NBA Player News

Avdija (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Avdija is still managing a lower-back injury and will miss a fourth straight game Sunday. His next opportunity to suit up will come Wednesday against Memphis. With the star forward sidelined, Kris Murray, Vit Krejci and Sidy Cissoko (illness) are candidates for increased playing time.

Cissoko (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Cissoko is in jeopardy of missing the second leg of this back-to-back set after recording zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 0-2 FT) and one assist over seven minutes during Saturday's loss to the Hornets. If the 21-year-old forward joins Deni Avdija (back) and Robert Williams (knee) on the sidelines, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle and Vit Krejci would be candidates to see increased minutes.

Hansen is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Hawks due to mid-back soreness.

Hansen was able to play through the issue in Thursday's win over the Bulls, though he saw just two minutes of playing time. However, if he's cleared to play Sunday, Hansen would be in line for a larger role off the bench due to the absence of Robert Williams (knee).

Williams has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Hawks due to left knee injury management.

Williams will rest for the second leg of a back-to-back set after he played 17 minutes in Saturday's 109-93 loss to the Hawks and finished with five points (1-2 FG, 3-4 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. Sidy Cissoko (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday, but if available, he could end up seeing most of the backup minutes behind starting center Donovan Clingan.

The Mavericks waived Kelly on Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

The move corresponds with the Mavericks signing Tyler Smith and John Poulakidas to two-way contracts. Kelly has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the G League with the Texas Legends, but he saw extended action for the Mavericks in their 124-105 loss to the Grizzlies on Friday, when he logged nine points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block over 31 minutes. Kelly could remain with the organization in the G League if he clears waivers.

Black is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pistons due to a right quadriceps contusion.

Black was a late addition to the injury report and is in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season. If the third-year guard is ultimately ruled out, Jett Howard and Jevon Carter would be candidates to see increased playing time.

The Mavericks signed Smith to a two-way contract Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Smith signed a two-way pact with Houston in December before being waived in January, though he will now join Dallas on a two-way deal. The second-year big man has yet to see any action at the NBA level this season, but he appeared in 27 G League outings with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and Capital City Go-Go before signing with Dallas. Over that stretch, he averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 26.6 minutes per game.

Claxton (thumb) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.

Claxton popped up on Saturday's injury report due to a right thumb sprain, and the injury is severe enough for him to miss Sunday's contest. Day'Ron Sharpe should serve as the Nets' starting center against the Cavaliers in Claxton's absence. Claxton's next chance to play is Tuesday against Miami.

Antetokounmpo (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bulls.

Antetokounmpo was a late addition to the injury report after presumably waking up under the weather Sunday. His absence shouldn't affect the Milwaukee rotation, and his next opportunity to suit up will come Monday against Boston.

Pullin agreed to a two-way contract with the Timberwolves on Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Pullin will move into the two-way slot vacated by Jules Bernard, whom the Timberwolves waived Saturday. A second-year guard out of Florida, Pullin has spent the entire 2025-26 season in the G League with the Iowa Wolves, with whom he had averaging 23.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 three-pointers over 35.3 minutes per game in 14 appearances. He previously spent time last season on a two-way deal with the Grizzlies but logged just three total minutes over three appearances at the NBA level.