Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) popped up on the injury report as questionable for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He's dealing with a right wrist sprain at the moment and could come down to a game-time decision. Through 40 games, the Hornets are just 11-29, so they could opt to go the cautious route given Ball's injury history so far. If he doesn't suit up, Nick Smith Jr. and Vasilije Micic are both solid streaming options. The former has averaged 11.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.4 threes per contest over the last seven games when he started to receive regular playing time.

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) started in the 35-point loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday and will head right back to the sidelines on Friday. The Sixers listed him with toe injury management which is what kept him out for a stretch of six games before playing two of the last three. With Joel Embiid (knee) remaining sidelined as well, Guerschon Yabusele remains the best streaming option as he's averaged 10.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.6 threes per game. Adem Bona would only be an option in very deep leagues.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Caris LeVert (wrist) remains on the injury report and is considered questionable due to a right wrist sprain. He's missed the team's last two games as they move into a back-to-back starting Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. If there were a time to be cautious, it would be against the Sixers so he could play against the Rockets on Saturday. So, if he does have to miss one more game, Ty Jerome would be the best streaming option after dropping 18 points, four rebounds, and three steals in their last game against the Rockets.

Clippers' G James Harden recorded a triple-double, finishing with 17 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds in a 110-93 win over the Wizards on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 35 points, 17 assists and 22 rebounds in a 132-123 win over the Kings on Thursday, Jan. 23.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (calf) won't play on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The 23-year-old logged only 50 games in 2023-24. But he missed only two of the Cavs' first 40 games this season, giving fantasy managers hope he would remain on the court. Unfortunately, Mobley has been sidelined for the last three contests because of a calf strain, and it's unknown how much longer he'll be on the shelf. He has averaged a career-high 18.6 points with 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks during the 2024-25 campaign, so this is not an ideal scenario for fantasy managers. With that in mind, until Mobley returns, Max Strus, averaging 7.0 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.0 steals in two starts this season, will likely remain with the first five.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. White will now miss his second game in a row due to a right ankle injury. His next chance to get back on the court will be Saturday versus the Philadelphia 76ers. Both Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu should see increased roles in the rotation with White out. Both players are worth a look as possible streaming options with Dosunmu being the slightly better choice between the two.

Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (calf) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Dosunmu was considered questionable coming into this game after sitting out of Monday's contest. However, Dosunmu appears to be feeling good enough to give it a go against the Warriors. He could have an increased role in the rotation with Coby White (ankle) sidelined for this game. Dosunmu and Lonzo Ball will likely be asked to play more which should give both guards increased fantasy appeal on Thursday.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (knee) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bulls. The superstar guard was listed as questionable coming into this game due to knee tendinitis. Despite that, Curry will be active during Thursday's game, according to head coach Steve Kerr. There was no mention of Curry being limited in any way, so fantasy managers can feel safe getting Curry into their lineups. The 36-year-old has only missed two games this month and still remains one of the better fantasy options at his position.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (ankle) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This comes as little of a surprise considering Ingram hasn't played in a game since early December. Ingram is working his way back from a left ankle sprain that is likely going to keep him sidelined for at least a few more games. He reportedly hasn't been cleared for contact drills yet, so it doesn't appear that Ingram is on the verge of a return. He remains without a timetable to return and should be considered week-to-week right now. Trey Murphy III has been playing big minutes in the rotation and that should continue until Ingram is back in the mix.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (conditioning) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Williamson sat out on Monday due to an illness and was tagged as questionable ahead of Wednesday's contest. That game was postponed, but now Williamson is sitting out due to reconditioning. Hopefully, Williamson will be back in shape in time for Saturday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets. His absence on Friday should mean that Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl will see increased playing time. Neither player is a great fantasy option, but Green is the slightly better streaming choice because of his defensive ability.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) will play on Thursday against the Heat. This isn't the first time he's landed on the injury report because of right patella tendinopathy this season, so fantasy managers are used to it at this point. Fortunately, the multi-time All-Star is good to go, which is even better news, considering Khris Middleton (ankles) was surprisingly downgraded to out after carrying a probable designation. With that in mind, Antetokounmpo remains a top fantasy option despite a challenging matchup on the horizon versus a Miami club that has allowed only 110.1 points per contest during the 2024-25 campaign.

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.