NBA Player News

Green is in the Suns' starting lineup against the Spurs on Thursday.

Green has been hampered by a hamstring injury all season but was cleared to play in two of the Suns' three games prior to the All-Star break. He's been limited to 20 minutes or less since his return, but his move to the starting lineup -- for the first time since Nov. 8 -- is a positive sign for his recovery and conditioning. Green's move to the starting five will result in Jordan Goodwin coming off the bench for Thursday's contest.

Ayton (knee) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Clippers, Law Murray of The Athletic reports.

Ayton missed a pair of games before the All-Star break due to knee soreness, but after a few days off, he's been cleared to return. He'll presumably slot back into the starting five Friday, which would bump Jaxson Hayes back to the bench.

Murray (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets.

Murray hasn't played since Jan. 5 due to a lumbar strain, though he appears to be nearing a return to action and was a full participant in Thursday's practice, per Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland. Through 34 regular-season outings (11 starts), he has averaged 6.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 25.7 minutes per game.

Williams (knee) is not on the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Nuggets.

Williams was held out of the Trail Blazers' final game before the All-Star break (Feb. 12 against the Jazz) due to left knee injury management, but the veteran center will be available for Friday's contest. Williams hasn't played more than 20 minutes since Dec. 5 and is averaging 6.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 blocks over 16.3 minutes per game this season.

Thybulle (knee) is questionable for Friday's game against the Nuggets.

Thybulle managed to log a full practice Thursday, per Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland, so he appears to be trending in the right direction after being sidelined since Oct. 29 due to a right knee injury. The Blazers will presumably monitor Thybulle closely leading up to tipoff before providing another update on his availability.

Curry will have his right knee injury re-evaluated by medical staff in 10 days, Anthony Slater of ESPN.com reports.

Curry has been sidelined by a lingering right knee injury since Jan. 30, which prevented him from playing in the Warriors' final five games before the All-Star break. The superstar guard hasn't progressed enough in his recovery as hoped, and he'll have his knee looked at again by medical staff in early March to determine a clearer timeline for a return. With Curry sidelined, the Warriors will continue to lean more heavily on Pat Spencer, Brandin Podziemski and Gary Payton.

Yabusele won't start against the Raptors on Thursday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

With Jalen Smith (calf) back in the lineup following a three-game absence, Yabusele will slide to the second unit. Over four outings (three starts) with the Bulls, the 30-year-old big man has averaged 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 26.5 minutes per contest.

Williams will come off the bench Thursday against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Williams started Chicago's final game before the All-Star break, which marked his third start of the season, but he'll move back to a bench role Thursday now that the starting five has returned to health. The Florida State product is averaging 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists in his last five showings off the bench.

Poeltl is not in the Raptors' starting lineup against the Bulls on Thursday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Poeltl missed 24 games spanning from late December to early February due to a back strain, but he was cleared to return for the Raptors' loss to the Pistons on Feb. 11, when he started and recorded nine points and six rebounds over 20 minutes. The veteran center will come off the bench for Thursday's contest while rookie first-rounder Collin Murray-Boyles enters the Raptors' starting five.

Sexton isn't in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Raptors, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Sexton drew a spot start before the All-Star break with Josh Giddey (hamstring) sidelined, but Sexton will return to a reserve role Thursday evening. He's scored 17 or more points in each of his two appearances off the bench since joining the Bulls.