March 5, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam (wrist) is probable for Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. He looks to be on track to make a second consecutive appearance after shaking off a wrist injury. Siakam returned from a three-game absence on Wednesday with a 29-point effort in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. While health issues have limited Siakam's involvement in recent weeks, he has been brilliant when available, averaging 29.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over his last three outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (elbow) will remain sidelined for at least a couple more weeks. On Thursday, the team announced that Morant continues to experience discomfort in his left elbow due to a UCL sprain, and follow-up imaging showed incomplete healing. Morant has been out since Jan. 21, playing in only 20 games this season. In Morant's absence, Memphis will continue to rely on
Ty Jerome (calf),
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and
Cam Spencer to handle playmaking duties, though Jerome and Pippen Jr. are both managing injuries of their own.
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
March 5, 2026
Phoenix Suns center
Oso Ighodaro has been named a starter for Thursday's matchup with the Chicago Bulls. He will replace
Mark Williams (foot) in the first unit. Williams has been ruled out for 2-3 weeks, meaning this should be the first of several consecutive starts for Ighodaro. In his previous seven starts this season, Ighodaro has averaged 6.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in 23.8 minutes. However, earlier this week, Ighodaro demonstrated he is capable of much more by contributing to a 114-103 victory over Sacramento with a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double.
--Taavi PailkSource: Phoenix Suns
March 5, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Collin Sexton and forward
Leonard Miller will join the first unit for Thursday's tilt against the Phoenix Suns. The two will replace
Josh Giddey (ankle) and
Matas Buzelis (ankle), respectively. While Sexton has plenty of prior experience as a starter, Miller will make his first career start. He has earned the opportunity by averaging 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals off the bench across the last three games.
Tre Jones,
Isaac Okoro, and
Guerschon Yabusele are also in the starting lineup against the Suns.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chicago Bulls
March 5, 2026
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets. The seven-footer has been rested regularly during back-to-back sets, and that was the case again when the Knicks hosted the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. Robinson's return will bump
Ariel Hukporti down in the depth chart. On Friday night, Robinson will play a crucial role in the Knicks' effort to contain
Nikola Jokic. The 27-year-old has averaged 5.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks across his last six outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
New York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart (back) is listed as questionable for a meeting with the Denver Nuggets on Friday night. The versatile veteran suffered a back contusion in Wednesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. This doesn't seem to be a significant enough issue to keep Hart off the court. However, if he misses time, New York will look for more production from
Jose Alvarado and
Landry Shamet.
Jordan Clarkson might also rejoin the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Cameron Johnson (ankle) won't play on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. There was hope that Johnson's absence due to an ankle injury would be limited to one game after the team listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. Johnson's next opportunity to return will be Friday night against the New York Knicks. With Johnson out on Monday against Utah, Denver experimented with
Jonas Valanciunas in the starting lineup next to
Nikola Jokic. Meanwhile,
Tim Hardaway Jr. and
Bruce Brown both saw 30-plus minutes off the bench. The two will probably continue to have a heavier workload on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dave McMenamin
March 5, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Kris Murray (illness) is considered questionable for Friday's tilt against the Houston Rockets. He's battling an illness and could be absent for a second consecutive game. Murray has recently been
Deni Avdija's (back) replacement in the starting unit. With both players on the shelf,
Scoot Henderson started Wednesday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies, finishing with eight points, one rebound, three assists, and one steal in 24 minutes. His night was hampered by 3-for-11 shooting.
Vit Krejci and
Sidy Cissoko are also candidates for larger roles if Murray and Avdija don't return on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija (back) has been tagged as doubtful for Friday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. A lower back injury is likely to keep him sidelined for a sixth consecutive game. With
Kris Murray (illness) also on the injury report,
Scoot Henderson and
Vit Krejci may continue to see increased minutes. Meanwhile,
Jrue Holiday and
Jerami Grant, who combined for 65 points in Wednesday's 122-114 win over Memphis, are expected to keep leading the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward/center
Maxi Kleber (back) will miss the first game of a back-to-back on Thursday against the Denver Nuggets. He was listed as questionable on the initial injury report due to back soreness. Kleber was also considered questionable for Tuesday's meeting with New Orleans before getting the green light to play. Yet Lakers head coach JJ Redick elected not to use Kleber in that game. It wasn't surprising, as Kleber doesn't have a consistent role with the Lakers. Even if the German veteran returns to the lineup on Friday against the Indiana Pacers, he might receive another DNP-CD.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Matas Buzelis (ankle) will miss his first game of the season on Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns. The 21-year-old hurt his right ankle on Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder and was initially listed as questionable for Thursday's action. Buzelis' absence opens the door for greater involvement from
Leonard Miller and
Nick Richards. Of the two players, Richards -- fresh off a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double -- offers more fantasy upside.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Chicago Bulls point guard
Josh Giddey (ankle) won't play on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. He was initially listed as questionable for the contest after Giddey rolled his right ankle in Tuesday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chicago's backcourt has been hit by several injuries, forcing
Tre Jones,
Collin Sexton, and
Rob Dillingham to step up. With Giddey out, Sexton is the prime candidate to join Jones in the starting lineup on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Phoenix Suns center
Mark Williams (foot) will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks, Shane Young of the Suns' official site reports. The big man has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in the third metatarsal of his left foot. Williams will miss his first game of 2026 on Thursday against Chicago and won't make a quick return to action.
Oso Ighodaro has put together a nice stretch recently and could make even more noise as Williams' replacement in the first unit. At the same time,
Khaman Maluach is likely to enter the rotation as a backup big.
--Taavi PailkSource: Shane Young
March 5, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Brandon Ingram (thumb) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was initially considered questionable for the game due to a left thumb sprain. Since Ingram is a right-handed shooter, the injury is unlikely to significantly affect his play. Ingram notched 31 points on Tuesday against the New York Knicks and has upped his game since the All-Star break, averaging 23.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
March 5, 2026
Houston Rockets forward/center
Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) will be back in action on Thursday against the Golden State Warriors. He has been cleared to return after sitting out two games with a right ankle sprain. Smith Jr.'s return will hurt
Reed Sheppard, who performed well in two outings as his replacement in the starting lineup. Smith Jr. is coming off his best month of the season, having averaged 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in February.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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