NBA Player News

Jones (quadricep) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.

Jones missed Wednesday's loss against the Bucks and will now miss a second consecutive game due to a left quad strain. The Mavericks will continue to rely on Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards to fill minutes at center.

Queta is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the 76ers, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

The Celtics will rest most of their regulars, except Derrick White and Jayson Tatum, so they're tweaking the starting five considerably. Queta will start in the frontcourt alongside Luke Kornet, though how many minutes he'll end up seeing remains uncertain.

Holmgren (lower leg) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers.

After missing Wednesday's win over the Grizzlies with a right lower leg contusion, Holmgren might be able to return to the floor Friday. The 22-year-old big man has played in only 18 games for the Thunder this season, averaging 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 blocks, 1.9 assists and 1.3 three-pointers in 26.3 minutes per contest.

Hartenstein has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers due to a nasal fracture re-injury, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Hartenstein suffered a facial contusion in the Thunder's overtime loss to the Timberwolves on Feb. 24, but he had played in each of Oklahoma City's ensuing five games. It's unclear if the fractured nose will be anything that results in a longer-term absence for Hartenstein, who may be able to get by with playing through the injury while wearing a mask. In any case, with Hartenstein out Friday and Chet Holmgren (leg) also at risk of sitting, the Thunder could be forced to rely heavily on Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams in the frontcourt.

Jokic (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Suns.

Jokic has missed only six games all season for the Nuggets, and it's possible he will miss another against Phoenix. If the three-time NBA MVP can't play against the Suns, Denver could turn to DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji (ankle) to pick up the slack in the frontcourt.

Williams (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Thunder.

Williams will miss his eighth consecutive contest due to a left knee sprain. There is no official timetable for the big man's return, though his next chance to feature will come Sunday against the Pistons.

Kessler (rest) isn't on the injury report for Friday's game versus the Raptors.

Kessler will return to action Friday after sitting out Utah's previous contest for rest purposes. The 23-year-old center should reclaim his starting spot from Kyle Filipowski. Kessler is averaging 13.5 points, 14.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 2.1 assists in 32.8 minutes across his last 10 outings.

Collins (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Collins will miss a fourth straight game while dealing with a back issue. KJ Martin, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski will likely see more time on the floor in Toronto.

Nurkic (back) has been listed as probable Friday against the Cavaliers.

Nurkic has missed three of the Hornets' last five games but is trending toward playing Friday against Cleveland. Charlotte will need the veteran big man on the floor against arguably the best team in the league, as the team is already without Mark Williams (foot).

Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

Williams continues to manage a left foot issue and is likely sitting out the first game of a back-to-back as a precaution. Jusuf Nurkic (back) will likely see a boost in minutes if he's cleared, as the veteran big man is currently listed as probable for Friday.