Each day, this column will provide live updates for all NBA news. Enjoy up-to-the-minute alerts for injuries and lineup confirmations. The Key News to Watch section will highlight notable injuries to monitor for the current NBA slate.
Key NBA News to Watch
LeBron James (calf) — In
Zion Williamson (ankle) — In
Jaylen Brown (knee) — Available
Anthony Davis (adductor, hip) — Out
Desmond Bane (illness) — Available
Jordan Poole (ankle) — Available
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) — Out
Markelle Fultz (knee) — Out
D'Angelo Russell (migraine) — Out
Cam Reddish (knee) — Out
De'Andre Hunter (knee) — Out
Taurean Prince (knee) — In
Grayson Allen (groin) — Available
Mark Williams (back) — Out
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Confirmed Lineup: CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
Zion Williamson (ankle) — In
Matt Ryan (elbow) — Injured
Larry Nance Jr. (rib) — Injured
Williamson's availability for Friday's outing is in question, and if he were to be ruled out, it would be his second consecutive missed game. Before the previous contest, coach Green noted that the ankle was fine, so Williamson's return should come sooner rather than later. If he can suit up, he'll match up with a Hornets team that allows the second-most points (27.8) and rebounds (11.6) per game to opposing power forwards. If Williamson sits, Dyson Daniels would be in line to draw another spot start.
Confirmed Lineup: Terry Rozier, Brandon Miller, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges, Nick Richards
Mark Williams (back) — Out
PJ Washington (shoulder, bicep) — Out
LaMelo Ball (ankle) — Injured
Frank Ntilikina (leg) — Injured
Cody Martin (knee) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Cade Cunningham, Killian Hayes, Bojan Bogdanovic, Ausar Thompson, Isaiah Stewart
Marvin Bagley III (back) — Out
Jalen Duren (ankle) — Injured
Monte Morris (quad) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Maxey, De'Anthony Melton, Tobias Harris, Nicolas Batum, Joel Embiid
Confirmed Lineup: Tyrese Haliburton, Bruce Brown, Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, Myles Turner
Jalen Smith (knee, heel) — Injured
Andrew Nembhard (knee) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Tyus Jones, Jordan Poole, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford
Jordan Poole (ankle) — Available
Landry Shamet (rib) — Out
Eugene Omoruyi (G League) — Out
Johnny Davis (calf) — Injured
Delon Wright (knee) — Injured
Ryan Rollins (knee) — Injured
The Wizards have lost 20 of 23 games this season, including 15 of the last 16. Their 121.9 Defensive Rating is the league's worst, and their -10.6 Net Rating ranks second-worst league-wide. Now, they could be without one of their most important players in Poole. Corey Kispert will likely step into the starting lineup if Poole has to miss time, with Jared Butler providing additional guard depth off the bench. Avdija (+4.3%) has seen the largest usage rate differential of any Wizards player this season with Poole off the court.
Confirmed Lineup: Anthony Black, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Goga Bitadze
Markelle Fultz (knee) — Out
Wendell Carter Jr. (hand) — Injured
Fultz has been upgraded to questionable after missing the previous 15 games due to left knee tendinitis. He stated that he was close to a return on Thursday, which was solidified by his listing. The Magic have been consistent with their starting unit since Fultz has been sidelined, but Anthony Black should slide back to a reserve role when Fultz is fully healthy. Due to his lengthy absence, Fultz may have a minutes restriction when he returns. Orlando has won 13 of their 17 games sans Fultz this season.
Confirmed Lineup: Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Lamar Stevens
Jaylen Brown (knee) — Available
Kristaps Porzingis (calf) — Out
Al Horford (rest) — Out
Luke Kornet (adductor) — Out
Dalano Banton (illness) — Out
Confirmed Lineup: Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Onyeka Okongwu, Clint Capela
De'Andre Hunter (knee) — Out
AJ Griffin (personal) — Out
Jalen Johnson (wrist) — Injured
Mouhamed Gueye (back) — Injured
Kobe Bufkin (thumb) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Dennis Schroder, OG Anunoby, Scottie Barnes, Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl
Christian Koloko (respiratory) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Taurean Prince, LeBron James, Jaxson Hayes
LeBron James (calf) — In
Anthony Davis (adductor, hip) — Out
Taurean Prince (knee) — In
D'Angelo Russell (migraine) — Out
Cam Reddish (knee) — Out
Jarred Vanderbilt (back) — Available
Jalen Hood-Schifino (back) — Out
Gabe Vincent (knee) — Injured
Davis continues to be listed on the injury report but has played in 17 consecutive games. He led the team with 23 field goal attempts on Wednesday with James sidelined and would again see increased usage if James doesn't return. Regardless of who's available, they'll get an enticing matchup with a Spurs team that has lost 20 of 23 contests and is riding an 18-game losing streak. San Antonio struggled with Davis in the previous contest, and opposing centers are averaging 25.4 points and 16.2 rebounds against the Spurs this season, both of which are top-four marks league-wide.
Confirmed Lineup: Malaki Branham, Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama
Charles Bassey (knee) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Amen Thompson (illness) — Out
Jae'Sean Tate (illness) — Out
Victor Oladipo (knee) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Derrick Rose, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Bismack Biyombo
Desmond Bane (illness) — Available
Ja Morant — Suspended
Marcus Smart (foot) — Injured
Luke Kennard (knee) — Injured
Brandon Clarke (Achilles) — Injured
Steven Adams (knee) — Out for season
Over the last five outings, Jackson Jr.'s 33.4 points per game have been the fourth-most of any player league-wide. He's converted 48.5% of his 6.6 three-point attempts per game over that span. Bane missed the previous outing, and his status for Friday's contest is in question. The Grizzlies' Net Rating isn't greatly impacted with Bane off the court, and Jackson Jr. becomes the number one offensive option with a team-high 34.9% usage rate in those minutes.
Confirmed Lineup: Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Jericho Sims
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) — Injured
Confirmed Lineup: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkic
Grayson Allen (groin) — Available
Eric Gordon (leg) — Out
Josh Okogie (hip) — Out
Damion Lee (knee) — Injured
The Suns' trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal lost in its season debut last game. Durant and Booker combined for 61 points on 18-of-33 from the field, but Beal scored 14 points in 34 minutes, and Phoenix got just 14 points off the bench. The "big three" is slated to appear together again, this time against New York. The Knicks have lost three of their last four games, and they suffered a defeat the last time they faced the Suns, despite Jalen Brunson's 35 points in that outing.