December 26, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Cedric Coward (heel) is officially active for Friday night's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Coward missed Tuesday's game against Utah dealing with a left heel issue but is able to fight through it tonight. The rookie has been a very solid piece of Memphis' rotation this year and is averaging 15.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 4.0 APG over his last seven games. Milwaukee's defense has been spotty at times, giving Coward more potential tonight. Fantasy managers and DFS players should both target Coward for their starting lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
December 26, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (ankle) is officially available for Friday night's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Morant has been dealing with a left ankle sprain that's caused him to miss the last four games. The 26-year-old has been very good facilitating Memphis' offense this season when healthy, averaging 7.5 APG this season. He should be in a solid spot against the Bucks, whose defense has been spotty at times. Fantasy managers and DFS players alike need to ensure the Grizzlies' superstar is inserted into their starting lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Grizzlies PR
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard
VJ Edgecombe (illness) will play on Friday against the Bulls. The rookie is having a fantastic first season in the National Basketball Association, averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 38.3% from behind the arc. With production like that, Edgecombe should remain starting in all fantasy setups, especially with a favorable matchup on the horizon. He might be even more productive if
Joel Embiid (knee) can't get on the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Tony Jones
December 26, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Dominick Barlow (illness) will play on Friday against Chicago after missing Tuesday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The 22-year-old is having a productive season, averaging career-highs in points (9.1), rebounds (5.6), and blocks (1.0). He'll have a favorable matchup versus a Bulls team that has struggled defensively throughout the 2025 campaign. Barlow may be even more potent offensively if
Joel Embiid (knee) can't suit up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Tony Jones
December 26, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) is available on Friday against Washington. Like
Scottie Barnes, Murray-Boyles popped up on the injury report because of an illness. However, it appears he's at least feeling well enough to suit up. The 2025 No. 9 overall pick has had a few sound fantasy showings this season. Although he's averaged only 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds, he could exceed his usual statistical projections versus arguably the worst defensive team in the National Basketball Association. Murray-Boyles might also see more than the 18.0 minutes he's averaged throughout his inaugural campaign, considering
Jakob Poeltl (back) and
RJ Barrett (knee) remain out.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Scottie Barnes (illness) will play on Friday against Washington. The 24-year-old has averaged 19.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 steals. Even better, he's shooting a career-high 36.4% from deep while appearing in all 31 of the Raptors' contests this season. Fortunately, despite popping up on the injury report because of an illness, Barnes won't miss his first game of the 2025 campaign. All things considered, his upside is higher on Friday versus a Wizards squad that has struggled on the defensive side of the ball.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Vivek Jacob
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Nikola Jovic (elbow) will return from a four-game absence on Friday against Atlanta. Despite being in the league for four years, Jovic hasn't improved much from a statistical standpoint, averaging only 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. With
Bam Adebayo (back) and
Tyler Herro (toe) ruled out, there's a chance he may see more action. However, that won't make him a safe fantasy option, even with the opportunity for an expanded role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
December 26, 2025
Phoenix Suns guard
Jordan Goodwin (jaw) is listed as available for Friday night's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Goodwin has been dealing with a jaw sprain for some time now but has been wearing a mask and has been able to play in every Suns game since Halloween. Over his last 12 games he's averaged 9.4 PPG and 3.5 RPG. He has the potential for an increase in production against a Pelicans defense that hasn't been great against guards this season. He will be a more appealing option for DFS managers than traditional fantasy managers but both should keep an eye out for him in their lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Pelle Larsson (ankle) will play on Friday against Atlanta after missing the last five games. The 24-year-old has averaged 8.7 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds this season. Of course, he's played a little better in his 16 appearances as a starter. There's a chance he could find himself back in the starting lineup on Friday, considering
Bam Adebayo (back) and
Tyler Herro (toe) are out. With that said, he's not the safest fantasy option by any means, although the upside is there for those willing to take a risk in a contest versus one of the worst defensive clubs in the NBA. That applies regardless of Larsson's role.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
December 26, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
Gary Trent Jr. (calf) has been ruled out for Friday night's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. This will mark the first game that Trent has missed this season. His production has been fairly marginal for Milwaukee, only averaged 9.6 PPG this season amidst a demotion to the bench. In his absence, expect
Ryan Rollins to carry a heavier load for Milwaukee's bench.
Cole Anthony is also likely to see more minutes, though Rollins is going to be the better option of the two to get into your starting lineups.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Miami Heat forward/center
Bam Adebayo (back) won't play on Friday against Atlanta. He hasn't missed a game in over a month. However, Adebayo is dealing with lower back soreness, so fantasy managers are hoping to see him back out there on Saturday versus the Indiana Pacers. While Bam is sidelined,
Kel'el Ware should get all of the work he can handle at the five spot. There's a good chance
Jaime Jaquez Jr. finds his way into the starting lineup. With that said, any player on the Heat roster could exceed their usual fantasy projections in a meeting with a Hawks team that has struggled defensively throughout the 2025 campaign.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ira Winderman
December 26, 2025
Washington Wizards guard
Justin Champagnie (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Friday night's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. Champagnie is dealing with an illness and has been a steady presence in Washington's rotation since mid-November. If available he would be in a great spot for fantasy managers looking for rebounding production as he's grabbed nine or more boards in four of his last five games. If he's out, expect
Marvin Bagley III to be leaned on more with
Corey Kispert already ruled out. Bagley has put up 13 or more points in each of the last five games and could be a sneaky addition for DFS players.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Scottie Barnes (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for Friday night's matchup against the Washington Wizards. Barnes has yet to miss a game this season and, with Toronto's current injury issues, the Raptors are hopeful he'll be able to overcome the illness tonight. If Barnes is unable to go then expect
Immanuel Quickley and
Brandon Ingram's production to increase in the starting lineup. On the bench,
Jamal Shead may be someone who gets a spot start and would be a great addition for any fantasy managers looking for additional assist production.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (hip) won't play on Friday against Charlotte. He was listed as doubtful heading into this one after missing the last four contests because of a left hip contusion. Unfortunately, his extended absence will continue on Friday night. With Suggs still sidelined,
Tyus Jones is in line to remain in the starting lineup. Jones recently had 16 points, seven assists, and one steal in Tuesday's win over the Portland Trail Blazers. He could easily stay as productive in a matchup versus one of the worst defensive teams in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 26, 2025
Orlando Magic forward
Tristan da Silva (shoulder) will return to the lineup on Friday night and is officially active against the Charlotte Hornets. da Silva has missed the last four games dealing with a right shoulder contusion. The 26-year-old was recently moved to the bench with
Paolo Banchero's return and his production was spotty in those games (3.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG). With a return from injury he will be a risky play for both fantasy managers and DFS players alike.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: NBA Injury Report
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