NBA Player News

Murray (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

Murray initially drew a questionable tag, but the third-year pro will miss a second consecutive game while battling through an illness, so Scoot Henderson should remain in the starting lineup for Friday's contest. Murray's next chance to play is Sunday against the Pacers.

Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Rockets, Casey Holdahl of the Trail Blazers' official site reports.

As expected, Avdija will miss a seventh consecutive game due to a back injury. His next chance to play is Sunday against the Pacers, though the Trail Blazers have not provided a clear timeline for Avdija's return.

Scheierman is not in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Mavericks on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

Scheierman has started in 16 games this season, all of which have come in the Celtics' last 24 games. However, the second-year pro will revert to a bench role for Friday's contest due to the much-anticipated return of Jayson Tatum (Achilles). Scheierman should continue to serve in a meaningful role as a reserve, especially with Jordan Walsh (illness) sidelined for Friday's contest. Since the All-Star break, Scheierman has averaged 9.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 threes over 27.6 minutes per game.

Powell will start against the Celtics on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

With Daniel Gafford (ankle) and Marvin Bagley (neck) unavailable, Powell will enter the starting five. As a starter this season (seven games), the veteran big man has averaged 6.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.9 steals in 28.6 minutes per contest.

Gardner will start Friday against the Hornets, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Gardner is getting a spot-start with both Norman Powell (groin) and Andrew Wiggins (knee) unavailable, and he'll be joined in the first unit by Davion Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Pelle Larsson and Bam Adebayo. Across four starts this season, Gardner has posted averages of 11.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 triples and 1.8 steals per contest.

Thompson (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Thompson will shed his questionable tag due to a right ankle sprain and suit up for a fifth consecutive contest. Over seven outings since the All-Star break, the third-year guard has averaged 15.7 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.4 steals in 35.6 minutes per contest.

Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

This will be the fifth consecutive game on the inactive list for Carlson, and it's not encouraging that he continues to get ruled out a full day in advance of tipoff. For now, he should be viewed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Nuggets.

Mitchell (ankle/abdomen) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Mitchell will miss a 20th straight game while recovering from an abdominal strain and left ankle sprain. His next chance to play is Monday against the Nuggets, though the Thunder have not provided an updated recovery timeline for the 2024 second-rounder.

Williams (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Williams is still recovering from a right hamstring strain and is without a clear timetable for a return, though the expectation is he'll be re-evaluated soon. The star forward should be considered doubtful for future contests until Oklahoma City provides an update on his progress.

George (ankle) is off the injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Bucks.

George was held out of Thursday's game against the Wizards while managing a right ankle injury, but the third-year pro's absence from the injury report indicates he'll be available for Saturday's contest. George has scored 30-plus points in back-to-back outings while connecting on 52.2 percent of his field-goal attempts (including 45.0 percent from three on 10.0 3PA/G).