Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is officially cleared to play and is not listed on the Clippers' injury report for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, per Law Murray. This marks his return since suffering a sprained right foot and ankle on Nov. 3. Leonard is expected to face restrictions. This season, he has averaged 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.5 steals in 33.5 minutes per game.
Brandon Miller (rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks. He will rest after playing Saturday, where he logged 21 points (8-18 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block in 26 minutes during the Hornets' loss to the Clippers. This Saturday game marked his return from a 13-game absence. Miller is expected to return Wednesday against New York.
LaMelo Ball (rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks. He will rest after playing Saturday, where he recorded 18 points (7-14 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in 25 minutes during the Hornets' loss to the Clippers. Ball is likely to return to action Wednesday against the Knicks.
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has sustained a Grade 2 right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks, as confirmed by the team. Gordon, 30, missed Saturday's game and played only three minutes Friday after battling the injury. He's averaging a career-high 18.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and shooting 44.4% from three, playing a key defensive role in the Nuggets' 12-4 start. His absence, alongside Christian Braun (ankle, 3-5 weeks out), significantly impacts the team.
Quentin Grimes is slated to make his first start of the season for the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday against the Heat. He steps into the starting lineup due to VJ Edgecombe's calf injury. Grimes has been a significant contributor off the bench throughout the year, recently averaging 16.2 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 33.4 minutes over the 76ers' last five games, showcasing his increased involvement.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain's minutes restrictions have been raised ahead of Sunday's game against the Heat. McCain has appeared in six of the team's past nine games since his season debut on November 4, playing double-digit minutes three times with a maximum of 15. With Joel Embiid (knee), VJ Edgecombe (calf), Adem Bona (ankle), and Kelly Oubre (knee) all out, McCain may need to play 20-plus minutes.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe missed his first game on Sunday due to left calf tightness. Head coach Nick Nurse described the absence as "precautionary." The Sixers ultimately fell to the Heat 127-117 in the contest.
Mavericks forward Klay Thompson led his team with 22 points, including 6-for-12 from three, in Saturday's 102-96 loss to the Grizzlies. Post-game, Thompson, 35, was confronted by Ja Morant. Thompson responded by calling Morant "a funny guy" who "rarely takes accountability" and criticized him for "running his mouth when you're on the bench," referencing Morant's past issues. The Mavericks' record now stands at 5-13.
LeBron James made his long-awaited season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers in Tuesday's 140-126 win over the Jazz. His return, after missing training camp, preseason, and 14 games, was highly anticipated. Teammate Jake LaRavia, who received a first-quarter assist from James, praised his impact, noting he brings "another level of passing ability" and is a "force on offense in transition and just when he has the ball in his hands." The Lakers, now 11-4, aim to continue their strong start with James back.
Lakers forward Jake LaRavia led reserves with 16 points and four rebounds (6-10 FG, 2 3PM) in Tuesday's 140-126 win over the Jazz. The 24-year-old, who signed this offseason, finally played with LeBron James, hitting a first-quarter shot off a James assist after waiting 14 games. Off-court, LaRavia also won the team's pickleball championship with assistant coach Beau Levesque.
Lakers guard Marcus Smart, who calls himself a "Swiss Army knife," is adjusting to a bench role after starting nine straight games before LeBron James' return. He played a season-low 17 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Jazz, contributing five points and three rebounds, earning praise from Coach Redick. Smart also reached the semifinals of a team pickleball tournament but expressed caution about avoiding injuries, stating, "The last thing I need to get out and do is roll my ankle trying to play pickleball."
James Harden set a new Los Angeles Clippers franchise record, pouring in 55 points (10 triples, tying career high) in a 131-116 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He scored 27 points in the first quarter and 35 by halftime, the most in a single half this season. This prolific performance, which included a signature four-point play, helped the Clippers improve to 5-11 and snap a three-game skid, delivering a much-needed win after losing 9 of their last 10 games. Harden stated, "The work I put in individually, I do it for the entire team. I'm just trying to find ways to win games." He is the only player to hold the single-game scoring record for multiple franchises.
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies was the target of sharp criticism from Dallas Mavericks' Klay Thompson following a verbal confrontation after Saturday's game. Thompson publicly stated that Morant "has a lot to say all the time, especially for someone who rarely takes accountability," directly referencing Morant's post-game trash-talk. This public rebuke from Thompson highlights a contentious interaction and suggests a developing rivalry, with Morant's actions drawing direct fire from a veteran player.
Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson publicly criticized Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies following a verbal confrontation after Saturday's game. Thompson stated, "has a lot to say all the time, especially for someone who rarely takes accountability," directly addressing Morant's post-game trash-talk. This pointed remark from Thompson underscores a growing rivalry and tension between the two players, with Thompson clearly taking issue with Morant's on-court and off-court demeanor.
Jaden Ivey made his season debut for the Detroit Pistons on November 23, 2025, after missing more than 10 months. In his return, Ivey scored 10 points in 15 minutes, contributing to the Pistons' 12th consecutive victory. His performance marked a significant return to the lineup for the red-hot team.
Ryan Rollins delivered 24 points (9-21 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), five rebounds, seven assists, two blocks, and one steal in 34 minutes during Saturday's 129-116 loss to the Pistons. Rollins has now reached at least 20 points for the fifth time in his last six games and attempted 20 or more shots in his last three. He is expected to maintain a sizable offensive role for the Milwaukee Bucks as long as Giannis Antetokounmpo (thigh) remains sidelined.
Jalen Duren logged 19 points (7-10 FG, 5-8 FT), six rebounds, and five assists across 27 minutes during Saturday's 129-116 victory over the Bucks. While he missed a second consecutive double-double, Duren delivered an efficient line. This marks his seventh straight game scoring at least 19 points, and he has also recorded double-digit rebounds five times over that stretch for the Detroit Pistons.
Tobias Harris (ankle) returned from a nine-game absence due to a sprained right ankle, registering 18 points (7-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-3 FT), five rebounds, four assists, and one block across 23 minutes during Saturday's 129-116 victory over the Bucks. Harris showed no rust, missing only two shots. The Detroit Pistons may manage his workload, but he is expected to start and remain a reliable scoring option.
Desmond Bane notched 27 points (8-16 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 8-8 FT), five assists, three rebounds, and one steal in 32 minutes during the Orlando Magic's 133-121 win over the Knicks. This performance marks his seventh consecutive game scoring in double figures. Bane, who finished as Orlando's second-leading scorer, had averaged 10.8 points over his previous five games but has now scored at least 23 points in three of his last four outings.
Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 24 points (6-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 10-11 FT), eight rebounds, and three assists in 37 minutes during Saturday's 133-121 loss to the Magic. Despite finishing as the Knicks' second-leading scorer and grabbing a game-high eight boards, his 10-game double-double streak concluded. Towns has now scored 20+ points in three of his last four outings, though he's shot 42.7% from the field in that period.
