According to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Los Angeles Lakers forward/centerMaxi Kleber(back) is out for Wednesday's NBA Cup tilt against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran big man will be out of action due to a lumbar muscle strain. His absence won't cause too much distress to the Lakers or fantasy managers, as the 33-year-old hasn't seen many minutes on the floor during this campaign. He's averaging 12.1 minutes per contest while posting 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds across 10 outings.

Tim Reynolds of Associated Press reports that Miami Heat guard/forwardPelle Larsson(ankle) will miss at least a week after an MRI determined he has a sprained right ankle. The 24-year-old sustained the injury during Tuesday's NBA Cup Quarterfinal game against the Magic. He has played in 24 games this season and is averaging 8.7 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds across 21.9 minutes per contest. With Larsson on the shelf, Jaime Jaquezwill likely take on extra minutes, giving fantasy managers a solid streaming option going into the Heat's next matchup against the Raptors on December 15.

San Antonio Spurs guard Jordan McLaughlin (hamstring) is listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed a month of action due to a left hamstring strain. After he practiced fully on Sunday, McLaughlin looks to be on the cusp of returning to the lineup. However, even if McLaughlin is cleared to play, he may not have a spot in the rotation, especially after Stephon Castle's return to the lineup in Monday's victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (back) is not on the injury report for Wednesday's NBA Cup meeting with the San Antonio Spurs. A back issue has kept Smart out of action for six games. While Smart doesn't move the needle in most fantasy formats, he has been an important player for the Lakers. Across 14 appearances, Smart has averaged 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 steals in 26.8 minutes per game. Smart's best offensive performance of the campaign was against the Spurs on Nov. 5, where he totaled 17 points in a 118-116 victory.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Maxi Kleber (back) is considered questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup contest against the San Antonio Spurs. The veteran is battling a back problem. His absence would not be a big blow for the Lakers, as Kleber has seen minimal action this season. He has averaged 12.1 minutes across 10 appearances, posting 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds. These are career-low marks for the 33-year-old German.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Luguentz Dort (adductor) is ready to end a three-game absence on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns, as the team has not listed him on the injury report. Dort has appeared as a starter in all 15 outings this season and will likely bump Jaylin Williams to the bench on Wednesday night. Dort recorded a season-high three steals in this season's first meeting with the Suns. Due to poor shooting, he has made a limited impact offensively in 2025-26. Dort is averaging 8.0 points per game, which is his lowest output since his rookie campaign in 2019-20.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (quadriceps) has been removed from the injury report and will end a four-game absence on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns. The veteran has missed time because of a right quadriceps contusion. Caruso has exclusively come off the bench this season, averaging 5.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals in 18.8 minutes. Despite his limited workload, only nine players in the league have averaged more steals than Caruso, who did a bit of everything in this season's first clash against the Suns. In a 123-119 win on Nov. 28, Caruso had four points, seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe (knee) won't be available on Wednesday night against the Phoenix Suns. He will sit out a third consecutive game due to a left knee contusion. Joe's absence from the lineup increases playing opportunities for Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, and Aaron Wiggins. Mitchell and Wiggins have produced solid numbers all year, although the former disappointed many fantasy managers in the last game against the Utah Jazz. Mitchell filled in for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (elbow) in the starting unit but finished with only seven points and four rebounds.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (elbow) is not on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's NBA Cup game against the Phoenix Suns. The reigning MVP missed his first game of the season on Sunday against the Utah Jazz due to an elbow injury. Ajay Mitchell started on Sunday and will move back to the second unit for Wednesday's action. However, he could still make a significant impact in the game, as Phoenix allows the 11th-most bench points in the league. In his first meeting with the Suns this season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander notched 37 points, three rebounds, eight assists, and one steal in 36 minutes.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. He will be on the shelf for a sixth consecutive game. Hartenstein has missed nearly two weeks with a right soleus strain. The team initially planned to evaluate him in 10-14 days, so it's possible Hartenstein will return to the court sooner rather than later. Until then, Jaylin Williamswill continue to have a more prominent role in the rotation. Williams has posted 5.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per game since Harteinstein departed the lineup. His first game in a larger role was against the Suns, and Williams made good use of additional minutes, recording 14 points and four rebounds.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (groin) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Suns' leader has been on the shelf for a couple of games with a right groin strain. Collin Gillespie's fantasy value will take a blow if Booker returns, as he will likely be bumped to the bench. However, even as a bench piece, Gillespie has been productive and deserves fantasy attention. He has averaged 11.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.2 steals as a reserve in 2025-26. Phoenix's second unit may have a big say in Wednesday's matchup, as OKC allows the fourth-most bench points in the league.

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. He traveled with the team to the game but still needs a bit more time to recover from a left calf strain. Wembanyama practiced fully on Sunday, which suggests that his return is near. His absence on Wednesday night will presumably give Luke Kornet another opportunity to start. The veteran big man has averaged 6.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game as a starter. Kelly Olynyk also features more in the rotation due to Wembanyama's absence and is coming off a season-high 11-point performance.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) will play on Tuesday against Toronto. KAT wasn't available for Sunday's win over the Orlando Magic, marking his first absence of the 2025 campaign. Despite appearing on the injury report and carrying a questionable designation, he'll be back on the floor for the NBA Cup meeting. In Towns' only game versus the Raptors this season, he amassed 22 points and eight rebounds while shooting 25.0% from behind the arc. Of course, fantasy managers are hoping that was an isolated incident. With Towns back in the lineup, Mitchell Robinson, coming off a six-point, 13-rebound, one-block effort, will presumably head to the bench.

Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (quadriceps) is available for Tuesday's game versus the Knicks. He was listed on the injury report because of a quad contusion. However, the 23-year-old is available. Not only that, he will start in place of Immanuel Quickley (illness), who won't suit up for this one. Shead has averaged 5.8 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.2 steals this season. With RJ Barrett (knee) also sidelined, he has an excellent chance of being much more productive, giving him streaming value for fantasy managers. Shead will also be a popular DFS option for those capable of making a late swap.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (illness) won't play in Tuesday's NBA Cup matchup versus the New York Knicks. He hasn't felt the best of late, although it didn't stop him from suiting up in Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics. Unfortunately, the illness will now cost the 26-year-old his first game of the 2025 campaign. With RJ Barrett (knee) also sidelined, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram should both see a considerable uptick in scoring opportunities. As far as the starting lineup is concerned, Ochai Agbaji or Jamal Shead (quadriceps) may find themselves with the first-five, although each is in line for an increase in minutes.

According to Orlando Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, forward Paolo Banchero will remain on a minutes limit in Tuesday's NBA Cup meeting with the Miami Heat. The 23-year-old recently returned from a 10-game absence caused by a groin injury. Since then, he's played twice, totaling 44 minutes. It's possible he could see over 25 minutes, although 30 minutes would be a stretch. However, with Franz Wagner (ankle) ruled out, Banchero should have plenty of time to do something meaningful for fantasy managers.

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (hip) got a spot start on Saturday but was listed as questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup Quarterfinal contest with the Magic. Smith was upgraded to available, but he'll likely return to the bench with Tyler Herro (toe) and Davion Mitchell (groin) ready to return after missing Saturday's game. In his start, Smith only managed four points and two assists in 19 minutes in the Heat's loss, but he'll look to be productive as he returns to the second unit against the Magic. The 27-year-old has flashed some upside off the bench, but with Miami likely leaning more heavily on its starters, his role will likely be limited in Tuesday's matchup.

Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (groin) missed his team's game on Sunday, but he'll be able to return to action on Tuesday, as expected when he was given the probable tag. Mitchell's return will be just in time for the NBA Cup Quarterfinals contest against the Magic on Tuesday night, when Tyler Herro (toe) will also be back in the backcourt. Mitchell has produced 9.7 points and 7.8 assists in 30.0 minutes per game in his 23 starts for the Heat this season. He has a good matchup against the Magic, although Herro's return to the backcourt could curb his usage a bit. On such a small slate this Tuesday, use Mitchell as you normally would since he has the green light to get back in action after missing just one game.

Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson (hip) was listed as probable but has been upgraded to available for Tuesday's NBA Cup Quarterfinal game against the Magic, along with Davion Mitchell and Tyler Herro. Larsson has played 23 games (16 starts) this season and is averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, and 22.4 minutes per game. The 24-year-old from Sweden missed Saturday's loss to the Kings and had come off the bench with a minimal impact in four of his five games before that. His return to the rotation will likely limit the minutes of Nikola Jovic and Simone Fontecchio, who got extra playing time in Saturday's short-handed rotation.

Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and guard Christian Braun (ankle) are not expected to return until after Christmas, per coach David Adelman. When asked about Gordon and Braun's recovery, Adelman said, "I would imagine they celebrate the holiday without playing, but we'll see." Braun was given a six-week timeline about four weeks ago, so it's not surprising that he still has a ways to go, but Gordon was given a timeline of four to six weeks three weeks ago, so he could have been nearing a return. Without Gordon and Braun, Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones should continue to have a chance to shine while veterans Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown Jr. continue to get more playing time on the wings as well.