NBA Player News

Middleton won't start Friday's game against the Magic.

Naji Marshall will return to the starting lineup following a two-game absence due to an illness, resulting in Middleton retreating to the second unit. The veteran forward has averaged 6.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals across 16.2 minutes per game over his last five appearances off the bench.

Rupert will start Friday's game against Toronto, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Rupert wasn't active for the Grizzlies' previous two games heading into this contest. However, he will get the start Friday versus the Raptors. In five starts this season, the 21-year-old has averaged 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals across 31.6 minutes per game.

Tshiebwe won't start Friday's game against the Rockets, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

John Konchar will run with the starters in Houston, pushing Tshiebwe back to the second unit. The big man has averaged 9.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 18.4 minutes per contest over his last five appearances off the bench.

Hendricks will start Friday versus the Raptors.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper (back) is out, so Hendricks will get the start, and he'll be joined in the first unit by Javon Small, Cedric Coward, Rayan Rupert and GG Jackson. As a starter this season, Hendricks has averaged 5.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Sims won't start Friday's game against Boston.

With Kyle Kuzma (Achilles) back in the lineup, Sims will slide to the second unit. The big man has averaged 5.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 20.2 minutes per contest over his last five appearances off the bench.

Konchar will start in Friday's game against Houston, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Konchar will make his first start since the 133-110 loss to the Wizards on March 25. In seven starts throughout the 2025-26 campaign, the 30-year-old has averaged 5.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 blocks and 2.9 steals across 29.9 minutes.

Shead will come off the bench for Friday's game in Memphis.

Brandon Ingram (heel) is back and starting after a one-game absence, so Shead will retreat to the second unit. As a reserve this season, Shead owns averages of 5.7 points and 5.0 assists per game.

Williams won't start Friday's game against Atlanta.

Terance Mann will return to the first unit, pushing Williams out of the starting five. The 24-year-old forward went unused off the bench in Sunday's win over Sacramento and isn't guaranteed meaningful burn if he's not starting. Still, he has averaged 14.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals over his last five appearances off the bench.

Mann will start Friday versus the Hawks, C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News reports.

Joining Mann in the first unit for Friday's game will be Nolan Traore, Drake Powell, Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton. As a starter this season, Mann owns averages of 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.

Sexton won't start Friday's game against the Knicks.

Sexton got the start in Wednesday's 145-126 loss to the Pacers. However, with Josh Giddey (hamstring) back from a one-game absence, Sexton will head back to the bench. With that said, the 27-year-old has remained a reliable contributor as a reserve, scoring at least 20 points in four of his five appearances heading into the meeting with Indiana.