December 9, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and guard
Christian Braun (ankle) are not expected to return until after Christmas, per coach David Adelman. When asked about Gordon and Braun's recovery, Adelman said, "I would imagine they celebrate the holiday without playing, but we'll see." Braun was given a six-week timeline about four weeks ago, so it's not surprising that he still has a ways to go, but Gordon was given a timeline of four to six weeks three weeks ago, so he could have been nearing a return. Without Gordon and Braun,
Peyton Watson and
Spencer Jones should continue to have a chance to shine while veterans
Tim Hardaway Jr. and
Bruce Brown Jr. continue to get more playing time on the wings as well.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Adam Mares
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (illness) was downgraded to questionable on Tuesday afternoon before his team faces the Knicks in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. Quickley played through the same illness on Sunday and logged 31 minutes against Boston with 11 points and five assists. Since
Jamal Shead (quad) is also questionable, the Raptors could be very shorthanded in the backcourt. If both are out, the Raptors would be forced to go with more of Ja'Kobe Walter and
Gradey Dick while
Scottie Barnes would serve more as the team's point forward. Quickley has averaged16.5 points and 6.2 assists, and if he plays through the illness again on Tuesday, the first-round pick will have a revenge game narrative against the Knicks in Toronto.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Jamison Battle (ankle) is doubtful for Tuesday's matchup against New York, keeping the second-year wing on the fringes of the rotation. Battle has averaged 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes across his last five appearances, offering no fantasy utility even when active. His absence does not change Toronto's rotation, as
Scottie Barnes,
Collin Murray-Boyles, and
Ochai Agbaji already dominate the forward minutes. Managers can safely look elsewhere for streaming value, as Battle remains off the fantasy radar.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
Derik Queen erupted for 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks in 33 minutes during Monday's 135-132 loss to San Antonio, marking the best performance of his young career. The rookie is averaging 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across his last five games while shooting 51.8 percent, and his role remains secure with
Zion Williamson (adductor) still sidelined and the Pelicans leaning heavily on their starters. Queen should be added in competitive formats, with
Trey Murphy III and
Saddiq Bey benefiting from the stability his play provides.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
December 9, 2025
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jacob Toppin (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in a late-November G League outing. He logged only spot minutes with Atlanta, producing eight points across five brief appearances, so his absence carries no fantasy consequences. The Hawks' forward rotation remains fully intact, with
Jalen Johnson anchoring the position and
Asa Newell and
Mouhamed Gueye holding reserve roles. No player gains meaningful opportunity from this injury, and managers can safely disregard Toppin in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Atlanta Hawks
December 9, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Ben Sheppard (calf) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will miss at least 10 more days after already sitting out the past two contests. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes across 22 games, so his absence has minimal impact outside deeper formats. The main fantasy ripple is added opportunity for rookie
Ethan Thompson, who logged six points and five rebounds in 28 minutes in the last game and profiles as a deeper-league streamer, while
T.J. McConnell and
Garrison Mathews gain modest bumps.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
December 9, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Miles McBride (ankle) will miss Tuesday's game in Toronto after exiting Sunday's win over Orlando. His absence frees up backcourt minutes, putting veteran scorer
Jordan Clarkson on the streaming radar despite a quiet zero-point outing in 17 minutes Sunday. McBride had averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over his last five games, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, so his removal creates a clearer secondary role for Clarkson and a slight usage bump for the remaining starters. Managers in shallow formats can stream accordingly.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
San Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama (calf) will travel for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed 11 straight games with a left calf strain but participated fully in Sunday's practice, putting him close to a return. Fantasy managers should keep him on the bench but ready to activate. His last healthy stretch included 27.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 36.0 minutes. If he sits again,
Luke Kornet remains a low-usage streaming big, while
Kelly Olynyk and
Jeremy Sochan profile as deeper-league options.
--Brian DailisanSource: Jeff McDonald
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors point guard
Jamal Shead (quadriceps) is considered questionable for a meeting with the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup on Tuesday. He could miss his first game of the season due to a right quadriceps contusion. With
RJ Barrett (knee) on the shelf, Shead has regularly logged 20-plus minutes on the floor. In Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics, Shead even started the second half after Ja'Kobe Walter struggled. If Shead exits the lineup, players like Walter and
Ochai Agbaji will have an opportunity to take on a larger workload. However, neither player has offered consistent fantasy production in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Dru Smith (hip) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup clash against the Orlando Magic. He didn't practice on Monday and could miss the big matchup due to a left hip contusion. Smith was a starter for Miami last time out against the Sacramento Kings. However, with
Tyler Herro (toe) and
Davion Mitchell (groin) on track to return to the lineup on Tuesday, Smith's role will be very different if he gets cleared for action.
Pelle Larsson (hip), who is also expected to return on Tuesday, could play a few extra minutes in Smith's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Pelle Larsson (hip) practiced on Monday and is listed as probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Orlando Magic. He was unavailable on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings due to a hip problem. Larsson's fantasy value has plummeted in recent weeks as Miami has returned to full health. Since
Tyler Herro's season debut on Nov. 24, Larsson has been limited to 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20.6 minutes per game. Across his last two outings, Larsson has shot just 1-for-9 from the field, scoring four points. Currently, the Swedish youngster isn't a good fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat point guard
Davion Mitchell (groin) looks set to return to the lineup for Tuesday's NBA Cup game against the Orlando Magic, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. Due to right groin tightness, Mitchell was unavailable on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. With him out,
Dru Smith (hip) made his first start of the season. The 27-year-old had a minimal impact and will return to the bench on Tuesday if he can play. Smith is considered questionable for the matchup. Mitchell has logged three double-doubles as Miami's starting point guard in 2025-26, averaging 9.7 points and 7.8 assists. He could make a big impact in Tuesday's game, as Orlando allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe) is listed as probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Orlando Magic. He has sat out a pair of games due to a right big toe contusion, but Herro appears to be on track to return to action on Tuesday night. The 2025 All-Star practiced fully on Monday.
Kel'el Ware has started back-to-back games during Herro's absence and will presumably drop back to the second unit for Tuesday's action. This may actually be good news for his fantasy prospects, as Ware recorded a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double in his last appearance off the bench. As a starter, he managed nine points and 14 boards across the past two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett (knee) will be out for at least one more week, the team announced Monday. He is recovering from a right knee sprain and will need at least a week off after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection. Barrett will miss a ninth consecutive game on Tuesday night against the New York Knicks. During his absence, Ja'Kobe Walter has run with the starters. He has not performed well, even failing to make a single field goal over the past two games. In Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics,
Jamal Shead (quadriceps) started the second half instead of Walter. On Tuesday, Shead could be in the first unit right from the start, but he is currently considered questionable for the game with a quadriceps contusion.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
New York Knicks forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) is considered questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Toronto Raptors. The big man is dealing with tightness in his left calf. Towns practiced on Monday, which is a good sign that he might be ready to return from a one-game absence. Assuming Towns remains out, the Knicks will lean on
Mitchell Robinson and
Ariel Hukporti at the center position. Robinson returned to the starting lineup on Sunday against the Orlando Magic, grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. He also contributed well on the defensive end. Hukporti had six points, seven rebounds, and three blocks off the bench in 23 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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