December 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell (knee) has been labeled as questionable for a clash against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. The veteran playmaker has a sore left knee, which may force McConnell out of the lineup for the first time since he made his season debut on Nov. 11. McConnell has maintained a backup role in Indiana this season, averaging 9.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 16.7 minutes. If McConnell can't suit up on Monday, players like
Quenton Jackson, Garrison Matthews, and
Ethan Thompson will likely absorb his minutes. However, none of the three is an appealing fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) is looking at a seventh consecutive absence, as the team lists him as doubtful for Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton is battling a quadriceps strain, and muscle injuries are not easy to shake off.
KJ Simpson,
Sion James, and
Tre Mann have more fantasy appeal due to Sexton's absence. The trio would receive an even larger boost if
LaMelo Ball (wrist) exited the lineup. Currently, Ball is listed as probable on the injury report.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Monday's meeting with his former team, the Detroit Pistons. Grant is dealing with a sore left Achilles tendon, which may keep him sidelined for a second consecutive contest.
Kris Murray started in Grant's place on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings but didn't do a lot, finishing with nine points, three rebounds, and two steals in 36 minutes.
Sidy Cissoko also has a chance to see more action without Grant, but his impact on Saturday was even smaller than Murray's.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) remains on the injury report ahead of Monday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets, putting him at risk of missing a third consecutive game. The Finnish star is managing a groin issue, and at least one absence looks guaranteed for him early this week, as Monday marks the start of a back-to-back.
Kyle Filipowski has had a starting role during Markkanen's absence, although he has been frustratingly inconsistent. Meanwhile,
Keyonte George,
Svi Mykhailiuk, and
Ace Bailey get more work on the offensive end among Utah's starters.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (back) could miss his second game of the season on Monday, as the team has listed him as questionable for a matchup against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. The exciting rookie is nursing a back contusion. Dallas begins the week with a back-to-back, so it appears likely that Flagg will miss at least one game.
Klay Thompson (knee) and
Max Christie (illness) are also considered questionable for Monday night, which could lead to
D'Angelo Russell and
Jaden Hardy having much larger roles in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (back) is on the injury report as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The uniquely talented big man is dealing with lower back spasms and could miss his first game since Nov. 7.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has already been ruled out, making it vital for the Thunder to have Holmgren available. It wouldn't be surprising to see both big men miss one game during the back-to-back that kicks off on Monday. If neither player is in the lineup against Memphis,
Branden Carlson and
Kenrich Williams will likely take on larger roles in the frontcourt.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. The oft-injured guard remains out due to an ankle sprain. With
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) also out,
Cam Spencer is likely to retain a starting role. The 25-year-old logged a 19-point, 11-assist double-double in Saturday's loss to the Washington Wizards. Spencer has had a very strong month, averaging 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists while shooting 60 percent from the field. His form will be put to a stern test on Monday, as the Thunder hold by far the best defensive rating in the NBA.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against Indiana after sitting out the previous contest. Brown has averaged 30.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 35.3 minutes over his last five, serving as a primary option in Boston's offense. The illness introduces availability risk without signaling a role change. If Brown sits again,
Sam Hauser and
Hugo Gonzalez would see increased wing minutes, while
Derrick White absorbs more scoring responsibility. Brown remains a firm hold in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) is trending toward another absence Monday against Golden State, with the team listing him as doubtful on the front end of a back-to-back. Suggs has already missed two games, with Orlando prioritizing caution as he works through the hip contusion. In his most recent five appearances, Suggs produced 21.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in 29.6 minutes, but those numbers come off the board if he sits again.
Anthony Black would continue handling more creation duties, while
Paolo Banchero and
Wendell Carter Jr. absorb extra offensive volume.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Detroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (hip) is listed as probable for Monday's game against Portland. The fourth-year big man has averaged 14.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 29.0 minutes over his last five, continuing to anchor Detroit's interior. The hip contusion adds mild risk, but his role and workload remain intact.
Isaiah Stewart holds limited streaming appeal if Duren is capped, while
Cade Cunningham continues to benefit from Duren's screening and finishing. Duren remains a clear hold in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus) will not play Monday against Memphis in the first leg of a back-to-back. Hartenstein had averaged 9.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 24.3 minutes over his last five, providing steady boards and defensive value. His absence pushes
Branden Carlson into deeper-league streaming consideration and opens small-ball minutes for
Kenrich Williams. If
Chet Holmgren (back) is limited,
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and
Jalen Williams should absorb more rebounds. Hartenstein remains a hold.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets center
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) is questionable for Monday's game against Cleveland on the front end of a back-to-back. The rookie has averaged 7.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 25.5 minutes over his last five, but the elbow issue adds short-term volatility. If he sits or is limited,
Moussa Diabate becomes a deeper-league streamer for rebounds and defensive stats.
LaMelo Ball and
Brandon Miller would also absorb steadier frontcourt usage, while Kalkbrenner profiles as a cautious hold.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (wrist) is listed as probable for Monday's matchup against Cleveland on the front end of a back-to-back. Ball has averaged 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 26.1 minutes over his last five, shooting 42.7 percent from the field. The wrist issue adds mild risk, but his usage and playmaking remain intact.
Brandon Miller and rookie shooter
Kon Knueppel continue to benefit as secondary scorers, while
Collin Sexton's (quadriceps) doubtful tag keeps Ball's floor stable in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 21, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (illness) is probable heading into Monday's matchup with Charlotte. He didn't suit up for Friday's loss to the Chicago Bulls.
Tyrese Proctor ended up taking his place in the rotation, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. If Mitchell suffers a setback, Proctor would presumably remain in the starting lineup, although that could change if
Sam Merrill (hand), who is also probable, can return after missing the last 14 games.
Darius Garland, coming off a 35-point effort, should also continue to see an uptick in scoring opportunities if Mitchell can't get back on the floor, even more so since the Hornets are one of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 21, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) will return from a two-game absence on Sunday night versus Brooklyn. He's getting back on the floor at a perfect time, considering the Nets are one of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association. With Poeltl available,
Sandro Mamukelashvili, who had 24 points and five rebounds on Saturday against the Boston Celtics, will likely return to the bench, significantly decreasing his fantasy value.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Vivek Jacob
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