December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Max Christie (illness) won't take the court on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 22-year-old is battling an illness and could miss back-to-back games, as Dallas is also scheduled to play on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Christie's departure from the lineup creates additional playing opportunities for players like
Klay Thompson and
Jaden Hardy. This is a fantastic fantasy matchup for the Mavericks, as they face a team that has the third-lowest defensive rating in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) will suit up on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The team has upgraded him from questionable to available. Although Thompson is available for Monday's game, he may be held out on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets to allow him to rest his sore left knee. In December, Thompson has been limited to 10.6 points per game in 20.9 minutes. He could find more success on Monday night against the Pelicans, who give up a league-high 41.7 three-point attempts per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (back) will play on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. He was initially iffy for the contest after picking up a questionable tag on the injury report. Flagg has been improving each week during his rookie campaign and recently became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40-plus points in a single game, just a few days before his 19th birthday. He is averaging 24.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.0 steals this month.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (calf) will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced on Monday. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right calf strain. It's an awful blow for the 29-year-old big man, as Clarke has already spent the majority of the season on the sidelines. After having offseason knee surgery, Clarke was finally cleared to return to action last week. He played only two contests before landing back on the shelf. With
Zach Edey (ankle) also out,
Jaren Jackson Jr.,
Santi Aldama, and
Jock Landale will handle the bulk of the work in the frontcourt. On Monday, Memphis also brought in
Christian Koloko on a 10-day deal for additional depth.
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Craig Porter Jr. (illness) will rejoin the action on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been cleared to return from a one-game absence after the team initially listed Porter Jr. as probable for the contest. With
Donovan Mitchell (illness) and
Sam Merrill (hand) also back in the lineup, Porter Jr. will have a limited role in the rotation and won't offer much fantasy value. During the season, the 25-year-old has posted 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward
Sam Merrill (hand) has received the green light to play on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been out of commission since Nov. 17 due to a right-hand sprain. Merrill is in the midst of a career year, averaging 13.9 points per game on fabulous 44.4 three-point shooting. On Monday, he may have to rely more on his two-point shot to score, as Charlotte gives up the fourth-fewest three-point attempts in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (illness) will return from a one-game absence on Monday versus the Charlotte Hornets. The Cleveland star missed Friday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls, but he was expected to return on Monday night after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. Mitchell returns in a good spot, as Charlotte is among the NBA's worst defensive teams, ranked 24th in defensive efficiency. He could also have some additional motivation to perform well on Monday after producing a 17-point dud on 25 percent shooting in his previous clash against the Hornets. Mitchell's return will push
Tyrese Proctor back to the second unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell (knee) will miss Monday's contest against the Boston Celtics. The team has downgraded McConnell's status from questionable to out. The veteran guard is considered day-to-day with a sore left knee. Starting point guard
Andrew Nembhard will probably play a bit more with McConnell on the shelf, while
Quenton Jackson,
Ethan Thompson, and
Garrison Mathews could also get some extra minutes in the rotation. Boston allows the third-fewest fantasy points to point guards, making this a tough matchup for Indiana's playmakers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was expected after Sexton was listed on the initial injury report as doubtful. With Sexton out for a seventh consecutive game, there will be around 25 minutes of action available to be shared around in the backcourt.
LaMelo Ball could be set for a busy night, with
Tre Mann,
KJ Simpson, and
Sion James all potentially having larger roles to play. However, this is a tough matchup for Charlotte's backcourt, as Cleveland has produced solid defensive numbers against opposing guards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (illness) will play on Monday against the Mavericks. He popped up on the injury report because of migraine headaches. However, it won't keep him off the floor. The 27-year-old has averaged only 9.8 points this season. While that kind of production doesn't make him a viable fantasy option in most formats, his presence will be felt on the defensive side of the ball, which could mean below-average contributions from
Cooper Flagg (back) and
P.J. Washington.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jordan Walsh (illness) won't play on Monday against Indiana. He's not feeling well. Fortunately, the C's aren't back in action until Friday for a rematch versus the Pacers, so he'll have time to feel better. Walsh is easily having the best season of his career. He's also started 16 times, averaging 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in those appearances. However, now that he's on the shelf for Monday's contest,
Sam Hauser and
Hugo Gonzalez could see more minutes, giving both players a bump in fantasy expectations.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Alex Caruso (finger) won't suit up for Monday's meeting with Memphis. The 31-year-old has been on and off the injury report all season. This time, he'll be sidelined by a sprained right middle finger. He's averaged only 5.8 points, 3.1 boards, and 1.8 steals throughout the 2025 campaign, so he hasn't been an every day fantasy option. With
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf),
Jaylin Williams (heel), and
Chet Holmgren (illness) also out, Caruso could have gotten more involved. However, it appears
Kenrich Williams will see extra work, even more so if
Aaron Wiggins (adductor) doesn't play.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) will play on Monday against Denver after missing the last two contests. The 2017 No. 7 overall pick has had a fantastic 2025 campaign, averaging a career-high 27.8 points, adding 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Of course, that kind of production makes him a must-start in all fantasy setups, with his return likely resulting in
Kyle Filipowski heading back to the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets center
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) won't play on Monday against Cleveland. The rookie will miss his third contest of the 2025 campaign, so his next chance to suit up will be on Tuesday versus the Washington Wizards. Without him,
Moussa Diabate is the favorite to enter the starting lineup. The 23-year-old has started twice this season, averaging 8.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. However, his statistical contributions could improve, considering
Evan Mobley (calf) remains sidelined.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) will play against Indiana. He didn't suit up for Saturday's win over the Toronto Raptors, marking only his second absence of the 2025 campaign. Fortunately, the illness won't keep him off the floor for more than one contest. The 29-year-old has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 29.3 points. That trend should continue versus the Pacers, a team that has had their share of struggles defensively this season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
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