December 26, 2025
Charlotte Hornets center
Mason Plumlee (groin) won't play on Friday against Orlando. With
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) sidelined, Plumlee got the start in Monday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Unfortunately, he suffered a groin strain during the contest and will now miss another game. With Plumlee and Kalkbrenner off the court,
Moussa Diabate is expected to remain in the starting lineup. Diabate is coming off a huge showing, amassing 12 points and 18 rebounds in the win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday, giving him plenty of upside for fantasy managers in all formats.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Orlando Magic center
Goga Bitadze (knee) has been downgraded to out for Friday night's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. Bitadze will miss his second straight game as he deals with a left knee sprain. In his absence, expect
Jonathan Isaac and
Noah Penda to get extended minutes off the bench. Of the two, Penda may be the more appealing option for fantasy managers and DFS players alike as the 20-year-old has averaged 6.8 RPG over the last five games. His value isn't high, but he could provide sneaky value on the interior with the Hornets having their own injury issues at center.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jordan Walsh (illness) will be available for Friday night's game against the Pacers. Walsh missed Monday's game against Indiana with the same illness but will be available to play in the rematch. The 21-year-old hasn't provided much fantasy value since being inserted into the starting lineup in early November but could help those in need of rebounds as he's averaged 5.7 RPG as a starter. Category league managers may find the best value out of Walsh compared to traditional fantasy managers or DFS players.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Anthony Davis (groin) is expected to miss a few games with a groin strain, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Davis hurt himself in the first half of the Christmas Day loss to the Golden State Warriors and did not return. Davis has played in just 16 games so far this year and has not played in six consecutive games since joining the Mavericks last season. With
Dereck Lively II (foot) out for the season,
Daniel Gafford will soak up plenty of minutes at the center position until Davis is ready to return.
--Andrew BallSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
December 26, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans guard
Jordan Poole (ankle) could miss another game Friday night when his team hosts the Phoenix Suns. Poole also missed Tuesday's blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the ankle issue. Following an extended absence in November and early December, Poole is now a bench player in the Pelicans' rotation. He's still getting plenty of shots up (double digits in every game this season) with mixed efficiency. He averaged 16.6 points and 3.2 assists in about 27 minutes in his last five games off the bench.
--Andrew BallSource: Rod Walker
December 26, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) will miss his fourth consecutive game when his team hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. The 25-year-old is dealing with left patellar tendinitis, and a timeline for his return remains unclear. Williams recently moved back to a bench role before his injury. He'll have plenty of company on the sidelines, as he is one of six Grizzlies ruled out Friday.
Cam Spencer,
Jaylen Wells, and
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will see more playing time, especially if
Ja Morant (questionable, ankle) and
Cedric Coward (questionable, ankle) are inactive.
--Andrew BallSource: Marc Stein
December 26, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Gary Trent Jr. (calf) is questionable to play Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, according to the team's official injury report. The 26-year-old quickly left Tuesday's win over the Indiana Pacers with a left calf contusion. Trent has fallen out of Milwaukee's starting lineup recently, with
Kevin Porter Jr.,
AJ Green, and
Ryan Rollins handling the majority of the backcourt minutes. Trent only played 17 minutes in the game before his calf injury. If he's inactive tonight,
Gary Harris could see an increase in playing time.
--Andrew BallSource: Milwaukee Bucks
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard
Quentin Grimes (illness) is questionable for Friday night's matchup with the Chicago Bulls. Grimes, alongside
Dominick Barlow and
VJ Edgecombe, were all sick and missed Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Grimes could return soon, though, as he was present for the team's shootaround Friday morning. Grimes has shifted in and out of the starting lineup recently, and his playing time is largely predicated on the health of Philadelphia's other guards. Grimes, however, has not shot the ball well recently (27.9% over his last five games), despite increased opportunities.
--Andrew BallSource: Kevin Lu
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Dominick Barlow (illness) is questionable for Friday's game against the Bulls. The 76ers have a bug circulating the locker room. Barlow,
VJ Edgecombe, and
Quentin Grimes are all questionable with illnesses after missing Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets. However, the trio was present at Friday's shootaround, indicating that their returns could be imminent. Barlow has been a surprise starter in Philadelphia's rotation this season, averaging career highs in points (9.1), rebounds (5.6), and assists (1.8) in 26 minutes per game.
--Andrew BallSource: Kevin Lu
December 26, 2025
Washington Wizards forward
Corey Kispert (hamstring) has landed back on the injury report and is listed as out for Friday night's game against the Toronto Raptors. Kispert had missed 10 games with a thumb injury but was pulled on Tuesday after just 13 minutes of action on the floor with hamstring tightness. The 26-year-old should be considered day-to-day until we have further clarity on his hamstring. In his absence, expect
Justin Champagnie to get more minutes off the bench at forward. Champagnie has grabbed nine or more rebounds in four of his last five games, providing value for those needing rebound production.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard
RJ Barrett (knee) will miss a 15th straight game on Friday night against the Washington Wizards. Barrett has been dealing with a right knee sprain that has coincided with a major decline in the Raptors' early season success. With Barrett out, expect
Ochai Agbaji to continue to get minutes in the starting lineup. Agbaji has not provided much fantasy value in Barrett's absence and fantasy managers should look at other options regardless of the appealing matchup against the Wizards.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Pelle Larsson (ankle) is listed as probable for Friday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Larsson has missed the last five games recovering from a left ankle sprain but returns to a decent matchup against a struggling Hawks defense. Larsson's value on Friday night will depend on whether or not Miami has him in the starting lineup and, if he's not, if he has a minutes restriction. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should keep an eye on this before plugging him into their lineups as his impact will be much greater if he's starting.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Nikola Jovic (elbow) is listed as probable for Friday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Jovic has battled multiple injuries since mid-November and has missed four straight games with this most recent elbow injury. If he doesn't experience any other setbacks prior to tipoff, Jovic should have a good matchup against a struggling Hawks defense. Fantasy managers should temper their expectations, though, given his recent health issues. Jovic's impact may best be found with DFS managers looking for a longshot player with low ownership.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Orlando Magic center
Goga Bitadze (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday night's matchup against the Charlotte Hornets. Bitadze is dealing with a knee strain that caused him to miss Tuesday's 110-106 win over Portland. The 26-year-old hasn't been a great fantasy option for many as a bench option for Orlando, but could provide value to those in category leagues if they're in need of rebounds if he's able to go. If Bitadze can't suit up, expect
Jonathan Isaac and
Noah Penda to get extended minutes off the bench.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, marking his sixth consecutive absence. Herro has yet to return to game action while recovering from the toe injury, with his next opportunity coming Saturday. With Herro sidelined, Miami's guard usage remains spread across the rotation, while frontcourt minutes have stayed elevated.
Kel'el Ware has averaged 17.0 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 26.6 minutes over his last five games and would remain in a larger role if
Bam Adebayo (back) is also unavailable.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
RADIO
