NBA Player News

Jones (back) is available for Friday's game against Washington, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

The rookie second-rounder exited Thursday's loss to the Wizards early due to lower-back soreness, though he'll shed his questionable tag and suit up in the second leg of this back-to-back set. With Andrew Nembhard (back) listed as doubtful, Jones is likely to see an uptick in minutes. Over his last six outings (two starts), the Marquette product has averaged 6.3 points, 3.0 assists and 1.7 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per contest.

McConnell (hamstring) is available for Friday's game against the Wizards, Tony East of Forbes.com reports.

McConnell has missed the Pacers' last two games due to right hamstring soreness. The veteran point guard has been given the green light to play in Friday's game, and he could have an expanded role in his return as Andrew Nembhard (back) is listed as doubtful. McConnell has averaged 9.6 points, 4.9 assists, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals over 17.4 minutes per game since the start of the new year.

Hunter (eye) has been ruled out for Saturday's game in San Antonio.

Saturday will mark Hunter's fifth consecutive game on the inactive list, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Monday's meeting with Memphis. Nique Clifford and Daeqwon Plowden will continue to pick up the slack in Hunter's absence.

McConnell (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Wizards.

McConnell is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive contest due to right hamstring soreness. With Andrew Nembhard (back) doubtful and Kam Jones (back) questionable, the Pacers may be shorthanded in the backcourt for the second leg of this back-to-back set against Washington. Quenton Jackson and Ethan Thompson would be candidates for increased playing time if any of McConnell, Nembhard or Jones are ultimately ruled out.

Potter (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game versus the Wizards.

Potter played through the ankle issue Thursday, but it's possible he could get hit with a maintenance day on the second leg of this back-to-back set. If Potter isn't able to give it a go, there will be more minutes available for Ethan Thompson and Ben Sheppard.

Suggs is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Suns due to back spasms.

Suggs may have tweaked his back during the Magic's 131-94 win over the Kings on Thursday, when he recorded nine points, three rebounds, three assists and one block over 20 minutes. Jevon Carter, Jett Howard, Jase Richardson and Tristan da Silva figure to be the top candidates to enter the Magic's starting five if Suggs is unable to play Saturday.

Post (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Thursday in the Warriors' 121-110 loss to the Celtics.

After Post received single-digit minutes in three of his final four appearances before the All-Star break, the writing appeared to be on the wall for him to lose his rotation spot. The return of Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) to action Thursday in what was his Warriors debut proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Post, who picked up his first DNP-CD of the season. So long as the Warriors have all of Al Horford, Draymond Green and Porzingis available in the frontcourt for a given game, Post looks like he'll face an uphill battle to find minutes.

Tshiebwe (concussion) is available for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.

Tshiebwe will shed his questionable tag and suit up Friday after being placed in the league's concussion protocol during Utah's Feb. 12 loss to Portland. The two-way player isn't guaranteed to see significant burn but could enter the rotation with Lauri Markkanen (illness) doubtful and Jusuf Nurkic (nose) joining Jaren Jackson (knee) on the sidelines.

Markkanen (illness) has been downgraded to doubtful for Friday's game in Memphis.

It appears that Markkanen will be held out of Friday's game, which should open up minutes for guys like Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski and John Konchar. Check back closer to tipoff for official confirmation on Markkanen's status.

Ivey (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Thursday's 110-101 loss to the Raptors.

After being acquired from the Pistons on Feb. 3, Ivey had started three of the Bulls' final four contests before the All-Star break and averaged 29.0 minutes per contest over that stretch. He was expected to see his playing time get squeezed to some degree coming out of the break with the Bulls bringing back guards Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Tre Jones (hamstring) from multi-game absences, but Ivey's removal from the rotation entirely was surprising. A pending restricted free agent this summer, Ivey could still get a longer evaluation at some point as the Bulls look to determine whether he's part of their future plans, but it may take the team being without another guard before he gets his next opportunity. Per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, head coach Billy Donovan said Friday that he supported acting head coach Wes Unseld Jr.'s decision not to play Ivey on Thursday, with Donovan noting that the 24-year-old "has not moved and played as he did in the past" coming off surgery last January to repair a broken fibula in his left leg and another procedure in October to relieve discomfort in his right knee. Ivey's tepid production upon making his season debut in late November was likely a factor in the Pistons' willingness to move him ahead of the trade deadline.