Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankles) won't play on Thursday against Miami. He was listed as probable, so his absence likely caught some fantasy managers by surprise. But the Bucks play again on Saturday versus the Clippers in Los Angeles, and there's a good chance he'll return for that one. Fortunately, Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is good to go, which will help lessen the blow. Taurean Prince, averaging 7.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 34 starts this season, will likely replace Middleton in the lineup.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (groin) will play on Thursday versus Milwaukee. The 25-year-old is averaging 24.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 40.7% shooting from behind the arc, all the highest marks of his career. Even better, he has appeared in 41 games, missing his first game of the 2024-25 campaign on Tuesday against the Trail Blazers. With Jimmy Butler (suspension) out again, Herro could see an uptick in scoring. The same can be said for Duncan Robinson, Nikola Jovic, Bam Adebayo, and Kel'el Ware.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (Achilles) will play on Thursday against the Raptors. Young has been dealing with right Achilles tendinitis for quite some time. However, the 26-year-old has only missed three games during the 2024-25 campaign. He did log 40 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Detroit Pistons, so there's a chance he could see less work than normal. Still, Young is a must-start versus Toronto, a team that has allowed 117.9 points per game this season, one of the worst averages in the National Basketball Association.

Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (knee) won't play on Thursday versus Toronto. The veteran has had issues staying healthy over the years. However, he will miss just his first game of the 2024-25 campaign because of a sore knee. Capela recently lost his starting job to Onyeka Okongwu, so his value has dropped for fantasy managers. But until he can return, Dominick Barlow may see some minutes from off the bench, although he has a way to go before earning a place in fantasy lineups.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) is good to go for Thursday's meeting with the Raptors. The 23-year-old missed time recently because of shoulder inflammation. While the ailment has kept him on the injury report since returning, it won't keep him off the floor against Toronto. With that in mind, Johnson is a must-start versus the Raptors, a team that has allowed 117.9 points per contest during the 2024-25 campaign, the fifth-worst mark in the NBA.

Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (concussion protocol) won't play on Thursday against Portland. The 25-year-old will now miss a fifth-straight contest. It's unknown how long he'll be on the shelf. But until Bitadze is back in the equation, Wendell Carter Jr., averaging 8.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 23 starts this season, will presumably continue to fill the hole in the lineup versus a Blazers squad that has had issues stopping opposing centers.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (illness) won't play on Thursday against Portland. Anthony hasn't felt well, recently keeping him off the floor for Tuesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors. Anthony Black got the start in that one, finishing with 17 points, seven boards, and two steals. Black will likely start once again, giving him added value for fantasy managers. However, he could have a tough time being as productive with Franz Wagner (oblique) returning versus the Trail Blazers.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (knee) won't play on Thursday night against Orlando. The 26-year-old has battled multiple issues of late. However, he'll miss Thursday's contest because of left knee soreness. It's unknown how severe the ailment is, so it's tough to tell if he'll be available on Friday against Charlotte. With Donovan Clingan (ankle) also sidelined, Robert Williams III, averaging 5.0 points, 3.5 boards, 3.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals in two starts during the 2024-25 campaign, will likely fill the void in the rotation.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (back) will play on Thursday versus Orlando. The 25-year-old missed a recent meeting with the Chicago Bulls because of an elbow issue before returning on Tuesday in Miami. He was in danger of missing this contest because of back soreness, although that won't keep him off the floor. Simons is averaging 18.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists this season, all down from the 2023-24 campaign. However, he may be more productive on Thursday, considering Deandre Ayton (knee) won't suit up.

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (oblique) is available to return on Thursday when his Magic host the Trail Blazers. He'll be limited to 24 minutes in his return, according to coach Jamahl Mosley. He will start alongside Paolo Banchero for the first time since October 30, but both will continue to play limited minutes while they work their way back to full strength. Before missing the last 20 games for the Magic, Wagner averaged 24.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.0 three-pointers, and 1.7 steals in 33.2 minutes per game. His return will be a huge boost for the Magic, as they start to get back to full strength.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Norman Powell (back) missed Wednesday's game against the Celtics but will be back in action on Thursday against the Wizards. Powell has been outstanding this season for the Clippers, breaking out with 23.7 points in 32.5 minutes per game in his 35 contests while also chipping in 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest. He gets a great matchup against the Wizards in his return, and the Clippers will be much closer to full strength after resting multiple regulars on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (groin) will be able to return to the court after missing the front half of the team's back-to-back on Wednesday. Harden has averaged 21.3 points, 8.1 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game in 33.4 minutes per game this season while leading the team with a 30.9% usage rate. Harden gets a great matchup in his return as the Clippers welcome the Wizards, who have allowed the most fantasy points per game to opposing point guards this season. Kevin Porter Jr. stepped up with 26 points against the Celtics on Wednesday, but he'll likely return to his role as Harden's backup since The Beard will be back for Thursday's contest.

Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (knee) missed Wednesday's game along with many of his teammates, but he'll remain sidelined Thursday while James Harden (groin), Norman Powell (back), and Ivica Zubac (eye) all return to action. Dunn has been a key contributor in the second unit for the Clippers this season, averaging over 22 minutes per game and chipping in 6.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals per contest. While he is out, Kevin Porter Jr., Terance Mann, and Amir Coffey will fill in on the wings in the second unit.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (eye) will return on Thursday night against the Wizards after a two-game absence due to a left eye corneal abrasion. Zubac has been excellent for Los Angeles this season, averaging 15.0 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocked shots per game while playing 31.5 minutes per game. He will be in a smash spot against the Wizards, who allow the second-most fantasy points in the NBA to opposing centers. His return will most likely send Mo Bamba back to the bench, especially since Nicolas Batum (finger) has also been cleared to return after missing Wednesday's contest with the Celtics.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Nicolas Batum (finger) missed Wednesday's game with a finger injury, but he'll be available for the second game of his team's back-to-back on Thursday night against the Wizards. Batum has played a minimal role off the bench for the Clippers this season, averaging just 17.4 minutes in 42 games this year. He has only chipped in 3.2 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.6 steals per game. His role hasn't made much of a fantasy impact this season, but he will be able to return to it after being absent on Wednesday.

Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller (wrist) will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn scapholunate ligament in his right wrist, the team announced on Thursday. The No. 2 pick overall in the 2023 NBA Draft looked very promising in his 27 games this season, averaging 21.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals while playing 34.2 minutes per game. He carried the load for the team when LaMelo Ball was out and will be a key part of the team's plans for the future after he recovers from this surgery. Nick Smith Jr. has stepped into the starting lineup in each of the last three games in Miller's place, averaging 14.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per game while playing 25+ minutes in each contest. Smith should continue to benefit from Miller's absence in the short term while Josh Green, Cody Martin, and eventually Tre Mann (back) will all help carry Miller's work going forward.

Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) sat out Wednesday's win over the Clippers but will be back on the floor on Thursday when the Celtics face the Lakers. Porzingis has been limited to just 19 games this season but has played in eight of the last 10 for Boston, averaging 19.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 blocked shots, and 29.3 minutes per game over that stretch. He's nearing full strength after his delayed start to the season, and he'll look to help the healthy Celtics get a big road win over the Lakers in a rivalry matchup Thursday night. Since both he and Al Horford (toe) will be back after missing Wednesday, there will be fewer minutes for Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta on Thursday.

Boston Celtics center Al Horford (toe) missed two of the last three games while battling a toe injury, but the veteran big man will be able to play on Thursday as the Celtics visit the Lakers to continue their classic rivalry. Horford has had a reduced role this year, especially since the return of Kristaps Porzingis. Horford has played just 24 minutes per game in his last seven games and chipped in 6.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.7 steals per game over that span. He is still a key voice for the team and a key contributor off the bench even though his numbers are a little down. He and Porzingis will both be back in action on Thursday after sitting Wednesday, and the two should take up most of the usage and minutes in the frontcourt, squeezing out Luke Kornet and Neemias Queta, who played big minutes on Wednesday

Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (shoulder) will be able to return to action for the team on the second night of their back-to-back in Los Angeles. After beating the Clippers on Wednesday without Holiday and several other key players, the team will be fully healthy for their Thursday night matchup against the Lakers. Holiday has started all 37 of his games this season averaging 30.6 minutes per game while producing 11.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest. Jaden Springer had a huge game in Holiday's absence on Wednesday but should return to his normal role now that Holiday is ready to get back in action.

Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (hip) will miss a third straight game for the Mavs when they visit the Thunder on Thursday night. Powell's absence is poorly timed since Dereck Lively II (ankle) is out for a while leaving Daniel Gafford to play huge minutes in the middle. Gafford has averaged 20.0 points and 11.3 rebounds over his last four games while also posting multiple blocks in each contest and averaging 3.5 blocks per game. Gafford should continue to get huge playing time at center for as long as Powell and Lively are out while Maxi Kleber fills in as the only real backup big man available.