NBA Player News

With Jalen Johnson (leg) as a late scratch, Quin Snyder will opt for more shooting in the starting lineup with Mathews. De’Andre Hunter and Larry Nance should be candidates for extra minutes off the bench, and Bogdan Bogdanovic’s return adds another wrinkle to the rotation.

In a statement released by the NBA less than an hour before the Jazz tipped off against the Trail Blazers on Thursday, commissioner Adam Silver said, “Overt behavior like this that prioritizes draft position over winning undermines the foundation of NBA competition and we will respond accordingly to any further actions that compromise the integrity of our games.” The Jazz were held accountable for holding out starters, notably Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen, in the fourth quarter of the February 7 game against the Magic and February 9 game against the Heat. It’s been an active week for Silver, who also levied multiple suspensions against players stemming from a benches-clearing incident with the Hornets and Pistons. Only time will tell if the Jazz receive this message or decide to get more creative in their pursuit of better lottery odds.

Dončić missed the last four games leading into the NBA All-Star break, but his coach told reporters he “should be good to go” as the Lakers open their second half schedule. Dončić’s next chance to play will come on Friday, February 20 against the Clippers.

Williams is out Thursday against the Jazz for left knee injury management reasons. Yang Hansen could see more minutes as the backup center with Williams sidelined.

Avdija will sit out the second game of a back-to-back against the Jazz on Thursday for low back injury management reasons. With Avdija sidelined, Sidy Cissoko should see more minutes.

With Isaiah Hartenstein (injury management) and Jalen Williams (hamstring) ruled out, Isaiah Joe and Kenrich Williams will slide into the starting lineup Thursday against the Bucks. Joe has averaged 17 points, 3.6 three-pointers and shot 54.5 percent from the field over his last five games.

With Myles Turner (calf) a late scratch Thursday, Dieng will move into the starting lineup as the only change for the Bucks. The 22-year-old small forward had 17 points in 23 minutes off the bench in Wednesday’s win over the Magic.

Turner wasn’t on the initial injury report, but was a late scratch with right calf soreness. Ousmane Dieng had 17 points in 23 minutes in Wednesday’s win over the Magic and could be in for even more minutes with Turner out Thursday against the Thunder, Dieng’s former team.