NBA Player News

Valanciunas will start in Friday's game against Oklahoma City, Justin Martinez of The Oklahomanreports.

With Nikola Jokic (wrist) sitting out, Valanciunas will start for the first time since the 128-125 win over the Jazz on March 2. In five starts during the 2025-26 campaign, the 33-year-old has averaged 14.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals across 23.6 minutes.

Bagley is questionable to return to Friday's game against the Spurs due to left shoulder impingement, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Bagley was on the injury report prior to Friday's game due to a shoulder injury, though it's unclear whether he aggravated the injury. Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse are in line for expanded roles if Bagley is unable to return.

Strawther will start Friday's game against the Thunder, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.

Denver will be without its usual starting five Friday, opening the door for Strawther to rejoin the first unit. As a starter this season (12 games), the 23-year-old swingman has averaged 13.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 25.2 minutes per contest.

Hardaway will start Friday's game against the Thunder, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.

With the Nuggets holding out their usual starters, Hardaway will enter the first unit. As a starter this season (five games), the veteran swingman has averaged 17.2 points and 3.2 rebounds in 32.2 minutes per contest.

Jones is in the Nuggets' starting lineup against the Thunder on Friday, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.

Jones has seen little time in Denver's rotation since the beginning of March. However, with seven Nuggets players ruled out Friday -- including Jamal Murray (shoulder) and Christian Braun (ankle) -- Jones will move into the starting lineup for the 11th time this season and first with Denver. Jones' last start took place Feb. 20 as a member of the Mavericks, when he logged 13 points, six assists and one rebound over 26 minutes.

Carlson will start in Friday's game against Denver, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

With Chet Holmgren (back), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Jaylin Williams (Achilles) ruled out, Carlson will enter the starting lineup. In two starts this season, the 26-year-old has averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals across 20.5 minutes of work.

Clayton (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz.

Clayton will miss Friday's contest due to left hip soreness, and his next opportunity to play will come in Sunday's regular-season finale in Houston. With the rookie first-rounder out, Jahmai Mashack, Adama Bal and Lucas Williamson will likely see a bump in minutes.

Topic is in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Nuggets on Friday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

The Thunder are resting multiple starters and key rotational players for Friday's game, so Topic will start for the first time in his NBA career. He appeared in three of the Thunder's last four games and averaged 1.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds over 10.0 minutes per game over that span.

Porzingis (illness) will start Friday's game against the Kings, Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Porzingis will shake off his probable tag and step into the starting five following a two-game absence. The veteran big man has averaged 16.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.4 minutes per game across nine starts for Golden State.

McCain will start in Friday's game against Denver, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

With the Thunder down nearly all of their starters, McCain will enter the starting lineup. In McCain's only start of the 2025-26 campaign, while with the 76ers, he finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals across 39 minutes in the 114-106 win over the Nets back on Dec. 23.