

Wed Dec 17 3:54pm ET
Field Level Media
Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Wednesday for his criticism of game referees following a 128-125 overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
The Nuggets tied the game 117-117 with 2.3 seconds remaining on a free throw from Jamal Murray after he was fouled away from the ball by the Rockets' Amen Thompson.
"Just in general, I think it was the most poorly officiated game I've seen in a long time," Udoka said in his postgame press conference. "Two (officials) have no business being out there and the crew chief is acting star struck. So you're seeing all kind of inconsistent calls."
The fine was announced by NBA executive vice president head of basketball operations James Jones.
Monday's game matched two of the top teams in the Western Conference, who are vying to become a threat to the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets dropped to 16-7 with the loss.
Udoka is in his third season as the Rockets head coach after one season as head coach of the Boston Celtics (2021-22). Boston reached the NBA Finals before losing to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (elbow) is listed as questionable for Thursday's favorable fantasy matchup against the Utah Jazz. Will Hardy's team allows the seventh-most fantasy points to centers this season, but Ayton might miss the opportunity to feast due to a sore left elbow. Jaxson Hayes would be his natural replacement in the starting lineup. Across two previous starts in 2025-26, Hayes has averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks in 31.1 minutes, making 10 of 11 field-goal attempts.
Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (shoulder) is considered questionable for Thursday's action against the Toronto Raptors. He landed on the shelf a couple of weeks ago with a sprained left AC joint, missing three consecutive games. Kyle Kuzma (illness) has been starting in Green's place, but is now also on the injury report with a questionable tag. The two are joined on the injury report by Cole Anthony (neck), meaning players such as Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, and Andre Jackson Jr. could be involved more than usual in the rotation on Thursday night.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Cole Anthony (neck) is on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. The 25-year-old could play a significant part in the rotation against Toronto if he shakes off a neck strain, as AJ Green (shoulder) and Kyle Kuzma (illness) are also iffy for the contest. If both miss the game, Anthony would be in line for extra work. At the same time, Anthony's absence from the lineup would allow Gary Harris to see more action off the bench.
Denver Nuggets shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is questionable to play on Thursday against the Orlando Magic. Hardaway has yet to miss a game in the 2025-26 season, but this illness warrants enough to listed on the injury report. The Nuggets have been affected by injuries this season, who are already without Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle), and could be without Hardaway and Peyton Watson (upper-body) on Thursday. Hardaway has been a key contributor off the bench in Denver, averaging 12.2 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game. If Hardaway is active, he could see a major workload on Thursday, especially if Watson is inactive. If he's out, look for veteran Bruce Brown to see his minutes expanded.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (illness) has been tagged as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. The 2020 NBA champion is trying to fight off an illness to avoid missing his second game of the season. Due to some lineup issues, including the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), Kuzma has enjoyed a larger role in the rotation recently. He has averaged 18.3 points and 5.5 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game over the last four contests. Kuzma has been starting in place of AJ Green (shoulder), who is also on the injury report with a questionable designation.
Denver Nuggets power forward Peyton Watson (upper body) is questionable to suit up for Thursday's contest against the Orlando Magic. Watson exited Monday's contest early with a "right trunk injury," and his status is unclear for Thursday. With Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) already ruled out, and veteran Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) questionable, Watson could be an important piece against the Magic. In 25 games, Watson is averaging 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while playing over 26 minutes per game. If he's inactive, look for Bruce Brown, Spencer Jones, and Zeke Nnaji to see their workloads expanded.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (groin) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Lakers. He is managing a groin issue and could be held out of action for the second time in four games. Markkanen is Utah's leading scorer, and his departure from the lineup would open up a lot of additional offensive touches for the rest of the team. Meanwhile, Kyle Filipowski could get an opportunity to remain in the starting lineup. In Monday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Filipowski started in place of Jusuf Nurkic (rest), who has been removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday.
Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (elbow) will miss Thursday's contest against the Brooklyn Nets. He took a nasty fall on Monday against the Toronto Raptors, injuring his right elbow. Luckily, Jovic escaped serious injury. But he is considered week-to-week and will miss some time, beginning with Thursday's game. Jovic has had a disappointing campaign, and Miami should have no trouble coping with his absence. Simone Fontecchio and Kel'el Ware could get a small bump in playing time with Jovic on the shelf.
Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson (ankle) will be sidelined for a second straight game on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. He is recovering from a left ankle sprain. Larsson didn't practice on Wednesday, making it unlikely that he can return on Friday when Miami finishes a back-to-back against the Boston Celtics. Dru Smith, Simone Fontecchio, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. can make a bigger mark with Larsson, Tyler Herro (toe), and Nikola Jovic (elbow) out against Brooklyn. The team may also miss Norman Powell (calf), who is listed as questionable.
Orlando Magic small forward Tristan da Silva (shoulder) is questionable to play on Thursday when the Magic travel to take on the Denver Nuggets. da Silva suffered a right shoulder contusion in the NBA Cup Semi-Finals loss to the New York Knicks, and his status is in doubt for Thursday. The Magic have been decimated by injuries as of late, losing Franz Wagner (ankle), Moritz Wagner (knee), and point guard Jalen Suggs (hip) for the foreseeable future. The second-year forward from Germany has started in 10 games this season, averaging 9.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game this season. Fantasy managers should stay in tune with the news surrounding the Magic and da Silva. If he's inactive, Jett Howard and Jonathan Isaac should see more minutes.
Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (calf) didn't practice on Wednesday, leaving his status uncertain for Thursday's clash against the Brooklyn Nets. Miami has officially listed its top scorer as questionable on the injury report due to a calf problem. Tyler Herro (toe) has already been ruled out, so Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. could have a massive offensive usage against the struggling Nets, who are ranked 25th in defensive efficiency. Meanwhile, Dru Smith and Simone Fontecchio could be more involved in the rotation.
Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer (personal) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. Spencer is set to miss his first game since mid-November as he deals with a personal issue. In his third season, Spencer has started three games while future Hall-of-Fame point guard Stephen Curry has dealt with a quad injury. In those games, Spencer averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game. Curry made his return last Sunday, which sent Spencer back to his bench role in the Warriors' lineup. With Spencer out, Curry could be forced to take a larger workload, and rookie Will Richard could see more minutes as well.
Denver Nuggets guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is in danger of missing his first game of the season, having picked up a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Thursday's encounter with the Orlando Magic. The veteran sniper is dealing with an illness after logging a season-high 40 minutes in Monday's overtime win against the Houston Rockets. Hardaway Jr. benefited from Payton Watson's (side) early exit on Monday and could receive a larger workload again against Orlando, as Watson is also listed as questionable. If both players end up missing the action, Bruce Brown's fantasy appeal would skyrocket.
Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's contest against the Phoenix Suns. Horford has been dealing with a "sciatic nerve injury," but head coach Steve Kerr provided good news, stating his injury has healed, and he is nearing a return. The 19-year veteran is playing his first season in Golden State, but has struggled, averaging career lows in nearly every major statistic. While Horford is nearing a return to play, second-year center Quinten Post will continue to play a major role in this Warriors lineup. Over the past four games with Horford out, Post has played over 25 minutes in three of the four games and has averaged 14.5 points and five rebounds per game.
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is considered probable for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Austrian big man had been managing a back issue all season, but the probable designation suggests that he will be good to go on Thursday. This is a tough matchup for Poeltl, as the Bucks have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to centers this season, with defensive specialist Myles Turner working at center for the team. In his prior two meetings with the Bucks this season, Poeltl has managed only 7.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game.
Dallas Mavericks point guard Brandon Williams (Achilles) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Detroit Pistons. Williams missed the previous game against the Utah Jazz with an Achilles issue, and it appears to be clouding his availability for Thursday as well. The 26-year-old guard has been a main contributor off the bench for the injury-plagued Mavericks, averaging 10.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists on nearly 22 minutes per game. If Williams is active, he could produce yet again, with veteran D'Angelo Russell questionable with an illness. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should monitor both Russell's and Williams' status heading into Thursday.
Dallas Mavericks point guard D'Angelo Russell (illness) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Russell has missed the previous two matchups as he continues to deal with an illness. In his first season with the Mavericks, Russell has averaged career lows in points per game (11.2), rebounds per game (2.6), and minutes per game (20:17). Despite spending the majority of his career as a starter, he has come off the bench in all but three games this season. Russell's availability will become much clearer as we approach tomorrow night, but his fantasy value is too low to consider in starting lineups with a crowded slate upcoming. If Russell is out, look for undrafted free agent Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams (who's also questionable with an Achilles injury) to handle his workload.
New York Knicks guard/forward Josh Hart (abdomen) could miss his second game of the season on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, as the team has listed him as questionable on the injury report. The versatile veteran is on the injury report with an abdominal strain. After beginning the season as a member of the second unit, Hart has been a regular starter over the last four weeks. He is one of three starters with a questionable tag on the injury, so the Knicks' bench mob could see additional playing opportunities on Thursday night.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) may exit the lineup on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers, as he is considered questionable for the game. Robinson continues to manage an ankle injury. If he can shed the questionable designation, the 27-year-old may get an opportunity to re-enter the first unit. New York has three starters listed as questionable for Thursday, including starting center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee). Centers have feasted against the Pacers all season, and it would be a favorable matchup for Robinson if he can play.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (Soleus) won't play on Thursday versus the Clippers. It's the first of back-to-back contests for the champs, so he'll likely be available for Friday's game in Minnesota. With Jaylin Williams (heel) also out, OKC may need to go smaller than usual, with Kenrich Williams projected to see minutes behind Chet Holmgren in a favorable matchup against one of the worst defensive teams in the National Basketball Association.
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