NBA Player News

Washington (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Magic, Ron Harrod Jr. of DLLS Sports reports.

Washington will miss a third consecutive contest due to an illness, and his next opportunity to play will come Sunday against the Lakers. With the 27-year-old forward sidelined, Khris Middleton and Klay Thompson are candidates for increased playing time.

Battle (illness) is available for Friday's game versus Memphis, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

After missing Toronto's past three contests due to an illness, Battle is ready to return to the floor Friday. With the Raptors' frontcourt completely healthy, Battle isn't a lock to see meaningful playing time.

Thompson won't start Friday's game against Charlotte, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

With Ben Sheppard entering the starting five, Thompson will retreat to the second unit. The two-way player has averaged 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 13.1 minutes per game over 18 appearances off the bench this season.

The Pacers list Slawson (two-way) out for Friday's game against the Hornets.

Despite playing 24 minutes in the Pacers' previous game Wednesday against the Bulls, Slawson will take a seat Friday as Indiana aims to preserve his availability moving forward. After Friday's contest, the two-way player will be eligible to play in each of Indiana's remaining five games and could be a worthy pickup for fantasy managers looking for aid in the defensive categories. Since signing with Indiana on Feb. 28, Slawson has appeared in eight games at the NBA level and has averaged 5.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 21.5 minutes per contest.

Conley is not part of the starting lineup for Friday's game versus the 76ers.

The 38-year-old floor general is heading back to the bench to make way in the first unit for the return of Anthony Edwards (knee). Friday snaps a string of four consecutive starts for Conley, who didn't appear in the two two games immediately preceding his return to the starting lineup.

Kalkbrenner will start Friday's game against Indiana.

With Moussa Diabate (ankle) out, Kalkbrenner will enter the starting lineup for the first time since Feb. 22. As a starter this season (30 games), the rookie second-rounder has averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in 25.7 minutes per tilt.

Sheppard will start Friday versus the Hornets, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

Quenton Jackson, Kobe Brown, Pascal Siakam and Jay Huff will join Sheppard in the first unit for Friday's game. Across 19 starts this season, Sheppard has posted averages of 8.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 triples per contest.

Bona won't start Friday's game against Minnesota, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

Bona got the spot start in Wednesday's win over the Wizards, though he'll retreat to the bench with Joel Embiid (illness) back in the lineup. Bona has averaged 3.8 points and 4.2 rebounds across 14.6 minutes per game over his last five appearances off the bench.

Sims (knee) is available for Friday's game against Boston, Eric Nehm of The Athletic reports.

Sims was listed as probable heading into this contest. While it's unknown what his role will be Friday, he should receive plenty of minutes, considering the Bucks are down Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), Kevin Porter (knee), Bobby Portis (wrist), Gary Trent (hip) and Ryan Rollins (hip).

Embiid (illness) is in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with Minnesota, Derek Bodner of AllPHLY.com reports.

Embiid is back after a one-game stint on the sidelines, which will push Adem Bona back to the second unit. Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Paul George and Dominick Barlow will join Embiid in the starting lineup for Friday's game.