NBA Player News
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Jalen Williams SF | OKC
Thunder's Jalen Williams: Out at least one week
Williams is considered week-to-week with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
The star forward exited Wednesday's Game 2 win over the Suns in the third quarter due to an apparent left hamstring injury, and an MRI has diagnosed him with a strain. The timeline for a return likely rules Williams out for Oklahoma City's next three postseason games in this first-round series, though the Thunder could buy him more time to recover if they're able to sweep the Suns. Meanwhile, Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell will all be asked to step up in Williams' stead.
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Jalen Williams SF | OKC
Thunder's Jalen Williams: Undergoing MRI on hamstring
ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday on NBA Today that Williams is undergoing an MRI on his hamstring.
Williams departed Wednesday's Game 2 win over the Suns in the third quarter due to an apparent left hamstring injury, and the Thunder are awaiting the severity of the issue. The star forward has been plagued by multiple hamstring problems in 2025-26, resulting in multiple extended absences, so Oklahoma City will be hoping Williams is only dealing with soreness as opposed to another strain.
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Jake LaRavia SF | LAL
Lakers' Jake LaRavia: Diagnosed with minor ankle sprain
LaRavia is day-to-day with a minor right ankle sprain, per Dan Woike of The Athletic.
LaRavia left Tuesday's Game 2 win over the Rockets in the fourth quarter with an apparent right leg injury and has since been diagnosed with a sprain. The fourth-year forward's status still appears to be in serious jeopardy for Game 3 on Friday, and his chances of playing should be revealed once the Lakers release an official injury report.
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Reed Sheppard SG | HOU
Rockets' Reed Sheppard: Expanded role on tap for Game 3
Head coach Ime Udoka said Thursday that Sheppard will see more playing time in Game 3 on Friday against the Lakers, per Lachard Binkley of SI.com.
Sheppard logged just 11 minutes, his lowest total of 2025-26 including the regular season, during Houston's Game 2 loss in Los Angeles, but that's expected to change Friday. Udoka didn't specify if Sheppard would start, but the likes of Josh Okogie, Jae'Sean Tate and Aaron Holiday all appear to be in danger of losing out on minutes in Game 3.
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Aaron Gordon PF | DEN
Nuggets' Aaron Gordon: Downgraded to questionable
Gordon (calf) is questionable for Game 3 on Thursday against Minnesota.
The Nuggets originally deemed Gordon probable due to left calf tightness, so it's unclear he suffered a setback during morning shootaround Thursday. If the veteran forward is ultimately downgraded to out, Bruce Brown could find himself being more involved in Game 3.
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Joel Embiid C | PHI
76ers' Joel Embiid: Limited at practice
Embiid (abdomen) was a limited participant at Thursday's practice, Kyle Neubeck of AllPHLY.com reports.
This is a small step in the right direction for Embiid, who was recently cleared to begin his strength and conditioning program. His status for Game 3 against Boston on Friday has yet to be determined, though it would be a surprise if he was cleared.
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Harrison Barnes PF | SA
Spurs' Harrison Barnes: Will be available
Barnes (shoulder) will be available for Friday's Game 3 against Portland, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Barnes exited Tuesday's 106-103 Game 2 loss to the Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter and did not return due to an apparent left wrist injury, but coach Mitch Johnson clarified that it's Barnes' shoulder that is the issue. The forward practiced Thursday, however, and he intends to play through the issue.
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Victor Wembanyama C | SA
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama: Traveling for Game 3
Wembanyama (concussion) will travel with the Spurs ahead of Friday's Game 3 in Portland, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports.
Wembanyama was diagnosed with a concussion Tuesday, and his status for Game 3 remains in the air. He was spotted at practice Thursday, but he was off to the side getting some light shots up on his own. More clarity will likely be known Thursday evening.
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Thomas Bryant C | CLE
Cavaliers' Thomas Bryant: Probable for Thursday
Bryant (calf) is probable for Thursday's Game 3 against Toronto.
Bryant is trending towards ending a six-game absence, but it remains to be seen just how involved he will be. He played double-digit minutes in his final 19 regular-season appearances.
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Jaylen Clark SG | MIN
Timberwolves' Jaylen Clark: Iffy for Game 3
Clark (illness) is questionable for Game 3 against Denver.
Terrence Shannon was also a late addition to the injury report with an illness. However, neither player saw any action in the first two postseason games, and their potential absences shouldn't impact Minnesota's rotation.