Oklahoma City Thunder sign Ish Smith

The Oklahoma City Thunder have signed guard Ish Smith using the hardship exception after seeing eight players on their roster sidelined by injury.

Smith is expected to make his debut against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday after playing 70 games for the Phoenix Suns last season before being waived by the Houston Rockets earlier this year.

The 26-year-old arrives due to the franchise requiring to use the hardship exception, which allows a team to exceed the 15-man maximum roster when four players miss at least three consecutive games.

Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Mitch McGary, Anthony Morrow, Grant Jerrett, Perry Jones, Jeremy Lamb and Andre Roberson are all currently listed as day-to-day.

Jones and Roberson did not practise on Thursday and are questionable for Friday's game, although Lamb could be in line to make his return.