NBA Player News

Harden (thumb) has been downgraded to out for Wednesday's game against Milwaukee.

Harden has a fractured right thumb, and while he's planning on playing through the injury going forward, he'll be sidelined Wednesday night. The injury is to Harden's non-shooting hand and won't require surgery. His absence will likely leave more playing time for Dennis Schroder and Craig Porter. Harden's next chance to play will come Friday at Detroit.

Anderson (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Warriors.

Anderson will miss a third straight game due to tendinitis in his right knee. With several other key frontcourt players sidelined, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Taylor Hendricks and GG Jackson will likely handle most of the frontcourt minutes Wednesday night. Anderson's next chance to play will come Friday at Dallas.

Finney-Smith (knee) won't play Wednesday against the Kings, Lachard Binkley of SI.com reports.

Finney-Smith will receive a rest day on the first leg of this back-to-back set, but he'll return to the floor for Thursday's game in Orlando. Josh Okogie could see some extra minutes with Finney-Smith unavailable, and Jeff Green might be able to get into the rotation.

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.