RADIO
Ja Morant's Hamstring Injury Might Not be as Bad as Feared
Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant (hamstring) received an encouraging update from head coach Micah Nori, who said the injury "might not be as extensive as what we thought it was," according to Conor Bergin of Blazer's Edge. Morant was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain on Oct. 30 and is still scheduled to be re-evaluated four weeks from that date. The 27-year-old averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 25.8 minutes through four games. Until he's back, Jrue Holiday should remain one of Portland's main creators after turning in 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds against Denver on Nov. 2.
Source: Conor Bergin
Source: Conor Bergin
Egor Demin Ruled Out Sunday Against Dallas
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (leg) is out for Sunday's matchup with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Brian Lewis of the New York Post. It will be his sixth straight absence since suffering a bone bruise Oct. 27 against Boston. Head coach Jordi Fernandez said Saturday that the 20-year-old is progressing and will be re-evaluated next week. Demin is averaging 7.8 points and 2.8 assists in 21.8 minutes, though 22 of those points came in one game against Cleveland. Nolan Traore should continue getting extra backcourt work while Demin is sidelined, with Keon Ellis also remaining in the rotation.
Source: Brian Lewis
Source: Brian Lewis
Luka Doncic Listed as Questionable Against Detroit
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (back) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Detroit Pistons due to lower-back tightness. The 27-year-old is coming off a 53-point performance in Friday's win over Portland and previously missed an Oct. 28 game against the Clippers with the same issue. Doncic is averaging 40.1 points while shooting 49.8% from the field through nine games. If he sits, Austin Reaves would take on more of the creation duties, while Quentin Grimes and Collin Sexton could see expanded roles. With the Lakers visiting Atlanta on Monday, the back-to-back adds some risk to Doncic's availability.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
T.J. McConnell Could Make Season Debut Versus Denver
Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets in Mexico City and could make his season debut. The 34-year-old has missed Indiana's first nine games and was still listed as out Wednesday against Memphis, making the upgrade an encouraging sign. McConnell averaged 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists last season. If cleared, he will likely face a minutes restriction, but his return would still cut into Quenton Jackson's playing time and could take some ball-handling work away from rookie Braden Smith while Tyrese Haliburton (hamstring) remains sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dennis Schroder Won't Suit Up Against Boston
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder (thigh) has been ruled out for Friday's NBA Cup matchup against the Boston Celtics, marking his first absence of the season. The 33-year-old opened the year as Charlotte's starting point guard before shifting to the bench when Coby White returned Monday. Schroder is averaging 10.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists through nine appearances. White should take on more of the ball-handling while Schroder sits, with Sion James also in line to stay heavily involved. Kon Knueppel (hamstring) remains sidelined after aggravating the injury Wednesday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Payton Pritchard Good to Go Versus Charlotte
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (eye) is available for Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets after being upgraded from questionable. Pritchard left Wednesday's win over Milwaukee with an abrasion after posting 10 points and five assists on 4-for-7 shooting in 18 minutes. The 28-year-old is averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 assists and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 41.8 percent from the field and 31.0 percent from three. His return keeps Boston's second-unit backcourt intact as the Celtics open a four-game road trip.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Scotty Pippen Jr. Sidelined for Fourth Straight Game
Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a lumbar disc herniation, marking his fourth straight absence. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo said Pippen could be day-to-day or week-to-week depending on how he responds to treatment. The 25-year-old is averaging 6.4 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 16.0 minutes through five games. He dealt with a similar back issue in 2024, making his recovery worth monitoring. Cam Spencer should remain Ty Jerome's primary backup after dishing out 13 assists in a spot start last Saturday.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Dennis Schroder Iffy for Friday
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Schroder (thigh) is questionable for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Boston Celtics. Schroder played through a foot issue last week before moving to the bench Monday after Coby White returned, logging 23 minutes against Detroit. The 33-year-old is averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists this season. If Schroder sits, White should take on more ball-handling duties, while Charlotte may have to dig deeper into its guard rotation, with Kon Knueppel (hamstring) also sidelined.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Payton Pritchard Carries Questionable Tag for Friday
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (eye) is questionable for Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Pritchard left Wednesday's win over Milwaukee with a right eye abrasion, though head coach Joe Mazzulla said afterward that he appeared to be okay. The former Sixth Man of the Year is averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 31.0% from three. If Pritchard sits, Mike Conley and Baylor Scheierman could see more minutes, though Jayson Tatum's return should limit the extra scoring opportunities available.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Goodwin Ruled Out Again Thursday
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Orlando Magic, his second straight absence since hurting his right calf Monday against Golden State. Goodwin entered that game averaging 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in 21.0 minutes. He also dealt with a left calf strain last season and aggravated that same calf during the playoffs. Ryan Dunn could get a little more run while Goodwin is sidelined after pulling down five offensive rebounds Wednesday, while Luke Kennard remains another option off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic Drops 40 Points as Lakers Win Third Straight
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic poured in 40 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in Wednesday's 116-103 win over the Sacramento Kings, shooting 11-for-23 from the field and knocking down six threes. Doncic has now posted at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five triples in six straight games, the longest streak in NBA history. He also became the first player since Michael Jordan in 1988-89 to top 300 points through his first eight games of a season. Austin Reaves added 21 points, while Walker Kessler chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds, four blocks, and three steals. Doncic carries the historic scoring run into Friday's matchup with Portland.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Payton Pritchard Exits with Right-Eye Abrasion
Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (eye) did not return to Wednesday's 109-102 win over the Milwaukee Bucks after suffering a right eye abrasion. Pritchard finished with 10 points, five assists, and one rebound on 4-for-7 shooting in 18 minutes before leaving in the third quarter. Head coach Joe Mazzulla said afterward that Pritchard appeared to be okay and would be checked again Thursday. The former Sixth Man of the Year was already playing through a right shoulder contusion and is averaging 13.0 points this season. If he can't play Friday at Charlotte, Baylor Scheierman and Mike Conley could pick up some extra minutes.
Source: Bobby Manning
Source: Bobby Manning
Jordan Goodwin Ruled Out Wednesday
Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers after leaving Monday's loss to Golden State with right calf soreness. Goodwin is averaging 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists through five appearances and has been a regular part of Phoenix's second unit. He also dealt with a left calf strain last season, so the Suns have reason to be cautious with another calf issue. If Goodwin misses additional time, Ryan Dunn could see more minutes on the wing, while Luke Kennard and Collin Gillespie may also get a little more run.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Jordan Poole Back in Action Versus the Jazz
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz after missing three straight contests. Poole has been out since leaving the Oct. 28 loss to Denver early with a left ankle issue. The 27-year-old has struggled in limited action this season, averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 16.0 minutes while shooting just 19.0% from the field. Dejounte Murray is also back after a three-game absence, while Jeremiah Fears has played well in an expanded role, leaving Poole with plenty of competition for minutes.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Coby White Gets the Green Light Against the Nets
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (calf) is available for Wednesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets after carrying a probable tag for left calf injury management. White made his season debut Monday after missing the first seven games, finishing with seven points and three assists in 16 minutes against Detroit. His workload should gradually increase as he works his way back into form. Charlotte enters Wednesday with the league's lowest offensive rating, and White should eventually take on a larger scoring and playmaking role. Kon Knueppel (hamstring) is also making his season debut, giving the Hornets another much-needed offensive option.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
