December 26, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) is not anticipated to play on Friday versus Charlotte. He's already missed four games because of a left hip contusion. While the doubtful designation at least suggests the 24-year-old is trending in a favorable direction, it appears he'll miss another contest on Friday night. If that's the case,
Tyus Jones is expected to remain in the starting lineup. Jones is coming off a quality 16-point, seven-assist, one-steal showing in Tuesday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. With that in mind, he has an excellent chance of staying as productive against a Hornets team that has struggled defensively throughout the 2025 campaign.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jordan Walsh (illness) is expected to play on Friday against Indiana. With
Jayson Tatum (Achilles) sidelined, Walsh has stepped up for the C's throughout the 2025 campaign, averaging 7.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals while shooting 44.4% from downtown. He didn't suit up when these clubs met on Monday because of an illness, opening the door for
Josh Minott to enter the starting lineup. However, with Walsh anticipated to return, Minott will presumably head back to the bench. With that said, Minott had only two points in nine minutes as a starter, so he won't be a trustworthy fantasy option if Walsh suffers a setback and gets ruled out.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Charlotte Hornets center
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) won't play on Friday night against Orlando, marking his third-straight absence. The rookie has started 25 times this season, averaging 8.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in those appearances. With
Mason Plumlee (groin) also sidelined, the Hornets will need to rely on
Moussa Diabate to handle most of the minutes in the middle. Diabate recently had 12 points and 18 boards in Thursday's win over the Washington Wizards, making him a practical fantasy option across the board. As far as Kalkbrenner is concerned, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura (groin) will play on Thursday against the Rockets after missing the last two games. The 27-year-old has played as well as expected throughout the 2025 campaign, averaging 13.3 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 45.6% from behind the arc. Although Hachimura should see at least 30 minutes of action, he may have a tough time remaining as productive, considering
LeBron James,
Austin Reaves,
Deandre Ayton, and
Luka Doncic (leg) are available. It also doesn't help that the Rockets have been one of the most impactful teams on the defensive side of the ball. At any rate, Hachumira's return should mean
Jake LaRavia, coming off a 12-point, five-rebound, two-steal, two-block effort, will presumably head back to the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (leg) is available for Thursday's Christmas showdown with the Rockets. He sustained a left leg contusion in the loss to the Clippers on Saturday and didn't suit up on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns.
Marcus Smart ended up getting the start in that one, finishing with 14 points and six assists. However, with Doncic back in the equation, Smart will lose most of his fantasy appeal. As far as Doncic is concerned, he's a must-start option, obviously, although he may have trouble hitting his usual fantasy projections in a meeting with one of the top defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Golden State Warriors guard
Seth Curry (glute) won't be in the lineup on Christmas Day against the Dallas Mavericks. The veteran sniper is managing a left glute injury and hasn't played since Dec. 4. Curry signed with the Warriors on Dec. 1 for the rest of the season and managed to make just two appearances before dropping out of the lineup. Curry's next opportunity to play will be on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors, though he holds no fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Jae'Sean Tate (wrist) has been tagged as questionable for Thursday's meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is nursing a left wrist contusion ahead of the Christmas Day matchup. Tate hasn't had a regular role in the rotation, making his status irrelevant from a fantasy perspective. The 30-year-old veteran has averaged 3.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in 8.2 minutes this season. Going forward, Tate may have even a tougher time getting minutes on this Rockets squad, as
Dorian Finney-Smith has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report and is closing in on his season debut.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Dallas Mavericks center
Dwight Powell (illness) is considered probable for Thursday's tilt against the Golden State Warriors. An illness has kept Powell sidelined for two games. Overall, he hasn't featured in four consecutive games, falling out of Jason Kidd's plans following
Daniel Gafford's return to the lineup. Powell isn't likely to receive any meaningful playing time as long as Gafford and
Anthony Davis are healthy. Davis has missed only one of the last 10 games and has a chance to post a third consecutive 30-point game on Thursday. Gafford's fantasy value has been limited this month, as he has averaged 3.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Jaylin Williams (heel) will miss Thursday's Christmas action against the San Antonio Spurs. He has been dealing with a heel issue recently and won't be in the lineup for a fifth consecutive game. With both
Chet Holmgren and
Isaiah Hartenstein available, Williams' absence isn't a big deal for Oklahoma City. However, both big men have had a tough time against the Spurs this season. Holmgren has been limited to 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in this matchup, while Hartenstein has posted 9.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Ousmane Dieng (calf) isn't ready to face the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day. He will be sidelined for a third consecutive game due to a right calf strain. Even before the injury, DIeng was out of the rotation, appearing in only three contests this month. The 22-year-old has averaged 4.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 12.5 minutes across 17 appearances during his fourth NBA campaign. The Thunder should do just fine without Dieng, though the defending champions have struggled against
Victor Wembanyama's crew this season, losing both previous meetings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
New York Knicks forward/center
Guerschon Yabusele (illness) may miss Thursday's Christmas matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. The bulky Frenchman is battling an illness and has already sat out two games. Even if Yabusele shakes off the questionable tag, he likely won't have a big role in the rotation. His tenure in New York has been disappointing, with Yabusele averaging just 9.6 minutes per game across 26 appearances. Recent reports suggest that the Knicks are considering trading him before the February deadline, leaving Yabusele's future with the team in doubt.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 25, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Miles McBride (ankle) won't suit up for a Christmas Day battle against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He remains sidelined due to a left ankle sprain sustained at the start of this month.
Landry Shamet (shoulder) also isn't available for the Knicks, giving both
Jordan Clarkson and
Tyler Kolek a chance to make a significant mark off the bench. The duo has a favorable matchup on Thursday, as Cleveland gives up the seventh-most bench points in the NBA. McBride's next opportunity to return will be on the road against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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
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