New Orleans Pelicans forward Javonte Green (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against Sacramento. A sore left ankle may keep Green off the court for a second consecutive game. Green has been a big beneficiary of New Orleans' injury troubles this season, starting in 12 contests. However, the Pelicans have started to get everybody back, making Green an afterthought. He's only had 5.0 points and 2.8 rebounds as a reserve. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl might receive additional work without Green, although the Pelicans frontcourt will also have Daniel Theis back in the lineup after he sat out three games due to neck spasms.

Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (heel) will be unavailable for at least one week. Per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Richardson has had an injection in his right heel. The 31-year-old hasn't seen the court since Nov. 18, although he has recently been in the lineup. The 2024-25 campaign could not have gone much worse for Richardson, who has shot below 29 percent from the field to average 4.0 points in 18.6 minutes across eight outings. Miami has done just fine without Richardson, so his absence won't change the team's dynamics. If he can return in a week, Richardson will be out for two games, starting with Thursday's matchup against Toronto.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) is expected to remain in the lineup against Toronto on Thursday. The team has listed him as probable for the game. Butler is battling knee soreness but has played in three straight contests. It's been an extremely efficient month for Butler, as he's shot 64.4 percent from the field to average 19.0 points with 6.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.3 steals. His efforts include a 6-for-9 shooting night against the Raptors. Butler has just found himself in the rumor mill, which might give him extra initiative to perform well.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (adductor) is considered doubtful for Thursday's clash with the Pistons. He missed the second half of Saturday's 127-121 loss to Memphis due to an adductor strain, and it appears likely that Hauser will miss Thursday's game entirely because of the injury. Prior to last weekend, Hauser enjoyed a strong stretch of games, including his best scoring performance of the season with a 20-point effort against Detroit last week. He's averaging 8.5 points in 22.2 minutes. Hauser's absence may give Drew Peterson a role in the rotation, who recently logged 25-plus minutes in back-to-back games. However, Peterson wasn't impactful, so he's not a good fantasy option.

Detroit Pistons forward Ausar Thompson is not on the injury report for Thursday's game against Boston. He's set to return from a two-game absence. Thompson battled an illness last week and also missed time due to a groin problem. Following a bout with blood clots, Thompson has been limited to five appearances this season. He's averaged 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 15.2 minutes. Thompson is capable of helping out fantasy managers in many areas, but he needs more playing time to make a significant contribution.

Boston Celtics forward/center Al Horford (toe) will suit up for Thursday's battle against Detroit. The veteran missed Saturday's matchup against Memphis with a toe injury, but he's not listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game. Horford has started in all but one appearance this season, posting 9.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. With Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup, he will likely have to come off the bench in most games going forward. However, question marks hang over Jayson Tatum (kneecap) and Sam Hauser (adductor) on Thursday, which might lead to Porzingis and Horford starting together.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (kneecap) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against Detroit. He's trying to overcome right patella tendinopathy. The five-time All-Star recently missed a meeting with the Pistons due to the ailment. With Sam Hauser (adductor) doubtful for the game, Drew Peterson might return to the frontcourt rotation on Thursday. Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford are also expected to do additional work. At the same time, there would be extra scoring opportunities for everybody involved.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is reportedly open to a trade involving the Suns. There are a few teams already rumored to be interested in his services. But if talks between Miami and Phoenix intensify, it's unknown exactly how both sides would make it happen, considering both are strapped for cash. Bradley Beal also has a no-trade clause. At any rate, Butler is still a capable producer. However, he hasn't been able to stay healthy over the years. With the 35-year-old averaging only 19.0 points this season, it's possible he may be even less productive with the Suns, especially with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker on the roster.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (ankle) will "miss several weeks" due to a right ankle sprain suffered in Monday's loss to the New York Knicks. The 23-year-old already spent time on the shelf this season because of a right orbital fracture, costing him 11 games, so it's not an ideal situation. Barnes, who agreed to a lucrative contract extension during the offseason, has averaged career-highs in points (20.6), rebounds (8.4), and assists (7.4). But with Toronto winning just two games while he was sidelined earlier in the season, the team will need to figure out how to stay afloat until he returns. With Immanuel Quickley (elbow) also out, RJ Barrett will be tasked with picking up more of the scoring load. Gradey Dick, Davion Mitchell, Ochai Agbaji, and Ja'Kobe Walter may also see an uptick in offensive opportunities for the foreseeable future.

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday versus Houston. He missed Sunday's matchup against Minnesota with an ankle issue. Officially, Wiggins has been listed as questionable for Wednesday's action. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr declared Wiggins is "ready to go" after he had a full practice session with the team on Tuesday. Wiggins' performance levels fluctuate, but he enjoyed a meeting with the Rockets last week, posting 23 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. Gary Payton II will likely return to a bench role with Wiggins in the lineup.

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet (knee) appears ready to rejoin the action on Wednesday versus Golden State. He missed Sunday's 117-106 win against the Clippers with a knee contusion but isn't on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game. VanVleet's most recent appearance came against the Warriors, and it was a struggle for him with 5-for-16 shooting and 13 points in a 99-93 loss. He also had a difficult time in this season's first head-to-head meeting and was limited to 9.3 points on 21.2 percent shooting in the matchup in 2023-24, so it looks like the Warriors have worked out what stifles VanVleet offensively.

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) has a questionable designation on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Knicks. A quadriceps contusion might keep Bogdanovic off the court for the second straight game. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci get extra work with Bogdanovic out, but neither was productive in Sunday's heavy loss to Denver. The two combined for only five points and four assists off the bench despite both seeing 20-plus minutes of action.

Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) has been labeled as probable ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup game against the Knicks. Hunter continues to manage a knee injury, and he took a blow to the head in Sunday's loss to Denver, but the 27-year-old is set to make a 12th consecutive appearance. Atlanta has seen the best of Hunter lately, as he's finished each of the last four games with 20-plus points. Hunter took a whopping 20 shots in 24 minutes on Sunday and should get additional offensive duties again in Wednesday's game if Jalen Johnson (shoulder) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) remain sidelined.

New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (ankle) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against Atlanta. He might miss his first game of the season because of an ankle sprain. New York's bench mob, featuring Miles McBride, Cameron Payne, and Precious Achiuwa, will likely be more involved in the game if Hart doesn't get cleared for Wednesday night. McBride offers the most fantasy value out of the three, but he's been quiet offensively in recent games, finishing back-to-back outings with eight points.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (shoulder) might miss a second straight game on Wednesday versus the Knicks. He's been listed as questionable on the injury report. Following back-to-back double-doubles, Johnson exited the lineup on Sunday against Denver due to a sore shoulder. This pushed Larry Nance Jr. to the starting lineup for only the second time this season. Nance Jr. hasn't played a lot for the Hawks, but the veteran forward proved that he can get the job done. He finished with 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a couple of steals.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is probable heading into Wednesday's matchup versus the Atlanta Hawks. KAT wasn't available for Saturday's loss to the Detroit Pistons. However, he was back on the floor for the win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday evening, finishing with a massive 24 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. But if Towns suffers an unforeseen setback, Precious Achiuwa, coming off a seven-point, six-board, two-block effort, could work his way into the starting lineup.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (Achilles) is expected to play on Wednesday in New York. The former Sooner is on the injury report because of right Achilles Tendinitis. However, this injury isn't anything new, so he should play barring a setback. Young has averaged just 20.9 points and shot 31.0% from behind the arc, both down from last season. Fortunately, he has logged a career-high 12.2 assists. Young is always a capable fantasy producer. Yet, he may be even more productive against the Knicks if Jalen Johnson (shoulder), De'Andre Hunter (knee), and Bogdan Bogdanovic (quadriceps) are sidelined.

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (illness) won't play on Tuesday versus Oklahoma City. The former Hornet isn't feeling well, so he'll get a night off. Fortunately for Dallas, Naji Marshall (illness) is back from a four-game absence, which will help lessen the blow. Marshall will likely start in Washington's place, with the 26-year-old averaging 13.1 points in seven starts during the 2024-25 campaign.

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (illness) will play in Tuesday's game against OKC. He was under the weather, keeping him off the floor for the Mavs' previous five contests. But Marshall's return comes at the perfect time, with P.J. Washington (illness) and Maxi Kleber (illness) sidelined for Tuesday's meeting with the Thunder. The 26-year-old has played well in his first season in Dallas, averaging a career-high 11.6 points and 1.0 steals. Marshall will likely start, so there's a good chance he'll be even more productive.

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball is set to play a larger part in the rotation going forward. Per Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has said that Ball's minutes restriction has been elevated to 20 minutes. After missing 33 months because of a knee injury, Ball has been on a 16-18-minute limit this season. He has already reached the 20-minute mark a couple of times in recent games. The versatile guard has averaged 16.8 minutes during his comeback campaign, recording 4.9 points, 2.4. rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals. Ball's numbers will likely get a slight boost with the increased playing time, but his fantasy value will still be limited.