NBA Player News

Herro will enter the starting lineup Saturday against the Rockets, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.

With Norman Powell considered week-to-week due to a groin injury, Herro will become the primary playmaker and scorer for Miami, a role he's familiar with. The star guard recorded 25 points (9-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 32 minutes during Thursday's 124-117 loss to Philadelphia.

Hachimura (illness) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

As expected, Hachimura will miss a second straight game due to an illness, and he'll look to make his return against the Kings on Sunday. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia are both poised to take on larger roles off the bench in Hachimura's absence.

Sheppard is in the Rockets' starting lineup against the Heat on Saturday, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Jabari Smith will be sidelined for Saturday's contest due to a right ankle sprain, which paves the way for Sheppard to make his eighth start of the season (and fourth since Feb. 2). Sheppard has scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games and has averaged 16.9 points, 3.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 3.8 threes, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks over 27.4 minutes per game over his last eight outings (two starts).

Smith (ankle) is targeting a return March 5 against Golden State, Varun Shankar of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Smith will miss Saturday's game against the Heat and Monday's game versus the Wizards. This will give the forward some extra rest on the road. Reed Sheppard will start in Smith's place for at least Saturday's game.

George (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to probable ahead of Saturday's game against the Pelicans.

George has missed nine of the Jazz's last 10 games (including each of the last six contests) due to ankle injuries. It looks like the third-year pro will return Saturday, which would likely result in Isaiah Collier or John Konchar moving to a bench role against New Orleans.

The Warriors signed Santos to a three-year, $15 million contract extension Saturday.

Santos is in the midst of a career year with the Warriors, so this news comes as no surprise. Across 48 regular-season games, he's averaging 6.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 16.0 minutes per contest. He's been hot over his last 12 outings, posting averages of 15.0 points on 58.9 percent shooting from the field during that stretch.

Missi (calf) is available for Saturday's game against the Jazz.

Missi has been given the green light to return from a five-game absence due to a left calf strain. It's unclear how the Pelicans' rotation will be impacted by Missi's return, given that DeAndre Jordan has started each of the last three games while rookie first-rounder Derik Queen has come off the bench in each of his last two outings. Missi has averaged 6.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 blocks over 21.6 minutes per game in 20 appearances (one start) since the new year.

Henderson will move to the bench for Saturday's game against Charlotte, Sam Perley of the Hornets' official site reports.

This is an expected move with Donovan Clingan returning from a one-game absence. Henderson is expected to maintain a sizable role off the bench.

George (knee) is available for Saturday's game against the Raptors.

George was held out of Thursday's loss to the Hawks due to a left knee contusion, but the second-year pro has been cleared to return Saturday, which will likely result in Will Riley reverting to a bench role. George has averaged 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 threes and 0.8 blocks over 20.5 minutes per game in his last eight outings.

Vukcevic (hip) is available for Saturday's game against the Raptors.

Vukcevic has been a regular on the injury report of late, but he will push through his hip ailment Saturday. The center is averaging 10.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 three-pointers in 19.1 minutes over his last four games.