December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac (ankle) is facing a multi-week absence. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Croatian big man was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and will miss three weeks. Losing Zubac is a massive blow for the Clippers, who will probably rely more on
Brook Lopez over the coming weeks. Lopez logged a season-high 25 minutes in Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, tallying 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
John Collins may also see some action at center, while
Kobe Brown's minutes could increase again after he was limited to only four minutes over the past two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Haynes
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kevin Love (rest) won't be in the lineup on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. The former All-Star is taking the night off after a heavy workload in Saturday's overtime loss to the Orlando Magic, where he tallied 16 points and 16 rebounds in 32 minutes. With
Lauri Markkanen (groin) also potentially sidelined, both
Kyle Filipowski and
Taylor Hendricks could have increased fantasy value. Filipowski stands out as the better fantasy option, although his performances have been inconsistent.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (calf) will be absent on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After recovering from offseason knee surgery, Clarke made his season debut last week, but he suffered a calf strain in only his second appearance.
Santi Aldama started the second half in Clarke's place on Saturday against the Washington Wizards and will probably remain in the first unit on Monday. Although Aldama is productive coming off the bench, his scoring numbers typically improve as a starter. Across five starting appearances this season, Aldama has notched 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (side) could be out for a third consecutive game on Monday night against the Utah Jazz, as the team lists him as questionable on the injury report. Recently, Watson suffered a right trunk contusion in a game against the Houston Rockets.
Bruce Brown and
Tim Hardaway Jr. have shared starts during Watson's absence. Hardaway Jr. started the last contest, but Brown outplayed him, producing a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double and adding two steals. Monday's game is a great fantasy matchup for the Nuggets, as Utah plays with the fourth-highest pace in the league, while owning the second-worst defensive rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (migraine) may miss Monday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks, as the team considers him questionable for the game. The 27-year-old was hit in the face in a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday and has been dealing with a migraine since then.
Jordan Poole started the second half against Indiana and may remain part of the first unit if Jones is absent on Monday. A starting role would increase Poole's fantasy appeal. He finished Saturday's contest with 16 points, two rebounds, six assists, and one block in 32 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's action against the New Orleans Pelicans. The veteran has been a regular on the injury report lately due to a sore left knee, but Thompson has made four consecutive appearances. He may finally take some time off on Monday night to recover, as Dallas will start a back-to-back. Thompson's only two absences this season have come during back-to-back situations.
D'Angelo Russell and
Jaden Hardy could be more involved in the rotation if Thompson doesn't play. While Russell has the potential to produce in fantasy, his struggles over the past few weeks make him a less attractive option right now.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell (knee) has been labeled as questionable for a clash against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. The veteran playmaker has a sore left knee, which may force McConnell out of the lineup for the first time since he made his season debut on Nov. 11. McConnell has maintained a backup role in Indiana this season, averaging 9.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 16.7 minutes. If McConnell can't suit up on Monday, players like
Quenton Jackson, Garrison Matthews, and
Ethan Thompson will likely absorb his minutes. However, none of the three is an appealing fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) is looking at a seventh consecutive absence, as the team lists him as doubtful for Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton is battling a quadriceps strain, and muscle injuries are not easy to shake off.
KJ Simpson,
Sion James, and
Tre Mann have more fantasy appeal due to Sexton's absence. The trio would receive an even larger boost if
LaMelo Ball (wrist) exited the lineup. Currently, Ball is listed as probable on the injury report.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Monday's meeting with his former team, the Detroit Pistons. Grant is dealing with a sore left Achilles tendon, which may keep him sidelined for a second consecutive contest.
Kris Murray started in Grant's place on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings but didn't do a lot, finishing with nine points, three rebounds, and two steals in 36 minutes.
Sidy Cissoko also has a chance to see more action without Grant, but his impact on Saturday was even smaller than Murray's.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) remains on the injury report ahead of Monday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets, putting him at risk of missing a third consecutive game. The Finnish star is managing a groin issue, and at least one absence looks guaranteed for him early this week, as Monday marks the start of a back-to-back.
Kyle Filipowski has had a starting role during Markkanen's absence, although he has been frustratingly inconsistent. Meanwhile,
Keyonte George,
Svi Mykhailiuk, and
Ace Bailey get more work on the offensive end among Utah's starters.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (back) could miss his second game of the season on Monday, as the team has listed him as questionable for a matchup against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. The exciting rookie is nursing a back contusion. Dallas begins the week with a back-to-back, so it appears likely that Flagg will miss at least one game.
Klay Thompson (knee) and
Max Christie (illness) are also considered questionable for Monday night, which could lead to
D'Angelo Russell and
Jaden Hardy having much larger roles in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (back) is on the injury report as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The uniquely talented big man is dealing with lower back spasms and could miss his first game since Nov. 7.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has already been ruled out, making it vital for the Thunder to have Holmgren available. It wouldn't be surprising to see both big men miss one game during the back-to-back that kicks off on Monday. If neither player is in the lineup against Memphis,
Branden Carlson and
Kenrich Williams will likely take on larger roles in the frontcourt.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. The oft-injured guard remains out due to an ankle sprain. With
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) also out,
Cam Spencer is likely to retain a starting role. The 25-year-old logged a 19-point, 11-assist double-double in Saturday's loss to the Washington Wizards. Spencer has had a very strong month, averaging 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists while shooting 60 percent from the field. His form will be put to a stern test on Monday, as the Thunder hold by far the best defensive rating in the NBA.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against Indiana after sitting out the previous contest. Brown has averaged 30.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 35.3 minutes over his last five, serving as a primary option in Boston's offense. The illness introduces availability risk without signaling a role change. If Brown sits again,
Sam Hauser and
Hugo Gonzalez would see increased wing minutes, while
Derrick White absorbs more scoring responsibility. Brown remains a firm hold in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) is trending toward another absence Monday against Golden State, with the team listing him as doubtful on the front end of a back-to-back. Suggs has already missed two games, with Orlando prioritizing caution as he works through the hip contusion. In his most recent five appearances, Suggs produced 21.8 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals in 29.6 minutes, but those numbers come off the board if he sits again.
Anthony Black would continue handling more creation duties, while
Paolo Banchero and
Wendell Carter Jr. absorb extra offensive volume.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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