NBA Player News

Brown (back) is available for Friday's game against the 76ers.

Brown will shake off his questionable tag and return from a one-game absence due to a lumbar sprain. Over his last five appearances (four starts), the 26-year-old forward has averaged 12.0 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 29.0 minutes per tilt. With Brown back in action, there will be fewer minutes available for guys like Micah Potter, Jalen Slawson and Obi Toppin.

Larsson won't start Friday's game against the Wizards, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

After starting six straight games, Larsson will slide to the second unit Friday. The second-year wing has come off the bench just six times since the beginning of January, averaging 8.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists across 24.8 minutes per contest in those appearances. However, he will likely still see starter-level minutes due to Norman Powell (groin), Tyler Herro (foot) and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) being unavailable.

Ware is in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus Washington, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Heat are without several key contributors in the penultimate game of the regular season, allowing Ware to draw his 33rd start of the year. The second-year big man has averaged 10.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 25.0 minutes per contest across his previous five appearances as a starter.

Fontecchio will start in Friday's game against Washington, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

The Heat are down three starters, so Fontecchio will operate with the first five for Friday's meeting with the Wizards. In eight starts during the 2025-26 campaign, the 30-year-old has averaged 10.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.3 blocks and 0.6 steals across 25.0 minutes.

Jakucionis will start Friday's game against the Wizards, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

With Tyler Herro (foot), Norman Powell (groin), and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) all unavailable for Friday's contest, the rookie first-round pick will rejoin the starting five. Jakucionis had recently been squeezed out of Miami's streamlined rotation, but the severely depleted backcourt will force him back into a significant role. Jakucionis was highly productive the last time he drew a spot start with both Herro and Powell sidelined, logging 18 points, seven rebounds, and five three-pointers across 35 minutes March 12.

Kolek (oblique) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors.

Kolek will miss Friday's contest due to a right oblique strain, and his next chance to play will come in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Hornets. With Miles McBride (pelvis) also sidelined, Landry Shamet, Jordan Clarkson and Jose Alvarado are all candidates for a slight bump in minutes.

Mitchell (shoulder) is listed as out for Friday's game against Washington.

Mitchell logged 37 minutes in Thursday's 128-114 loss to Toronto, finishing with 15 points, three rebounds and 11 assists. With Mitchell now ruled out for the second game of a back-to-back, Kasparas Jakucionis will likely enter the starting lineup and handle things at the point guard position against one of the worst defensive clubs in the league.

Rollins (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Nets.

After being downgraded to questionable earlier in the day, Rollins will ultimately take a seat on Friday due to a lingering right hip strain. The 23-year-old was highly productive during Wednesday's loss to Detroit, racking up 23 points and six assists across 33 minutes, but the Bucks have opted to exercise caution with his injury. With Rollins unavailable for a depleted Milwaukee squad, AJ Green is expected to take on primary playmaking duties, while Taurean Prince should remain in the starting five for a third consecutive contest.

Riley is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game versus Miami.

Bilal Coulibaly is back from a one-game absence due to a heel injury and is pushing Riley to the second unit. Riley has played at least 25 minutes in each of his last 10 appearances as a reserve, so the rookie first-rounder should still play a key role off the bench Friday.

Simons (wrist) will not play in Chicago's final two games of the regular season, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Simons' season will officially come to an end as he continues to recover from a fractured left wrist that has kept him sidelined since Feb. 21. Head coach Billy Donovan confirmed Friday that Simons, Josh Giddey (hamstring), Guerschon Yabusele (shoulder/elbow), Nick Richards (elbow) and Jalen Smith (calf) will be held out for the Bulls' final two matchups against the Magic and Mavericks. With Simons officially shut down, Collin Sexton (finger) and Rob Dillingham will continue to handle increased workloads in the backcourt to close out the campaign.