December 9, 2025
According to Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, forward
Paolo Banchero will remain on a minutes limit in Tuesday's NBA Cup meeting with the Miami Heat. The 23-year-old recently returned from a 10-game absence caused by a groin injury. Since then, he's played twice, totaling 44 minutes. It's possible he could see over 25 minutes, although 30 minutes would be a stretch. However, with
Franz Wagner (ankle) ruled out, Banchero should have plenty of time to do something meaningful for fantasy managers.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Cody Taylor
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Dru Smith (hip) got a spot start on Saturday but was listed as questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup Quarterfinal contest with the Magic. Smith was upgraded to available, but he'll likely return to the bench with
Tyler Herro (toe) and
Davion Mitchell (groin) ready to return after missing Saturday's game. In his start, Smith only managed four points and two assists in 19 minutes in the Heat's loss, but he'll look to be productive as he returns to the second unit against the Magic. The 27-year-old has flashed some upside off the bench, but with Miami likely leaning more heavily on its starters, his role will likely be limited in Tuesday's matchup.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Pelle Larsson (hip) was listed as probable but has been upgraded to available for Tuesday's NBA Cup Quarterfinal game against the Magic, along with
Davion Mitchell and
Tyler Herro. Larsson has played 23 games (16 starts) this season and is averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 22.4 minutes per game. The 24-year-old from Sweden missed Saturday's loss to the Kings and had come off the bench with a minimal impact in four of his five games before that. His return to the rotation will likely limit the minutes of
Nikola Jovic and
Simone Fontecchio, who got extra playing time in Saturday's short-handed rotation.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Davion Mitchell (groin) missed his team's game on Sunday, but he'll be able to return to action on Tuesday, as expected when he was given the probable tag. Mitchell's return will be just in time for the NBA Cup Quarterfinals contest against the Magic on Tuesday night, when
Tyler Herro (toe) will also be back in the backcourt. Mitchell has produced 9.7 points and 7.8 assists in 30.0 minutes per game in his 23 starts for the Heat this season. He has a good matchup against the Magic, although Herro's return to the backcourt could curb his usage a bit. On such a small slate this Tuesday, use Mitchell as you normally would since he has the green light to get back in action after missing just one game.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe) will be able to return as expected when the Heat visit the Magic in an NBA Cup Quarterfinals contest on Tuesday night. He was listed as probable but upgraded to available on Tuesday afternoon. Herro was able to practice on Monday after missing two games, and his return will likely push Kel'el Ware back to the bench, with
Bam Adebayo sliding back to center. Herro has only played five games this season while battling injuries, but he produced 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest, and he'll be a huge part of Miami's offense in his return on Tuesday as they look to advance to the Semifinals by knocking off their in-state rivals.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and guard
Christian Braun (ankle) are not expected to return until after Christmas, per coach David Adelman. When asked about Gordon and Braun's recovery, Adelman said, "I would imagine they celebrate the holiday without playing, but we'll see." Braun was given a six-week timeline about four weeks ago, so it's not surprising that he still has a ways to go, but Gordon was given a timeline of four to six weeks three weeks ago, so he could have been nearing a return. Without Gordon and Braun,
Peyton Watson and
Spencer Jones should continue to have a chance to shine while veterans
Tim Hardaway Jr. and
Bruce Brown Jr. continue to get more playing time on the wings as well.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Adam Mares
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (illness) was downgraded to questionable on Tuesday afternoon before his team faces the Knicks in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. Quickley played through the same illness on Sunday and logged 31 minutes against Boston with 11 points and five assists. Since
Jamal Shead (quad) is also questionable, the Raptors could be very shorthanded in the backcourt. If both are out, the Raptors would be forced to go with more of Ja'Kobe Walter and
Gradey Dick while
Scottie Barnes would serve more as the team's point forward. Quickley has averaged16.5 points and 6.2 assists, and if he plays through the illness again on Tuesday, the first-round pick will have a revenge game narrative against the Knicks in Toronto.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Jamison Battle (ankle) is doubtful for Tuesday's matchup against New York, keeping the second-year wing on the fringes of the rotation. Battle has averaged 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes across his last five appearances, offering no fantasy utility even when active. His absence does not change Toronto's rotation, as
Scottie Barnes,
Collin Murray-Boyles, and
Ochai Agbaji already dominate the forward minutes. Managers can safely look elsewhere for streaming value, as Battle remains off the fantasy radar.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
Derik Queen erupted for 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks in 33 minutes during Monday's 135-132 loss to San Antonio, marking the best performance of his young career. The rookie is averaging 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across his last five games while shooting 51.8 percent, and his role remains secure with
Zion Williamson (adductor) still sidelined and the Pelicans leaning heavily on their starters. Queen should be added in competitive formats, with
Trey Murphy III and
Saddiq Bey benefiting from the stability his play provides.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
December 9, 2025
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jacob Toppin (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in a late-November G League outing. He logged only spot minutes with Atlanta, producing eight points across five brief appearances, so his absence carries no fantasy consequences. The Hawks' forward rotation remains fully intact, with
Jalen Johnson anchoring the position and
Asa Newell and
Mouhamed Gueye holding reserve roles. No player gains meaningful opportunity from this injury, and managers can safely disregard Toppin in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Atlanta Hawks
December 9, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Ben Sheppard (calf) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will miss at least 10 more days after already sitting out the past two contests. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes across 22 games, so his absence has minimal impact outside deeper formats. The main fantasy ripple is added opportunity for rookie
Ethan Thompson, who logged six points and five rebounds in 28 minutes in the last game and profiles as a deeper-league streamer, while
T.J. McConnell and
Garrison Mathews gain modest bumps.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
December 9, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Miles McBride (ankle) will miss Tuesday's game in Toronto after exiting Sunday's win over Orlando. His absence frees up backcourt minutes, putting veteran scorer
Jordan Clarkson on the streaming radar despite a quiet zero-point outing in 17 minutes Sunday. McBride had averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over his last five games, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, so his removal creates a clearer secondary role for Clarkson and a slight usage bump for the remaining starters. Managers in shallow formats can stream accordingly.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
San Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama (calf) will travel for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed 11 straight games with a left calf strain but participated fully in Sunday's practice, putting him close to a return. Fantasy managers should keep him on the bench but ready to activate. His last healthy stretch included 27.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 36.0 minutes. If he sits again,
Luke Kornet remains a low-usage streaming big, while
Kelly Olynyk and
Jeremy Sochan profile as deeper-league options.
--Brian DailisanSource: Jeff McDonald
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors point guard
Jamal Shead (quadriceps) is considered questionable for a meeting with the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup on Tuesday. He could miss his first game of the season due to a right quadriceps contusion. With
RJ Barrett (knee) on the shelf, Shead has regularly logged 20-plus minutes on the floor. In Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics, Shead even started the second half after Ja'Kobe Walter struggled. If Shead exits the lineup, players like Walter and
Ochai Agbaji will have an opportunity to take on a larger workload. However, neither player has offered consistent fantasy production in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Dru Smith (hip) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup clash against the Orlando Magic. He didn't practice on Monday and could miss the big matchup due to a left hip contusion. Smith was a starter for Miami last time out against the Sacramento Kings. However, with
Tyler Herro (toe) and
Davion Mitchell (groin) on track to return to the lineup on Tuesday, Smith's role will be very different if he gets cleared for action.
Pelle Larsson (hip), who is also expected to return on Tuesday, could play a few extra minutes in Smith's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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