October 25, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (back) is available for Saturday's meeting with the Atlanta Hawks. The 23-year-old popped up on the injury report because of back soreness. However, that's not surprising, considering OKC went into double-overtime in both games to begin the 2025 campaign. He is currently averaging 21.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season. While Holmgren's statistical contributions are somewhat inflated due to the extra quarters played in the Thunder's first two contests, he is an All-Star caliber performer regardless. Of course, Holmgren should be starting in all fantasy formats. Although category managers haven't appreciated his 18.2% shooting from deep, he's made up for it by sinking 91.7% of his tries from behind the charity stripe.
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is also back on the injury report after missing Friday's win over the Orlando Magic due to Flu-like symptoms. If Porzingis remains on the shelf, Holmgren's ceiling will increase even more.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
New York Knicks forward
Josh Hart (back) will play on Friday versus the Boston Celtics. He didn't suit up for the win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night. Fortunately, after riding a questionable designation, Hart will be on the floor. The 30-year-old averaged 13.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals in 37.6 minutes per contest last season. However, it's reasonable to assume he'll see less work in his first game of the 2025 campaign, lowering his ceiling for fantasy managers in all formats.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
October 24, 2025
New York Knicks forward/center
Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps) will play on Friday versus the Boston Celtics. KAT popped up on the injury report because of a nagging quad strain heading into this contest, just like he did leading up to the Knicks opener versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Fortunately, he's good to go. New York will also have
OG Anunoby (ankle) and
Josh Hart (back), which is excellent news. Towns had a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double in 31 minutes of action against the Cavs, so it's apparent the ailment isn't impacting his play. Keep him starting in all formats.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
October 24, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
De'Andre Hunter (knee) won't play on Friday versus the Brooklyn Nets. The 27-year-old is battling a knee contusion. Although he's moving in the right direction, he'll now miss his second contest of the 2025 campaign. Hunter was reportedly "moving around pretty well" at practice on Thursday. However, it's anyone's guess if he'll be able to get on the floor when the Cavs meet the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. With
Darius Garland (toe) and
Max Strus (foot) also sidelined,
Sam Merrill and
Jaylon Tyson are the favorites to move into the starting lineup. Merrill had 19 points versus the Knicks on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, Tyson wasn't nearly as productive, amassing only five points.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Chris Fedor
October 24, 2025
Atlanta Hawks center
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) won't play on Friday versus the Orlando Magic. The veteran had 20 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in the loss to the Raptors on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, he isn't feeling well, developing Flu-like symptoms. It's unknown if he'll be good to go when the Hawks meet OKC on Saturday night in the second of back-to-back contests for Atlanta. However, while Porzingis is sidelined,
Onyeka Okongwu, coming off an 18-point, six-rebound effort on Wednesday, is the favorite to slide into the starting lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard
Vince Williams Jr. (heel) will miss Friday's matchup with the Heat as he continues to recover. Williams also missed the team's opening day 128-122 win over the Pelicans. The former second-round pick averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in just 18.5 minutes per game last season. Williams will likely operate this season as a glue-guy off the bench who is capable of chipping in rebounds and assists despite shooting just 40.1% from the field last season. Williams can be left on waivers throughout the early portion of the season, until we see if his role grows throughout the season.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Ira Winderman
October 24, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Jae'Sean Tate (ankle) is questionable to return on Friday after missing opening night. Tate played a limited role last season, averaging just 11.3 minutes per game with 3.6 points, and 2.3 rebounds. While he won't likely see a heavy minute share, Tate could provide valuable depth in the absence of
Dorian Finney-Smith on Friday. The Rockets dropped their double overtime opener to the Thunder, and will look to bounce back against the Pistons on Friday. Tate should be monitored closely, but will need to garner an increased minute load to be rostered in most fantasy formats.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Danielle Lerner
October 24, 2025
Brooklyn Nets center
Danny Wolf (ankle) remains unavailable for Friday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he recovers from a recent ankle injury suffered in Wednesday's shootaround. Wolf missed the season opener and has yet to make his NBA debut. He was the Nets fifth first-round pick in the 2025 draft, as they selected him No. 27 overall out of Michigan. The seven-footer can stretch the floor, shown by his 33.6% three-point shooting in college, but struggled at the line last year, shooting 59.4% from the stripe. Look for the Nets to mix Wolf in behind Nic Claxton once he returns.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Erik Slater
October 24, 2025
Brooklyn Nets shooting guard
Drake Powell (ankle) has been ruled out for the team's home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Powell appeared in just seven minutes of action in Wednesday's loss to the Hornets. Powell is currently stuck behind several wings on the depth chart. Powell started 24 of his 37 games in college at North Carolina, spacing the floor with his 37.9% three-point shooting. As the season progresses, look for the rebuilding Nets to ease Powell into the action, but until then, the rookie guard can be safely left on the waiver wire.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Erik Slater
October 24, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard/forward
Caris LeVert (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's contest against the Houston Rockets. LeVert is carrying a sore right knee and was also considered probable for Wednesday's season opener against the Chicago Bulls. In the end, he was cleared for the game, and LeVert logged 21 minutes off the bench, scoring eight points. While it seems likely that LeVert will remain in the lineup for Friday's contest, he doesn't look like a strong fantasy option at this time.
Ron Holland II led Detroit's second unit on Wednesday, and
Isaiah Stewart also received more playing time than LeVert.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
Boston Celtics center
Luka Garza (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's tilt against the New York Knicks. He exited Wednesday's season opener against the Philadelphia 76ers with a head injury and has entered concussion protocol. Garza is simply a depth piece for the Celtics and likely won't offer much from a fantasy perspective this season. However, with him sidelined, the rest of the frontcourt will have a chance to see a few extra minutes on the floor.
Neemias Queta has begun the campaign as Boston's starting center, while
Chris Boucher and
Xavier Tillman will share the backup minutes on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
Orlando Magic forward/center
Moritz Wagner (knee) will remain on the shelf on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks. The German big man still isn't ready to return from an ACL injury he suffered last season.
Wendell Carter Jr. and
Goga Bitadze will share the center minutes until Wagner returns. Both players offered similar production in a 125-121 win over the Miami Heat on Wednesday. However, Carter Jr. has more fantasy appeal, as he's locked into a starting role. With that said, he was mediocre last season against the Hawks, averaging 8.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 26.3 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Ja'Kobe Walter (illness) has been tagged as questionable for Friday's matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. The 21-year-old may have to skip a second consecutive game due to illness. Walter enjoyed a decent debut season with the Raptors, but his role this year is expected to change now that the team is fully healthy. In his absence,
Ochai Agbaji and
Gradey Dick will receive additional playing time. Both players logged 20-plus minutes in Wednesday's season opener against the Atlanta Hawks, with Dick delivering an impressive performance, scoring 21 points and grabbing five rebounds.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is considered questionable for Friday's contest against the Washington Wizards. The 27-year-old was unavailable on opening night against the San Antonio Spurs due to a right ankle sprain and may now have to sit out a second consecutive game.
Dereck Lively II has the potential to make a bigger impact without Gafford in the lineup. However, he had a quiet season debut on Wednesday night, finishing with just four points and two rebounds in 10 minutes of play. If Gafford remains sidelined on Friday,
Dwight Powell will have an opportunity for increased playing time as well.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 24, 2025
San Antonio Spurs forward
Jeremy Sochan (wrist) will remain out on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 22-year-old sustained a wrist injury leading up to the season and must wait until Sunday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets to make his debut this campaign.
Harrison Barnes,
Julian Champagnie, and
Keldon Johnson look more attractive fantasy options without Sochan. During San Antonio's season-opening win on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks, Johnson performed the best out of the three players, notching 11 points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 25 minutes off the bench.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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