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.

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.