NBA Player News

Murray (hamstring/hip) is available for Friday's game against the Clippers.

Murray has been working through hamstring and hip inflammation of late, but he has been given the green light to play in Friday's contest. He has scored at least 24 points in seven of his last eight outings, and over that span he has averaged 28.6 points, 6.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 threes and 1.3 steals over 35.4 minutes per game.

Jokic (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Clippers.

This will be Jokic's first game in over a month, so while he will start, the three-time MVP will have his minutes monitored, according to Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports. Jonas Valanciunas will likely head back to the second unit with Jokic active, and Zeke Nnaji's minutes will see a sizable dip. Even with a minutes restriction, Jokic is a must-start option.

LeVert (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Warriors.

LeVert will miss a sixth consecutive contest due to an illness. The veteran guard's next opportunity to suit up will come Sunday against the Nets. Daniss Jenkins may continue to see increased playing time due to LeVert being sidelined.

Clifford is not in the Kings' starting lineup against the Celtics on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

The rookie first-rounder has started each of the Kings' last three games, but he'll revert to a bench role Friday while Zach LaVine re-enters the starting lineup. Clifford struggled during Thursday's loss to the 76ers, when he finished with two points (1-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one block over 27 minutes.

Williams is not in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Kings, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Williams was included in the rotation in each of the last five games and started at center in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta while Neemias Queta out due to an illness, but Queta is back and starting Friday. The rookie two-way player doesn't look as though he'll be in line for playing time Friday, as the Celtics list him out for the contest in what's likely a measure to preserve his eligibility while he approaches his limit of 50 active games at the NBA level for the season.

LaVine is in the Kings' starting lineup against the Celtics on Friday, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.

LaVine came off the bench during Thursday's loss to the 76ers, but the veteran wing will return to the starting lineup Friday while Nique Clifford reverts to a reserve role. LaVine has averaged 17.9 points, 2.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.6 threes over 31.0 minutes per game over his last 12 outings (10 starts).

Queta will start Friday's game against the Kings, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

Queta will return to action following a one-game absence due to an illness, and as expected, he'll step back into the starting five. The big man has started all but one of his 14 January appearances, during which he has averaged 10.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals in 25.1 minutes per game.

Scheierman is in the Celtics' starting lineup against the Kings on Friday, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.

It'll be the fourth start of the season for Scheierman (all of which have come since Jan. 12) as he takes Jaylen Brown's (hamstring) spot in Boston's starting five. In his last start against the Nets on Jan. 23, Scheierman finished with six points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals over 34 minutes in a double-overtime victory.

Williams (knee) is available for Friday's game in New York.

Williams is back after a one-game stint on the sidelines, and his return will likely result in Yang Hansen falling out of the rotation. Williams is averaging 6.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game this season.

Avdija (back) is available for Friday's game against the Knicks.

Avdija will shed his questionable tag due to a lower-back strain and suit up for a second straight outing. The 25-year-old forward has appeared in just five of Portland's last 10 games due to the back injury, averaging 22.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.0 steals across 31.0 minutes per game during that span.