NBA Player News

Cheeks ran into Jonas Jerebko and Kim English at the team’s practice facility after his introductory news conference. Cheeks scolded Jerebko for shooting around in sandals, telling him, “When you’re in (the gym), you’ve got to put in work.” According to English, Cheeks has also passed a rule that anyone in the team facility must be wearing Pistons gear. “There should be a sense of pride putting on those Detroit letters every time you take the court. That was the extent of (the conversation), every time you’re on the court, come to work and be in Detroit stuff,” English said of what Cheeks told him. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but little things like that can go a long away to changing the atmosphere and mindset around a team.

Finney-Smith hasn’t played yet this season after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. The 32-year-old small forward is getting closer to his season debut, though. He at least has a chance to play Thursday given his questionable listing. Even if Finney-Smith isn’t available on Christmas Day against the Lakers, his return isn’t far off.

Sengun popped up on the injury report as questionable with a calf injury Wednesday night ahead of the Rockets’ Christmas Day matchup with the Lakers. If the 23-year-old center can’t go, it’ll be bad news for Houston. Steven Adams and Clint Capela would handle the center minutes for the Rockets.

McDaniels injured his oblique Sunday against the Bucks and subsequently missed Tuesday’s win over the Knicks. The 25-year-old small forward is questionable to return against the Nuggets on Thursday. With McDaniels out Tuesday, Naz Reid and Bones Hyland each played 25 minutes off the bench.

Washington missed Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets with a knee injury, joining Klay Thompson and Max Christie on the sidelines. With that trio out Tuesday, Caleb Martin played 25 minutes off the bench in the win over the Nuggets. Washington has a chance to return Thursday, which would squeeze Martin for minutes.

Thompson missed Tuesday’s game against the Nuggets with a knee injury. The 35-year-old shooting guard is expected back Thursday against the Warriors given his probable listing. Naji Marshall saw an uptick in usage with Thompson and Max Christie out Tuesday, but won’t have that same setup again Thursday.

A Christmas miracle? Mobley was said to be out for up to four weeks with a calf injury. His questionable listing gives the 24-year-old center at least a chance of returning Thursday against the Knicks. Mobley would be returning in 12 days from a two to four week injury.

Neither player has made much of an impact in the realm of fantasy hoops, so their availability isn’t noteworthy to managers.

Deuce has been out since December 7, and his absence will extend through Christmas. For as long as McBride is on the shelf, Tyler Kolek should see additional run off the bench.

Anunoby will return following a one-game absence, and he should be expected to slot back into the starting five. With Guerschon Yabusele (illness) questionable, Anunoby could be leaned on more heavily.

Johnson’s injury will open up additional playing time for the likes of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. Brown and THJ are both worth adding off the waiver wire, though Brown offers more across-the-board production compared to Hardaway Jr.'s skillset as a three-point specialist.