NBA Player News

Small will start Thursday versus the Mavericks.

Small should get all the run he can handle as one of the eight available players on the Memphis roster for Thursday's game. Across two starts this season, Small has posted averages of 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.0 triples and 1.0 steals per game.

Hendricks isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Dallas.

Hendricks started Tuesday's game against Philly, but he'll revert to the bench Thursday with the Grizzlies choosing to see what GG Jackson can do in a starting role. Hendricks logged 26 minutes off the bench Saturday and should see plenty of playing time against Dallas given the fact that he's one of seven active Memphis players for Thursday's tilt.

Coward (knee) won't play Thursday against the Mavs.

Coward will sit out Thursday's game, with it being the first of a back-to-back set, but he should return for Friday's meeting with the Pistons. With Coward unavailable, Jahmai Mashack, Javon Small and Rayan Rupert should see an uptick in minutes.

Gibson (reconditioning) is out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Gibson has yet to appear in a game since inking a deal with Memphis at the end of February. His next chance to debut will arrive Friday in Detroit.

Clayton (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game versus the Mavericks.

Clayton was listed as doubtful for Thursday's game, so it's not surprising to see him hit the sidelines for the first game of this back-to-back set. Cedric Coward (knee), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen (toe) and Cam Spencer (back) will join Clayton on the inactive list for Thursday's game, so Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack should get all the run they can handle. For now, Clayton should be considered questionable for Friday's game in Detroit.

Jerome (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Jerome was doubtful entering the day, so this update isn't much of a surprise. Scotty Pippen (toe), Cam Spencer (back) and Walter Clayton (ankle) are also sidelined Thursday, which should open up plenty of opportunities for Javon Small, Jahmai Mashack and Rayan Rupert to show what they can do.

Kispert will start Thursday's game against the Nets, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

Dyson Daniels (toe) was downgraded to out a few hours before tipoff, opening up a spot in the starting five for Kispert. The Gonzaga product started six straight games from Jan. 19 to Jan. 29 and averaged 9.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists during that span.

Rollins will come off the bench for Thursday's game in Miami.

Kevin Porter will replace Rollins in the first unit for Thursday's game, and Rollins will take a hit with the demotion. As a reserve this season, Rollins owns averages of 14.2 points, 4.0 assists, 1.8 triples and 1.7 steals per game.

Spencer (back) is out for Thursday's game against the Mavericks.

Spencer was tagged as questionable on the Grizzlies' injury report leading up to Thursday's clash, and he'll join several of his teammates in sitting out against Dallas. Memphis will be forced to lean on Javon Small, Jahmai Mashack and Rayan Rupert in the backcourt as a result.

Gardner will return to the second unit for Thursday's game against the Bucks, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Kel'el Ware will replace Gardner in the first unit for Thursday's game. As a reserve this season, Gardner has posted averages of 6.9 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest.