December 17, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Pelle Larsson (ankle) will be sidelined for a second straight game on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. He is recovering from a left ankle sprain. Larsson didn't practice on Wednesday, making it unlikely that he can return on Friday when Miami finishes a back-to-back against the Boston Celtics.
Dru Smith,
Simone Fontecchio, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. can make a bigger mark with Larsson,
Tyler Herro (toe), and
Nikola Jovic (elbow) out against Brooklyn. The team may also miss
Norman Powell (calf), who is listed as questionable.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Nikola Jovic (elbow) will miss Thursday's contest against the Brooklyn Nets. He took a nasty fall on Monday against the Toronto Raptors, injuring his right elbow. Luckily, Jovic escaped serious injury. But he is considered week-to-week and will miss some time, beginning with Thursday's game. Jovic has had a disappointing campaign, and Miami should have no trouble coping with his absence.
Simone Fontecchio and
Kel'el Ware could get a small bump in playing time with Jovic on the shelf.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Pat Spencer (personal) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. Spencer is set to miss his first game since mid-November as he deals with a personal issue. In his third season, Spencer has started three games while future Hall-of-Fame point guard
Stephen Curry has dealt with a quad injury. In those games, Spencer averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Curry made his return last Sunday, which sent Spencer back to his bench role in the Warriors' lineup. With Spencer out, Curry could be forced to take a larger workload, and rookie
Will Richard could see more minutes as well.
--Nathan HarveySource: Anthony Slater - ESPN
December 17, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (calf) didn't practice on Wednesday, leaving his status uncertain for Thursday's clash against the Brooklyn Nets. Miami has officially listed its top scorer as questionable on the injury report due to a calf problem.
Tyler Herro (toe) has already been ruled out, so
Bam Adebayo,
Andrew Wiggins, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. could have a massive offensive usage against the struggling Nets, who are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency. Meanwhile,
Dru Smith and
Simone Fontecchio could be more involved in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) is considered probable for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Austrian big man had been managing a back issue all season, but the probable designation suggests that he will be good to go on Thursday. This is a tough matchup for Poeltl, as the Bucks have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to centers this season, with defensive specialist
Myles Turner working at center for the team. In his prior two meetings with the Bucks this season, Poeltl has managed only 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Golden State Warriors center
Al Horford (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. Horford has been dealing with a "sciatic nerve injury," but head coach Steve Kerr provided good news, stating his injury has healed, and he is nearing a return. The 19-year veteran is playing his first season in Golden State, but has struggled, averaging career lows in nearly every major statistic. While Horford is nearing a return to play, second-year center
Quinten Post will continue to play a major role in this Warriors lineup. Over the past four games with Horford out, Post has played over 25 minutes in three of the four games and has averaged 14.5 points and five rebounds per game.
--Nathan HarveySource: Anthony Slater - ESPN
December 17, 2025
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is in danger of missing his first game of the season, having picked up a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Orlando Magic. The veteran sniper is dealing with an illness after logging a season-high 40 minutes in Monday's overtime win against the Houston Rockets. Hardaway Jr. benefited from Payton Watson's (side) early exit on Monday and could receive a larger workload again against Orlando, as Watson is also listed as questionable. If both players end up missing the action,
Bruce Brown's fantasy appeal would skyrocket.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Dallas Mavericks point guard
Brandon Williams (Achilles) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Detroit Pistons. Williams missed the previous game against the Utah Jazz with an Achilles issue, and it appears to be clouding his availability for Thursday as well. The 26-year-old guard has been a main contributor off the bench for the injury-plagued Mavericks, averaging 10.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on nearly 22 minutes per game. If Williams is active, he could produce yet again, with veteran D'Angelo Russell questionable with an illness. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor both Russell's and Williams' status heading into Thursday.
--Nathan HarveySource: Grant Afseth
December 17, 2025
Dallas Mavericks point guard D'Angelo Russell (illness) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Russell has missed the previous two matchups as he continues to deal with an illness. In his first season with the Mavericks, Russell has averaged career lows in points per game (11.2), rebounds per game (2.6), and minutes per game (20:17). Despite spending the majority of his career as a starter, he has come off the bench in all but three games this season. Russell's availability will become much clearer as we approach tomorrow night, but his fantasy value is too low to consider in starting lineups with a crowded slate upcoming. If Russell is out, look for undrafted free agent
Ryan Nembhard and
Brandon Williams (who's also questionable with an Achilles injury) to handle his workload.
--Nathan HarveySource: Grant Afseth
December 17, 2025
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) may exit the lineup on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, as he is considered questionable for the game. Robinson continues to manage an ankle injury. If he can shed the questionable designation, the 27-year-old may get an opportunity to re-enter the first unit. New York has three starters listed as questionable for Thursday, including starting center
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee). Centers have feasted against the Pacers all season, and it would be a favorable matchup for Robinson if he can play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
New York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart (abdomen) could miss his second game of the season on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. The versatile veteran is on the injury report with an abdominal strain. After beginning the season as a member of the second unit, Hart has been a regular starter over the last four weeks. He is one of three starters with a questionable tag on the injury, so the Knicks' bench mob could see additional playing opportunities on Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (knee) is available to make his season debut on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has upgraded his status from questionable to available. Clarke has been out so far due to offseason knee surgery. Given his long absence, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from the 29-year-old. However, the opportunity is there for Clarke to make a significant impact in the rotation, as the frontcourt is missing
Zach Edey (ankle).
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
December 17, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (leg) won't play on Thursday versus the Clippers. It's the first of back-to-back contests for the champs, so he'll likely be available for Friday's game in Minnesota. With
Jaylin Williams (heel) also out, OKC may need to go smaller than usual, with
Kenrich Williams projected to see minutes behind
Chet Holmgren in a favorable matchup against one of the worst defensive teams in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Wednesday's contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unfortunately, due to an ankle sprain, Morant has to make an exit from the lineup just two games after returning from a calf injury. Memphis' backcourt will also be without
Cam Spencer (personal), opening up a lot of additional minutes for the rest of the crew.
Vince Williams Jr. impressed during Morant's recent absence and will get a new opportunity to make a big impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
December 17, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) won't play on Thursday against Denver. The 24-year-old was injured during Saturday's NBA Cup loss to the New York Knicks. As of now, he's considered day-to-day. However, that doesn't mean he's projected to get back on the floor anytime soon, especially considering his injury history. With
Franz Wagner (ankle) also ruled out,
Anthony Black should remain in the starting lineup.
Tyus Jones, who has averaged only 2.4 points this season, is currently the favorite to take over at the one. Jones has historically played well as a starter throughout his career, so he'll have streaming value in all fantasy formats. He'll also draw attention from DFS managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
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