December 20, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Quentin Grimes has been named a starter for Saturday's clash against the Dallas Mavericks. After making back-to-back starts, Grimes was back in the second unit on Friday night against the New York Knicks. However,
Paul George's (knee) absence on Saturday has reopened the door for him to return to the starting lineup. As a starter, Grimes has averaged 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 36.7 minutes this season. Philadelphia is in a pace-up spot on Saturday, making this a good fantasy matchup for Grimes.
--Taavi PailkSource: Philadelphia 76ers
December 20, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Boston Celtics. The big man is considered day-to-day and could be available to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Sandro Mamukelashvili and
Collin Murray-Boyles will handle the center minutes during Poeltl's absence. Mamukelashvili had a productive outing as a starter in the last game and hopes to repeat it on Saturday. However, it's a tough matchup against a team that allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) has shaken off a questionable tag and will play on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. While it will be good to see one of the all-time great snipers on the court, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from Thompson. He had only five points in his last appearance against the Detroit Pistons and is averaging 10.8 points for the campaign. Matchup-wise, Saturday is also a bad spot for Thompson, as Philadelphia has held opponents to 34.6 percent from three-point range.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Mavericks PR
December 20, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (knee) won't play on Saturday against the Dallas Mavericks. This is the second leg of a back-to-back for Philadelphia, and the team is giving George some time off after he logged 33 minutes in Friday's win over the New York Knicks.
Joel Embiid (knee) is also out again, making
Tyrese Maxey,
VJ Edgecombe, and
Quentin Grimes the main sources of offense for the 76ers. The latter is a candidate to take George's spot in the starting unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (illness) won't play in Saturday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, NBA insider Marc Stein reports. Embiid was unavailable on Friday night against the New York Knicks and wasn't expected to face Dallas after being tagged as doubtful on the injury report.
Andre Drummond recorded a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double against the Knicks and figures to remain in the starting lineup as Embiid's replacement. Dallas gives up the fifth-most fantasy points to centers, which sets Drummond up for another productive night.
--Taavi PailkSource: Marc Stein
December 20, 2025
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Anthony Davis (illness) has been upgraded from probable to available and will hit the court on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Davis picked up a probable tag on the injury report after dealing with an illness earlier this week. Philadelphia has ruled out
Joel Embiid (illness) for the contest, making this a more favorable matchup for Davis. The 10-time All-Star has posted back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 19.8 points and 12.3 rebounds in 30.8 minutes this month.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Mavericks PR
December 20, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) won't play on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. This was expected after Brown logged 35 minutes in Friday's win over the Miami Heat and was handed a doubtful tag on the initial injury report. With Brown out, Boston's offense will rely on
Derrick White,
Payton Pritchard, and
Anfernee Simons. Meanwhile,
Sam Hauser could play a larger role in the rotation as Brown's replacement in the first unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Boston Celtics
December 20, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) isn't available for Saturday's game in Detroit. He was initially listed as questionable, so it appears he's inching closer toward a return. However, that won't happen on Saturday night. With
LaMelo Ball recently returning from a stint on the shelf, Sexton's fantasy ceiling should be lower once he's healthy enough to get back on the floor. Until that happens,
KJ Simpson and
Sion James may continue to see more action, although that could change with
Tre Mann (knee) available to suit up after missing the last seven contests.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee, illness) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Mavericks. The 2023 MVP logged three-straight appearances recently, combining for 77 points during that stretch. However, not only is he back on the report for injury management purposes, he's also dealing with an illness. If Embiid gets ruled out,
Andre Drummond will presumably take his place in the rotation once again, with the 32-year-old finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds in Friday's win over the New York Knicks.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with Toronto. Like many of the players around the National Basketball Association of late, Brown's not feeling well. Considering he amassed 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes against the Heat on Friday night, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised to see him miss the meeting with the Raptors. If that's the case,
Sam Hauser,
Anfernee Simons, or
Hugo Gonzalez are the favorites to enter the starting lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachiumura (groin) is questionable for the meeting with the Clippers on Saturday night. The Lakers are already down
Austin Reaves (calf) and
Deandre Ayton (elbow), so it's not a good time for Hachimura to miss his second contest of the 2025 campaign. However, considering this isn't the first groin injury of his career, there's a realistic chance he won't be out there on Saturday evening. If Hachimura doesn't suit up,
Jake LaRavia is the favorite to replace him in the rotation. The 27-year-old has started seven times this season, averaging 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, giving him some upside for those in need of a deep-league streaming option. Still, Hachumira's absence should just mean even more offensive production from
LeBron James and
Luka Doncic.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Al Horford (back) is expected to miss at least another week due to right sciatic nerve irritation, keeping the veteran sidelined with no firm return date. Horford has played only once over the last ten games, removing him from short-term fantasy consideration outside of very deep formats. His continued absence has stabilized the frontcourt rotation, as
Quinten Post continues to start and log steady minutes. Post logged nine points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes last game, offering low-end value for boards.
Stephen Curry,
Jimmy Butler III, and
Draymond Green continue to anchor closing lineups.
--Brian DailisanSource: Nick Friedell
December 20, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Seth Curry (glute) has been ruled out Saturday against Phoenix due to left glute injury management, though his absence carries minimal fantasy impact. The veteran shooter has played sparingly this season, averaging 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 16.0 minutes per game, keeping him off the standard-league radar. The guard rotation is tight, with
Brandin Podziemski,
De'Anthony Melton,
Buddy Hield, and
Pat Spencer all in the mix, limiting streaming appeal.
Stephen Curry continues to anchor usage after a 48-point outing, while
Jimmy Butler III and
Draymond Green remain locked into closing roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (trunk) is questionable Saturday against Houston after missing Thursday with a right trunk contusion. Watson had locked in a starting role prior to the injury, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 three-pointers, and 1.1 blocks in 30.2 minutes across his previous 14 starts. His availability carries real fantasy weight. If sidelined again,
Bruce Brown and
Spencer Jones pick up wing minutes, with Brown offering the safer short-term stream. Watson is still worth holding when active given his two-way contributions.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Orlando Magic forward
Tristan da Silva (shoulder) is questionable Saturday against Utah due to a right shoulder contusion and risks missing a second straight game. The second-year forward has averaged 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 21.6 minutes over his last five, limiting his appeal to deeper formats when active. His potential absence carries more streaming value elsewhere. If da Silva and
Jonathan Isaac (hip) sit,
Jett Howard becomes a viable short-term add after posting 12 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, while
Anthony Black's role remains secure.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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