December 5, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (injury management) will play on Friday night when his team visits the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran forward has intermittently missed games after sitting out the first 12 games of the season. The 76ers are on the second night of a back-to-back; however, George did not play in Thursday's win over Golden State. George is seeing about 22 minutes of action in his six appearances (all starts) this year, averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
--Andrew BallSource: Adam Aaronson
December 5, 2025
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (illness) is a late addition to the team's injury report ahead of their Friday night contest against the Phoenix Suns. He's officially listed as questionable as the team waits to see if he can battle through his illness. The 23-year-old All-Star has started all 19 games for the Rockets this season, averaging career-high marks in points (23.1) and assists (7.1), along with 9.1 rebounds. If Sengun is unable to play,
Steven Adams and
Clint Capela will man the paint for the Rockets.
--Andrew BallSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee, injury management) won't play on the second night of a back-to-back on Friday in Milwaukee. It's no surprise that Embiid will watch from afar, as he previously stated he may never play back-to-back games again in his career due to his knee. The former MVP has also only played in eight games this year while managing the injury.
Andre Drummond has picked up the start at center for most of Embiid's absences this season. Expect that trend to continue Friday night. Embiid is averaging a career-low 18.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in about 24 minutes per game this year.
--Andrew BallSource: Adam Aaronson
December 5, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
Evan Mobley (illness) has been downgraded to questionable ahead of Friday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Local beat writers added they did not see the All-Star at shootaround on Friday morning. If Mobley misses the game, he'll be the latest on a lengthy injury report for the Cavaliers.
Jarrett Allen (finger),
Darius Garland (toe),
Max Strus (foot),
Sam Merrill (hand),
Tyrese Proctor (personal), and
Larry Nance Jr. (calf) have all already been ruled out. Mobley is averaging a career-high 19 points per game this season.
--Andrew BallSource: Chris Fedor
December 5, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (sciatica, foot) and guard
Luka Doncic (personal) won't be in the lineup Friday night against the Boston Celtics. James, who has only appeared in six games this season, is sitting out the second night of a back-to-back. Doncic is missing his second consecutive game. Guard
Marcus Smart (back) has also been ruled out. Expect
Austin Reaves to see massive usage with the other stars sidelined. He's averaging over 40 points in four games without Doncic this season. The Lakers' next game after tonight is Sunday night in Philadelphia.
--Andrew BallSource: Shams Charania - ESPN
December 5, 2025
San Antonio Spurs center
Luke Kornet (ankle) won't play when his team visits the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Kornet got dinged up on Wednesday night in Orlando, but finished the game and had a game-winning block at the end of regulation. The Spurs' big offseason acquisition has been starting in place of
Victor Wembanyama (calf). With Kornet and Wembanyama off the court, San Antonio will be forced into playing a smaller lineup.
Kelly Olynyk,
Jeremy Sochan, and possibly
Bismack Biyombo will see most of the minutes at the five.
--Andrew BallSource: Jeff McDonald - San Antonio Express-News
December 5, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Norman Powell (ankle) is off the injury report and available to play against the Orlando Magic on Friday night. The 32-year-old missed Wednesday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks after tweaking his ankle on Monday. With
Tyler Herro (toe) doubtful to play on the first night of a back-to-back, Powell will be tasked with shouldering the scoring load. He's averaging a career-best 25 points per game on 45.8% shooting from beyond the arc in 17 games this season.
--Andrew BallSource: Miami Heat
December 5, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is off the injury report heading into Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. He didn't suit up for Thursday's win over the Washington Wizards. However, the 29-year-old will be back on the floor, avoiding his second absence of the 2025 campaign. With Brown's return,
Sam Hauser, who had six points in 21 minutes as a starter on Thursday, will head back to the bench, with fewer offensive opportunities expected for
Payton Pritchard,
Jordan Walsh,
Anfernee Simons, and
Derrick White.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Orlando Magic forward
Paolo Banchero (groin) will play on Friday versus the Heat after missing the last 10 games due to a strained groin. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick hasn't played since suffering the injury during the win over the New York Knicks on November 12, so there's a chance he'll see fewer than the 32.8 minutes he averaged in his 12 appearances. However, despite the potential for a reduced workload as well as a challenging matchup on the horizon, Banchero must be added back into all fantasy lineups. With the former Duke Blue Devil back in the mix,
Tristan da Silva will presumably head back to the bench, significantly reducing his fantasy expectations.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Friday's matchup in Oklahoma City after aggravating his right ankle Wednesday, putting his availability in doubt. If he sits,
Anthony Davis likely continues starting at center, where he has averaged 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.7 blocks across his last three on 52.0 percent shooting.
Dwight Powell would handle backup minutes and remains a deep-league streamer due to low usage, while
Moussa Cisse offers only situational depth.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland (toe) will miss Friday's matchup with San Antonio, putting second-year wing
Jaylon Tyson in position for expanded usage after producing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes Wednesday. Tyson has been playing well lately and profiles as the primary beneficiary of Garland's absence.
Lonzo Ball gains appeal as an assists-and-steals specialist, while
Craig Porter Jr. should see a mild bump in minutes as a deep-league playmaker.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Atlanta Hawks forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (reconditioning) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with Denver and appears to be trending in the right direction after missing the past four games. His return would be a welcome boost, as he averaged 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 blocks across his last five outings on .547 shooting. Managers in weekly formats should still treat him cautiously until he's confirmed active. If he remains out,
Onyeka Okongwu stays locked into a heavy-minute role, while
Zaccharie Risacher and
Dyson Daniels maintain stable usage either way.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Denver after missing Wednesday's loss, which pushed
Mouhamed Gueye into a 23-minute spot start that produced six rebounds and one steal. Johnson's potential absence again funnels minutes to Gueye,
Vit Krejci, and rookie
Asa Newell, while
Zaccharie Risacher holds a stable role after logging 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Managers should treat Gueye as a deep-league streaming option only, as his low usage and inconsistent production cap his upside.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (wrist) is probable for Friday's game in Toronto after posting 34 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in 36 minutes Wednesday. He has averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists over his last five, though efficiency sits at 36.5 percent from the field. He remains a must-start if active.
Brandon Miller (shoulder) is questionable, which could funnel extra touches to Ball and
Miles Bridges while keeping
KJ Simpson and
Sion James in secondary roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 5, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe) is questionable for Friday in Orlando on the first night of a back-to-back. He logged 20 points and four rebounds in 33 minutes Wednesday and is averaging 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks across his last five on 52.4 percent shooting. Managers should keep contingency plans ready.
Pelle Larsson and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. become viable streamers if Herro sits, especially with
Norman Powell (ankle) also questionable.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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