Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic (thigh) is off the injury report ahead of Friday's game against Utah. The 30-year-old missed the last six games because of a thigh contusion. As a result, Mason Plumlee took his spot in the lineup. However, with Nurkic back in the mix for the favorable matchup with the Jazz, Plumlee isn't worth starting in any fantasy lineup.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (pelvis) is unlikely to play in Friday's matchup with the Timberwolves, marking his sixth-consecutive absence. LeBron James (foot) has already been ruled out due to left foot soreness, so the Lakers could be without two of their top scoring options. As a result, Anthony Davis would be in line for a bump in offensive production. Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, and Dalton Knecht could also see an uptick in scoring opportunities.

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (ankle) is probable for the meeting with the Jazz on Friday night. The 36-year-old has been banged up a few times during the 2024-25 campaign, most recently missing the last three games because of a sprained ankle. But outside of that, he continues to play well, averaging 25.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 44.9% from downtown. With Durant's anticipated return, Royce O'Neale, coming off a 16-point, seven-rebound effort versus Orlando on December 8, likely won't be as productive.

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (foot) is questionable for Friday's game against the Hornets. The 23-year-old has been sidelined for nearly a month because of an issue with his surgically-repaired left foot. However, he may need a few more days to recover, although the questionable designation is a step in the right direction. With that in mind, since Williams has averaged only 9.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals this season, there aren't many fantasy managers concerned with his availability. But until Williams is back on the floor, Ayo Dosunmu, averaging 15.5 points in 12 starts this season, should remain with the first five.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (back) is questionable for Friday's encounter with the Charlotte Hornets. The 22-year-old has played as well as expected in his first season in The Windy City, logging 11.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per contest. He's dealing with back spasms, so there's a chance it could keep him off the floor. If that is the case, Lonzo Ball (knee), who is probable, may see additional minutes, with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu also in line for more work and scoring opportunities.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (illness) is questionable for Friday's matchup versus the Hornets. The veteran hasn't missed a game all year. He's also played extremely well, averaging 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 47.4% shooting from behind the arc. But if the illness keeps Vucevic off the floor, Jalen Smith could find himself in the starting lineup. But even if Smith doesn't start, he should see enough minutes to justify his presence in fantasy lineups.

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) won't play in Friday's game versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brogdon began the year on the shelf because of a thumb injury before making his 2024-25 debut against the Pistons on November 17. However, he'll now miss a third-straight game because of hamstring inflammation. The 32-year-old hasn't played the best in his first season in Washington, averaging only 13.8 points, 4.3 assists, and 33.3% shooting from behind the arc. But with the Wizards down Brogdon, Kyle Kuzma (rib), Corey Kispert (ankle), and Kyshawn George (ankle), Justin Champagnie, Jordan Poole, and Jonas Valanciunas may do most of the heavy lifting offensively.

Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) is listed as probable ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised as Davis has been a regular on the injury report for what seems like years. Davis continues to deal with a plantar fasciitis issue on his left foot, but should be able to play through it. The Lakers are going to need to rely on Davis with LeBron James (foot) ruled out for Friday. Fantasy managers should expect Davis to have a big workload on Friday with Max Christie likely getting the starting nod in place of James.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (pelvis) is listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for this game after missing each of the last five games due to a pelvic contusion. He was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice, which is good news for the Lakers. The return of Reaves would mean D'Angelo Russell and Gabe Vincent would likely see less minutes. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Friday for another update.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (wrist) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics. The big man was tagged as questionable coming into this game, but Duren will officially sit out due to a wrist sprain. The loss of Duren should mean an increased role for Isaiah Stewart in the rotation. Stewart has been quiet lately but figures to have more fantasy value with an expanded role on Thursday. He's worth a look as a streaming option with Duren unavailable.

Boston Celtics forward Sam Hauser (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. This was expected to happen after Hauser suffered a groin injury during their last game. The Celtics are going to be shorthanded at the forward spot with Jayson Tatum (knee) also heading to the sideline. The expectation is that Payton Pritchard, Al Horford, and possibly Drew Peterson gets additional playing time with Hauser and Tatum sidelined. Pritchard is the best streaming option between the three players for Thursday's game.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (foot, personal) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. James reportedly left practice early on Wednesday due to personal reasons. However, he is also considered day-to-day due to a left foot injury. It's uncertain which issue is actually keeping him out of this game, but regardless James will miss his second straight game on Friday. Max Christie figures to see an expanded role with James sidelined. Christie finished with four points and four rebounds across 26 minutes during their last game. Cam Reddish should also see an expanded role, but neither player is an ideal streaming option with James out.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (wrist) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Boston Celtics. The big man was a late addition to the injury report due to a wrist issue. Duren missed some time in November due to a wrist sprain, so possibly this is related to his wrist sprain from last month. If Duren sits, Isaiah Stewart would likely see an increased role in the rotation. Stewart has been quiet lately, but could be worth a look as a streaming option with extra playing time.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (knee) is available ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. As expected, Butler will play after being listed as probable heading into this game. Butler has been dealing with a right knee issue, but will play in fourth straight game on Thursday. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too concerned about this knee problem. Butler should get his regular workload and is obviously a must-start in fantasy formats.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (knee) won't play in Thursday's meeting with the Detroit Pistons. He has a case of right patella tendinopathy, so he'll miss his second game of the 2024-25 campaign. With Sam Hauser (adductor) also sidelined, Al Horford will likely enter the starting lineup and handle things at the four spot. But without Tatum on the floor, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis should benefit the most from an offensive standpoint.

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.