The Oklahoma City Thunder are no longer signing free-agent guard/forward Ochai Agbaji, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Oklahoma City had agreed to bring in the 26-year-old on Friday but is now re-evaluating how to use its open roster spot after Chet Holmgren (knee) was ruled out for eight to 10 weeks. With Jalen Williams (leg) and Cason Wallace (shoulder) also facing lengthy absences, the Thunder may look for more frontcourt help instead. Isaiah Hartenstein should remain heavily involved, while rookie Aday Mara has already shown some promise with an 11-point, 10-rebound double-double against Phoenix. If Oklahoma City adds another big, Mara's path to regular minutes could get tighter.

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Jaylen Brown (knee) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Brown missed Friday's win over the Knicks with patellar tendinopathy after reporting soreness following a 20-point, 10-rebound performance against Indiana on Wednesday. The 30-year-old is averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.2 steals through five games. With LeBron James (rest) and Joel Embiid (rest) already ruled out, Philadelphia could badly use Brown back in the lineup. If he remains sidelined, Tyrese Maxey should carry more of the offense, while Anfernee Simons and Dean Wade could see more opportunities.

Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking his second straight absence. Sheppard also missed Friday's loss to Dallas with lower back soreness after struggling in his last appearance, scoring seven points on 2-for-9 shooting and 1-for-8 from three against Milwaukee. Fred VanVleet (knee) is also out, leaving Houston thinner in the backcourt. Marcus Smart should handle more of the ball, while Amen Thompson will have more chances to initiate the offense. Sheppard's next opportunity to return comes Monday against Boston.

Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (knee) will sit out Saturday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to right knee injury management. The 32-year-old played in Friday's 116-111 loss to Dallas, and Houston has been holding him out of one game in back-to-back sets after a torn ACL cost him all of 2025-26. VanVleet is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists through five appearances. Alperen Sengun (back) is available to return, but Reed Sheppard (back) remains out. That should leave Amen Thompson with more chances to handle the ball, while Marcus Smart can also help organize the offense.