New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (hamstring) will return from a nine-game absence on Friday against the Utah Jazz, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports. He has been named a starter for the matchup. The Knicks initially listed Anunoby as questionable for the game. He has missed a couple of weeks with a hamstring strain, so it would be surprising if Anunoby played big minutes right off the bat. As a result of Anunoby's return, Miles McBride will drop to the bench. He will probably still have a significant role in the rotation, but coming off the bench will make it more difficult for McBride to make a fantasy impact.

Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) will suit up for Friday's clash against the Toronto Raptors. He injured his left ankle in Wednesday's loss to the New York Knicks, but Charlotte has upgraded Kalkbrenner's status from questionable to available. Kalkbrenner has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks across two prior meetings with the Raptors this season. It's a tough matchup for the rookie big man against Austrian veteran Jakob Poeltl.

Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. He is struggling to overcome a knee problem, missing a third consecutive game. Mann's absence opens up minutes for players like Liam McNeeley and KJ Simpson. However, neither player has had a significant role in the rotation, and fantasy managers should ignore them. Mann's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets.

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been cleared to play on Friday versus the Toronto Raptors. He has missed two games due to a left shoulder problem. It has been an issue for Miller all season, limiting him to six appearances. He is averaging a career-low 17.0 points in 25.0 minutes. Miller may also have trouble scoring on Friday night, as he will go up against the eighth-most efficient defense in the league.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (wrist) will play in Friday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Ball will make his sixth consecutive appearance and is fresh off his second-highest scoring game of the season. In Wednesday's 119-104 loss to the New York Knicks, Ball posted 34 points with 5-for-13 three-point shooting. Toronto has shown top-10 defensive numbers against point guards this season, making it challenging for Ball to replicate this performance on Friday night.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (illness) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Phoenix Suns, ESPN's Michael C. Wright reports. The Turkish big man landed on the injury report late with an illness and doesn't feel well enough to play. Instead, Steven Adams will start at center. Adams has previously averaged 6.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in 28.3 minutes as a starter this season. He faces a mediocre matchup on Friday against a Suns team that ranks 12th in rebounding rate.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (calf) is available to play Friday night against the Denver Nuggets. He previously missed Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 23-year-old is making a strong campaign for his All-Star nod this season, averaging 23.2 points, 10 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.6 steals, while shooting 53% from the floor and 41% from beyond the arc. He's been one of the best players in fantasy basketball this season and can be plugged right back into starting lineups.

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (right rib contusion) is questionable to play Friday night when his team visits the New York Knicks. The veteran center already sat out of Thursday night's game against Brooklyn. Nurkic started for the Jazz throughout November after Walker Kessler (shoulder) was ruled out for the season. The 31-year-old averaged eight points, 10.1 rebounds, and 4.6 assists across his 14 starts last month. Kyle Filipowski picked up the start in Nurkic's place on Thursday and would likely do so again if Nurkic can't play. Kevin Love, who rested on Thursday, will also be available to eat up frontcourt minutes.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) won't play Friday night when the team visits the Orlando Magic. The All-Star told reporters he's taking it "day by day right now" as he manages irritation and pain in his right big toe. Herro has played in just five games this year, making his season debut on November 24th after offseason surgery. He scored at least 20 points in all five of those games. Norman Powell (ankle) will play after missing Wednesday's loss to the Mavericks. He will be tasked with handling the bulk of Miami's scoring.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (right ankle injury management) won't play in Friday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gafford reaggravated his ankle injury during Wednesday's win over the Miami Heat. He missed the two games prior with the ankle issue. With Dereck Lively II (foot) also sidelined, Anthony Davis will see plenty of minutes at the center position. He's averaged 24.5 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and 3.5 stocks in his last two games. The Mavericks play again Saturday night, when they host the Houston Rockets.

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (ankle) isn't ready to return to the lineup on Friday when the team visits the Oklahoma City Thunder. This will be the fourth straight game that Washington has sat out. Veteran forward Naji Marshall has started in Washington's place over the last three contests, averaging 15 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Washington's next chance to play will be Saturday night when the Mavericks host the Houston Rockets.

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been upgraded to probable ahead of the team's Friday night date with the Toronto Raptors. The 23-year-old was sidelined for the last two games with a left shoulder issue. That's the same shoulder that caused him to miss 13 games earlier this season. His anticipated return likely means rookie guard Sion James moves back to the bench. Miller is averaging 17 points, two rebounds, and three assists in 25 minutes of play in his six appearances this season.

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (illness) is a late addition to the team's injury report ahead of their Friday night contest against the Phoenix Suns. He's officially listed as questionable as the team waits to see if he can battle through his illness. The 23-year-old All-Star has started all 19 games for the Rockets this season, averaging career-high marks in points (23.1) and assists (7.1), along with 9.1 rebounds. If Sengun is unable to play, Steven Adams and Clint Capela will man the paint for the Rockets.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (injury management) will play on Friday night when his team visits the Milwaukee Bucks. The veteran forward has intermittently missed games after sitting out the first 12 games of the season. The 76ers are on the second night of a back-to-back; however, George did not play in Thursday's win over Golden State. George is seeing about 22 minutes of action in his six appearances (all starts) this year, averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

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.