Chicago Bulls guard/forward Kevin Huerter (hip) will play on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. He has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of the game. While Huerter has come off the bench in three consecutive games, he has recently improved his scoring numbers, reaching double figures each time. On Friday, Huarter will head out against a team that allows the ninth-most bench points in the league.

Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips (wrist) has been cleared for Friday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. The 22-year-old has missed a pair of contests due to a sprained wrist, but the team has upgraded him from questionable to available. Phillips will add depth to the Bulls' bench, nothing more. Patrick Williams could lose some minutes now that Phillips is back, though he performed well in Wednesday's victory against Utah, recording 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (ankle) will play in Friday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. The team has upgraded his status from questionable to available. Zubac will be back in action after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Washington Wizards due to a left ankle sprain. Zubac's return will push Brook Lopez to the bench, and Yanic Konan Niederhauser will likely be out of the rotation. Friday's game is an uncomfortable spot for Zubac, since Toronto has given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to centers this season.

Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins (groin) will play on Friday against the Toronto Raptors. The veteran was a late scratch on Wednesday versus the Washington Wizards and was initially considered questionable for Friday's game due to a sore right groin. With Kawhi Leonard (ankle) out of the lineup, Collins could have a larger offensive role in Friday's game. He has recently had his best stretch of the season, averaging 15.7 points and 6.1 rebounds in January.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (ankle) isn't expected to play on Saturday versus Utah. The rookie sprained his ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Chicago Bulls and didn't suit up for Thursday's meeting with the Jazz. Brandon Williams entered the starting lineup in that one, finishing with 18 points. Of course, others benefited as well, with Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, and Jaden Hardy combining for 63 points.

Toronto Raptors forward/center Sandro Mamukelashvili (illness) will return from a one-game absence on Friday versus the Los Angeles Clippers. The Georgian big man has been battling an illness this week and didn't play on Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. With Jakob Poeltl (back) out, Mamukelashvili will work in tandem with Collin Murray-Boyles at the five position. The two face a mediocre matchup on Friday against the Clippers.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team has upgraded his status on the injury report from probable to available. Embiid faced the Cavaliers only a couple of nights ago, posting 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 25 minutes. Embiid's workload was limited because the game turned into a blowout. The Sixers will hope to avoid another embarrassing home loss on Friday.

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) will be active on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is available to make his third consecutive appearance after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. George will meet the Cavaliers for the second time this week. In Wednesday's heavy 133-107 loss in the matchup, George contributed 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (illness) won't play on Saturday against the Mavericks. He has missed plenty of time this season. However, his most recent string of collective absences is one of his longest of the campaign. Isaiah Collier entered the starting lineup when these clubs met on Thursday, finishing with 10 points, 12 assists, and five boards. Fantasy managers may also continue to see expanded production from Brice Sensabaugh, who had 27 points in that one from off the bench.

Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Dominick Barlow (back) has been upgraded to available for Friday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team initially listed Barlow as questionable for the game after he hurt his back in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. Barlow has been a regular starter for Philadelphia throughout the campaign, averaging 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. His numbers have slipped this month, down to 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) won't play on Friday against Toronto. The sprained ankle has been an issue for over a week, although he's managed to play through it. However, the multi-time All-Star will miss his first contest in nearly two months. The Clippers won't play again until Monday in Washington, so Leonard has more time to rest and recover. In the meantime, Jordan Miller might have earned the right to enter the starting lineup, with the 25-year-old coming off an 11-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, two-steal performance.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (back) won't play on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The back spasms will keep him out for a second-straight contest, meaning his next chance to suit up will be on Sunday versus the Lakers. Jamal Shead started in his place in Wednesday's 115-101 win over the Indiana Pacers, finishing with seven points, six assists, three boards and one steal in 34 minutes of action.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game in Toronto while managing a lingering ankle issue. Leonard has continued to produce while managing the issue, averaging 31.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 5.3 three-pointers in 30.6 minutes over his last three games. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but he remains a must-start if active. A potential absence would open minor opportunities for Nicolas Batum, rookie Kobe Sanders, and Jordan Miller, though all carry volatility. James Harden would take on more of the offense, leaving the fringe wings as situational streamers.

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against Cleveland due to left knee injury management, a familiar designation after he carried the same tag Wednesday. After appearing in each of the past two contests, George looks positioned to make another start, logging 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 30 minutes in the last meeting with the Cavaliers. With George in the lineup, the rotation tightens and usage drops for VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to left knee injury management, marking another appearance on the injury report this week. Despite the recurring designation, Embiid has delivered when active, averaging 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 three-pointers, and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes over his last five games. Fantasy managers can continue starting him confidently, with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George maintaining stable roles alongside him.

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will remain out for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right thumb sprain, and he does not have a clear timetable to return, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday versus Detroit. Aaron Nesmith should continue to see heavy minutes, though the production dipped to six points, five rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes last time out. Johnny Furphy has taken on a larger role, averaging 8.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes over his last five starts, but his volatility keeps him limited to deep-league use.

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento due to right knee injury management after appearing in three straight contests. The absence opens short-term fantasy value on the wing, especially with Bilal Coulibaly (back) also sidelined. Justin Champagnie profiles as a viable streaming option after playing well off the bench, averaging 10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 three-pointers in 23.4 minutes over his last five games. Rookie Will Riley should also see added run, but remains more of a fringe fantasy option.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (hand) is out for Friday's game against the 76ers due to a right-hand sprain, an injury he aggravated on Wednesday. Merrill logged just three points in 10 minutes in the win, and his absence removes a key spacing piece from the rotation. Craig Porter Jr. becomes a viable short-term assists streamer after stepping into a larger bench role, while Jaylon Tyson could also see extra opportunities on the wing. With Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, Donovan Mitchell is expected to carry a heavier share of the perimeter workload.

Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Clippers in the second quarter with lower back tightness. He could return Saturday in Denver, but his absence creates short-term fantasy openings. Justin Champagnie is positioned for a larger role, with a start firmly in play after logging seven points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes Wednesday, making him a viable streaming option. Rookie Will Riley should also see added run after scoring 12 points in 27 minutes, though he remains more of a fringe fantasy play.

Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (ankle) will not play Friday against the Clippers, extending his absence to a fourth straight game, with his next chance to return Sunday versus the Lakers. The fantasy impact continues to center on Jamal Shead, who has started each of the past three games and averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 assists despite shooting 34.5 percent from the field. Shead profiles as a short-term assist streamer rather than a scoring play. Barrett sitting again leaves more creation on Immanuel Quickley's plate and helps Shead maintain his minutes.