NBA Player News

Schroder is questionable for Friday's game in Detroit due to a sprained right ankle.

Donovan Mitchell (groin) has already been ruled out, and James Harden (thumb) is questionable, so the Cavs could be very thin at the point guard position Friday evening. If both Harden and Schroder are out, Craig Porter would likely get a spot start, and he'd make for an attractive target in daily fantasy leagues.

Ellis is questionable for Friday's game against Detroit due to a left index finger fracture.

Ellis presumably suffered the injury at some point during Wednesday's game against Milwaukee, though it appears he plans to try to play through the fracture. He'll likely test the injury during shootaround and pre-game warmups to see if he's able to suit up Friday.

Harden (thumb) is questionable for Friday's game against the Pistons.

Harden sat out of Wednesday's matchup with the Bucks due to a fractured right thumb, but he remains intent on playing through the issue, which is signified by his questionable tag for Friday. The team should have another update on his availability closer to tipoff. Donovan Mitchell (groin) has already been ruled out, so it would once again be up to Dennis Schroder (ankle), Sam Merrill and Craig Porter to step up in the backcourt if Harden can't go.

Wade is questionable for Friday's game against Detroit with a right ankle sprain.

Wade is in danger of missing Friday's contest after being held scoreless in Wednesday's loss to the Bucks. More playing time would become open to Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson if Wade cannot play.

Mitchell (groin) won't play Friday in Detroit.

This will be Mitchell's second straight game on the inactive list, and it's somewhat discouraging that he's getting ruled out a full day in advance of tipoff. For now, Mitchell should be considered questionable for Sunday's game in Brooklyn. Expect more shots for Dennis Schroder, Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill while Mitchell is out and more minutes for Craig Porter.

Mobley (calf) is off the injury report for Friday's game against Detroit.

Mobley is ready to return from a one-game absence after missing Wednesday's contest against the Bucks. Over his last three outings since coming back from an extended absence, Mobley has averaged 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 22.8 minutes per game.

Hachimura won't play in Thursday's game against the Suns due to an illness, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com.

Hachimura can be tentatively labeled as questionable for Saturday's clash with the Warriors. With the 28-year-old forward sidelined, the door is open for each of Jake LaRavia, Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart to seize a more sizable role Thursday.

Tatum (Achilles) has recently been a "full go in 5-on-5 scrimmages with the Celtics," Shams Charania reported Wednesday on ESPN's "NBA Countdown."

Tatum has seemingly reached the final checkpoint in his recovery from May 12 surgery to repair his right Achilles tendon. At this point, Charania notes that the star forward's main focus will be putting together "a number of practices and scrimmages" to rebuild his conditioning and increase the strength of his calves. Though Tatum has been non-committal about playing this season, all signs point to the 27-year-old suiting up at some point in March once he stacks up more on-court sessions and feels confident in the integrity of his right leg. The 38-20 Celtics have already been able to keep themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference standings amid Tatum's ongoing absence, but the late-season addition of the six-time All-Star would surely boost the club's odds of making a deep playoff run.

The Bucks signed Ryan to a two-way contract Thursday.

Ryan was invited to training camp with the Bucks this past fall before being cut from the final roster, later linking up with the G League's Wisconsin Herd. The sharpshooter can now bounce back and forth between the NBA club and the Herd as needed. Through 29 G League appearances, Ryan is averaging 20.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 31.2 minutes per game while shooting 42.3 percent from three-point land.

Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday that Antetokounmpo (calf) is "getting closer" to playing and has "looked great" during his recent on-court workouts, but the 10-time All-Star isn't expected to play Friday against the Knicks, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

Antetokounmpo was sidelined for a 13th straight game in Wednesday's 118-116 win over the Cavaliers while he continues to work his way back from a right calf strain, but he's steadily ramping up and appears to have reached the day-to-day stage of his recovery. On Sunday, Rivers told Nehm that Antetokounmpo was able to do 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 work earlier that day, but the coach hinted that the 31-year-old forward may need to complete another full-contact workout or two before he's cleared to play. Kyle Kuzma has been serving as the Bucks' primary starting power forward in recent weeks, but he'll presumably move to the bench once Antetokounmpo is given the green light to play.