Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks, marking his sixth consecutive absence. Herro has yet to return to game action while recovering from the toe injury, with his next opportunity coming Saturday. With Herro sidelined, Miami's guard usage remains spread across the rotation, while frontcourt minutes have stayed elevated. Kel'el Ware has averaged 17.0 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 26.6 minutes over his last five games and would remain in a larger role if Bam Adebayo (back) is also unavailable.

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks as Miami opens a back-to-back set. His availability across both games remains unclear. If Adebayo is held out, Kel'el Ware would likely absorb the majority of center minutes after averaging 17.0 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 26.6 minutes over his last five games. Jaime Jaquez Jr. has logged 32.9 minutes per game during that span, while Simone Fontecchio's role would remain situational.

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (illness) is questionable for Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls after missing the team's most recent contest. Edgecombe has yet to return since being sidelined and remains a fluid pregame decision, with Philadelphia also monitoring Quentin Grimes (illness), who is questionable, while Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) remains out. If Edgecombe is held out again, guard and wing minutes would likely continue to consolidate around Jared McCain, who logged 39 minutes and posted 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals last game. Eric Gordon added 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench, while Justin Edwards logged 20 minutes in a secondary wing role.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) will remain sidelined for Friday's matchup against Phoenix, marking a second straight absence due to a right ankle sprain. Jones was unavailable in the previous game, keeping New Orleans short on its usual perimeter defense. If Jones is held out again, Bryce McGowens would likely continue starting on the wing after logging 31 minutes with eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals last time out. Trey Murphy III and Saddiq Bey should continue in their usual roles, leaving McGowens as a fringe option tied primarily to playing time.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (Achilles) will miss Friday's matchup against the Clippers, extending his absence to a fourth straight game. Grant has been sidelined with left Achilles tendonitis and is not expected back until at least Sunday. If he remains out, Portland would likely continue redistributing forward minutes, with Kris Murray (neck) positioned for extended run if cleared. Murray logged 13 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one block in 28 minutes last time out, but his questionable tag keeps the rotation fluid.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against Chicago, remaining under injury management. Embiid logged 31 minutes in his last appearance, finishing with 27 points, six rebounds, and four assists, though his availability remains fluid. If Embiid sits again, Andre Drummond would likely absorb the bulk of center minutes after posting six points and 12 rebounds in 23 minutes last time out, with Adem Bona picking up limited backup minutes. If Embiid plays, Drummond's role would narrow, keeping frontcourt value tied closely to pregame status.

Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (heel) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup against Milwaukee after not dressing in the previous game. If Coward remains sidelined, Memphis would likely continue spreading wing minutes across a thin rotation. Cam Spencer handled added responsibility last time out, finishing with 11 points and 13 assists in 32 minutes, while Jaylen Wells also logged 32 minutes, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope picked up extra wing run. When active, Coward has typically remained in the starting group, providing a more stable wing presence.

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is ruled out for Friday's game against Washington, marking a second straight absence after aggravating the issue earlier in the week. If Poeltl remains sidelined, Sandro Mamukelashvili would likely continue starting and capitalizing on an expanded role, averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over his last five games in 26.4 minutes. Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) is listed as questionable but has seen extended run when available, including an 11-point, 12-rebound showing in 25 minutes, with his role remaining situational. Mamukelashvili carries clearer short-term value, while Murray-Boyles profiles as a fringe fantasy option tied to minutes and availability.

Phoenix Suns guard/forward Grayson Allen (knee) will remain out Friday against New Orleans, extending an absence that has already spanned multiple games. Allen's continued unavailability removes a high-minute wing and keeps Phoenix operating with a redistributed backcourt. Collin Gillespie has absorbed added responsibility, averaging 12.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists across his last five games while logging 31.8 minutes. Royce O'Neale and Jordan Goodwin would likely continue in complementary roles, leaving both as fringe fantasy options if Allen remains sidelined.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (ankle) is questionable for Friday's matchup against Milwaukee after missing multiple games recently with a left ankle sprain. Morant has averaged 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in his last five appearances while logging just 23.9 minutes, underscoring both health and workload risk. When Morant has sat, Cam Spencer has handled lead-guard duties, most recently posting 11 points and 13 assists in 32 minutes. Spencer profiles as a short-term streamer for assists and threes, while Morant remains a high-upside but volatile hold.

Timberwolves' G Anthony Edwards scored 44 points on 14-of-25 shooting in a 138-142 loss to Denver on Thursday, Dec. 25.

Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 56 points, 15 assists and 16 rebounds in a 142-138 win over the Timberwolves on Thursday, Dec. 25.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.