NBA Player News

Collins (undisclosed) returned to the court to begin the fourth quarter of Friday's game against Minnesota.

Collins checked out of the game with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter after he appeared to suffer an injury, but he looks like he'll be good to go moving forward.

Collins went to the locker room in the third quarter of Friday's game against the Timberwolves due to an apparent injury, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

It's unclear what happened to Collins, though he checked himself out of the game with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter and went straight to the locker room. At the time of his departure, he had notched 29 points and 10 rebounds in just 19 minutes. Collins had missed the Jazz's previous three games with lower back soreness.

Okongwu tallied 23 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block over 35 minutes during Friday's 135-119 loss to the Thunder.

Okongwu logged his 15th double-double of the season Friday and finished as the game's leading rebounder. Okongwu has been productive since permanently entering the starting lineup Jan. 20. Since then, he has averaged 14.4 points on 60.9 percent shooting, 9.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.8 steals over 29.7 minutes per game.

Hartenstein finished Friday's 135-119 win over the Hawks with 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and one block over 27 minutes.

Hartenstein was relegated to a reserve role Friday as head coach Mark Daigneault opted to go with Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren in the frontcourt. Holmgren did not play in the second half due to an ankle sprain, and Hartenstein stepped into the starting five and corralled eight of his 10 rebounds over the final two quarters. Hartenstein is good to play around 25 minutes a game regardless of his role, though he could be back in the starting lineup against the Spurs on Sunday if Holmgren is unable to play due to injury.

Hayes (hip) is available for Friday's game against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Hayes has been working through a left hip injury as of late, but the injury is not severe enough for him to be held out of Friday's contest. The 24-year-old center has averaged 7.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over 22.2 minutes per game over his last five outings.

Holmgren will not return for the second half of Friday's game against the Hawks due to a left ankle sprain, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.

Holmgren appeared to tweak his left ankle early in the first quarter of Friday's game, but he played through the injury and finished out the first half. After the Thunder reassessed him during halftime, however, Holmgren will miss the rest of the game and will end his night with seven points (3-8 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and three assists in 15 minutes. The Thunder will presumably put Holmgren through more tests Saturday before deciding on his status for Sunday's road game versus the Spurs. If Holmgren sits out Sunday, Isaiah Hartenstein will likely re-enter the starting five at center for Oklahoma City.

Hayes (hip) has been upgraded to probable for Friday's game against the Clippers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes was initially listed as questionable, so the upgrade in status suggests he's very likely to suit up and handle his regular workload. He's started in his last 12 games, averaging 7.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.3 blocks across 22.2 minutes per game in that stretch.

Collins (back) is available for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.

Collins will return Friday from a three-game absence due to back soreness. He averaged 19.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.4 blocks over 33 minutes per game in his nine outings prior to his injury. Collins' return will likely lead to a decrease in playing time for KJ Martin and Brice Sensabaugh.

Hartenstein is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Hawks on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Hartenstein will come off the bench for the first time since Nov. 20, as the Thunder opt to place Cason Wallace in the starting five while shifting Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to the four and five spot, respectively. Hartenstein has averaged 24.9 minutes per game as a starter in February, but he shouldn't see a dramatic decrease in playing time while serving in a reserve role.

Sharpe is not in the Nets' starting lineup against the Trail Blazers on Friday, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Sharpe started Wednesday due to Nic Claxton serving a one-game suspension, and the former finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals over 31 minutes. With Claxton returning for Friday's contest, Sharpe will retreat to the bench as serve as the Nets' backup center.