NBA Player News

Hayes is in the starting lineup for Friday's matchup with the Pacers, Trevor Lane of LakersNation.com reports.

Hayes will draw the start with Deandre Ayton (knee) unavailable and could be headed for major minutes due to Maxi Kleber (back) also being out. Through seven starts this season, Hayes has registered averages of 11.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

Siakam (wrist) is available for Friday's game versus the Lakers.

Siakam was initially listed as probable for Friday's game, and now we have official confirmation that he'll be out there. The 31-year-old All-Star is averaging 24.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.8 triples and 1.1 steals per game this season.

Nembhard (neck/back) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers.

As expected, Nembhard will shake off his probable tag due back and neck soreness. The 26-year-old point guard has appeared in five outings since the All-Star break, during which he has averaged 15.0 points, 6.0 assists and 2.0 rebounds across 26.4 minutes per contest.

Nesmith (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers.

Nesmith was initially tagged as probable for Friday's contest due to a right ankle sprain, so it's no surprise that the sixth-year pro was given the green light to play in Los Angeles. That injury cost him five straight games in February, but Nesmith was cleared to return against the Clippers on Wednesday, when he played 20 minutes and finished with two points, three rebounds and two assists.

Tatum (Achilles) totaled 15 points (6-16 FG, 3-8 3Pt), 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal across 27 minutes during Tuesday's 120-100 win over the Mavericks.

Tatum made his season debut after rupturing his right Achilles tendon against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals last May. The 28-year-old forward got off to a slow start on the offensive end, scoring five points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field in the first half. However, he settled in during the second half and also impressed as a playmaker, dishing out a game-high-tying seven assists. While head coach Joe Mazzulla didn't mention a minutes restriction for the superstar ahead of his return, it appears likely the team will continue to monitor his playing time as he is eased back into game action. Jaylen Brown should remain the top scoring option for Boston while Tatum gets his legs under him, though the latter should still take on plenty of on-ball responsibilities.

Bogdanovic (illness) is available for Friday's game in San Antonio.

While Bogdanovic will be available for Friday's game, that doesn't mean he'll play. He's been a negligible part of the rotation for the Clippers of late.

Head coach JJ Redick said Friday that James (elbow/foot) will likely be available to play in Sunday's game against the Knicks, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports. He has already been ruled out for Friday's game against Indiana.

James sustained a left elbow contusion in Thursday's loss to Denver and won't play in the second leg of this back-to-back set Friday. However, the superstar can be considered day-to-day ahead of Sunday's contest. With the 41-year-old unavailable Friday, Jake LaRavia, Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt are candidates for increased minutes.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick said that Ayton -- who has already been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers -- is considered "day-to-day" due to left knee soreness, Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ayton saw the floor for just four minutes in Thursday's loss to Denver and picked up a left knee injury. The good news for the veteran big man is that he avoided a serious injury, so he could be available as soon as Sunday against the Knicks. Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt should see a significant bump in minutes due to Ayton's absence Friday, and Drew Timme -- who has been in the G League for the South Bay Lakers of late -- could also see some NBA action.

Missi is not in the Pelicans' starting lineup against the Suns on Friday.

Missi was in the Pelicans' starting five for Thursday's 133-123 win over the Kings, when he finished with seven points, two rebounds, one assist, four blocks and two steals over 16 minutes. He'll revert to a bench role for Friday's contest while the Pelicans roll with a starting five of Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson.

Vucevic will undergo surgery Saturday to repair a fractured right ring finger that he sustained during Friday's game against the Mavericks, and he will miss at least one month, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Vucevic ended up playing just two minutes in the first quarter before suffering the injury, and the procedure will keep him sidelined until at least early April. The veteran big man has been a key contributor off Boston's bench since being acquired from the Bulls in early February, but the good news for the Celtics is that they received a big boost with the return of Jayson Tatum (Achilles) on Friday. Luka Garza should serve as the first big man off the bench for the Celtics behind Neemias Queta until Vucevic is cleared to return.