November 22, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward/center
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) exited Friday's win at Houston after just three minutes and is expected to miss time, according to head coach David Adelman. Gordon has been in and out of the lineup recently, sitting two games earlier in the month. He was in the middle of a strong season, averaging 18.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 28.3 minutes. His last five games included 16.6 points and 6.8 rebounds on 50.9 percent shooting and 40.9 percent from deep.
Peyton Watson should be the primary beneficiary, with
Tim Hardaway Jr. and
Bruce Brown gaining wing minutes and
Jonas Valanciunas seeing a small bump.
--Brian DailisanSource: Vic Lombardi
November 22, 2025
Chicago Bulls forward
Matas Buzelis (ankle) exited Friday's loss to Miami after 18 minutes and did not return. The second-year forward has averaged 14.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 27.7 minutes, with a recent five-game run of 13.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 45.5 percent shooting. If Buzelis misses time,
Patrick Williams and
Jalen Smith should take most of the frontcourt workload.
Kevin Huerter may see extra run in smaller lineups, and
Josh Giddey and
Ayo Dosunmu could get minor usage bumps. Managers should continue holding Buzelis, as his current role and production remain secure once he's healthy.
--Brian DailisanSource: K.C. Johnson
November 21, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) won't return to Friday's NBA Cup clash with the Houston Rockets. The 30-year-old didn't suit up for the win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. While he received the green light to get on the floor on Friday, his night came to an abrupt end due to a right hamstring strain after only three minutes of work. Gordon is having the best season of his career, averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 45.2% shooting from behind the arc. With that in mind, if he ends up missing time,
Tim Hardaway Jr. or
Bruce Brown could find themselves in the starting lineup, with
Spencer Jones getting more minutes from off the bench. Of course,
Nikola Jokic and
Jamal Murray should continue to lead the way offensively.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Denver Nuggets
November 21, 2025
Atlanta Hawks forward/center
Onyeka Okongwu (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game in New Orleans. Okongwu has averaged 16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 29 minutes, and he posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in his most recent game. Managers should be ready if he sits, as he has been steady across his last five games, highlighted by a 32-point outing. If he doesn't suit up,
Kristaps Porzingis absorbs most of the interior workload while
Mouhamed Gueye becomes a deeper-league streaming option.
Vit Krejci and
Luke Kennard also gain marginal stability with Atlanta already missing
Trae Young (knee). Okongwu remains a hold in standard formats given his consistent playing time and production.
--Brian DailisanSource: Brad Rowland
November 21, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard
D'Angelo Russell (illness) is out for Friday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, marking his first absence of the season. Russell has delivered 12.6 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 22 minutes, but his usage has fluctuated, and Dallas now shifts to a deeper guard rotation.
Brandon Williams should take on primary ball-handling duties, while
Max Christie is positioned for a steadier workload after logging seven rebounds and 15 points in his last outing.
Jaden Hardy becomes a viable deep-league streamer for scoring after producing 17 points in his recent matchup against Minnesota.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grant Afseth
November 21, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard
Tre Jones (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Friday's meeting with the Heat, though head coach Billy Donovan noted he will be capped at roughly 20-24 minutes in his return. Jones had been productive before the injury, averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 steals, but the lighter workload will keep expectations in check. His activation comes on the same night
Coby White (calf) has been ruled out, leaving Chicago short on creation but not empty-handed. With Jones operating in a controlled role,
Ayo Dosunmu is still positioned for extra touches, and
Kevin Huerter should see a cleaner path to shots.
--Brian DailisanSource: K.C. Johnson
November 21, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Jaden McDaniels (wrist) will play on Friday versus the Suns. He's had an exceptional season, averaging a career-high 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting an impressive 52.1% from deep. Fortunately, his absence was short-lived. All things considered, McDaniels can automatically be plugged back into all fantasy lineups, with
Mike Conley in line to return to the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Alan Horton
November 21, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard
Coby White (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup with the Heat, pausing a strong stretch in which he averaged 26.0 points and 7.5 assists over his last two appearances. His absence removes a major scoring and creation piece on the second night of a back-to-back.
Tre Jones (ankle), however, has been upgraded to available, giving Chicago a much-needed stabilizer in the backcourt. With White sidelined,
Ayo Dosunmu and
Kevin Huerter should see expanded roles, while
Josh Giddey is expected to take on more initiation responsibilities. White remains a hold given his recent form and the chance he returns to meaningful minutes once healthy.
--Brian DailisanSource: K.C. Johnson
November 21, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers center
Jarrett Allen (finger) won't play in Friday's Central Division showdown with the Indiana Pacers. He was listed as questionable heading into this contest because of a sprained right finger. Unfortunately, the injury will keep him off the floor for the first time this season. The 27-year-old has played as well as expected, averaging 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 14 appearances. While Allen is currently shooting a career-low 57.7% from the field, his absence will leave a significant void for fantasy managers. With Allen sidelined,
Evan Mobley will presumably shift to the five, with
Dean Wade,
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, and
Larry Nance Jr. in line to see extra minutes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Camryn Justice
November 21, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) is doubtful for Saturday's matchup against the Mavericks after already missing Thursday's win over Sacramento. Jackson has averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 29 minutes this season, but his absence again would push
Santi Aldama into another start after he delivered 29 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes on Thursday.
Zach Edey and
Jock Landale also produced well in expanded roles and remain useful streamers for blocks and boards if Jackson sits. Managers should treat Aldama as the priority add, with Edey offering upside in deeper formats while the frontcourt redistributes minutes and usage without Jackson.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grizzlies PR
November 21, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Jaylon Tyson (concussion) will play on Friday versus the Pacers. He was having an above-average year before missing the last five games, averaging 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 46.2% from behind the arc. He was also receiving some action as a member of the starting lineup. Although it's nice to see any player back on the floor after an injury, Tyson's fantasy value may be at lowest of the season, considering he'll likely see limited minutes. In addition,
Darius Garland (toe) is available, so the 22-year-old may have a tougher time staying involved.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Camryn Justice
November 21, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland (toe) is available for Friday's clash with the Pacers. The left great toe injury has been a real nuisance this season, resulting in Garland appearing in just three contests. Not only that, but the 24-year-old is averaging a subpar 13.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. With a productive resume like his from previous years, it's hard to imagine fantasy participants keeping him out of the lineup, even while operating under a minutes cap. Unfortunately, it may take Garland some time to regain his form, so there may be bumps for managers along the way. With Garland in the mix,
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who had 10 points and two rebounds in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets, will be tough to trust from a fantasy standpoint, considering his role might be significantly reduced.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Camryn Justice
November 21, 2025
Washington Wizards forward/center
Marvin Bagley III (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors after being downgraded from doubtful, leaving Washington without both of its primary bigs. Bagley started for
Alexandre Sarr (toe) on Wednesday and logged 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 30 minutes, and he has averaged 7.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes this season. With Bagley and Sarr sidelined, the Wizards are forced into a thin frontcourt rotation featuring
Tristan Vukcevic and
Anthony Gill, with Vukcevic offering the most short-term appeal for deep formats.
Cam Whitmore and
Kyshawn George may also see steadier usage as Washington redistributes possessions and rebounding opportunities.
--Brian DailisanSource: Josh Robbins
November 21, 2025
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (toe) has been ruled out for his second straight game after being downgraded from questionable, removing one of the team's most productive starters from the rotation versus the Raptors. Sarr has averaged 18.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 29 minutes with strong efficiency, so his absence forces Washington into a patchwork frontcourt.
Marvin Bagley III (hip), who started in his place Wednesday, is also out, leaving
Tristan Vukcevic and
Anthony Gill to cover most of the center minutes. While both Gill and Vukcevic are still risky fantasy options, they both have a higher ceiling than usual on Friday night, giving them deep-league streaming appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: Greg Finberg
November 21, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Sion James (groin) is probable for Saturday's matchup against the Clippers. He is expected to keep his usual role after playing 23 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Indiana. James scored one point with two rebounds, one assist and one steal in that game, and he is averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 43.8 percent shooting this season. His usage stays low and his last five games include 0.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in roughly 26 minutes, making him a deep-league option only. His value improves slightly if
Tre Mann (ankle), who is questionable, sits.
Brandon Miller's return and
Collin Sexton's steady workload keeps James capped to a complementary role.
--Brian DailisanSource: Owen O’Connor
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