December 4, 2025
Chicago Bulls forward
Noa Essengue (shoulder) will miss the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The No. 12 overall pick in the NBA Draft has only appeared in two games for the Bulls this season, playing only six minutes and going 0-for-3 in his very limited NBA action. In four games with the G-League Windy City Bulls, the 18-year-old averaged 23 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 30.8 minutes. Coach Billy Donovan said, "The recommendation was to get it fixed now instead of waiting, because it's something that could continue to be a problem for him." Essengue could still be a part of the future plans for the Bulls, but he won't have any value in re-draft leagues this season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: K.C. Johnson
December 4, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks forward/center
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) is expected to miss approximately two to four weeks with a calf strain suffered on Wednesday night against the Pistons, according to reports from ESPN's Shams Charania. He only played three minutes before leaving the game, and his absence leaves lots of work for the rest of the roster while he is sidelined. This will be the second time Giannis has been out for an extended period this season. While
Ryan Rollins and
Kevin Porter Jr. will do most of the heavy lifting on offense, there will also be more minutes and opportunities for
Bobby Portis,
Myles Turner, and
Kyle Kuzma. The injury took place on the same day that news broke that he was planning to meet with the team to discuss his long-term future with the team. Those discussions could still happen, but his injury will be tough for the struggling Bucks to navigate. Even though they won the game that he left early, they are still 10-13, barely holding onto the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
December 4, 2025
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (rib) is questionable for Thursday's game in Brooklyn, opening the door for extra frontcourt minutes if he sits. Second-year big
Kyle Filipowski profiles as the primary beneficiary after delivering 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one block in 29 minutes in his last outing, giving him short-term deep-league appeal.
Taylor Hendricks and
Kyle Anderson could also re-enter the mix, though both carry low ceilings. Managers should view this frontcourt as a matchup-driven streaming spot unless Nurkic misses extended time.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Marcus Smart (back) will stay sidelined Thursday against Toronto, marking his fourth straight absence and leaving the backcourt thin with
Luka Doncic (personal) also out.
Gabe Vincent,
Jake LaRavia, and second-year wing
Dalton Knecht should again handle the leftover minutes, though all remain fringe deep-league flyers rather than standard-league streamers. Knecht produced 13 points and four rebounds in his last outing, while Vincent and LaRavia continue to offer muted, low-volume lines.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers guard
Chris Paul is no longer with the team as the organization prepares to part ways with the veteran, ending his limited backup role and creating a modest opening in the rotation. Paul averaged 3.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists across his last five outings in 13.4 minutes, so the fantasy ripple is minimal.
Kris Dunn should continue seeing steady guard minutes and remains the only viable streamer, offering assists and steals.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (hip) may absorb some second-unit usage once healthy, but he is best treated as a deep-league stash.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
December 4, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans center
Yves Missi (ankle) will miss Thursday's game against Minnesota, leaving rookie
Derik Queen in line for another sizable workload. Queen has started the past two games and averaged 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while playing heavy minutes, making him a strong short-term pickup in all formats as the Pelicans remain without
Zion Williamson (adductor) and several starters. Queen's scoring efficiency and passing give him a stable floor, and he should again operate as the primary interior option until Missi returns.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Quentin Grimes (calf) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with Golden State after missing Tuesday's win over Washington. His absence opened meaningful minutes on the wing, with rookie
VJ Edgecombe producing nine points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks in 24 minutes while starting.
Justin Edwards and
Jared McCain also handled expanded roles and remain viable short-term streamers if Grimes sits again. Grimes should still be held in most formats due to stable minutes, three-point volume, and steals, but managers should track Edgecombe's continued ramp-up.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Bilal Coulibaly (oblique) is expected to miss multiple weeks, removing a key perimeter defender from an already thin rotation and opening short-term streaming chances on the wing.
Cam Whitmore logged 16 minutes Tuesday and posted four points, five rebounds and one block, placing him on the radar as a deeper-league fringe option rather than a priority add.
Justin Champagnie and rookie
Will Riley also scored 13 points and offer low-end appeal. All three profile as situational streamers while Coulibaly is out.
--Brian DailisanSource: Josh Robbins
December 4, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Austrian giant has been managing a back problem all season, regularly skipping games when Toronto has a back-to-back scheduled. Fantasy managers can expect to see Poeltl return to the court on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Collin Murray-Boyles and
Sandro Mamukelashvili have increased fantasy value with Poeltl out of the lineup, although
Jamison Battle started in his place the last time he was rested. Even as a starter, Battle only logged 11:15 of action, so he isn't someone fantasy managers should consider.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (adductor) has been ruled out for a third consecutive game on Thursday against the Boston Celtics. The talented Frenchman is nursing a right adductor strain. Given the nature of muscle injuries, his return to action may take some time. In Sarr's absence,
Marvin Bagley III has become a popular man among fantasy managers and looks set to maintain a starting role on Thursday. As a member of the first unit, Bagley III has averaged 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) is on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of an encounter with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Since returning from a knee issue, Kuminga has played in two games. Now, he may have to miss time due to a sore right ankle. Golden State is battling the injury bug right now, and many players would have added fantasy value if the team goes into Thursday night's game with a depleted lineup.
Stephen Curry (quadriceps) remains unavailable, while
Jimmy Butler III (knee),
Al Horford (sciatica),
Quinten Post (ankle), and
Trayce Jackson-Davis (knee) are all listed as questionable, alongside Kuminga.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jimmy Butler III (knee) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers. The veteran star played only 15 minutes in Tuesday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, exiting the action with a sore left knee.
Gary Payton II started the second half in Butler's place, notching 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Buddy Hield also had a larger workload without Butler, logging 28 minutes off the bench. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Both players would have more fantasy value if Butler sits out Thursday's action.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Philadelphia begins a back-to-back on Thursday, and it appears certain that George will miss at least one of the games. Since his season debut, George has seen limited action and played only 18 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Washington Wizards. He is averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in 22.2 minutes per game.
Justin Edwards could return to the starting lineup if George doesn't play, giving him more fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) has been listed as doubtful for Thursday's clash against the Golden State Warriors, indicating that he is likely to miss a second consecutive game. Due to knee issues, the former MVP has taken the court just seven times this season, averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals. Embiid's absence means fantasy managers can continue to keep faith in
Andre Drummond, who has posted seven double-doubles in his 10 starts this season. Golden State ranks 25th in rebounding rate, making it a favorable fantasy matchup for Drummond.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is considered doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Washington Wizards. He will likely miss his first game of the season due to illness. A second absence might also be in store for Brown, as Boston has another game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown leads the Celtics in scoring with 29.0 points per game, and his absence would open up a lot of offensive touches for other players on the team.
Derrick White,
Anfernee Simons,
Sam Hauser, and
Payton Pritchard will all have increased fantasy appeal if Brown sits on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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