December 20, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) isn't available for Saturday's game in Detroit. He was initially listed as questionable, so it appears he's inching closer toward a return. However, that won't happen on Saturday night. With
LaMelo Ball recently returning from a stint on the shelf, Sexton's fantasy ceiling should be lower once he's healthy enough to get back on the floor. Until that happens,
KJ Simpson and
Sion James may continue to see more action, although that could change with
Tre Mann (knee) available to suit up after missing the last seven contests.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee, illness) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Mavericks. The 2023 MVP logged three-straight appearances recently, combining for 77 points during that stretch. However, not only is he back on the report for injury management purposes, he's also dealing with an illness. If Embiid gets ruled out,
Andre Drummond will presumably take his place in the rotation once again, with the 32-year-old finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds in Friday's win over the New York Knicks.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is questionable for Saturday's matchup with Toronto. Like many of the players around the National Basketball Association of late, Brown's not feeling well. Considering he amassed 30 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in 35 minutes against the Heat on Friday night, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised to see him miss the meeting with the Raptors. If that's the case,
Sam Hauser,
Anfernee Simons, or
Hugo Gonzalez are the favorites to enter the starting lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachiumura (groin) is questionable for the meeting with the Clippers on Saturday night. The Lakers are already down
Austin Reaves (calf) and
Deandre Ayton (elbow), so it's not a good time for Hachimura to miss his second contest of the 2025 campaign. However, considering this isn't the first groin injury of his career, there's a realistic chance he won't be out there on Saturday evening. If Hachimura doesn't suit up,
Jake LaRavia is the favorite to replace him in the rotation. The 27-year-old has started seven times this season, averaging 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals, giving him some upside for those in need of a deep-league streaming option. Still, Hachumira's absence should just mean even more offensive production from
LeBron James and
Luka Doncic.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Al Horford (back) is expected to miss at least another week due to right sciatic nerve irritation, keeping the veteran sidelined with no firm return date. Horford has played only once over the last ten games, removing him from short-term fantasy consideration outside of very deep formats. His continued absence has stabilized the frontcourt rotation, as
Quinten Post continues to start and log steady minutes. Post logged nine points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes last game, offering low-end value for boards.
Stephen Curry,
Jimmy Butler III, and
Draymond Green continue to anchor closing lineups.
--Brian DailisanSource: Nick Friedell
December 20, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Seth Curry (glute) has been ruled out Saturday against Phoenix due to left glute injury management, though his absence carries minimal fantasy impact. The veteran shooter has played sparingly this season, averaging 7.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 16.0 minutes per game, keeping him off the standard-league radar. The guard rotation is tight, with
Brandin Podziemski,
De'Anthony Melton,
Buddy Hield, and
Pat Spencer all in the mix, limiting streaming appeal.
Stephen Curry continues to anchor usage after a 48-point outing, while
Jimmy Butler III and
Draymond Green remain locked into closing roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (trunk) is questionable Saturday against Houston after missing Thursday with a right trunk contusion. Watson had locked in a starting role prior to the injury, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 three-pointers, and 1.1 blocks in 30.2 minutes across his previous 14 starts. His availability carries real fantasy weight. If sidelined again,
Bruce Brown and
Spencer Jones pick up wing minutes, with Brown offering the safer short-term stream. Watson is still worth holding when active given his two-way contributions.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Orlando Magic forward
Tristan da Silva (shoulder) is questionable Saturday against Utah due to a right shoulder contusion and risks missing a second straight game. The second-year forward has averaged 5.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 21.6 minutes over his last five, limiting his appeal to deeper formats when active. His potential absence carries more streaming value elsewhere. If da Silva and
Jonathan Isaac (hip) sit,
Jett Howard becomes a viable short-term add after posting 12 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes, while
Anthony Black's role remains secure.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Jrue Holiday (calf) has been ruled out again Saturday against Sacramento, extending his absence to 16 straight games with no clear timetable for return. The veteran guard was productive before going down, averaging 16.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.6 steals in 33.4 minutes, but the prolonged layoff makes him an IL-only hold for now. Portland's rotation has stabilized without him, with
Deni Avdija logging 42 minutes in the last game, while
Shaedon Sharpe and
Toumani Camara continue seeing steady usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (leg) has been ruled out Saturday at Denver, extending his absence to 14 straight games due to injury management. The continued shutdown keeps Eason sidelined despite his strong per-minute profile of 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 2.5 three-pointers in 23.2 minutes when active. He remains a stash-only play in IL formats.
Jabari Smith Jr. and
Josh Okogie continue to benefit, with Smith logging 44 minutes and Okogie scoring 10 points in the last outing.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) won't be available on Saturday against the Washington Wizards. He is nursing a left ankle sprain and will miss a second straight contest.
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) also won't play on Saturday, leaving Memphis without two important backcourt pieces. Luckily for the team,
Cam Spencer (personal) will be available and could produce fireworks against a leaky Wizards defense. In his last outing against the Los Angeles Clippers, Spencer set a new career high with 27 points, sinking seven of 10 attempts from three-point range.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 19, 2025
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett (knee) will be sidelined for a 12th consecutive game on Saturday against the Boston Celtics. Following a long absence due to a right knee sprain, Barrett began ramping up activities this week, but it looks like his return to the lineup won't come during the team's upcoming back-to-back set. Toronto wraps up the week on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets. Several players have received increased opportunities during Barrett's absence, including
Ochai Agbaji, who has made three consecutive starts. In these games, Agbaji has managed to score only 18 total points and grab 10 rebounds, making him a non-factor in fantasy basketball.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Eastern Conference matchup against the Boston Celtics. Poeltl has been bothered by a lower back problem all season, mostly sitting out games during back-to-back situations. However, even after several rest days, he wasn't in the lineup on Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Saturday marks the start of another back-to-back for Toronto, so at least one absence is coming again for Poeltl this weekend.
Sandro Mamukelashvili started at center on Thursday and did well, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal during an 111-105 win.
Collin Murray-Boyles also plays more when Poeltl is absent.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) could miss his second game of the season on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. The veteran, who has totaled 55 points across the last two games, is dealing with a sore left Achilles tendon. After opening the season as a member of the second unit, Grant has started regularly over the last month. The 31-year-old has notched 21.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.9 assists as a starter. If Grant can't play on Saturday, the Trail Blazers will likely bring
Kris Murray or
Sidy Cissoko into the first unit. With that said, fantasy managers shouldn't rush to grab them, as the two haven't been productive enough in previous starts.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (elbow) has been ruled out for a second consecutive game, missing Saturday's clash against the Los Angeles Clippers due to a sore left elbow. His absence will allow
Jaxson Hayes to make another start. Filling in for Ayton on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, Hayes posted 16 points in 22 minutes with three rebounds.
Maxi Kleber logged 19 minutes as the backup center, finishing with five points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block. The Lakers' frontcourt could also be without
Rui Hachimura (groin) on Saturday, opening up even more minutes for the rest of the group.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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