NBA Player News

Thompson appeared to tweak something in his knee early in the third quarter of Thursday’s game. While he never went back to the locker room, the Pistons’ wing did not check back into the game until about two minutes remained in the fourth quarter. Jaden Ivey (15 points, two rebounds, one assist and three three-pointers) and Ron Holland II (11 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal) picked up additional opportunities during the second half, and they may be the ones who benefit if Thompson’s injury were to be an issue.

Both Hayes and Deandre Ayton (knee) are questionable, so the Lakers could end up incredibly shorthanded down low. If both are sidelined, Jarred Vanderbilt and Drew Timme would likely be next in line to fill out center minutes.

It has been two months since Sabonis last played, but he’ll make his return to the lineup in this game. He may have his minutes managed, which could result in him coming off the bench in his first game back. However, it will be good to have him back on the floor. He’ll eventually push Maxime Raynaud to the bench, which could happen in this game.

Diabaté had been dealing with a hip injury, but now he’s managing a hamstring injury. If he is unavailable, Ryan Kalkbrenner should return to the starting lineup, and with a lack of other center options, he should play over 30 minutes.

This is a new injury for Ayton, and the Lakers don’t have much depth at center behind him. Jaxson Hayes would likely fill the void, though his streaming appeal will be limited. Drew Timme could also fill some minutes off the bench.

Dončić is dealing with left groin soreness and has been ruled out in advance of Saturday’s game against the Trail Blazers. Lakers starters including LeBron James will be heavily relied on in this one while reserves Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr. and Gabe Vincent could also help pick up the slack.

Grant made his return to the lineup on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean he’s back to full health. This is the first night of a back-to-back, which means he’ll likely miss one of the two games. Rayan Rupert should take on extra minutes off the bench in the game that Grant is out for.

Holiday will likely continue to be listed as questionable ahead of games as he gets back to 100 percent. This is the first night of a back-to-back, so he will likely miss one of the games. Whichever that is, Caleb Love will likely start.

Avdija is expected to miss a third straight game with this back injury. Sidy Cissoko is the current fill-in in the starting unit now that Jrue Holiday is back in the opening unit, though he isn’t worth streaming in.

Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is out, but John Collins (groin) and Zubac (ankle) are back. Brook Lopez will return to the bench, but Sanders will remain in the starting unit, with Batum filling in instead of Collins.

Castle hasn’t missed a game in over a month but could end up unavailable against Minnesota. Dylan Harper would be a strong candidate to fill in for Castle in the starting unit and would receive a nice bump in playing time and production.