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.

The Lakers recalled Bufkin from the G League's South Bay Lakers on Saturday.

Bufkin will be available off the bench for the Lakers' game Saturday against the Nuggets, but since Los Angeles is at full strength at guard and on the wing, he's not expected to be featured in the rotation. The third-year player suited up for South Bay in its 125-106 win over the Iowa Wolves on Friday, finishing with 16 points (7-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one block in 26 minutes.

The Lakers recalled James from the G League's South Bay Lakers on Saturday.

James will be available off the bench for the Lakers' game Saturday against the Nuggets but isn't expected to be featured in the rotation. He suited up for the G League club Friday and played 22 minutes in South Bay's 125-106 win over the Iowa Wolves, finishing with 13 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two assists, two blocks and one rebound.

Clingan produced 21 points (7-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, six blocks and three steals across 35 minutes during Friday's 124-114 win over the Jazz.

The double-double was the 27th of the season for Clingan and his fourth in six March games. The second-year center has become an absolute beast on the glass, and through 10 contests since the All-Star break he's averaging 13.7 points, 12.0 boards, 2.6 assists, 2.3 blocks, 1.4 threes and 1.1 steals while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor.

The Lakers recalled Thiero from the G League's South Bay Lakers on Saturday.

Thiero will be available off the bench for the Lakers' game Saturday against the Nuggets but isn't expected to be featured in the rotation. He suited up for the G League club Friday and played 31 minutes in South Bay's 125-106 win over the Iowa Wolves, finishing with 20 points (7-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.