December 26, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward
Austin Reaves (calf) has been diagnosed with a grade two left gastrocnemius strain and will be reevaluated in four weeks after exiting Thursday's game against the Rockets. Reaves logged 15 minutes before departing and finished with 12 points, one rebound, one assist, and one block, cutting short his usual rotation role. The Lakers' guard rotation is set to adjust during Reaves' absence, with
Marcus Smart positioned for a steadier run after averaging 30.0 minutes, 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in prior games without Reaves.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
December 26, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Anthony Edwards (shoulder) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Nets. Edwards played 42 minutes on Christmas Day and recorded 44 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. If Edwards sits, Minnesota would likely redistribute perimeter usage.
Bones Hyland could see an expanded role after starting in similar situations earlier this season. During that stretch, Hyland averaged 11.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 24.8 minutes. His role could grow further if
Mike Conley (rest) is also ruled out.
--Brian DailisanSource: Timberwolves PR
December 26, 2025
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (calf) is out after an MRI revealed a mild right calf strain, with reevaluation scheduled in one week following Tuesday's loss to the Pistons. Murray left the game before halftime and is not expected back in the near term. With him sidelined, Sacramento would likely redistribute forward minutes, with
Nique Clifford a candidate to absorb wing run and
Precious Achiuwa seeing expanded frontcourt usage. Achiuwa logged 27 minutes with 15 points and 13 rebounds last game, while Clifford posted 14 points and two steals in 25 minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Sean Cunningham
December 26, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies center
Jock Landale (calf) is out for Friday's game against the Bucks due to right calf soreness, marking his first missed contest of the season. Landale had been functioning as a primary backup amid multiple frontcourt injuries and averaged 12.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block in 25.5 minutes over his last five games. With him sidelined, Memphis would likely lean more on
Santi Aldama in frontcourt rotations, while
Christian Koloko could see a modest uptick in reserve center minutes, particularly behind
Jaren Jackson Jr.--Brian DailisanSource: Grizzlies PR
December 26, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans guard
Jordan Poole (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Suns after clearing left ankle soreness. Poole missed Tuesday's loss but had been functioning as a bench contributor prior to the absence. Over his last five games, he averaged 16.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 27.3 minutes, reflecting a stable second-unit role. If he resumes that usage,
Jose Alvarado and
Jordan Hawkins would likely see reduced guard minutes and touches. Even in a reserve role, Poole offers situational fantasy value through scoring and free-throw percentage, though field-goal efficiency continues to cap his upside.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is available for Friday's game against the Bulls after Philadelphia cleared him from injury management. Embiid has averaged 23.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 blocks over his last five games while logging around 30 minutes per contest, including multiple outings above that mark. His availability pushes
Andre Drummond into a reserve role, where his fantasy value would be limited to situational rebounding if Embiid's workload fluctuates in-game. Meanwhile,
Adem Bona's minutes project to be squeezed further. Embiid anchors Philadelphia's interior offense, though fantasy managers should still account for occasional workload variability tied to knee management.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Cedric Coward (heel) is officially active for Friday night's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Coward missed Tuesday's game against Utah dealing with a left heel issue but is able to fight through it tonight. The rookie has been a very solid piece of Memphis' rotation this year and is averaging 15.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 4.0 APG over his last seven games. Milwaukee's defense has been spotty at times, giving Coward more potential tonight. Fantasy managers and DFS players should both target Coward for their starting lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
December 26, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (ankle) is officially available for Friday night's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Morant has been dealing with a left ankle sprain that's caused him to miss the last four games. The 26-year-old has been very good facilitating Memphis' offense this season when healthy, averaging 7.5 APG this season. He should be in a solid spot against the Bucks, whose defense has been spotty at times. Fantasy managers and DFS players alike need to ensure the Grizzlies' superstar is inserted into their starting lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard
VJ Edgecombe (illness) will play on Friday against the Bulls. The rookie is having a fantastic first season in the National Basketball Association, averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.3% from behind the arc. With production like that, Edgecombe should remain starting in all fantasy setups, especially with a favorable matchup on the horizon. He might be even more productive if
Joel Embiid (knee) can't get on the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Tony Jones
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Dominick Barlow (illness) will play on Friday against Chicago after missing Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The 22-year-old is having a productive season, averaging career-highs in points (9.1), rebounds (5.6), and blocks (1.0). He'll have a favorable matchup versus a Bulls team that has struggled defensively throughout the 2025 campaign. Barlow may be even more potent offensively if
Joel Embiid (knee) can't suit up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Tony Jones
December 26, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) is available on Friday against Washington. Like
Scottie Barnes, Murray-Boyles popped up on the injury report because of an illness. However, it appears he's at least feeling well enough to suit up. The 2025 No. 9 overall pick has had a few sound fantasy showings this season. Although he's averaged only 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds, he could exceed his usual statistical projections versus arguably the worst defensive team in the National Basketball Association. Murray-Boyles might also see more than the 18.0 minutes he's averaged throughout his inaugural campaign, considering
Jakob Poeltl (back) and
RJ Barrett (knee) remain out.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Scottie Barnes (illness) will play on Friday against Washington. The 24-year-old has averaged 19.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals. Even better, he's shooting a career-high 36.4% from deep while appearing in all 31 of the Raptors' contests this season. Fortunately, despite popping up on the injury report because of an illness, Barnes won't miss his first game of the 2025 campaign. All things considered, his upside is higher on Friday versus a Wizards squad that has struggled on the defensive side of the ball.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Vivek Jacob
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Nikola Jovic (elbow) will return from a four-game absence on Friday against Atlanta. Despite being in the league for four years, Jovic hasn't improved much from a statistical standpoint, averaging only 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. With
Bam Adebayo (back) and
Tyler Herro (toe) ruled out, there's a chance he may see more action. However, that won't make him a safe fantasy option, even with the opportunity for an expanded role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
December 26, 2025
Phoenix Suns guard
Jordan Goodwin (jaw) is listed as available for Friday night's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Goodwin has been dealing with a jaw sprain for some time now but has been wearing a mask and has been able to play in every Suns game since Halloween. Over his last 12 games he's averaged 9.4 PPG and 3.5 RPG. He has the potential for an increase in production against a Pelicans defense that hasn't been great against guards this season. He will be a more appealing option for DFS managers than traditional fantasy managers but both should keep an eye out for him in their lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Pelle Larsson (ankle) will play on Friday against Atlanta after missing the last five games. The 24-year-old has averaged 8.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds this season. Of course, he's played a little better in his 16 appearances as a starter. There's a chance he could find himself back in the starting lineup on Friday, considering
Bam Adebayo (back) and
Tyler Herro (toe) are out. With that said, he's not the safest fantasy option by any means, although the upside is there for those willing to take a risk in a contest versus one of the worst defensive clubs in the NBA. That applies regardless of Larsson's role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
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