Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain (knee) underwent successful surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn left meniscus. He is out indefinitely. The 20-year-old out of Duke was in the running to win this season's Rookie of the Year award, averaging 15.3 points (23.8 points in eight starts). Without question, it's a tough blow to a team that has been riddled with injuries, with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George all missing time during the 2024-25 campaign. Nonetheless, dynasty managers should hold on to McCain, considering he appears to have a bright future ahead of him. But until he's cleared to return, Eric Gordon could see more minutes, although he's not worth adding to any fantasy roster.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (face) remains sidelined due to another sinus fracture, his third throughout his career. He's due to be re-evaluated in a week. However, fantasy managers have reason to remain hopeful, with head coach Nick Nurse indicating his latest fracture is "not nearly as severe" as his previous two. In hindsight, Embiid didn't miss as much time as expected in previous instances. But when he's cleared to return, he'll likely need to wear protective face covering. Embiid has missed plenty of time due to various injuries this season. Yet, the 30-year-old was beginning to heat up in previous appearances ahead of his most recent injury. With that in mind, there's a good chance Embiid will return in the next few weeks. Until then, Andre Drummond and Guerschon Yabusele will handle things in the middle.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (illness) won't play in Tuesday's NBA Cup championship versus OKC. The 33-year-old appeared to have a good chance of playing. However, he's not feeling well, so he won't be out there. Fortunately, Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) and Damian Lillard (calf) will play, which will help. Andre Jackson Jr. could enter the starting lineup, although he's averaged only 4.1 points in 16 starts throughout the 2024-25 campaign.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play in Tuesday's NBA Cup championship versus the Thunder. Despite dealing with right patella tendinopathy for a good portion of the 2024-25 campaign, the multi-time All-Star has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 32.7 points with 11.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 blocks. He'll likely get all the minutes he can handle against OKC. But with Khris Middleton (illness) sidelined for this one, Antetokounmpo should get more scoring opportunities.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (calf) is available for Tuesday's NBA Cup final versus OKC. The veteran has a contusion on his right calf. However, after missing practice on Friday, he is good to go. Lillard has played well this season, averaging 25.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 37.1% from behind the arc. With Khris Middleton (illness) unable to get on the floor, Lillard could be even more productive against Oklahoma City.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (illness) is considered probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City. An illness kept him out from Monday's practice, but Middleton is expected to be fine for Tuesday's game. The 33-year-old has made his first four appearances of the season this month, notching 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 21.3 minutes. He's been coming off the bench as the Bucks have tried to keep Middleton's workload under control. Considering his limited role, Middleton has done well through his first few outings, although his shooting stroke appears to be quite rusty, as the former All-Star has made only 25.9 percent of his shots.

Brooklyn Nets forward/center Trendon Watford (hamstring) could not complete Monday's contest against Cleveland. He was ruled out for the rest of the game early in the third quarter because of left hamstring soreness. Watford posted eight points in 10 minutes before his premature exit. The 24-year-old missed the start of the season with a left hamstring strain, so this isn't a new issue for him. Watford has contributed 8.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.1 minutes off the bench. Noah Clowney and Day'Ron Sharpe should get additional action on the Nets frontcourt if Watford has to sit on the sidelines for a bit.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (calf) has been listed as probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup final against Oklahoma City. The veteran star didn't practice on Monday, leaving a question mark hanging over him, but it looks like he will be good to go for the big game. Lillard played a vital role in last week's quarterfinal win against Orlando and also had a fine game against Atlanta in the semifinal. He will enter Monday's action with averages of 25.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals for the month. The Thunder are among the top defensive teams in the league and allow the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards.

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (groin) was limited to 22 minutes in Monday's 122-121 loss to Chicago. The big man from Austria suffered a left groin injury when he slipped on the floor early in the fourth quarter. Poeltl finished the night with six points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal. The 29-year-old has been a walking double-double in 2024-25 and will be a big miss for Toronto if Poeltl has to sit out additional action. If that's the case, Jonathan Mogbo, Kelly Olynyk, and Chris Boucher will take care of his minutes. Boucher had the best game of the three on Monday with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (knee) was a late scratch on Monday versus Miami because of left knee pain. He was already announced as a starter before the team pulled him from the game. Malik Beasley filled in for Ivey in the first unit and had a great night with a season-high 28 points on 7-for-13 three-point shooting. Ivey's issue doesn't sound serious, but fantasy managers should definitely monitor the situation. Beasley led the Pistons in scoring on Monday and will have additional fantasy value if Ivey remains out. Detroit returns to the court Thursday night versus Utah.

Clippers' G James Harden scored 41 points on 11-of-17 shooting in a 144-107 win over the Jazz on Monday, Dec. 16.

Nuggets' C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 13 assists and 14 rebounds in a 130-129 win over Sacramento on Monday, Dec. 16.

76ers' G Tyrese Maxey scored 40 points on 12-of-28 shooting in a 121-108 win over Charlotte on Monday, Dec. 16.

Pistons' G Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 18 assists and 11 rebounds in a 125-124 win over the Heat on Monday, Dec. 16.

Heat's F Jimmy Butler recorded a triple-double, finishing with 35 points, 10 assists and 19 rebounds in a 124-125 loss to Detroit on Monday, Dec. 16.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (ankle) exited Monday night's game against the Toronto Raptors early and won't return after injuring his ankle. Giddey went to contest a Gradey Dick three-point attempt and immediately grabbed at his right ankle before going to the floor and was writhing in pain. The 22-year-old was shown being helped to the locker room, pointing towards this injury being potentially serious. If Giddey is forced to miss an extended period of time, it's unclear who would take over in the starting lineup for Giddey as Patrick Williams, Lonzo Ball and Matas Buzelis all could fit the bill. One starter who could pick up additional assists is Ayo Dosunmu, who's shown an ability to facilitate Chicago's offense in past seasons.

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (ankle) was removed from Monday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after injuring his ankle during a layup attempt. He was ruled out by the team and won't return. Miller appeared to roll his ankle while landing on Sixers forward Guerschon Yabusele's foot. The 22-year-old put up 12 points in 31 minutes before being removed and had been Charlotte's main offensive weapon with LaMelo Ball out the past seven games before returning tonight. If Miller is forced to miss time, expect Cody Martin to pick up additional minutes.

Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (back) has been ruled out of Monday night's game against the Sacramento Kings. Braun is dealing with a lower back strain that he was able to play through on Friday night but wasn't able to overcome on Monday. This will be the 23-year-old's first game missed this season. In his absence, expect the Nuggets to start either Julian Strawther or Russell Westbrook. Both will be a step down defensively but bring different offensive skillsets to the table. With Sacramento generally being weaker to deep shots, Strawther may be the more viable fantasy and DFS option on Monday night.

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (foot) is listed as available for Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Clarkson had missed seven straight games dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot before returning off the bench and putting up 23 points in Friday night's loss to the Phoenix Suns. The 32-year-old should be in line for another solid outing on Monday night as he put up 21 points against the Clippers earlier this season. Fantasy managers and DFS managers should target the guard as a solid option in the late slate.

Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (knee) exited Monday night's game against the Miami Heat early and will not return. The team is stating that he has a hyperextended left knee. Stewart scored four points and grabbed three boards before exiting in with 9:10 left in the second quarter. The 23-year-old was contesting a layup by Terry Rozier and was in visible pain after landing. He has averaged 6.1 PPG and 6.1 RPG this season. Should he be forced to miss an extended period of time, expect Jalen Duren to get more minutes as a starter with Detroit's other option at center being Paul Reed, who they recently resigned on Monday after waiving him just two days prior.