NBA Player News

Williams has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to right knee injury management.

Since making his season debut Jan. 10 after completing his recovery from December 2024 surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, Williams has yet to play in both ends of a back-to-back sets. He'll end up getting some rest Friday after he started and recorded 20 points (7-10 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and one assist across 29 minutes in Thursday's 105-101 loss to the Rockets. With Williams idle and with Miles Bridges serving the third contest of his four-game suspension Thursday, Tidjane Salaun looks to be the next man up at power forward for the Hornets.

Sanders (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Thursday's 115-114 win over the Nuggets.

Though the Clippers upgraded him from a two-way contract to a standard deal over the All-Star break, Sanders ended up dropping out of the rotation for the first time since Nov. 10, ending a streak of 44 consecutive appearances. With Derrick Jones recently returning from an extended injury-related absence and with the Clippers bringing aboard Bennedict Mathurin at the trade deadline to bolster their depth on the wing, Sanders could regularly find himself outside of head coach Tyronn Lue's nine-man rotation. Sanders may at least temporarily reclaim a role in the second unit for Friday's game against the Lakers, as veteran Nicolas Batum (18 minutes Thursday) could be a candidate to rest for the second leg of a back-to-back set.

The Pelicans signed McGowens to a three-year contract Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

McGowens was previously on a two-way contract. He's fared well across 32 regular-season appearances, averaging 7.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.9 minutes per contest. He's likely to play a larger role with Trey Murphy (back) still sidelined.

McNeeley (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

McNeeley will miss a third straight game and remains without a timetable to return. He's been a minor part of the rotation in recent weeks.

White (calf) will not play Friday against the Cavaliers.

White has yet to debut for the Hornets as he continues to nurse a calf strain. For now, he should be considered questionable at best for Sunday's game against the Wizards.

Tomlin (calf) is probable for Friday's game against the Hornets.

After missing Thursday's game against the Nets, Tomlin is set to return for Cleveland. He could see an increased role as well with Evan Mobley (calf) getting the night off.

Jones (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Wizards.

Jones remains day-to-day after leaving Thursday's game early with lower-back soreness. Andrew Nembhard (back) is doubtful, while T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable as well.

Nembhard (back) is doubtful for Friday's game versus Washington.

Friday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, and it's not a surprise to see the team looking to rest Nembhard. T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable, and Kam Jones (back) is too, so the team could be very shorthanded in the backcourt.

Mobley has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Hornets due to left calf injury management.

In his return Thursday from a seven-game absence due to a left calf strain, Mobley was limited to just 19 minutes in the Cavaliers' 112-84 blowout win over the Nets, finishing with 10 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt), nine rebounds, two assists and one block. Though Mobley appears to have emerged from the contest without any setback, the Cavaliers will exercise some caution for the second leg of a back-to-back set. With Mobley sitting out, the Cavaliers could reopen a spot in the rotation for Thomas Bryant, while players such as Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, Nae'Qwan Tomlin (calf) and Jaylon Tyson could have higher minutes floors.

The Trail Blazers waived Rupert on Friday, Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reports.

The Trail Blazers needed a roster spot after agreeing to a two-year deal with Sidy Cissoko. Rupert made 48 regular-season appearances for Portland with averages of 2.9 points and 1.8 rebounds.