December 22, 2025
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) will miss his third game of the season on Tuesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Brunson had a monster game on Sunday against the Miami Heat with 47 points, but he will take Tuesday off to manage a right ankle injury ahead of Thursday's Christmas clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Knicks' backcourt is also without
Miles McBride (ankle) and
Landry Shamet (shoulder), giving
Jordan Clarkson and
Tyler Kolek significant roles in the rotation. With that said, Tuesday's matchup is a tricky one for the duo, as Minnesota typically does a good job limiting the offensive impact of guards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (illness) appears ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets, as the team considers him probable for the game. After sitting out two games due to illness, the former MVP came through a full practice on Monday. Embiid's return to the lineup would force
Andre Drummond into a bench role, significantly reducing his fantasy value. Before he was sidelined by illness, Embiid logged 30-plus minutes in three consecutive appearances, averaging 25.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (illness) is available for Monday's contest against the Utah Jazz. Valanciunas was listed on the injury report with an illness heading into Monday, but the veteran will continue his streak of not missing a game in 2025. The 14th-year big man is averaging 8.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in just 13 minutes per game. He has yet to start a game this season, filling in behind superstar
Nikola Jokic, which will continue to limit his fantasy value. With Jokic in the lineup for Monday's game against the Jazz, Valanciunas should be left out of fantasy lineups.
--Nathan HarveySource: Denver Nuggets
December 22, 2025
San Antonio Spurs forward/center
Victor Wembanyama (calf) is considered questionable for Tuesday's intriguing matchup against the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The French superstar continues to manage a calf injury that recently kept him sidelined for nearly a month. Since returning, Wembanyama has averaged only 20.3 minutes across five appearances. Despite the limited playing time, he has still provided high-level fantasy production, posting 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. If Wembanyama takes the night off on Tuesday,
Luke Kornet and
Kelly Olynyk will share the center minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers point guard
Luka Doncic (leg) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns. Doncic injured his left leg in Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and will sit out at least one game. His injury isn't believed to be a long-term issue, as the Lakers consider him day-to-day. According to Lakers head coach JJ Redick, Doncic has dealt with the same issue several times this season.
Dalton Knecht and
Nick Smith Jr. could see increased usage due to Doncic's absence, though
Austin Reaves (calf) may return on Tuesday and would significantly impact the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (trunk) is available to play on Monday against the Utah Jazz. Watson has missed the last two games with an upper-body injury but is off the injury report and slated to play on Monday. The fourth-year forward has started in 15 of 25 available games this season, averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. With
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) still out after suffering his injury on November 21st, Watson will continue to start as the power forward for the Nuggets. While a minute restriction is possible given the missed time, Watson offers some fantasy value as a streaming option with Gordon off the floor.
--Nathan HarveySource: Denver Nuggets
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Josh Minott will return to the starting lineup for Monday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers. He will be filling in for
Jordan Walsh (illness). Minott enjoyed a run of nine consecutive starts earlier in the campaign, averaging 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 22.3 minutes. With
Jaylen Brown back in the lineup,
Sam Hauser is returning to the second unit. Minott and Brown will be joined in the starting lineup by
Payton Pritchard,
Derrick White, and
Neemias Queta.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sean Grande
December 22, 2025
Phoenix Suns guard
Jalen Green (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports. Green has been unavailable for most of the season, making only two appearances. He hasn't played since Nov. 8 after re-aggravating a hamstring injury, which delayed his season debut. Green's absence has allowed
Collin Gillespie to break out. The Vilanova product is averaging 13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 27.9 minutes.
Jordan Goodwin has picked up more shifts in the rotation as well, especially with
Grayson Allen (knee) also struggling to stay healthy.
--Taavi PailkSource: Duane Rankin
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Max Christie (illness) won't take the court on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 22-year-old is battling an illness and could miss back-to-back games, as Dallas is also scheduled to play on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets. Christie's departure from the lineup creates additional playing opportunities for players like
Klay Thompson and
Jaden Hardy. This is a fantastic fantasy matchup for the Mavericks, as they face a team that has the third-lowest defensive rating in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) will suit up on Monday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The team has upgraded him from questionable to available. Although Thompson is available for Monday's game, he may be held out on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets to allow him to rest his sore left knee. In December, Thompson has been limited to 10.6 points per game in 20.9 minutes. He could find more success on Monday night against the Pelicans, who give up a league-high 41.7 three-point attempts per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (back) will play on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. He was initially iffy for the contest after picking up a questionable tag on the injury report. Flagg has been improving each week during his rookie campaign and recently became the youngest player in NBA history to score 40-plus points in a single game, just a few days before his 19th birthday. He is averaging 24.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.0 steals this month.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (calf) will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced on Monday. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right calf strain. It's an awful blow for the 29-year-old big man, as Clarke has already spent the majority of the season on the sidelines. After having offseason knee surgery, Clarke was finally cleared to return to action last week. He played only two contests before landing back on the shelf. With
Zach Edey (ankle) also out,
Jaren Jackson Jr.,
Santi Aldama, and
Jock Landale will handle the bulk of the work in the frontcourt. On Monday, Memphis also brought in
Christian Koloko on a 10-day deal for additional depth.
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Craig Porter Jr. (illness) will rejoin the action on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been cleared to return from a one-game absence after the team initially listed Porter Jr. as probable for the contest. With
Donovan Mitchell (illness) and
Sam Merrill (hand) also back in the lineup, Porter Jr. will have a limited role in the rotation and won't offer much fantasy value. During the season, the 25-year-old has posted 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward
Sam Merrill (hand) has received the green light to play on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been out of commission since Nov. 17 due to a right-hand sprain. Merrill is in the midst of a career year, averaging 13.9 points per game on fabulous 44.4 three-point shooting. On Monday, he may have to rely more on his two-point shot to score, as Charlotte gives up the fourth-fewest three-point attempts in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (illness) will return from a one-game absence on Monday versus the Charlotte Hornets. The Cleveland star missed Friday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls, but he was expected to return on Monday night after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. Mitchell returns in a good spot, as Charlotte is among the NBA's worst defensive teams, ranked 24th in defensive efficiency. He could also have some additional motivation to perform well on Monday after producing a 17-point dud on 25 percent shooting in his previous clash against the Hornets. Mitchell's return will push
Tyrese Proctor back to the second unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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