Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee, injury management) won't play on the second night of a back-to-back on Friday in Milwaukee. It's no surprise that Embiid will watch from afar, as he previously stated he may never play back-to-back games again in his career due to his knee. The former MVP has also only played in eight games this year while managing the injury. Andre Drummond has picked up the start at center for most of Embiid's absences this season. Expect that trend to continue Friday night. Embiid is averaging a career-low 18.5 points and 5.4 rebounds in about 24 minutes per game this year.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (illness) has been downgraded to questionable ahead of Friday night's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Local beat writers added they did not see the All-Star at shootaround on Friday morning. If Mobley misses the game, he'll be the latest on a lengthy injury report for the Cavaliers. Jarrett Allen (finger), Darius Garland (toe), Max Strus (foot), Sam Merrill (hand), Tyrese Proctor (personal), and Larry Nance Jr. (calf) have all already been ruled out. Mobley is averaging a career-high 19 points per game this season.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (sciatica, foot) and guard Luka Doncic (personal) won't be in the lineup Friday night against the Boston Celtics. James, who has only appeared in six games this season, is sitting out the second night of a back-to-back. Doncic is missing his second consecutive game. Guard Marcus Smart (back) has also been ruled out. Expect Austin Reaves to see massive usage with the other stars sidelined. He's averaging over 40 points in four games without Doncic this season. The Lakers' next game after tonight is Sunday night in Philadelphia.

Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (ankle) is off the injury report and available to play against the Orlando Magic on Friday night. The 32-year-old missed Wednesday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks after tweaking his ankle on Monday. With Tyler Herro (toe) doubtful to play on the first night of a back-to-back, Powell will be tasked with shouldering the scoring load. He's averaging a career-best 25 points per game on 45.8% shooting from beyond the arc in 17 games this season.

San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (ankle) won't play when his team visits the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. Kornet got dinged up on Wednesday night in Orlando, but finished the game and had a game-winning block at the end of regulation. The Spurs' big offseason acquisition has been starting in place of Victor Wembanyama (calf). With Kornet and Wembanyama off the court, San Antonio will be forced into playing a smaller lineup. Kelly Olynyk, Jeremy Sochan, and possibly Bismack Biyombo will see most of the minutes at the five.

Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (illness) is off the injury report heading into Friday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. He didn't suit up for Thursday's win over the Washington Wizards. However, the 29-year-old will be back on the floor, avoiding his second absence of the 2025 campaign. With Brown's return, Sam Hauser, who had six points in 21 minutes as a starter on Thursday, will head back to the bench, with fewer offensive opportunities expected for Payton Pritchard, Jordan Walsh, Anfernee Simons, and Derrick White.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (groin) will play on Friday versus the Heat after missing the last 10 games due to a strained groin. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick hasn't played since suffering the injury during the win over the New York Knicks on November 12, so there's a chance he'll see fewer than the 32.8 minutes he averaged in his 12 appearances. However, despite the potential for a reduced workload as well as a challenging matchup on the horizon, Banchero must be added back into all fantasy lineups. With the former Duke Blue Devil back in the mix, Tristan da Silva will presumably head back to the bench, significantly reducing his fantasy expectations.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable for Friday's matchup in Oklahoma City after aggravating his right ankle Wednesday, putting his availability in doubt. If he sits, Anthony Davis likely continues starting at center, where he has averaged 20.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.7 blocks across his last three on 52.0 percent shooting. Dwight Powell would handle backup minutes and remains a deep-league streamer due to low usage, while Moussa Cisse offers only situational depth.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) will miss Friday's matchup with San Antonio, putting second-year wing Jaylon Tyson in position for expanded usage after producing 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 33 minutes Wednesday. Tyson has been playing well lately and profiles as the primary beneficiary of Garland's absence. Lonzo Ball gains appeal as an assists-and-steals specialist, while Craig Porter Jr. should see a mild bump in minutes as a deep-league playmaker.

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (reconditioning) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with Denver and appears to be trending in the right direction after missing the past four games. His return would be a welcome boost, as he averaged 20.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 blocks across his last five outings on .547 shooting. Managers in weekly formats should still treat him cautiously until he's confirmed active. If he remains out, Onyeka Okongwu stays locked into a heavy-minute role, while Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels maintain stable usage either way.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) is probable for Friday's game in Toronto after posting 34 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in 36 minutes Wednesday. He has averaged 17.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists over his last five, though efficiency sits at 36.5 percent from the field. He remains a must-start if active. Brandon Miller (shoulder) is questionable, which could funnel extra touches to Ball and Miles Bridges while keeping KJ Simpson and Sion James in secondary roles.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (calf) is questionable for Friday's matchup with Denver after missing Wednesday's loss, which pushed Mouhamed Gueye into a 23-minute spot start that produced six rebounds and one steal. Johnson's potential absence again funnels minutes to Gueye, Vit Krejci, and rookie Asa Newell, while Zaccharie Risacher holds a stable role after logging 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists. Managers should treat Gueye as a deep-league streaming option only, as his low usage and inconsistent production cap his upside.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) is questionable for Friday in Orlando on the first night of a back-to-back. He logged 20 points and four rebounds in 33 minutes Wednesday and is averaging 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks across his last five on 52.4 percent shooting. Managers should keep contingency plans ready. Pelle Larsson and Jaime Jaquez Jr. become viable streamers if Herro sits, especially with Norman Powell (ankle) also questionable.

Lakers' G Austin Reaves recorded a double-double, scoring 44 points with 10 assists in a 123-120 win over Toronto on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (foot) won't return to Thursday's meeting with the 76ers. On a night when the Dubs were without Stephen Curry (quadriceps) and Jimmy Butler III (knee), the team would lose Green before the end of the first half. The 35-year-old finished this one with three points, three rebounds, and one block. It's logical to assume he'll undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury. For now, fantasy managers should be prepared to see Green's name on the injury report heading into Saturday's game in Cleveland. If he can't suit up, head coach Steve Kerr has plenty of options regarding the rotation, although Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and Pat Spencer could see the biggest bump in minutes.

Golden State Warriors centerQuinten Post(ankle) will be active against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He has shaken off a questionable tag on the initial injury report for a left ankle sprain. Post will go up against a Sixers frontcourt that will have Joel Embiid (knee) back in action, which puts him in an unfavorable position to perform well fantasy-wise. The 22-year-old big man is averaging 6.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists across 16.1 minutes per game during 22 outings this campaign.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Thursday versus Golden State. The 31-year-old hasn't played the best throughout the 2025 campaign. However, he's at least been showing signs of life of late, averaging 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.3 steals in three appearances in November. While Embiid will presumably be limited from a minutes standpoint, he's a must-start in all formats.

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) will play on Thursday in Philadelphia. The 23-year-old has played sparingly since returning from a seven-game stint on the shelf. However, with Stephen Curry (quadriceps) and Jimmy Butler III (knee) both sidelined, Kuminga could be a top offensive contributor for the Dubs on Thursday night, especially if he ends up getting the start.

Sam Gordon of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that Golden State Warriors forward/centerAl Horford (back) will play Thursday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Horford has been out of action for four consecutive contests due to sciatica. Through 10 outings this season, the 38-year-old veteran center is averaging 21.8 minutes per game. However, he may be assigned a heavier workload than expected upon his return, with veterans Stephen Curry(quad) andJimmy Butler III(knee)sidelined.

Utah Jazz centerJusuf Nurkic(ribs) is unavailable for Thursday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. Due to a rib contusion, Nurkic will miss the first half of a back-to-back set this evening. While the 31-year-old big man is sidelined, 22-year-old Kyle Filipowski will take on extra playing time. Filipowski provided 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one block across 29 minutes in his last appearance on Monday against Houston. He could potentially give fantasy managers a productive option with the extended minutes during Nurkic's absence.