December 17, 2025
Denver Nuggets power forward
Peyton Watson (upper body) is questionable to suit up for Thursday's contest against the Orlando Magic. Watson exited Monday's contest early with a "right trunk injury," and his status is unclear for Thursday. With
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and
Christian Braun (ankle) already ruled out, and veteran
Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) questionable, Watson could be an important piece against the Magic. In 25 games, Watson is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while playing over 26 minutes per game. If he's inactive, look for
Bruce Brown,
Spencer Jones, and
Zeke Nnaji to see their workloads expanded.
--Nathan HarveySource: Denver Nuggets
December 17, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks forward
Kyle Kuzma (illness) has been tagged as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The 2020 NBA champion is trying to fight off an illness to avoid missing his second game of the season. Due to some lineup issues, including the absence of
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), Kuzma has enjoyed a larger role in the rotation recently. He has averaged 18.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game over the last four contests. Kuzma has been starting in place of
AJ Green (shoulder), who is also on the injury report with a questionable designation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Denver Nuggets shooting guard
Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is questionable to play on Thursday against the Orlando Magic. Hardaway has yet to miss a game in the 2025-26 season, but this illness warrants enough to listed on the injury report. The Nuggets have been affected by injuries this season, who are already without
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and
Christian Braun (ankle), and could be without Hardaway and
Peyton Watson (upper-body) on Thursday. Hardaway has been a key contributor off the bench in Denver, averaging 12.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. If Hardaway is active, he could see a major workload on Thursday, especially if Watson is inactive. If he's out, look for veteran
Bruce Brown to see his minutes expanded.
--Nathan HarveySource: Denver Nuggets
December 17, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. He is managing a groin issue and could be held out of action for the second time in four games. Markkanen is Utah's leading scorer, and his departure from the lineup would open up a lot of additional offensive touches for the rest of the team. Meanwhile,
Kyle Filipowski could get an opportunity to remain in the starting lineup. In Monday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Filipowski started in place of
Jusuf Nurkic (rest), who has been removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Orlando Magic small forward
Tristan da Silva (shoulder) is questionable to play on Thursday when the Magic travel to take on the Denver Nuggets. da Silva suffered a right shoulder contusion in the NBA Cup Semi-Finals loss to the New York Knicks, and his status is in doubt for Thursday. The Magic have been decimated by injuries as of late, losing
Franz Wagner (ankle),
Moritz Wagner (knee), and point guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) for the foreseeable future. The second-year forward from Germany has started in 10 games this season, averaging 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game this season. Fantasy managers should stay in tune with the news surrounding the Magic and da Silva. If he's inactive,
Jett Howard and
Jonathan Isaac should see more minutes.
--Nathan HarveySource: Jason Beede
December 17, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Pelle Larsson (ankle) will be sidelined for a second straight game on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. He is recovering from a left ankle sprain. Larsson didn't practice on Wednesday, making it unlikely that he can return on Friday when Miami finishes a back-to-back against the Boston Celtics.
Dru Smith,
Simone Fontecchio, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. can make a bigger mark with Larsson,
Tyler Herro (toe), and
Nikola Jovic (elbow) out against Brooklyn. The team may also miss
Norman Powell (calf), who is listed as questionable.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Nikola Jovic (elbow) will miss Thursday's contest against the Brooklyn Nets. He took a nasty fall on Monday against the Toronto Raptors, injuring his right elbow. Luckily, Jovic escaped serious injury. But he is considered week-to-week and will miss some time, beginning with Thursday's game. Jovic has had a disappointing campaign, and Miami should have no trouble coping with his absence.
Simone Fontecchio and
Kel'el Ware could get a small bump in playing time with Jovic on the shelf.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Pat Spencer (personal) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. Spencer is set to miss his first game since mid-November as he deals with a personal issue. In his third season, Spencer has started three games while future Hall-of-Fame point guard
Stephen Curry has dealt with a quad injury. In those games, Spencer averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Curry made his return last Sunday, which sent Spencer back to his bench role in the Warriors' lineup. With Spencer out, Curry could be forced to take a larger workload, and rookie
Will Richard could see more minutes as well.
--Nathan HarveySource: Anthony Slater - ESPN
December 17, 2025
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (calf) didn't practice on Wednesday, leaving his status uncertain for Thursday's clash against the Brooklyn Nets. Miami has officially listed its top scorer as questionable on the injury report due to a calf problem.
Tyler Herro (toe) has already been ruled out, so
Bam Adebayo,
Andrew Wiggins, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. could have a massive offensive usage against the struggling Nets, who are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency. Meanwhile,
Dru Smith and
Simone Fontecchio could be more involved in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) is considered probable for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Austrian big man had been managing a back issue all season, but the probable designation suggests that he will be good to go on Thursday. This is a tough matchup for Poeltl, as the Bucks have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to centers this season, with defensive specialist
Myles Turner working at center for the team. In his prior two meetings with the Bucks this season, Poeltl has managed only 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Golden State Warriors center
Al Horford (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. Horford has been dealing with a "sciatic nerve injury," but head coach Steve Kerr provided good news, stating his injury has healed, and he is nearing a return. The 19-year veteran is playing his first season in Golden State, but has struggled, averaging career lows in nearly every major statistic. While Horford is nearing a return to play, second-year center
Quinten Post will continue to play a major role in this Warriors lineup. Over the past four games with Horford out, Post has played over 25 minutes in three of the four games and has averaged 14.5 points and five rebounds per game.
--Nathan HarveySource: Anthony Slater - ESPN
December 17, 2025
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is in danger of missing his first game of the season, having picked up a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Orlando Magic. The veteran sniper is dealing with an illness after logging a season-high 40 minutes in Monday's overtime win against the Houston Rockets. Hardaway Jr. benefited from Payton Watson's (side) early exit on Monday and could receive a larger workload again against Orlando, as Watson is also listed as questionable. If both players end up missing the action,
Bruce Brown's fantasy appeal would skyrocket.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 17, 2025
Dallas Mavericks point guard
Brandon Williams (Achilles) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Detroit Pistons. Williams missed the previous game against the Utah Jazz with an Achilles issue, and it appears to be clouding his availability for Thursday as well. The 26-year-old guard has been a main contributor off the bench for the injury-plagued Mavericks, averaging 10.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on nearly 22 minutes per game. If Williams is active, he could produce yet again, with veteran D'Angelo Russell questionable with an illness. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor both Russell's and Williams' status heading into Thursday.
--Nathan HarveySource: Grant Afseth
December 17, 2025
Dallas Mavericks point guard D'Angelo Russell (illness) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Russell has missed the previous two matchups as he continues to deal with an illness. In his first season with the Mavericks, Russell has averaged career lows in points per game (11.2), rebounds per game (2.6), and minutes per game (20:17). Despite spending the majority of his career as a starter, he has come off the bench in all but three games this season. Russell's availability will become much clearer as we approach tomorrow night, but his fantasy value is too low to consider in starting lineups with a crowded slate upcoming. If Russell is out, look for undrafted free agent
Ryan Nembhard and
Brandon Williams (who's also questionable with an Achilles injury) to handle his workload.
--Nathan HarveySource: Grant Afseth
December 17, 2025
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) may exit the lineup on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, as he is considered questionable for the game. Robinson continues to manage an ankle injury. If he can shed the questionable designation, the 27-year-old may get an opportunity to re-enter the first unit. New York has three starters listed as questionable for Thursday, including starting center
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee). Centers have feasted against the Pacers all season, and it would be a favorable matchup for Robinson if he can play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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