NBA Player News

Smith (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Warriors.

Smith is back from a two-game absence with a sprained right ankle, and he should send Reed Sheppard back to the bench Thursday. Smith is looking to pick up where he left off in his last eight games before getting injured, as he was averaging 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 34.7 minutes per contest while shooting 57.6 percent from the field during that period.

Black is in the Wizards' starting lineup against the Jazz on Thursday.

It's the first time that Black will start this season, and he'll be in the lineup alongside Trae Young, Tre Johnson, Bilal Coulibaly and Julian Reese. In his last outing against the Magic on Tuesday, Black finished with eight points, nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two three-pointers over 31 minutes.

Bitadze will come off the bench Thursday against the Mavericks.

Bitadze drew a spot start Tuesday with Wendell Carter sidelined, but Carter has been given the green light to take the court Thursday. Bitadze has struggled to remain in the rotation over the last few months, but he could see playing time Thursday given that Jonathan Isaac (knee) is out.

Riley is not in the Wizards' starting lineup against the Jazz on Thursday.

Riley will move to a bench role for Thursday's contest while the Wizards roll with a starting lineup of Tre Johnson, Leaky Black, Bilal Coulibaly, Julian Reese and Trae Young. Riley started in Tuesday's loss to the Magic, when he finished with 19 points, five assists, three rebounds, two three-pointers and two steals over 33 minutes.

Carrington is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Jazz.

Trae Young (knee/quadriceps) is taking over the top spot at point guard in his Wizards debut. Carrington has averaged 9.0 points, 4.8 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 30.3 minutes per contest over his last six games off the bench, shooting 34.5 percent from the floor during that stretch.

Da Silva is not in the Magic's starting lineup against the Mavericks on Thursday.

Da Silva has started in the Magic's last six games and has averaged 11.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.3 threes over 33.2 minutes per game over that span. He will revert to a bench role for Thursday's contest due to the return of Anthony Black, the latter of whom will start alongside Jalen Suggs, Desmond Bane, Paolo Banchero and Wendell Carter.

Murray (illness) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Rockets.

Murray was limited to just four minutes of playing time during Sunday's loss against the Hawks due to an illness, which prevented him from playing in Wednesday's win against the Grizzlies. Scoot Henderson figures to remain in Portland's starting lineup if Murray is unable to play Friday.

Avdija is doubtful for Friday's game against the Rockets due to lower-back injury management.

Avdija is expected to miss a sixth consecutive contest Friday. The star forward's likely absence Friday should allow Scoot Henderson to claim a more sizable role, whether it be as a starter or a reserve.

Edwards (foot) is available for Thursday's game against the Raptors.

Edwards was carrying a questionable tag earlier in the day due to foot injury maintenance as Minnesota appeared to be weighing giving him a night off, but the team has since cleared him to play Thursday. The star guard is fresh off a 41-point showing Tuesday against Memphis and has put up 20 or more points in six straight outings.

Cryer (hamstring) will be available off the bench Thursday against Houston, Nick Friedell of The Athletic reports.

The two-way player hasn't seen action at the NBA level or in the G League since Jan. 25 due to a left hamstring injury, but he'll be ready to play Thursday and is expected to be included in the rotation while the Warriors are down several key contributors. The rookie has appeared in only three games for Golden State this season, scoring six points in eight total minutes.