NBA Player News

Sheppard will start Wednesday's game against Sacramento, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Amen Thompson (quadriceps) is unavailable Wednesday night, opening up a spot for Sheppard in the starting lineup. In six starts this season, Sheppard is averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals across 29.2 minutes.

Washington (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Kings.

Washington sprained his left ankle late in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's win over the Nets. The injury is severe enough for the veteran forward to miss Thursday's contest, and he is seemingly in jeopardy of also missing Friday's contest against the Grizzlies. Caleb Martin and Klay Thompson figure to be the top candidates to enter the Mavericks' starting lineup in Washington's absence.

Flagg (foot) is out for Thursday's game versus the Kings.

This will be Flagg's fifth consecutive game on the inactive list, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Friday's matchup with Memphis. Khris Middleton (shoulder), Caleb Martin and Naji Marshall will help fill the void while Flagg it out.

Middleton (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Kings.

Middleton sustained a right shoulder stinger in Tuesday's game and did not return. Now, the issue puts his availability at risk for Thursday's contest -- the first of a back-to-back set. Middleton has started in each of his last three appearances.

Gafford (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against the Kings.

It appears as though Gafford will sit out of the front end of the Mavericks' back-to-back set while managing a right ankle injury, but he should be available to play against the Grizzlies on Friday. Marvin Bagley figures to step into the starting center spot if Gafford is ruled out for Thursday's contest.

Avdija (back) will remain on the inactive list for Thursday's game in Chicago.

Thursday will mark Avdija's second straight game on the sidelines, and it's not a great sign that he continues to get ruled out 24 hours in advance of tipoff. Kris Murray, Sidy Cissoko and Matisse Thybulle will continue to pick up the slack in Avdija's absence.

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

Hansen may have picked up the injury during his most recent appearance in the G League with the Rip City Remix on Sunday, when he posted 11 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks over 29 minutes in a 118-113 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors. Robert Williams (foot) is also listed as questionable, so if both Williams and Hansen aren't available Thursday, Portland could turn to Sidy Cissoko or Jerami Grant to play center when starter Donovan Clingan is off the court.

Williams (foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Chicago.

Williams missed Portland's most recent game due to a sore foot, and he's at risk of missing a second straight game. The veteran center is averaging 6.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 16.2 minutes per game this season.

Caruso (ankle) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.

Caruso will sit for the second leg of the Thunder's back-to-back set while tending to a left ankle sprain, and his next chance to play is Friday against the Nuggets. Aaron Wiggins, Jared McCain and Kenrich Williams are all candidates to see an uptick in playing time in Caruso's absence.

Holmgren (back) won't play Wednesday in Detroit.

Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will join Holmgren on the sidelines for Wednesday's game, which should lead to major minutes for Jaylin Williams. Holmgren is getting hit with a maintenance day on the second leg of a back-to-back set, but he should return for Friday's game against the Nuggets.