December 24, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Cameron Johnson (knee) was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee and is expected to miss some time, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The team has officially listed him as out for Thursday's Christmas clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Bruce Brown and
Tim Hardaway Jr. will compete for a starting role during Johnson's absence, while
Peyton Watson could also help to fill some of his minutes. Hardaway Jr. has had a hot hand lately, sinking 13 triples across two games, though Brown and Watson bring more overall versatility to fantasy teams.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers center
Jaxson Hayes (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's Christmas matchup against the Houston Rockets. The 25-year-old big man hurt his left ankle in Tuesday's loss to the Phoenix Suns, logging only five minutes. Hayes recently started two consecutive games while
Deandre Ayton was sidelined with an elbow injury. Now that Ayton has returned, Hayes offers little fantasy value. If Hayes sits out Thursday,
Maxi Kleber and
Jarred Vanderbilt could see increased minutes in the rotation, though neither player is an attractive fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura (groin) is set to end a two-game absence on Thursday, as the team has listed him as probable for a matchup against the Houston Rockets. The Japanese forward has missed back-to-back games for groin injury management purposes.
Jake LaRavia has been in the starting unit during Hachimura's absence and will likely land back on the bench against Houston, which would negatively impact his fantasy value. Hachimura has been quiet in December, averaging only 9.4 points, a significant drop-off from his season average of 13.3 points per game. Getting buckets won't be easy on Christmas Day either, as Houston has a top-10 defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) has picked up a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of the team's Christmas Day clash against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 32-year-old has yet to play this season following offseason ankle surgery. It would be a special night for Finney-Smith if he can make his season debut on Thursday, as he finished last season with the Lakers. During the offseason, the Rockets signed Finney-Smith as a free agent to a four-year, $53 million contract, clearly seeing a significant role for him in the rotation. Once he's in the lineup, Finney-Smith will almost certainly play with a minutes restriction, limiting his fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (calf) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of a Christmas Day tilt against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Turkish big man is experiencing tightness in his left calf and may have to sit out his third game of the season. Sengun's absence from the lineup on Christmas would allow
Clint Capela to move up in the pecking order, with
Steven Adams likely taking over the starting center role.
Jabari Smith Jr. could also get some minutes at the No. 5 spot. With that said, Thursday presents a tough matchup for Houston's bigs, as the Lakers have allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to centers this season -- trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers point guard
Luka Doncic (leg) has been officially listed as questionable for Thursday's Christmas game against the Houston Rockets. Doncic is nursing a left leg contusion and wasn't in the lineup on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Doncic is expected to play on Christmas Day, but the questionable designation keeps his status uncertain. Should Doncic be unavailable,
Nick Smith Jr. could make a second straight start. Alternatively, the Lakers might return
Austin Reaves to the starting lineup; he played 22 minutes off the bench on Tuesday after missing three games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Al Horford (sciatica) is listed as probable for Thursday's clash against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran big man looks ready to play for the first time in three weeks. He has missed time due to sciatica on his right side. While Horford's return would be a welcome boost for the Warriors, he hasn't been a good fantasy option in 2025-26. The 39-year-old is struggling to hit his shots, averaging 5.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 21.5 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Jaden McDaniels (oblique) is considered questionable for Thursday's Christmas game against the Denver Nuggets. He could miss a second consecutive contest due to a left oblique contusion. With McDaniels out on Tuesday against the New York Knicks,
Mike Conley rejoined the first unit, logging a season-high 30 minutes. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, his production was modest, as the veteran playmaker settled for eight points and two assists.
Naz Reid and
Bones Hyland also benefit from McDaniels' absence from the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Dallas Mavericks point guard
Brandon Williams (ankle) is listed as probable for a matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day. He is dealing with an ankle sprain but has appeared in four consecutive contests. However, Williams has been limited to 15 minutes in back-to-back games, making it tough for him to live up to fantasy expectations. He lost his starting spot to
Ryan Nembhard late last month. Nembhard has been praised for his performances and looks locked into his new role, averaging 10.9 points and 7.0 assists in the first unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Dallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington (foot) is considered questionable for Thursday's meeting with the Golden State Warriors. He exited the lineup for Tuesday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to a sore right foot.
Klay Thompson (knee) and
Max Christie (illness) also didn't play on Tuesday, giving
Jaden Hardy a starting role, while
Caleb Martin logged 25 minutes off the bench. Thompson and Christie are expected back on Thursday, which would once more alter Dallas' rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) is listed as probable for Thursday's special Christmas Day clash against his former team, the Golden State Warriors. Thompson has been dealing with a sore left knee for a while and skipped the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. The veteran sniper began the week in impressive fashion, netting 20 points on 5-for-11 three-point shooting against the New Orleans Pelicans. He would no doubt love to replicate the effort against his former teammates on Thursday. Since leaving Golden State, Thompson has averaged 19.8 points and shot nearly 48 percent from three against the Warriors.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Max Christie (illness) is considered probable for Thursday's matchup against the Golden State Warriors. He looks ready to return to the lineup on Christmas Day after missing two contests due to illness. Christie is averaging a career-high 11.4 points on 45.3 percent three-point shooting, also notching 3.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. However, Christie's production has been inconsistent since he was relegated to a bench role earlier this month, making him difficult to trust in fantasy.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Ajay Mitchell (concussion) won't play in Thursday's Christmas matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, missing a second consecutive game. Mitchell landed in concussion protocol after his early exit from Monday's victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. With him out, the Thunder have lost their fourth-highest scorer. Mitchell has notched 14.1 points per game in 26.1 minutes, adding 3.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Alex Caruso,
Isaiah Joe, and
Aaron Wiggins could see increased minutes off the bench on Thursday, but they are not reliable options for fantasy teams.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (face) will be ready for a rematch against
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day. The big man made an early exit on Tuesday against the Spurs after suffering a facial injury. It seems Holmgren's injury was minor, as he is not listed on the team's injury report for Thursday's game. While Holmgren was quiet against San Antonio on Tuesday, he has posted decent numbers this month, averaging 18.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Lonzo Ball (knee) will be active on Christmas Day against the New York Knicks. He sat out the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Ball has struggled with scoring this season, averaging 5.6 points on 30.5 percent shooting. Across 23.9 minutes per game, he has also notched 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.4 steals. On Thursday, Ball will probably have his usual workload, but he isn't expected to make a big impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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