NBA Player News

Hayes (hip) is available for Friday's game against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Hayes has been working through a left hip injury as of late, but the injury is not severe enough for him to be held out of Friday's contest. The 24-year-old center has averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over 22.2 minutes per game over his last five outings.

Holmgren will not return for the second half of Friday's game against the Hawks due to a left ankle sprain, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.

Holmgren appeared to tweak his left ankle early in the first quarter of Friday's game, but he played through the injury and finished out the first half. After the Thunder reassessed him during halftime, however, Holmgren will miss the rest of the game and will end his night with seven points (3-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 15 minutes. The Thunder will presumably put Holmgren through more tests Saturday before deciding on his status for Sunday's road game versus the Spurs. If Holmgren sits out Sunday, Isaiah Hartenstein will likely re-enter the starting five at center for Oklahoma City.

Hayes (hip) has been upgraded to probable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes was initially listed as questionable, so the upgrade in status suggests he's very likely to suit up and handle his regular workload. He's started in his last 12 games, averaging 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks across 22.2 minutes per game in that stretch.

Collins (back) is available for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.

Collins will return Friday from a three-game absence due to back soreness. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.4 blocks over 33 minutes per game in his nine outings prior to his injury. Collins' return will likely lead to a decrease in playing time for KJ Martin and Brice Sensabaugh.

Hartenstein is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Hawks on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Hartenstein will come off the bench for the first time since Nov. 20, as the Thunder opt to place Cason Wallace in the starting five while shifting Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to the four and five spot, respectively. Hartenstein has averaged 24.9 minutes per game as a starter in February, but he shouldn't see a dramatic decrease in playing time while serving in a reserve role.

Sharpe is not in the Nets' starting lineup against the Trail Blazers on Friday, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Sharpe started Wednesday due to Nic Claxton serving a one-game suspension, and the former finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals over 31 minutes. With Claxton returning for Friday's contest, Sharpe will retreat to the bench as serve as the Nets' backup center.

Robinson (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Grizzlies, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Robinson has fully recovered from an offseason procedure on his left ankle, and he is set to make his 2024-25 regular-season debut Friday. His return gives the Knicks' frontcourt a needed boost as Ariel Hukporti is set to miss at least four weeks due to a torn meniscus in his knee. Robinson appeared in 31 regular-season games (including 21 starts) during the 2023-24 campaign and averaged 5.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks over 24.8 minutes per game.

Vucevic (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Toronto, Cody Westerlund of 670TheScore.com reports.

Vucevic is set to miss a third straight game due to a right calf strain. He's been listed as doubtful for the Bulls' last two games, and it's unclear whether he's progressed enough in his recovery to have a better chance at returning Sunday against the Pacers. The good news for Chicago is that Jalen Smith has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will return Friday. Smith and Zach Collins should see plenty of playing time at the five due to Vucevic's absence.

Adebayo (calf) is available for Friday's game against Indiana, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Adebayo will shake off his questionable tag due to a right calf contusion and suit up for his fifth consecutive appearance Friday. Over his last 10 outings, the star big man has averaged 21.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 35.7 minutes per contest.

Holmgren (calf) is available for Friday's game against the Hawks, Nick Gallo of the Thunder's official site reports.

Holmgren popped up on the injury report due to a right calf contusion, but it doesn't appear to be severe enough for him to be sidelined Friday. He has averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 3.3 blocks and 1.2 steals over 27.5 minutes per game in his six outings since returning from a right hip fracture.