBA this season, showcasing Mitchell's clutch performance.
Cooper Flagg contributed significantly to the Dallas Mavericks' 119-111 comeback victory against the Brooklyn Nets. He posted 22 points and eight assists, playing a key role in the Mavericks' rally. Notably, Flagg's crucial rebound set up Brandon Williams for a second-chance three-pointer, helping Dallas secure the win. The Mavericks outscored the Nets 29-19 in the fourth quarter, with Brooklyn shooting just 28.6% in the period, as Dallas secured their fifth win in six games.
Michael Porter Jr. led the Brooklyn Nets with 34 points in their 119-111 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. This marked his fourth consecutive game with at least 30 points, a career first in his seven-year NBA career. Porter Jr. was efficient from beyond the arc, hitting 6 of 10 three-pointers. Despite his strong offensive outing, a late turnover by Porter Jr. led to a crucial Anthony Davis floater, contributing to the Nets' defeat, as Brooklyn shot just 28.6% in the fourth quarter.
Anthony Davis propelled the Dallas Mavericks to a 119-111 comeback victory over the Brooklyn Nets, delivering a dominant second-half performance with 20 of his 24 points. He also recorded 14 rebounds and three blocks. Playing center due to injuries to Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, Davis hit a crucial floater following a Michael Porter Jr. turnover, contributing significantly to the Mavericks' rally and their fifth win in six games.
Utah Jazz point guard Keyonte George, 22, erupted for a game- and season-high 39 points (12-20 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 10-10 FT) in Friday's 130-126 win over the Grizzlies. In 34 minutes, he also tallied eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals. This performance follows scoring at least 18 points in four of his last five games, with eight or more assists in three of those outings.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham contributed 15 points (5-10 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-6 FT), seven assists, two blocks, two steals, and one rebound in just 22 minutes during Friday's 142-115 victory over the Hawks. Despite playing his fewest minutes of the season, he recorded multiple steals and blocks for the fourth time. Cunningham has dished out at least seven assists in seven straight games, averaging 24.3 points over that span.
Washington Wizards point guard Bub Carrington, 20, recorded season highs in minutes (41) and points (27) during Friday's 130-126 loss to the Cavaliers. Starting his second consecutive game due to key absences, he also contributed eight assists, six rebounds, and one steal (10-20 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 2-4 FT), matching CJ McCollum for the team-high scoring mark. This productive outing is a positive sign for his underwhelming sophomore season.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, 23, supplied another triple-double with 19 points (7-19 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 assists, 11 rebounds, and two steals in 34 minutes during Friday's 142-115 loss to the Pistons. He led the Hawks in assists and rebounds, also matching the team-high in steals. Johnson now owns the franchise record for most triple-doubles in a single season and is tied with Mookie Blaylock for the most in franchise history, having logged four triple-doubles and two double-doubles in his last six games.
Joel Embiid delivered a season-high 39 points (12-23 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 13-18 FT), nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 32 minutes during the Philadelphia 76ers' 115-105 win over the Pacers on Friday. This marks his best scoring performance since January 2024. Embiid, who also shot a season-high 18 free throws (making 13) and snapped a 0-for-14 three-point dry spell, showed renewed aggression after a cautious approach to his health. He notched season-highs in points, minutes, and rebounds.
Josh Giddey was the Chicago Bulls' offensive engine in Friday's 129-126 win over the Hornets, tallying 26 points (10-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, 11 assists, and a steal in 34 minutes. He served as the team's top scorer and dished out double-digit dimes, a feat he hadn't achieved in his prior two games. This performance marked a return to form, with Giddey reaching the 20-point mark and driving the Bulls' offense effectively.
Kon Knueppel delivered a new season-high 33 points (12-21 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, and nine assists in 36 minutes during the Charlotte Hornets' 129-126 loss to the Bulls on Friday. The former Duke standout continues to impress, extending his double-digit scoring streak to seven straight games. Since the beginning of December, Knueppel has averaged 19.8 points per game while shooting 36.9 percent from beyond the arc.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) is off the injury report and will be available for Saturday's game against the Spurs, ending a six-game absence due to a right soleus strain. The big man is expected to immediately return to the starting lineup, marking the first time this season the Thunder will field their best starting five. His return will likely shift Jaylin Williams' minutes, move Jalen Williams to the three, and Chet Holmgren to the four.
Cason Wallace (undisclosed) is not on Oklahoma City's injury report and is expected to play in Saturday's game against the Spurs, despite exiting Wednesday's win over Phoenix. The 22-year-old guard, who averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 steals, and 2.4 assists in 23.2 minutes over his last five games, is a candidate to move to the second unit with Isaiah Hartenstein returning from a six-game absence.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in one week, pausing his breakout season. He will miss at least Sunday's game against the Suns and Tuesday's game against the Jazz, with a potential absence for next Saturday's Clippers matchup. Reaves is averaging career highs of 27.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.6 rebounds, leading the team in win shares and setting a 51-point career high in October.
