NBA Player News

Okogie (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Thursday in the Rockets' 105-101 loss to the Hornets.

For the second time in three games, head coach Ime Udoka dropped the struggling Okogie from his nine-man rotation and instead opted to go with Jae'Sean Tate for the final spot. The two DNPs were the first of the season for Okogie, who has fallen out of favor after shooting just 39.7 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point range since the calendar flipped to 2026.

Pickett is probable for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers due to right knee soreness.

Pickett has struggled to see regular playing time of late, so his potential absence may not be much of a factor in most fantasy formats. He's averaging just 2.6 points and 0.8 rebounds across 11.4 minutes per game in five appearances (two starts) since the beginning of February.

Murray is questionable for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers with right hamstring tightness.

Friday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so the Nuggets may be cautious. Murray recorded 20 points (5-15 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 8-10 FT), eight rebounds, eight assists, one block and two steals over 35 minutes during Thursday's 115-114 loss to the Clippers, but missed a game-tying free throw to end regulation.

James is questionable for Friday's game against the Clippers with left knee soreness.

James was a very late addition to the injury report Friday, and that's not a great sign for his availability. James was active at All-Star Weekend and practiced Thursday, but he may be held out for this contest. If he can't go, the Lakers could utilize Rui Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt more.

Claxton (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Thunder, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Claxton missed the first leg of the back-to-back set Thursday, and this will be his third consecutive absence. The big man will aim to return against the Hawks on Sunday. With Claxton out, Day'Ron Sharpe should continue to start at center.

Williams is listed out for Friday's game against the Thunder due to a personal matter.

The Nets haven't indicated if Williams will be back with the team for the final game of its road trip Sunday in Atlanta. With Williams sitting out Friday along with Nic Claxton (ankle) and with rookie first-round pick Ben Saraf currently in the G League, the Nets should have openings in the rotation for Terance Mann, Jalen Wilson and Ochai Agbaji.

Williams has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to right knee injury management.

Since making his season debut Jan. 10 after completing his recovery from December 2024 surgery to repair a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, Williams has yet to play in both ends of a back-to-back sets. He'll end up getting some rest Friday after he started and recorded 20 points (7-10 FG, 4-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and one assist across 29 minutes in Thursday's 105-101 loss to the Rockets. With Williams idle and with Miles Bridges serving the third contest of his four-game suspension Thursday, Tidjane Salaun looks to be the next man up at power forward for the Hornets.

Sanders (coach's decision) went unused off the bench in Thursday's 115-114 win over the Nuggets.

Though the Clippers upgraded him from a two-way contract to a standard deal over the All-Star break, Sanders ended up dropping out of the rotation for the first time since Nov. 10, ending a streak of 44 consecutive appearances. With Derrick Jones recently returning from an extended injury-related absence and with the Clippers bringing aboard Bennedict Mathurin at the trade deadline to bolster their depth on the wing, Sanders could regularly find himself outside of head coach Tyronn Lue's nine-man rotation. Sanders may at least temporarily reclaim a role in the second unit for Friday's game against the Lakers, as veteran Nicolas Batum (18 minutes Thursday) could be a candidate to rest for the second leg of a back-to-back set.

The Pelicans signed McGowens to a three-year contract Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

McGowens was previously on a two-way contract. He's fared well across 32 regular-season appearances, averaging 7.9 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19.9 minutes per contest. He's likely to play a larger role with Trey Murphy (back) still sidelined.

McNeeley (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.

McNeeley will miss a third straight game and remains without a timetable to return. He's been a minor part of the rotation in recent weeks.