December 19, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (ankle) will play on Friday night against the Miami Heat. The 28-year-old sharpshooter tweaked his left ankle in Monday's loss to Detroit, exiting the contest after only four minutes. However, he won't miss additional time. As a three-point specialist, Hauser has a very favorable matchup on Friday, as Miami allows the second-most three-point attempts in the league. With that said, Hauser has not been much of a factor offensively this season, averaging 6.6 points in 21.6 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Andrew Wiggins (back) will exit the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with lower back pain after logging 33 minutes in Thursday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. In Wiggins' absence,
Simone Fontecchio could get a fresh opportunity to start, while players
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and
Kel'el Ware are also in a position to benefit. The latter two are better fantasy options, as Fontecchio has played a limited role on offense, even when starting.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (illness) won't suit up on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi reports. An illness will force the Cavaliers' superstar to miss his third game of the season. With Mitchell out,
Darius Garland will have the ball more in his hands, while there will be additional scoring opportunities for the rest of the starting group. Friday's matchup is particularly tasty for Cleveland's frontcourt, as Chicago allows the second-most fantasy points to power forwards and the third-most to centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Joel Lorenzi
December 19, 2025
New York Knicks forwards
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) and
Josh Hart (abdomen) will play Friday night when the team hosts the Philadelphia 76ers. Towns, Hart, and
Mitchell Robinson all missed Thursday night's win over Indiana, following New York's NBA Cup championship. Expect the Knicks to return to the five-man starting lineup of
Jalen Brunson,
OG Anunoby,
Mikal Bridges, Hart, and Towns.
--Andrew BallSource: Vincent Goodwill
December 19, 2025
Oklahoma City forward
Jaylin Williams (heel) won't suit up Friday night when his team visits the Minnesota Timberwolves. This will be the second game in a row that the 23-year-old has missed with right heel bursitis. Williams' absence doesn't significantly alter Oklahoma City's rotation, especially with center
Isaiah Hartenstein returning to the lineup. Williams sees about 18 minutes of playing time, averaging 5.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.
--Andrew BallSource: Justin Martinez
December 19, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) is doubtful for Saturday's matchup with the Utah Jazz, according to the team's official injury report. Orlando's starting point guard suffered a hip contusion in the NBA Cup semifinal loss to the New York Knicks. This will be Suggs' second straight game on the sidelines.
Tyus Jones started in his place for Thursday's loss to the Denver Nuggets. Following Saturday's game, the Magic will continue their West Coast trip with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Monday.
--Andrew BallSource: Jason Beede
December 19, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Mike Conley (Achilles) will miss his fourth consecutive game when his team hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The 38-year-old is managing right Achilles tendiopathy. Minnesota's backcourt minutes are in flux right now.
Bones Hyland has picked up starts for
Anthony Edwards (questionable, foot) in recent games. He'll likely do so if the young All-Star is inactive again. If Edwards returns, Hyland will compete with second-year guard
Rob Dillingham for Conley's minutes. Conley's status is uncertain when the Timberwolves play Sunday night against Milwaukee.
--Andrew BallSource: Brandon Rahbar
December 19, 2025
Atlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young (right knee injury management) will not play Friday night against the San Antonio Spurs. The All-Star guard returned from a 22-game absence, caused by an MCL sprain, Thursday night in the loss to Charlotte. Young was on a minutes restriction in his first game back, so it's not a surprise that he's sitting out the second night of a back-to-back. Following Thursday's game, Young told reporters that his knee feels fine, and missing Friday's game is just part of the plan.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker should return to the starting lineup. He came off the bench on Thursday after 16 consecutive starts in Young's place.
--Andrew BallSource: Atlanta Hawks
December 19, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe) won't suit up when his team visits the Boston Celtics on Friday night. This will be Herro's third-straight game on the sidelines and fifth in the last six contests. Herro recently told reporters that his toe wasn't getting better, and he had undergone a second MRI to try to pinpoint the issue. It's been an injury-riddled campaign for the former All-Star. He's played in just six games this season, although he's scored at least 20 points in all of them. The Heat have labeled Herro as day-to-day, putting his availability in question for Sunday versus the Knicks.
--Andrew BallSource: Miami Heat
December 19, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (illness, injury management) will be inactive Friday night when his team faces the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. Despite participating in shootaround, the former MVP was not ready to give it a go. Embiid had suited up for Philadelphia's last three games, and he saw more than 30 minutes of game action in all of them. This will be the 15th game Embiid has missed so far this season. As has been the case for most of his absences,
Andre Drummond is likely to get the start against the Knicks.
--Andrew BallSource: Marc Stein
December 18, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Anthony Edwards (foot) is questionable for Friday's matchup against OKC. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick missed only six games in the two seasons heading into the 2025 campaign. However, he's already missed seven this season. If Edwards stays on the shelf versus the champs,
Bones Hyland is the favorite to remain the starting lineup. Hyland recently amassed 12 points, five assists, and one steal in Wednesday's loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, although he could have a tough time being as productive in the meeting with the defensively-sound Thunder.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 18, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (illness) is questionable for Friday's game in New York. Usually, he's listed on the injury report because of his knee. This time, the 31-year-old popped up on it due to an illness. Embiid has appeared in Philly's previous three contests, combining for 77 points during that stretch. Of course, the team won't take any chances with the 2023 MVP, so he likely won't be on the floor unless he's fully healthy. If Embiid can't suit up,
Andre Drummond will presumably take his place in the rotation against the Knicks. Drummond has played well in his 11 starts throughout the 2025 campaign, averaging 10.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 42.9% shooting from behind the arc.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 18, 2025
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Anthony Davis (calf) will play on Thursday against Detroit. The 32-year-old was sidelined for nearly a month because of a calf strain. While he returned for the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on November 28, he's missed some time since then. AD has had a tough year outside of his injury woes, averaging 20.0 points, one of the lowest marks of his career. Davis will likely have his work cut out for him versus a Pistons team that have been sound defensively all year.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Noah Weber
December 18, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) is available for Thursday's meeting with the Hawks. On a night when Atlanta will get
Trae Young (knee) back in the lineup, Ball will return from a three-game absence. However, the 24-year-old will be on a minutes restriction, so his fantasy ceiling will be considerably lower. Although he's still a must-start in season-long fantasy formats, DFS managers may want to look in another direction.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 18, 2025
Atlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young (knee) will return on Thursday against Charlotte. However, according to head coach Quin Snyder, he'll be on a minutes restriction. The former Sooner missed the last 22 games because of a right MCL sprain, so it's not surprising that he'll see fewer minutes than the 27.8 he averaged before going on the shelf. Still, it's hard to imagine Young not being productive for fantasy managers in a favorable matchup versus the Hornets, even if he's limited to 20-25 minutes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Sam Perley
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