NBA Player News

Collins (head/neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Collins has missed the Clippers' last two games due to a head laceration and neck soreness, but the veteran forward has a chance to make his return for the front end of the team's back-to-back set Sunday. Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller would continue to operate in elevated roles if one or both of Collins and Kawhi Leonard (ankle/illness) are unable to play. Collins averaged 15.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 threes over 29.3 minutes per game in February.

Garland (toe) is out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

Garland again practiced in full for the Clippers on Saturday, but a target date for his return has yet to be determined. It's possible he could play Monday against the Warriors, but the Clippers have been proceeding with caution.

Leonard (ankle/illness) didn't participate in Saturday's practice, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.

On top of his ankle issue that forced him to miss Thursday's game against Minnesota, Leonard is now under the weather. The Clippers will list him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, but it's worth mentioning that it is the first game of a back-to-back set.

Williams (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Friday in the Thunder's 127-121 overtime win over the Nuggets.

The Thunder welcomed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) back from a nine-game absence Friday, and his return along with the game being tightly contested throughout left no room in the rotation for Williams. The veteran forward had previously appeared in each of Oklahoma City's previous 33 contests, averaging 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 three-pointers in 16.3 minutes over that stretch. While Williams should be first in line to rejoin the rotation if Oklahoma City is down a key player at any point moving forward, his path to steady playing time will only become more blocked once the likes of Ajay Mitchell (ankle/abdomen) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) return to the mix.

Herro will enter the starting lineup Saturday against the Rockets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

With Norman Powell considered week-to-week due to a groin injury, Herro will become the primary playmaker and scorer for Miami, a role he's familiar with. The star guard recorded 25 points (9-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 32 minutes during Thursday's 124-117 loss to Philadelphia.

Hachimura (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

As expected, Hachimura will miss a second straight game due to an illness, and he'll look to make his return against the Kings on Sunday. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia are both poised to take on larger roles off the bench in Hachimura's absence.

Sheppard is in the Rockets' starting lineup against the Heat on Saturday, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Jabari Smith will be sidelined for Saturday's contest due to a right ankle sprain, which paves the way for Sheppard to make his eighth start of the season (and fourth since Feb. 2). Sheppard has scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games and has averaged 16.9 points, 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 threes, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks over 27.4 minutes per game over his last eight outings (two starts).

Smith (ankle) is targeting a return March 5 against Golden State, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Smith will miss Saturday's game against the Heat and Monday's game versus the Wizards. This will give the forward some extra rest on the road. Reed Sheppard will start in Smith's place for at least Saturday's game.

George (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to probable ahead of Saturday's game against the Pelicans.

George has missed nine of the Jazz's last 10 games (including each of the last six contests) due to ankle injuries. It looks like the third-year pro will return Saturday, which would likely result in Isaiah Collier or John Konchar moving to a bench role against New Orleans.

The Warriors signed Santos to a three-year, $15 million contract extension Saturday.

Santos is in the midst of a career year with the Warriors, so this news comes as no surprise. Across 48 regular-season games, he's averaging 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16.0 minutes per contest. He's been hot over his last 12 outings, posting averages of 15.0 points on 58.9 percent shooting from the field during that stretch.