Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is likely to return to the lineup on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. Antetokounmpo missed his second game of the season on Wednesday against the Hornets due to a small knee issue. Kyle Kuzma moved to the first unit on Wednesday, but he had an ineffective performance with eight points on 3-for-12 shooting. Antetokounmpo is off to a dominant start to the season, leading the NBA in scoring with 33.4 points per game and averaging 11.9 rebounds with 6.2 assists.

Miami Heat forward/center Bam Adebayo (toe) has been ruled out for Friday's big NBA Cup matchup against the New York Knicks. This will be his fifth consecutive absence after Adebayo sprained his left big toe. Kel'el Warehas returned to the first unit during Adebayo's injury layoff, producing some impressive performances, including a 20-rebound effort on Monday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Overall, Ware has averaged 10.0 points and 9.8 rebounds in 24.2 minutes as a starter this season. Friday's matchup looks like a tough one on paper for Ware, as defensive specialist Mitchell Robinson is expected to play, and the Knicks have the fifth-highest rebounding rate in the league.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Duren is dealing with a left ankle sprain that held him out of Tuesday's victory over the Chicago Bulls. The 21-year-old has been very good this season, averaging 19.4 PPG and 12.0 RPG. If active he will be a must start for fantasy managers. If he's unable to go then expect Paul Reed to get another start. Reed put up 28 points and 13 rebounds against Chicago on Tuesday. He may not reach those levels on Friday, if he gets the start, but he'll certainly be fired up to face off against his former team.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (sciatica) was able to practice with the G-League South Bay Lakers on Thursday without any lingering pain from the day before, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin. If James is able to continue progressing without pain then he may be able to join the NBA squad for a practice on Monday. This is welcome news for James and the Lakers as LA has started to hit a bit of a rough patch. The 40-year-old missed all of training camp and hasn't been able to make his season debut yet. The Lakers would greatly welcome his presence as soon as he's able to hit the court. While he's out, continue to expect elevated box scores from Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves as the main drivers of LA's offense. When he's able to return, expect decreased minutes for Marcus Smart.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) continues to carry a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Friday's action against the Los Angeles Clippers. Due to a calf strain, Davis hasn't played in the past seven games, and his status going forward is murky. A recent report suggested that Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont will not permit the star big man to return to play until it is completely clear that he is not at risk of aggravating his injury. Dereck Lively II (knee) also remains on the injury report, and P.J. Washington (shoulder) was hurt on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns, meaning Dallas could have a shorthanded frontcourt on Friday night.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (hip) is listed as questionable for Friday night's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Cunningham is dealing with a left hip contusion that caused him to miss Tuesday's game against the Bulls. The 24-year-old has been very solid this season, averaging 27.5 PPG to go along with 9.9 APG. He is a must start if he's active. If not, expect Daniss Jenkins to get another start. Jenkins started on Tuesday in Cunningham's absence and put up 18 points with 12 assists in the win over Chicago. He'd make an excellent start in all fantasy formats, including DFS, if he is going to fill in for Cunningham again.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will be out for a third consecutive game on Friday against the Detroit Pistons. After battling a left knee issue, Embiid exited the lineup earlier this week with a right knee injury. Fortunately, testing revealed no structural damage to his right knee, but he will still sit out Friday's game. This likely means another start for Andre Drummond, who has posted 15.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game as a member of the first unit this season. Detroit could also be without Jalen Duren (ankle) and Isaiah Stewart (ankle) on Friday, which would make Drummond's life easier inside the paint.

Brooklyn Nets center Day'Ron Sharpe (glute) is listed as probable for Friday night's matchup against the Orlando Magic. Sharpe is dealing with a glute injury that caused him to miss Tuesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors but he should be back in action on Friday. Sharpe has been a spotty fantasy option this season, not providing much value in terms of points. Those in category leagues may find more value with him, especially if they need help in the rebounding department. But his outbursts have been fairly unpredictable. Fantasy managers likely can find better options to get into their starting lineup for Friday unless they're desperate.

Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (back) is listed as questionable for Friday night's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Edgecombe is dealing with back spasms. If he's forced to sit out it would be the first game he's missed in his rookie campaign. The 20-year-old started the season hot but has seen his production drop over the past couple weeks. That dip in production may continue if he's able to suit up against the Pistons and their 109.9 defensive rating, third best in the league. If he isn't able to play then expect Quentin Grimes to get the start. Grimes has averaged 17.3 PPG off Philadelphia's bench. Grimes would be a solid fantasy option whether or not Edgecombe is able to face the Pistons.

Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) won't play on Thursday versus the Cavs. The rookie has had a decent rookie campaign, averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 50.0% shooting from behind the arc. He has appeared in the last nine games for the Raptors. However, Murray-Boyles will sit this one out because of an illness. Fortunately, Sandro Mamukelashvili (neck) will suit up, which will help lessen the blow caused by Murray-Boyles' absence. With that said, Jakob Poeltl is available, so neither player can be trusted for fantasy production.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill will start in Thursday's meeting with the Toronto Raptors. The Cavs are down Darius Garland (rest, left knee injury management), Jaylon Tyson (concussion), and Lonzo Ball (left knee, injury management). As a result, the 29-year-old will get some action with the first-five versus the 6-5 Raptors. Merrill has started five times during the 2025 campaign, averaging 14.8 points and 44.2% shooting from behind the arc. While Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter, and Jarrett Allen should lead the way offensively, Merrill could easily surpass his usual fantasy expectations.

Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (right knee injury management) will not play Thursday night when the Suns host the Pacers. It's not surprising that Williams will get the night off since the team is playing for the second night in a row after defeating the Mavericks on Wednesday for their fourth straight win. While Williams is out, Nick Richards and Oso Ighodaro will likely absorb his minutes in the middle, and they have a favorable matchup against the Pacers, who play fast and have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to centers this season.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) will miss Friday's matchup with the Heat due to a Grade 1 ankle sprain suffered in Wednesday's loss to the Magic. Brunson will be evaluated daily, so it doesn't look like a serious or long-term issue at this point, but he could miss a few games depending on how he responds to treatment. The Knicks have the weekend off before facing the Heat in Miami on Monday, the Mavs in Dallas on Wednesday, and the Magic in Orlando next Saturday. For as long as Brunson is out, the rest of the Knicks' rotation will get increased usage, with Miles McBride possibly stepping into a big role in the starting lineup. Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby will all be lined up for more scoring responsibility for as long as the team is without their superstar playmaker.

Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (rest) will not play Thursday on the second night of the Hawks' back-to-back, as expected. With Porzinigis listed as out against the Jazz, Okyeka Okongwu and Mouhamed Gueye will get extra playing time and have big-time potential. Okongwu had 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two blocks when Porzingis sat out last Saturday, while Gueye posted an even better line with 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block. Both are great streaming options or DFS plays against the Jazz as the Hawks look to win their fourth game in a row on their impressive road trip.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (groin) had an MRI on Thursday that confirmed that he has a strained groin and will miss at least Friday's game against the Nets. While the Magic didn't put any timeline on his return, he will be evaluated each day, and when he returns will depend on his response to treatment. It doesn't look like an extended absence, but it will cost him time. While he's out, Franz Wagner, Desmond Bane, and Jalen Suggs will have to carry more of the offensive workload, and Tristan da Silva and Jonathan Isaac will get more playing time at forward. After Friday's game, the Magic's next matchup is Sunday on the road in Houston, before they return on Tuesday to host the Warriors. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to those games.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (groin) is hopeful that he avoided major injury on Wednesday night against the Knicks, but he will undergo an MRI to determine the severity and extent of the injury. Banchero sustained the injury early in the second quarter after trying to accelerate up the floor after snagging a defensive rebound. Banchero said the pain was nowhere near as severe as what he dealt with when he tore his oblique last season. Banchero posted averages of 23.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while playing 34.7 minutes per game over his first 12 games of the season. If he does miss time, Jonathan Isaac and Tristan da Silva could help pick up the extra work, while Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner would have to carry the offense. The Magic's next game is Friday against the Nets, so keep an eye out for a status update on Banchero soon.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Lonzo Ball (knee) will not play in the second game of the team's back-to-back on Thursday night due to left knee injury management. Ball played 20 minutes on Wednesday in Miami and had 15 points and eight assists while helping to fill in for Darius Garland (toe) and Donovan Mitchell (rest). Mitchell will be back on Thursday, but Garland will join Ball and Jaylon Tyson (concussion) on the sidelines, leaving Craig Porter Jr. plenty of room to build on his monster performance on Wednesday. Ball's absence will also likely keep rookie Tyrese Proctor in the rotation as well.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Jaylon Tyson (concussion) will not be ready to return for Thursday night's matchup with the Raptors. Tyson averaged 25.9 minutes per game in his first 11 games this season, including seven starts. He chipped in 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. His next chance to return will be Saturday against Memphis. While he's out on Thursday, Craig Porter Jr., Dean Wade, and De'Andre Hunter should get more opportunities against Toronto.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) will miss the second game of the team's back-to-back on Thursday, as expected. He's dealing with what the team is calling a contusion, which indicates he's not facing an extended absence. However, he will miss a second straight game after sitting out Wednesday's win as well. Since Lonzo Ball (knee) and Jalen Tyson (concussion) are out as well, Donovan Mitchell, Craig Porter Jr., and Tyson Proctor should all get more work. Porter had an impressive performance on Wednesday with 19 points, nine assists, four rebounds, four blocks, and three steals in 32 minutes, while leading the Cavs to a win without Garland, Mitchell, and Evan Mobley. With Mitchell and Mobley back, Porter won't have quite as much workload, but he still should be able to make an impact for as long as Garland is out.

Toronto Raptors guard/forward Ochai Agbaji (back) was ruled out after he was originally listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be his third absence in his team's last four games, and he played just 15 minutes in a spot start during his one active game during that stretch. For the most part, Toronto has been injury-free this season, which has kept Agbaji in a limited role off the bench. He is playing just 13.9 minutes per game and chipping in 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. With Agbaji out, Ja'Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick will get more time in the second unit, although neither has made a big fantasy impact this season.