Murphy recorded 14 points (5-15 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and seven assists across 37 minutes during Friday's 107-105 loss to the Rockets.

Murphy had a rough shooting performance, needing 15 shots to score 14 points. This outing snapped a five-game stretch in which Murphy scored at least 21 points each time, but he regularly attempts around 15 shots per game, so the expectation is that this was just a bad shooting performance for the fifth-year forward. After all, Murphy is shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 47.4 percent from three-point range since the All-Star break.

Williamson produced 21 points (7-10 FG, 7-9 FT), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 34 minutes during Friday's 107-105 loss to the Rockets.

Williamson was effective from the floor and posted a solid stat line, which has been the trend of late. Since missing the March 1 loss to the Clippers due to a sprained right ankle, Williamson has reached the 20-point mark in four of his last six appearances, averaging 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in that stretch.

Murray produced 35 points (14-18 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 3-5 FT), seven rebounds, four assists and one steal in 31 minutes during Friday's 107-105 loss to the Rockets.

Murray has been excellent since making his season debut Feb. 24 against the Warriors and has scored in double digits in each of his eight appearances. He has cleared the 30-minute threshold in his last two games and has scored 25-plus points both times, so he should continue to be one of the most reliable scoring weapons for the Pelicans in the final weeks of the regular season.

Thompson closed Friday's 107-105 win over the Pelicans with 23 points (7-15 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 12 rebounds, eight assists and one steal across 40 minutes.

Thompson had an impressive performance on both ends of the court and finished just two assists away from recording what would've been his first triple-double of the season. The star guard is an outstanding two-way presence for Houston and is averaging 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals per contest since the All-Star break.

Sheppard finished Friday's 107-105 win over New Orleans with 18 points (6-14 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal over 32 minutes.

Sheppard filled the stat sheet and was locked in from three-point range -- the five threes he made were the second-highest mark of the month in that regard. Sheppard has been productive off the bench for a contending Rockets team, and he's scored in double digits in all but two of his 13 appearances since the All-Star break. He's averaging 16.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game in that span.

Diawara supplied four points (2-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist in 20 minutes during Friday's 101-92 win over the Pacers.

Diawara had 10 points in the recent victory over Utah. With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee), Josh Hart (knee) and Jeremy Sochan (illness) out Friday, he had an opportunity to benefit offensively. However, that didn't happen, with the 20-year-old shooting just 22.2 percent from the field while failing to drain any of his attempts from behind the arc. If Towns, Hart and Sochan remain sidelined, Diawara might continue to see more action than usual moving ahead. That could change, though, if he doesn't turn things around on both ends of the floor.

Smith ended Friday's 107-105 win over the Pelicans with 16 points (6-16 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal in 38 minutes.

Smith has scored in double digits in his last four games since returning from a one-game absence on March 6 due to a right ankle sprain. The forward, who has managed to secure a steady role in the starting lineup, is averaging 16.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game since the All-Star break.

Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse said that Embiid (oblique) returned to basketball activities Friday, but it's still unclear when the center will be able to suit up again, Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com reports.

Per Aaronson, Nurse said he doesn't "want to anticipate anything" regarding Embiid's return timeline, but the coach didn't rule out the superstar big man suiting up during Philadelphia's upcoming three-game road trip, which starts Tuesday in Denver and ends Saturday in Utah. Embiid has already missed seven consecutive contests, and given Nurse's comments, the seven-time All-Star looks poised to miss at least the next two home games. With Andre Drummond and Adem Bona day-to-day with back issues, Dominick Barlow and Trendon Watford are candidates for increased roles in the frontcourt moving forward.

Drummond (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Nets, Austin Krell of OnPattison.com reports.

Drummond will be sidelined for a second consecutive game due to a back injury, and he'll look to be available for the second leg of the Sixers' back-to-back set against the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Joel Embiid continues to be sidelined by an oblique strain, and if Adem Bona (back) is unable to play Saturday, then Dominick Barlow would be slated to start at center for a second consecutive game.

Henderson posted 25 points (8-14 FG, 5-7 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one block in 30 minutes off the bench during Friday's 124-114 victory over the Jazz.

The 25 points tied Jrue Holiday for the team scoring lead on the night. Henderson is still searching for consistency, especially when it comes to his shooting, but he's at least flashing the upside that made him the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. In 11 games (three starts) since the All-Star break, Henderson is averaging 14.0 points, 3.6 assists, 2.8 boards and 1.9 threes.