NBA Player News
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Ivica Zubac C | IND
Pacers' Ivica Zubac: Ready for Pacers debut
Zubac (ankle) will play Thursday against the Suns, Alex Golden of the 'Setting the Pace' podcast reports.
Zubac was upgraded to questionable ahead of Thursday's matchup, and the team has since given him the green light to take the floor for the first time as a member of the Pacers. The big man hasn't appeared in a game since Feb. 2, so it's safe to assume that Indiana will keep a close eye on his minutes until he's acclimated, which will likely take at least a few appearances.
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Scottie Barnes PF | TOR
Raptors' Scottie Barnes: Questionable for Friday
Barnes is questionable for Friday's game versus the Suns due to an illness, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Barnes is feeling under the weather, but we'll have a better idea of his status for Friday's game based on his activity level at shootaround. If he's not able to give it a go, Brandon Ingram would see an uptick in usage, and there would be more minutes available for Jamison Battle and Sandro Mamukelashvili.
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Collin Murray-Boyles PF | TOR
Raptors' Collin Murray-Boyles: Iffy for Friday
Murray-Boyles (thumb) is questionable for Friday's game against the Suns, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The rookie first-rounder has a chance to end a six-game absence with a thumb sprain. Less playing time would be open to Sandro Mamukelashvili if Murray-Boyles can play Friday.
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Marcus Smart PG | LAL
Lakers' Marcus Smart: Downgraded to out
Smart is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls with a bruised right hip, per Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com.
The veteran guard can be deemed day-to-day ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Nuggets. Luke Kennard should see enough playing time in the backcourt to command streaming attention in most fantasy leagues Thursday.
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Jaxson Hayes C | LAL
Lakers' Jaxson Hayes: Won't play Thursday
Hayes (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Bulls, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
This is a surprise for the Lakers, with Hayes previously labeled as probable. With this news, it's likely that Jarred Vanderbilt picks up some run in the frontcourt with so many players on the shelf.
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Moses Moody SG | GS
Warriors' Moses Moody: Remains out with sprained wrist
Moody (wrist) won't play in Friday's game against Minnesota, Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Though Moody will wind up missing a fifth consecutive game Friday, head coach Steve Kerr said after Wednesday's practice that the fifth-year wing is on track to join the Warriors for their upcoming six-game road trip that begins Sunday in New York. Moody's continued absence Friday opens up more playing time for Will Richard, Pat Spencer and Gary Payton on the wing.
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RayJ Dennis PG | ATL
Hawks' RayJ Dennis: Transferred to NBA
Dennis was transferred to the Hawks from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Thursday.
The transaction is a sign that Atlanta may be planning to be without Dyson Daniels (toe) for Thursday's matchup versus the Nets. Dennis has averaged 4.3 points, 2.0 assists and 1.5 rebounds in 11.8 minutes per tilt through 15 NBA games this season between the Pacers, Clippers and Hawks.
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Asa Newell PF | ATL
Hawks' Asa Newell: Recalled to NBA
Newell was recalled to the Hawks from the G League's College Park Skyhawks on Thursday.
The move is a possible signal that Atlanta is bracing for Jonathan Kuminga (knee) to be unavailable for Thursday's tilt versus the Nets. Newell has averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 11.1 minutes per contest through 40 NBA games this season.
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Bez Mbeng SG | UTA
Jazz's Bez Mbeng: Lands 10-day deal with Utah
Mbeng agreed Thursday with the Jazz on a 10-day contract, Jake Fischer of BleacherReport.com reports.
An undrafted rookie out of Yale, Mbeng was cut by the Heat prior to the start of the season and has spent the entire season with Miami's G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Through 41 appearances for the Skyforce, the 6-foot-4 guard has averaged 6.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 27.5 minutes per game while shooting just 27 percent from three-point range. With Keyonte George exiting the Jazz's 134-117 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury and at risk of missing time, Mbeng could be called upon to serve as a backup point guard in Utah's next contest Friday in Portland.