NBA Player News

Murray-Boyles will start Thursday's game against the Bulls, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Although Jakob Poeltl (back) is available to play, he'll come off the bench and operate under a minutes restriction behind Murray-Boyles. As a starter this season (19 games), the rookie first-rounder has averaged 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 combined steals-plus-blocks in 27.2 minutes per game.

Shamet won't start Thursday's game against the Pistons.

With OG Anunoby (toe) back in the lineup following a four-game absence, Shamet will slide back to the bench. As a reserve this season (21 appearances), the eighth-year swingman has averaged 9.6 points in 20.4 minutes per tilt.

Allen (ankle) is out for Thursday's game against the Spurs, Amanda Pflugrad of 3TV Phoenix reports.

Allen missed three games before the All-Star break due to a right knee sprain, and he's since been added back to the injury report with a right ankle sprain, which will keep him from playing in Thursday's matchup. Jordan Goodwin, Amir Coffey and Ryan Dunn could pick up extra minutes in Allen's absence.

The Grizzlies announced Thursday that Caldwell-Pope underwent surgery to address the misalignment of his right pinky finger and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Caldwell-Pope is expected to make a full recovery ahead of next season and holds a $21.6 million player option for 2026-27. He'll finish this season with averages of 8.4 points, 2.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 21.3 minutes per contest across 51 regular-season games (14 starts). Cam Spencer, Walter Clayton (calf) and Jahmai Mashack are candidates to see an uptick in minutes due to Caldwell-Pope being sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

Vukcevic is starting Thursday's game against the Pacers.

Vukcevic will draw the start at center with Alex Sarr (hamstring) sidelined. Vukcevic fared well in his last start Feb. 7 against Brooklyn, as he finished with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 20 minutes.

Pippen has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Jazz due to left great toe injury management.

Pippen will miss the front end of this back-to-back set but could return for Saturday's game against Miami. With the Grizzlies set to be extremely shorthanded in the backcourt, Cam Spencer, Jahmai Mashack and Javon Small should see an uptick in minutes.

Clayton (calf) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Jazz.

Clayton is headed for his third straight absence after picking up a right calf injury. Expect official word from Memphis closer to Friday's tipoff.

Coward (knee) won't play in Friday's game against the Jazz.

Coward will miss his second consecutive contest due to a hyperextended right knee, and his next opportunity to suit up will come Saturday against Miami. With the rookie first-rounder joining Ja Morant (elbow), Scotty Pippen (toe), Ty Jerome (calf) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (finger) on the sidelines, Cam Spencer, Jahmai Mashack and Javon Small are candidates for increased playing time, especially if Walter Clayton (calf) is downgraded from doubtful to out.

Jerome is out for Friday's game against Utah due to right calf injury management.

Jerome will take a seat in his team's first game out of the All-Star break. Scotty Pippen (toe) is also out, so it'll presumably be up to Cam Spencer, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack to eat up minutes in the backcourt Friday night.

Watkins is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against Indiana.

It'll instead be Tristan Vukcevic manning the middle for the Wizards on Thursday. Watkins has averaged 9.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 blocks in 29.2 minutes per tilt in his last seven games (two starts).