December 20, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) has been downgraded from doubtful to out ahead of tip-off on Saturday against the Orlando Magic. He is managing a right groin injury and won't be available for a second consecutive contest. In Markkanen's absence,
Kyle Filipowski will likely keep his starting spot, with
Brice Sensabaugh and
Taylor Hendricks potentially getting more minutes in the rotation.
Keyonte George, who has posted three consecutive 30-point performances, will lead the charge offensively.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen (knee) will miss a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors. He is carrying a sore right knee, and his absence isn't surprising, as the team initially listed Allen as questionable for the game. Allen's previous absence was also against the Warriors on Thursday night. It allowed Royce O'Neale to re-enter the first unit, and he provided a little bit of everything for fantasy managers, notching nine points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 31 minutes. Jordan Goowin also benefited from Allen's absence, amassing nine points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in 30 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga (illness) will not suit up on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns. He was a late addition to the injury report due to an illness and has now been ruled out. Kuminga has been in and out of the rotation lately, so Warriors head coach Steve Kerr probably already had plans in place for how the rotation would work without the athletic forward. Kuminga will have his first opportunity to return on Monday against the Orlando Magic.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Cam Spencer will join the starting lineup for Saturday's matchup against the Washington Wizards, replacing
Santi Aldama. Spencer struggled in his only previous start this season, finishing with four points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a 117-104 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 2. However, he was excellent during his first career start late last season against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 23 points and delivering seven assists. On Saturday, Spencer looks poised for another productive night, as Memphis faces a poor defensive team in a pace-up situation.
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies
December 20, 2025
Washington Wizards forwards
Cam Whitmore (shoulder) and
Jamir Watkins (illness) have been ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Memphis Grizzlies. The duo was initially listed as questionable for the game.
Bilal Coulibaly (ankle) will also exit the lineup against Memphis, opening up playing time for the likes of
Justin Champagnie,
Tre Johnson,
Will Riley, and
Malaki Branham (thumb). Of the four players, Johnson has been the best fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Bilal Coulibaly (ankle) won't be in the lineup for the first leg of a back-to-back on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. After returning from an oblique injury this week, Coulibaly has suffered a left ankle sprain. Fortunately for Washington,
Khris Middleton (knee) has been cleared to return. The veteran will help to fill some of Coulibaly's minutes, while
Justin Champagnie and
Will Riley could also get additional run-outs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Washington Wizards forward
Khris Middleton (knee) is available on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies. The injury-prone veteran has been out for four games due to a right knee contusion. Over 16 appearances, Middleton has averaged 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 25.8 minutes. He has started in all 16 games and is expected to return to the first unit on Saturday. This is a good fantasy matchup for Middleton and the Wizards, as both teams like to run, which could lead to a shootout.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Tre Mann (knee) and guard/forward
Pat Connaughton (calf) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. The latter is available to play after missing four weeks with a right calf strain. Mann has sat out seven games with a right knee bone bruise. Coming off the bench, Mann has had a fairly decent year, averaging 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists in 20.6 minutes. He could pick up some extra minutes on Saturday due to
Collin Sexton's (quadriceps) absence. Connaughton has averaged less than 10 minutes per game over 12 appearances, and his return won't have a big impact on Charlotte's rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard/forward
Caris LeVert (knee) will be active against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, Hunter Patterson of The Athletic reports. He was upgraded from questionable to probable earlier Saturday and has now officially been cleared for action despite dealing with a sore right knee. In Thursday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks, LeVert saw his double-digit scoring streak come to an end on three games. He has a good opportunity to start a new streak on Saturday, facing a team that allows the seventh-most points in the Association.
--Taavi PailkSource: Hunter Patterson
December 20, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard/forward
Duncan Robinson (knee) will be active against the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. The team has upgraded him from probable to available. Robinson was on the injury report due to a left knee contusion he sustained on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran sniper operates as a starter in Detroit but has a fairly limited role. In December, Robinson has averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. He could see a boost in production on Saturday when facing a team that allows the third-highest three-point percentage in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Indiana Pacers center
Tony Bradley (thumb) will be active on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 27-year-old big man is dealing with a fractured thumb and was initially listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup. Bradley is not expected to have a significant role against New Orleans, as Indiana tends to rely on
Jay Huff and
Isaiah Jackson at center. The two have a very favorable matchup on Saturday, as the Pelicans have one of the league's weakest defenses against centers and give up the seventh-most rebounds to the position.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser will join the first unit on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors, making his fifth start of the season. He will replace
Jaylen Brown (illness). Hauser has struggled with his shooting this season, but he had an impressive showing on Friday against the Miami Heat, draining five of six attempts from deep to finish with 15 points. As a starter this season, the 28-year-old has averaged 2.8 three-point makes per game, putting up 9.8 points and grabbing 3.0 rebounds. On Saturday, Hauser faces a team that has limited opponents to 33.8 percent shooting from downtown.
--Taavi PailkSource: Boston Celtics
December 20, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Quentin Grimes has been named a starter for Saturday's clash against the Dallas Mavericks. After making back-to-back starts, Grimes was back in the second unit on Friday night against the New York Knicks. However,
Paul George's (knee) absence on Saturday has reopened the door for him to return to the starting lineup. As a starter, Grimes has averaged 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 36.7 minutes this season. Philadelphia is in a pace-up spot on Saturday, making this a good fantasy matchup for Grimes.
--Taavi PailkSource: Philadelphia 76ers
December 20, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Saturday against the Boston Celtics. The big man is considered day-to-day and could be available to return to the lineup on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets.
Sandro Mamukelashvili and
Collin Murray-Boyles will handle the center minutes during Poeltl's absence. Mamukelashvili had a productive outing as a starter in the last game and hopes to repeat it on Saturday. However, it's a tough matchup against a team that allows the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 20, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) has shaken off a questionable tag and will play on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers. While it will be good to see one of the all-time great snipers on the court, fantasy managers shouldn't expect too much from Thompson. He had only five points in his last appearance against the Detroit Pistons and is averaging 10.8 points for the campaign. Matchup-wise, Saturday is also a bad spot for Thompson, as Philadelphia has held opponents to 34.6 percent from three-point range.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dallas Mavericks PR
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