NBA Player News

McBride (pelvis) is on track to return at some point during the remainder of the Knicks' four-game road trip, according to Ian Begley of SportsNet New York.

The Knicks have three games left on the road. However, the team may finally get McBride back in the lineup, potentially as early as Sunday's game against Oklahoma City. The 25-year-old was averaging a career-best 12.9 points with 2.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.2 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting 42.0 percent from deep before a sports hernia that required surgery put him on the shelf in January. If McBride is cleared to play versus the defending champs, he will presumably be limited, meaning Jordan Clarkson, Jose Alvarado and Tyler Kolek might continue to see more work than usual off the bench.

Walsh recorded five points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three rebounds, three blocks and one assist across 27 minutes Friday in the Celtics' 109-102 win over the Hawks.

With Jaylen Brown (Achilles) sitting out Friday, Walsh re-entered the rotation after going unused in each of the Celtics' last six games. Walsh fared well in his low-usage role, knocking down his lone perimeter shot while making his biggest impact at the defensive end. Despite seeing heavy minutes Friday, Walsh could drop back out of the rotation Sunday in Charlotte if Brown is cleared to return to action.

Okogie (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Friday in the Rockets' 119-109 win over the Grizzlies.

After playing single-digit minutes in four of the Rockets' previous five contests, Okogie finally dropped out of the rotation entirely along with Dorian Finney-Smith while head coach Ime Udoka went with Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate as the team's reserve options at forward. Okogie's declining role has come while the 27-year-old has shot just 40 percent from the field since the calendar flipped to 2026.

Finney-Smith (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Friday in the Rockets' 119-109 win over the Grizzlies.

Since completing his recovery from offseason left ankle surgery and making his Rockets debut Dec. 25, Finney-Smith has failed to rediscover his shooting touch. The 10th-year forward has converted at a lowly 31.7 percent rate from the field and 26.9 percent from three-point range over his 35 appearances, and his continued shooting struggles appear to have resulted in him falling out of the rotation. Head coach Ime Udoka turned to Tari Eason and Jae'Sean Tate to play reserve minutes at forward Friday while Finney-Smith and Josh Okogie were both phased out.

Bal agreed to a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies on Saturday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Bal has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the G League with the Westchester Knicks, appearing in 29 games while averaging 7.5 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers and 1.0 assists in 18.4 minutes per contest. The undrafted rookie out of Santa Clara should get the chance to make his NBA debut for the injury-plagued Grizzlies over the course of his 10-day deal, but he lacks a fantasy-friendly game and likely won't offer much utility even if he captures a regular 20-plus-minute role.

Sasser (hip) is available for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.

Sasser missed three games this past week due to a right hip strain but was cleared to return against the Pelicans on Thursday, when he played 16 minutes off the bench and finished with seven points, two rebounds and one assist. He'll likely continue to operate in an elevated role off the bench for as long as Cade Cunningham (chest) is sidelined.

LeVert (knee) is available for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

LeVert did not play in Thursday's 129-108 win over the Pelicans due to a right knee injury, but the veteran wing has been cleared to return Saturday. In the seven games prior to Thursday's absence, LeVert averaged 7.7 points, 3.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 threes and 0.9 steals over 19.9 minutes per contest.

Thompson (ankle) is now listed as probable for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.

Thompson was initially listed as questionable due to right ankle injury management, but the third-year pro is trending toward being available for Saturday's contest. He missed five games earlier this month due to his ankle issue, and in his seven outings since returning March 15, he has averaged 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks over 28.6 minutes per game.

Harris (hip) has been upgraded from questionable to probable for Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Harris has been dealing with a left hip injury for the past couple of weeks, but it looks like the veteran forward will give it a go Saturday. In 14 outings since March 1, Harris has averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 threes and 0.8 blocks over 28.4 minutes per game.

Hayes racked up 10 points (2-3 FG, 6-10 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and five blocks over 26 minutes off the bench during Friday's 116-99 win over the Nets.

The five swats were a season high for Hayes, but the 25-year-old center has been ruthless at the rim of late. He's recorded multiple rejections in five straight games (one start), averaging 11.2 points, 6.6 boards, 3.2 blocks, 0.8 assists and 0.8 steals in 24.2 minutes during that span while shooting 75.0 percent from the floor.