October 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets forward
Grant Williams (knee) has been ruled out for the team's season opener on Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. Williams is still recovering from knee surgery, and there isn't a specific date set for his return. However, considering it's been 11 months since Williams injured his right knee, his comeback could be close.
Josh Green (shoulder) also won't be available for the start of the season, which may give rookie
Kon Knueppel a large workload right off the bat. The injuries could also open up additional minutes for
Tidjane Salaun and
Tre Mann.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard
Dante Exum (knee) won't suit up for Wednesday's contest against the San Antonio Spurs. This isn't surprising, as Exum has been dealing with a right knee problem throughout the preseason. Health issues also sidelined him for nearly the entire 2024-25 campaign, as Exum participated in only 20 games. He averaged 8.7 points and 2.8 assists.
Brandon Williams and
Max Christie are expected to handle the backup guard minutes in Wednesday's game. Although Williams has a higher fantasy ceiling, there may not be enough minutes available for either player to make a significant impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers center
Robert Williams III (conditioning) won't play in Wednesday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williams III practiced fully on Monday but needs to improve his conditioning before being ready for action. With
Deandre Ayton now in L.A., Williams III has a chance to make a bigger impact with the Trail Blazers. But he needs to be available for his team, and that's always been an issue with Williams III. On Wednesday night,
Yang Hansen and
Duop Reath will serve as backups for starting center
Donovan Clingan.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
San Antonio Spurs forward/center
Kelly Olynyk (heel) will not be in the lineup for Wednesday's season-opening contest against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran big man continues to work his way back from his April heel surgery. San Antonio also won't have the services of
Jeremy Sochan (wrist) on Tuesday night, which could push
Luke Kornet into a prominent role. The injury situation may also help
Keldon Johnson pick up additional work. Olynyk's next chance to make his Spurs debut will be on Friday against his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans. However, it's unclear how far along he is in his rehab.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Ace Bailey (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. Bailey missed the end of the preseason because of a knee issue and is now dealing with an illness, which may delay his NBA debut. If he can't play against the Clippers, Utah will need
Brice Sensabaugh to step up. Additionally, players like
Cody Williams and
Svi Mykhailiuk may see increased playing time. Sensabaugh picked up a lot of momentum at the end of 2024-25, averaging 14.1 points with red-hot 47.5 percent three-point shooting after the All-Star break.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
October 22, 2025
Utah Jazz guard
Isaiah Collier (hamstring) won't be in action for at least one week at the start of the season. He's dealing with a hamstring issue, and the team announced that Collier will be re-evaluated in one week. Collier's absence will improve the fantasy prospects of
Keyonte George, who was bumped to the bench last season. It's now likely that he will rejoin the starting unit. Rookie
Walter Clayton Jr. may also benefit, along with veteran
Svi Mykhailiuk, who impressed in last week's preseason finale with 15 points and four assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: Utah Jazz
October 21, 2025
According to NBA reporter Jovan Buha, Los Angeles Lakers guard
Gabe Vincent will start in Tuesday's opener versus the Golden State Warriors.
LeBron James (back) is out, so head coach JJ Redick will roll with Vincent,
Luka Doncic,
Austin Reaves,
Rui Hachimura, and
Deandre Ayton to kick off the 2025 campaign. Of course, that is always subject to change moving ahead, and it likely will. For now, the 29-year-old will get some work with the first-five. Vincent wasn't consistently showcased in Redick's rotation last season, although he at least averaged 8.5 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 11 starts. Unfortunately, that type of production from Vincent won't do much for season-long fantasy managers. However, there is a value opportunity there for DFS participants.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jovan Buha
October 21, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jimmy Butler III (ankle) will play on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. The veteran was listed on the injury report due to a sprained left ankle. While he carried a probable designation, suggesting he would play all along, fantasy managers are happy to see the official update. Butler began last season with the Miami Heat before being traded to the Dubs ahead of the deadline. He played well in his 55 appearances, averaging 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals. His percentages from deep have decreased over the years. However, the 36-year-old is still a must-start in any fantasy format. With Butler available,
Al Horford and
Buddy Hield will likely see fewer minutes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
October 21, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) is officially active for Tuesday's game versus the Los Angeles Lakers. It was an eventful offseason for Kuminga, with the 23-year-old agreeing to a two-year, $48.5 million contract after months of negotiations. While it's unknown how much longer he'll stay in Golden State once he's eligible to be traded, it appears he'll at least start his fifth season as a member of the starting lineup. Of course, that may change as the year progresses. For now, Kuminga is a must-start, although his weak shooting percentages from last season are something category managers would love to see improve.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
October 21, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Anthony Edwards (back) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Trail Blazers. The 24-year-old is battling back spasms. Although his injury designation suggests he has a chance of suiting up, fantasy managers should monitor things throughout the day on Monday. The 24-year-old averaged a career-high 27.6 points last season, adding 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 steals. He's also logged 79 games in each of the last three seasons, so it would be surprising to not see him out there for the opener. If Edwards isn't available,
Donte DiVincenzo,
Jaden McDaniels, and
Julius Randle should all benefit from a production standpoint. The same can be said for
Naz Reid and
Mike Conley, who would be in line for more work.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Timberwolves PR
October 21, 2025
San Antonio Spurs guard
De'Aaron Fox (hamstring) won't suit up for Wednesday's season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. Fox has been dealing with a right hamstring strain since late September and also underwent surgery on his left pinkie finger back in March. The veteran guard will likely return to the floor in early November if he continues to progress without setbacks. With Fox sidelined to start the season, rookie
Dylan Harper could see increased playing time, while
Stephon Castle should have plenty of scoring opportunities in the backcourt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
October 21, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans center
Kevon Looney (knee) won't be available to suit up for the team's season opener against the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. Looney has been out of action due to a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain in his left knee and could be out for two more weeks. The 29-year-old had been working through knee pain, and he will likely have to wait until November to make his debut with his new team. Looney agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the Pelicans in June after 10 seasons with the Warriors. While he is sidelined, rookie big man
Derik Queen could see an expanded role backing up projected starting center,
Yves Missi.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
October 21, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is listed as doubtful ahead of Wednesday's game against the Spurs. Head coach Jason Kidd indicated on Tuesday morning that Gafford was questionable. However, his designation on the injury reports suggests he won't be out there for the opener. With
Anthony Davis and
Dereck Lively II likely to see most of the work underneath the rim, there's a chance
P.J. Washington also spends time at the four and five spots throughout the contest. If so,
Naji Marshall could receive a bump in minutes. Still, Marshall has been a streaky scorer during his career, making him a risky fantasy option for managers in any format.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
October 21, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Darius Garland (toe) is unavailable for Wednesday's season opener against the New York Knicks. Garland underwent offseason toe surgery and is close to returning, but he will be sidelined for at least the season opener. While the 25-year-old is unavailable,
Lonzo Ball will likely get the nod to start, while
Donovan Mitchell will likely see an abundant amount of scoring opportunities. Mitchell posted averages of 29.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in games without Garland in Cleveland.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
October 21, 2025
Miami Heat center
Kel'el Ware (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's meeting in Orlando. The 21-year-old averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 boards, and 1.1 blocks last season and is projected to take a leap in his sophomore campaign. However, he rolled his ankle at the end of Tuesday's practice, putting his availability for the opener in jeopardy. With an 82-game schedule on tap, head coach Erik Spoelstra could play it safe by giving him the night off. If that's the case,
Bam Adebayo may slide over to the five spot, with
Nikola Jovic or
Andrew Wiggins in line to enter the starting lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Anthony Chiang
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