Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White briefly exited Friday's game against the Lakers in the first quarter due to an apparent arm injury after hitting the floor. He checked out with 1:59 remaining but returned to the bench shortly after. White then re-entered the game with 5:52 left in the second quarter and appears good to go for the remainder of the contest, alleviating concerns about the injury.
New York Knicks guard Garrison Mathews will be in the starting lineup for Friday's game in Chicago. He gets the spot-start due to Ben Sheppard (calf) being unavailable. Mathews will join Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and Jay Huff in the first unit. This season, Mathews is averaging 4.7 points on 40 percent shooting. His elevation provides an opportunity for increased minutes and offensive contribution.
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Milwaukee. He will draw the start as Joel Embiid (knee) remains sidelined. Drummond will join Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George, and Dominick Barlow in the first unit. This season, when starting, Drummond has averaged 10.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 0.9 three-pointers, and 1.0 blocks per game, highlighting his impact in an expanded role.
Detroit Pistons guard Duncan Robinson is set to return to the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers. Robinson, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, will make his return after a three-game absence. With his re-entry, Daniss Jenkins will move back to the second unit, and his minutes are expected to decrease. This season, Robinson has been averaging 12.6 points, 2.2 assists, and 3.1 three-pointers per game.
Nae'Qwan Tomlin is set to start for the Cleveland Cavaliers in Friday's game against the Spurs, as reported by Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. He will join Donovan Mitchell, Jaylon Tyson, De'Andre Hunter, and Evan Mobley in the starting unit. In his previous start this season, Tomlin recorded 10 points and two rebounds over 20 minutes of play.
Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott indicated that Devin Booker (groin) could potentially play in Wednesday's game against Oklahoma City, as reported by Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic. Booker sustained a strained right groin during Phoenix's Dec. 1 game against the Lakers but may not require a prolonged absence, with Wednesday set as a potential return target for the star guard to face the Thunder.
Evan Mobley (illness) will play in Friday's game against the Spurs, according to Chris Fedor. The Cleveland Cavaliers forward was a late addition to the injury report but will shed his questionable tag. Over his last five outings, the 24-year-old big man has averaged 19.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks across 33.4 minutes per contest.
Brandon Miller (shoulder) is confirmed to play in Friday's game against Toronto, marking his return to the Charlotte Hornets' lineup after a two-game absence. This season, Miller has averaged 17.0 points on 39/28/84 shooting splits across six appearances.
Tre Mann (ankle) has been officially ruled out for the Charlotte Hornets' Friday game in Toronto, which will be his third consecutive game on the inactive list. He is currently considered questionable for the upcoming Sunday game against the Nuggets.
Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (ankle) will remain on the inactive list for Friday's game versus the Pacers, marking his second consecutive absence. With Ayo Dosunmu also sidelined, Jevon Carter is expected to see increased minutes in the backcourt. Jones' next opportunity to return to action will be Sunday against the Warriors.
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (illness) will not suit up for Friday's game versus the Suns, as reported by Vanessa Richardson. His absence will likely lead to Steven Adams drawing the start and Clint Capela seeing more rotation minutes. Sengun's status for the Rockets' next game on Saturday versus the Mavericks is currently questionable.
Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (wrist) is set to make his regular-season debut Friday against the Pacers. He will be active but will have a strict minutes limit of 20. Collins is expected to serve as Nikola Vucevic's primary backup. His return could impact Lachlan Olbrich's rotation spot.
Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) is cleared to play in Friday's game against Indiana but will be limited to 24 minutes. White had missed the previous three consecutive games due to left calf soreness. In his five appearances this season (three starts), he has averaged 24.2 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds over 30.6 minutes.
Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (leg) has been officially ruled out for Friday's game in Detroit. His absence will likely open up extended minutes for Robert Williams and Duop Reath, with Yang Hansen potentially entering the rotation. Clingan's status for Sunday's game in Memphis is currently questionable.
Tristan Vukcevic is questionable for Saturday's game against the Hawks due to a right knee contusion. The Washington Wizards center's status will be updated closer to tip-off. If he is sidelined, Marvin Bagley is expected to see increased minutes, with Anthony Gill also potentially gaining meaningful rotation time. This marks a potential absence alongside Alex Sarr (adductor).
Alex Sarr (thigh) will remain on the inactive list for Saturday's game against the Hawks, marking his fourth consecutive game sidelined. The Washington Wizards center's absence means Marvin Bagley and Tristan Vukcevic will continue to split center duties. With the Wizards not playing again until next Friday, there's a possibility Sarr could return for that matchup.
Tyler Herro (toe) will not play in Friday's game against the Magic, as reported by Ira Winderman. The Miami Heat guard was downgraded to doubtful earlier Friday. Herro, 25, is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his toe Saturday, which is expected to provide more clarity on the severity of his injury. Miami is set to play Sacramento on Saturday night.
Michael Porter (back) is not listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Pelicans, as reported by Brian Lewis. The Brooklyn Nets forward, who sat out Thursday's loss to the Jazz due to it being the second leg of a back-to-back, is expected to return to action with his usual minutes. His return will likely result in Tyrese Martin or Terance Mann moving back to the second unit.
LeBron James missed the Los Angeles Lakers' 126-105 loss to the Boston Celtics due to ongoing sciatica and left-foot joint arthritis, marking his 15th missed game this season. The 40-year-old's 14.0 points per game average is a career low. He sat out the second night of a back-to-back and is expected to potentially return for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Al Horford has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Cleveland due to right sciatic nerve irritation. This sidelines him for the opening leg of Golden State's back-to-back set. Horford had previously missed four straight games due to the injury before starting Thursday's loss to Philadelphia.
