December 15, 2025
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Julian Strawther (back) has been cleared to return to the lineup on Monday versus the Houston Rockets. He has missed 12 games due to a back problem and was initially listed as questionable for the matchup. Strawther's return adds another body to the Nuggets' rotation, but he likely won't play a large role for the team, even with
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and
Christian Braun (ankle) on the shelf. This season, Strawther has been limited to 3.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 15, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers guard
James Harden (calf) will suit up on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Due to a calf contusion, the former MVP was in danger of missing his second game of the season. However, Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has confirmed that Harden will play. Recently, Harden dropped 34 points on the Minnesota Timberwolves, but he has been sluggish overall this month. In five December outings, Harden has posted 22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. The veteran superstar met the Grizzlies only a couple of weeks ago, settling for 16 points in 36 minutes and handing out seven assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: Farbod Esnaashari
December 15, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (oblique) has been ruled out for Monday's clash against the Denver Nuggets, ESPN's Vanessa Richardson reports. He has been out of action since Nov. 14 due to a right oblique strain and isn't ready to return on Monday night after carrying a questionable tag on the initial injury report.
Jabari Smith Jr. has taken on some heavy minutes during Eason's absence, with the Rockets also relying more on
Josh Okogie and
Jae'Sean Tate. Eason's next opportunity to return will come on Thursday night in a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.
--Taavi PailkSource: Vanessa Richardson
December 15, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will be limited to 17-20 minutes in Monday's contest against the Utah Jazz, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. The athletic big man has featured in only one of Dallas' six games, missing time due to a lingering ankle injury. The Mavericks are without
Anthony Davis (calf) on Monday, and with Gafford on a minutes restriction,
Dwight Powell could have a larger workload.
Moussa Cisse is also an option to get some work at the five spot.
--Taavi PailkSource: Mike Curtis
December 15, 2025
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kyle Filipowski will make his eighth start of the season in Monday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports. A spot in the starting five opened up after
Jusuf Nurkic (rest) was ruled out for the contest. Filipowski posted a nice 21-point, 10-rebound double-double in his last start on Dec. 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Overall, he has averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in a starting role this season. Filipowski is in a great spot to perform on Monday, as the Mavericks won't have
Anthony Davis (calf) in the lineup, and they are a team that allows the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Andy Larsen
December 15, 2025
Dallas Mavericks point guard
Brandon Williams (Achilles) will miss Monday's meeting with the Utah Jazz. Earlier in the day, Williams was added to the injury report due to right Achilles soreness, and the team has downgraded him from questionable to out. Williams has been ever-present in the Mavericks lineup since November, averaging 10.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 21.8 minutes this season. Rookie
Ryan Nembhard, who was promoted to the first unit late last month, looks set for a busy night in Dallas' backcourt, with
Jaden Hardy potentially also having a significant role to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Mavericks PR
December 15, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe) won't play against the Toronto Raptors on Monday. He was a late scratch for the contest as Herro continues to deal with a toe injury.
Simone Fontecchio received the starting nod in Herro's place. Fontecchio's minutes have fluctuated lately, but he could secure a regular spot in the rotation again if Herro must miss additional time. Including Monday's contest, the 2025 All-Star has appeared in just one of the last four games due to a right big toe contusion.
--Taavi PailkSource: Miami Heat
December 15, 2025
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Anthony Davis (calf) won't play on Monday against the Utah Jazz. Davis was listed as questionable on the initial injury report. The star big man participated in the morning shootaround, but Davis won't be ready to play on Monday after making five consecutive appearances. Fortunately for the Mavericks, they will have
Daniel Gafford (ankle) available in the middle. Gafford has missed three games while managing an ankle injury. On Monday, Gafford will share the load at center with
Dwight Powell and
Moussa Cisse. This is a favorable matchup for Dallas' big men, as Utah gives up the seventh-most fantasy points to centers in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Mavericks PR
December 15, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Georges Niang (foot) is not close to making his season debut, as the team announced he will be re-evaluated in two weeks. The veteran sniper has not been able to play so far this campaign due to a stress reaction in the fourth metatarsal of his left foot. Utah could really use Niang's shooting ability, as the team is currently ranked 25th in three-point shooting percentage. Niang has been a 40.6 percent career shooter beyond the arc. Youngsters like
Ace Bailey and
Brice Sensabaugh have more playing opportunities with Niang out.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA.com
December 15, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Jamison Battle (ankle) will be active against the Miami Heat on Monday, Zulfi Sheikh of Sportsnet reports. The 24-year-old has missed two games with a sprained ankle and was listed as probable on the initial injury report. Battle has been a bit-part player this season for the Raptors, averaging 8.1 minutes per game across 17 appearances. With
RJ Barrett (knee) sidelined, Battle's playing time has increased recently, but he still hasn't made an impact in fantasy basketball.
--Taavi PailkSource: Zulfi Sheikh
December 15, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (illness) will return from a one-game absence on Monday against the Miami Heat. Due to illness, Quickley missed his first game of the season last week against the New York Knicks.
Jamal Shead started in Quickley's place and will return to the second unit on Monday night. However, the continued absence of
RJ Barrett (knee) means Shead will likely remain a significant piece in the rotation. Quickley has blown hot and cold in December, averaging 19.5 points and 5.5 assists. He finds himself in a great spot to make noise on Monday, as the Heat allow the fifth-most fantasy points in the league to point guards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 15, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett (knee) will remain out on Monday against the Miami Heat but is expected to return soon. According to Sportsnet's Blake Murphy, Barrett will begin "return-to-play" activities this week. The Canadian star has missed nine games due to a right knee sprain. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his knee last week.
Jamal Shead has had a larger role in the rotation during Barrett's absence, averaging 8.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals across 24.4 minutes per game in December.
--Taavi PailkSource: Blake Murphy
December 15, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) was diagnosed with a left hip contusion, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. This is a positive update, considering Suggs left the arena in a wheelchair after being injured in Saturday's loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup semifinals. However, it remains unclear when Suggs will be available to return to the court. Orlando will be back in action on Thursday, facing the Denver Nuggets on the road.
Tyus Jones appears to be the most likely option to fill Suggs' place in the starting lineup, while
Tristan da Silva could see increased minutes coming off the bench.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 15, 2025
Boston Celtics guard
Payton Pritchard (neck) will play on Monday against Detroit. He popped up on the injury report because of neck spasms. Fortunately, the 27-year-old won't miss his first game of the 2025 campaign. Pritchard is having a fantastic season, averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, all career-highs. While he's shot a career-low 33.7% from behind the arc, he remains a must-start in all fantasy formats despite a tough matchup on the horizon.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 15, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers guard
James Harden (calf) is questionable for Monday's matchup with Memphis after seeing consistent heavy minutes of late. Harden logged 22 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 40 minutes last time out and is averaging 22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists across his last five. Any limitation would funnel more creation to
Kawhi Leonard, while
Kris Dunn and
Bogdan Bogdanovic pick up secondary handling. Harden remains a clear hold, with the current workload creating short-term risk.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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