NBA Player News

Collier recorded 24 points (9-16 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-6 FT), two rebounds, five assists, two blocks and four steals across 25 minutes during Friday's 123-114 loss to Memphis.

Collier wreaked havoc on the defensive end, tying career highs in steals and blocks, and this was the fourth game of his career with at least four steals. Collier has been flirting with top-40 value over the past eight games with averages of 18.1 points, 10.9 dimes and 2.5 swipes per contest.

Ball logged 18 points (4-17 FG, 2-10 3Pt, 8-8 FT), six assists and two rebounds over 27 minutes during the Hornets' 118-113 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday.

Ball finished tied with Brandon Miller as the Hornets' second-leading scorer behind rookie Kon Knueppel (33 points). However, Ball made just 23.5 percent of his field-goal attempts, and his stat line looked better only because of his eight made free throws. He has connected on 39.6 percent of his field-goal attempts this season, though that number has dropped to 34.8 percent (including 30.0 percent from three on 11.4 3PA/G) since Feb. 2.

Kalkbrenner registered 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and one block over 36 minutes during the Hornets' 118-113 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday.

The rookie second-rounder finished as the Hornets' leading rebounder (including a career-high nine offensive boards) en route to the third double-double of the season (and first since Nov. 3 against the Pelicans). Kalkbrenner has started in each of the Hornets' last three games and should serve in that role against the Wizards on Sunday, though he'll likely revert to a bench role against the Bulls on Tuesday since Moussa Diabate will have served his four-game suspension.

Herro (ribs) finished with 24 points (9-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 23 minutes off the bench in Friday's 128-97 win over the Hawks.

Herro returned to the hardwood following a 15-game absence due to a right costochondral injury to the ribs and operated under a minutes restriction. The star guard got off to a strong start, scoring 16 of his 24 points in the first half before ending as the game's leading scorer. Given his lengthy absence, Herro could continue to come off the bench for a few more games while the Heat look to manage his minutes carefully. His status will be worth monitoring ahead of Saturday's game against Memphis, as he could be a candidate to sit out the second leg of the Heat's back-to-back set.

Harden recorded 18 points (6-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight assists, three rebounds and one steal over 34 minutes during the Cavaliers' 118-113 win over the Hornets on Friday.

Harden continues to serve as the leading distributor for his new team, but he also helped close things out with seven points in the fourth quarter. He has fit seamlessly into the Cavaliers' offense since being acquired from the Clippers in early February, as he's taken a back seat to Donovan Mitchell in the scoring category. Through the first five games of his tenure with the Cavaliers, Harden is averaging 18.4 points, 8.6 assists, 5.0 rebounds, 2.6 threes and 1.0 steals over 31.8 minutes per game.

Allen logged 26 points (11-15 FG, 4-5 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists and one block over 32 minutes during the Cavaliers' 118-113 win over the Hornets on Friday.

It was another dominant performance from Allen, who grabbed seven of his game-high 14 rebounds on the offensive glass while finishing as the Cavaliers' second-leading scorer behind Donovan Mitchell (32 points). Allen is up to 15 double-doubles on the season, six of which have come over his last seven outings. Over that seven-game span, the veteran center has averaged 23.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.4 blocks over 29.0 minutes per game.

LaRavia is not in the Lakers' starting lineup against the Clippers on Friday, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

With Luka Doncic (hamstring) back in the lineup and the Lakers at full strength, LaRavia will slide back to the bench for the first time in 24 games. During that stretch, he averaged 10.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.5 steals, providing consistent production for a Lakers team that has been dealing with multiple injuries.

Knueppel logged 33 points (11-20 FG, 7-15 3Pt, 4-5 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one steal over 37 minutes during the Hornets' 118-113 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday.

The No. 4 overall pick paced the Hornets on offense during Friday's loss, tallying 27 of his game-high 33 points between the second and third quarters. It was the third time this season that Knueppel connected on seven triples in a game, and he was one shy from tying a career high that he set against the Mavericks on Jan. 29. He should operate in an elevated role against the Wizards on Sunday, as that will be the last game Miles Bridges will be forced to miss while serving a four-game suspension.

Reaves will start against the Clippers on Friday, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Reaves has played in five of the Lakers' last six outings following a 19-game absence due to a strained right calf, and he'll finally be inserted back into the starting five Friday. It's unclear whether the 27-year-old guard will remain on a minutes restriction, though he has logged at least 28 in each of his last two outings.

Hayes will come off the bench for Friday's game against the Clippers, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.

Deandre Ayton (knee) is back and starting after a two-game layoff, so Hayes will return to a reserve role. As a member of the second unit this season, Hayes owns averages of 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest.