NBA News

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is questionable ahead of Sunday's game in Atlanta. Fantasy managers are used to seeing his name on the injury report. However, with Tyrese Maxey (illness) doubtful, more attention is on Embiid's availability after he had 39 points in Friday's win over the Indiana Pacers. If he ends up getting ruled out (along with Maxey), that should mean extra scoring opportunities for Paul George and VJ Edgecombe, at the very least. As far as the middle is concerned, Andre Drummond, averaging 10.1 points and 11.8 rebounds in 11 starts this season, remains the favorite to replace Embiid in the rotation.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (finger) is expected to play in Sunday's meeting with the Hornets after missing the last six games. His return can't come soon enough, with Evan Mobley (calf) anticipated to miss 2-4 weeks. While Allen hasn't been as productive on the scoring end, averaging 14.3 points, that may change with Mobley sidelined. Of course, that's assuming Allen is cleared to suit up. If he ends up suffering a setback, Thomas Bryant should enter the starting lineup, which would likely result in a double-double upside.

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (quadriceps) won't play on Sunday against Cleveland, marking his fourth-straight absence. With LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Tre Mann (knee) also on the shelf, there will be extra minutes up for grabs, which Sexton likely would have absorbed. However, with Sexton sidelined as well, KJ Simpson may get another start. The 23-year-old has averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in two starts this season. While that won't make him a practical option in some fantasy formats, he should draw more interest from DFS participants for value reasons despite a challenging game on tap.

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) will remain out for Sunday's game against Indiana, marking his third-straight absence because of a right knee contusion. The 34-year-old is nowhere near as productive as he once was, averaging 10.4 points, the second-lowest mark of his career, adding 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. His next chance to get back on the floor will be Thursday versus the San Antonio Spurs, so perhaps the extra few days off will give him the time needed to recover. Justin Champagnie, amassing 8.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in six starts this season, should continue to fill the void in the rotation.

Washington Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (adductor) is out for Sunday's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. It's unknown how much longer the 20-year-old will be sidelined by the right adductor strain. However, while Sarr remains on the shelf, Marvin Bagley III should continue to take his place in the rotation. The former Duke Blue Devil has made the most of his six appearances in the starting lineup throughout the 2025 campaign, averaging 12.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 50.0% from behind the arc, giving him more than enough upside for fantasy managers looking to fill the void caused by Sarr's absence. Bagley's ceiling will be even higher on Sunday against a Pacers team that has struggled defending opposing bigs this season.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against New Orleans, putting him on track to miss a second straight contest. He's a stash in standard leagues, but managers in weekly formats should sit him if they cannot afford a zero. If Dosunmu is ruled out, Tre Jones is the safer short-term streamer for assists and steals, while Dalen Terry profiles as a deeper-league minutes option. Kevin Huerter's (adductor) status can swing the bench hierarchy, and Coby White's workload could rise.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (illness) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Atlanta. If he sits again, Quentin Grimes should remain in the starting lineup and hold streaming value for threes with a chance at secondary playmaking after posting 10 points, nine rebounds, and four assists in 39 minutes Friday. VJ Edgecombe stays locked into a heavy run and just went for 22 points and five assists. Jared McCain can see a small bump off the bench, too.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) will miss Sunday's game against Cleveland, extending his absence to three straight contests with a left ankle bone bruise. Ball remains a firm hold, but Charlotte's short-handed backcourt continues to reshape the rotation. With Collin Sexton (quadriceps) and Tre Mann (knee) also sidelined, KJ Simpson has averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.3 steals over his last three while pushing 27.5 minutes, making him a deeper-league option. Rookie Sion James has also picked up consistent minutes, but the fantasy ceiling stays limited outside of scoring bursts.

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will miss Sunday's game against Philadelphia, marking his third straight absence. Porzingis remains a clear hold, but his absence continues to elevate Onyeka Okongwu's role. Okongwu logged 14 points, three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and four blocks in 28 minutes in his last outing and has consistently delivered defensive value with expanded run. Jalen Johnson also benefits from added frontcourt stability, while Atlanta leans further into Okongwu as a reliable standard league option.

Sacramento Kings center Drew Eubanks (thumb) suffered an avulsion fracture in Thursday's loss to Denver and will be re-evaluated in three weeks after exiting in just four minutes. Eubanks can be dropped in most formats. Maxime Raynaud has started recently and logged 15 points, nine rebounds, and 37 minutes against the Nuggets, putting him firmly on the standard-league streaming radar while Domantas Sabonis (knee) remains out. Precious Achiuwa should hold a steady backup role, offering boards and defensive stats in deeper leagues.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (calf) sustained a Grade 1 strain during Friday's 130-126 win over Washington and is expected to miss two to four weeks. Mobley is an easy IL stash after posting 18.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 0.6 steals, and 2.0 blocks in 33.3 minutes over his last five. Dean Wade and Thomas Bryant should see a steadier run, while Nae'Qwan Tomlin is a deeper-league flier. Jaylon Tyson's floor minutes also rise.

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (hip) exited Saturday's NBA Cup loss to the Knicks. He did not return. Suggs was having himself a fantastic contest before suffering a left hip injury in the third quarter, and he would go on to finish this one with 26 points and seven assists in 29 minutes. With the Magic now eliminated, the team will head back to Orlando, where Suggs will presumably undergo extensive testing to determine the severity of the issue. Considering the 24-year-old was observed leaving T-Mobile Arena in a wheelchair, his long term prognosis isn't looking the best at the moment. This has been a common situation for Suggs throughout his career, with the 2021 No. 5 overall pick appearing in 53 games or fewer in three of his four seasons entering the 2025 campaign. He also missed time to begin the year while working his way back from knee surgery. Orlando won't play again until Thursday in Denver. Although it's far too early to speculate, fantasy managers should immediately begin planning for the worst. If Suggs misses time moving forward, Tyus Jones is currently the favorite to take over at the one. However, there are many scenarios that could play out in terms of the starting lineup, so fantasy managers may get a better idea of what's to come in the days ahead.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Cason Wallace (undisclosed) is off the injury report and will be available Saturday against San Antonio after exiting Wednesday's win early. Wallace has averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.6 steals in 23.3 minutes over his last five games, keeping his fantasy value tied to defensive production. Isaiah Hartenstein's return clouds Wallace's short-term minutes, pushing him toward a second-unit role. Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell remain in the rotation mix, while Wallace profiles as a category-league hold rather than a points-league play.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George had a career night and poured in 39 points on 12 of 20 shooting with five triples, eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals in 34 minutes during Friday's 130-126 win over Memphis. He went a perfect 10-for-10 at the line and continues to operate as Utah's primary creator, averaging 24.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 31.6 minutes over his last five. The role is stable, usage is heavy, and the free-throw volume elevates his floor. George and Lauri Markkanen continue to function as Utah's clear co-primary options, with George handling the bulk of creation and Markkanen anchoring scoring efficiency.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Bones Hyland (knee) exited Friday against Golden State in the first quarter and is questionable for Sunday's matchup with Sacramento after logging three points and two assists in five minutes. Hyland has been a low-minute specialist, averaging 4.2 points in 7.9 minutes over his last five, but his absence can still loosen the bench-guard rotation. Terrence Shannon Jr. has the best path to extra volume, Jaylen Clark can supply steals, and Rob Dillingham is a deep-league assists swing if his run climbs.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Isaiah Joe (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against San Antonio, marking his fourth straight absence with a left knee contusion. With Joe sidelined, wing minutes are spread across Cason Wallace, Ajay Mitchell, and Aaron Wiggins, limiting appeal to deeper formats. Wallace has the cleanest fantasy profile thanks to defensive production, while Mitchell's assist juice plays best in deeper leagues. Joe averaged 9.8 points in 18.5 minutes over his last five, hitting 50.0 percent from the field.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) is off the injury report and will be available Saturday against San Antonio after missing six games with a right soleus strain. Hartenstein is expected to reclaim his starting role immediately, bringing steady production in rebounds, assists, and efficiency. Over his last five games, he averaged 10.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks in 25.5 minutes while shooting 61.1 percent from the field. Jaylin Williams loses short-term value, while Oklahoma City's frontcourt rotation tightens with Hartenstein reclaiming the primary center minutes.

Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward Austin Reaves (calf) has been diagnosed with a mild left calf strain and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week. Reaves had been trending up with 24.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers in 37.3 minutes over his last five games, shooting 44.6 percent from the field. Marcus Smart profiles as the top short-term add after producing 26 points in 28 minutes, while Gabe Vincent and Jake LaRavia gain only deeper-league relevance as low-ceiling depth plays

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Friday night against Indiana. The 31-year-old has appeared in only nine games throughout the 2025 campaign. Outside of his routine absences, fantasy managers have also been frustrated by his career-low averages of 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 21.4% shooting from behind the arc. With that said, Embiid has an excellent opportunity to get something going for fantasy participants, especially since Tyrese Maxey (illness) won't suit up, versus a Pacers team that has had issues slowing down opposing bigs this season.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (calf) will play on Friday versus Utah after missing the last 10 games because of a strained right calf. The 26-year-old hasn't had the best season, averaging 17.9 points and a career-low 16.7% shooting from behind the arc. Fortunately, he's at least amassed 7.6 assists and 1.0 steals to partially make up for it. Morant will presumably see less work in his first game back, although he should be added back into all fantasy lineups. His return likely means fewer minutes for Cam Spencer and Vince Williams Jr.