Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (conditioning) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against Orlando. It was already unlikely that Butler would suit up for the contest after Miami listed him as doubtful on the initial injury report. Now, it's official that he will be unavailable for a third straight game. However, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Butler is expected to rejoin the lineup for the next game on Saturday versus Atlanta. Butler's absence has opened up additional playing opportunities for several players, including Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Haywood Highsmith. Meanwhile, Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinsonhave more offensive duties.

Washington Wizards forward/center Marvin Bagley III (knee) will not be in the lineup on Thursday against Charlotte. He sprained his right knee against Oklahoma City on Monday, and it's not fully clear when Bagley II will be able to return to action. Washington's frontcourt also remains without Kyle Kuzma (ribs) on Thursday. The returning Alex Sarr (back) should have a busy night against the Hornets, along with Jonas Valanciunas, who racked up 12 points, 16 rebounds, and a pair of blocks on Monday.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (oblique) will sit out a 27th straight game on Thursday versus Miami but continues to progress. According to Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley, Banchero has not gone through contact yet but is ramping up his conditioning. He's able to run up to higher speeds and can do some ball-handling work, along with some defensive work. The Magic will be desperate to get Banchero back as soon as possible following injuries to Franz Wagner (oblique) and Moritz Wagner (knee). Tristan Da Silva will have additional fantasy until Banchero returns, with players like Trevelin Queen and Cole Anthony also expected to contribute more.

Utah Jazz forward/centerJohn Collins(hip) will not be playing against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday. Collins has been suffering from a hip contusion and will miss his second consecutive contest. With the 27-year-old absent, Micah Potter will likely see more minutes and scoring opportunities than usual. In his last outing against the Cavs on Monday, he played 26 minutes with 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. Potter could have another productive game Thursday going against a terrible Blazers defense.

On Thursday, Utah Jazz guardJordan Clarkson(foot) will not suit up against the Portland Trail Blazers. Clarkson had been sidelined earlier in the season for seven straight games due to left foot plantar fasciitis. He likely re-injured his left foot. While the 32-year-old guard is out, Brice Sensabaugh, Svi Mykhailiuk, Isaiah Collier, and Johnny Juzang would like to see more minutes on the court versus the Trail Blazers.

Utah Jazz guardKeyonte George(ankle) is now unavailable to play against Portland after being labeled questionable earlier on Thursday. George is dealing with a left ankle sprain that has kept him off the court for the last three games. John Collins (hip) and Jordan Clarkson (foot) have also been ruled out. With George sidelined, Svi Mykhailiuk has seen more scoring opportunities as he has made back-to-back starts, averaging 14.5 points and 2.0 assists.

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball (illness) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's game against Atlanta. He's been feeling under the weather the entire week and appears set to miss a second straight game. Ball has had a decent comeback campaign, averaging 5.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 17.5 minutes off the Bulls bench. Coby White has more playmaking duties with Ball out of the lineup and might be expected to put in a huge shift on Thursday, as Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) and Josh Giddey (ankle) are considered questionable to play.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Josh Giddey (ankle) has a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against Atlanta. He's trying to return from an ankle sprain, which has robbed Giddey of three games. Before getting hurt, Giddey was playing well this month, averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.7 steals. There are also question marks hanging over Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) and Lonzo Ball (illness) ahead of Thursday's action, so the Bulls might be forced to rely heavily on their starters, with not much quality on the bench.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (Achilles) has landed on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's action against Atlanta. Right Achilles tendinopathy might keep him off the floor for the first time this season. It's been a good campaign for Dosunmu, who has battled out a regular starting role. He's put up 14.5 points with 3.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals in the first unit. The Bulls might be without several backcourt pieces for Thursday's game, which will potentially elevate Talen Horton-Tucker's role in the rotation.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) is considered probable for Thursday's game against Sacramento. The talented big man is dealing with a right ankle sprain but is expected to play. Duren is a nightly double-double threat, averaging 9.0 points and 9.2 rebounds for the campaign with 1.1 blocks. Centers haven't been too productive against the Kings this season, but the hosts could be without Domantas Sabonis (illness) on Thursday. His absence would put Duren in a better position to perform.

Detroit Pistons forward/center Isaiah Stewart (knee) has been listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Thursday's road outing against Sacramento. He's missed the past three games with a sprained left knee. Jalen Duren's (ankle) minutes have gone up during Stewart's absence, with Paul Reed providing backup off the bench. Reed has just logged a season-high 20 minutes in Monday's 117-114 victory against the Lakers. Strangely, he failed to score in the contest but was busy in other areas of the game, amassing three rebounds with five assists, two blocks, and three steals. Meanwhile, Duren has averaged 10.3 points and 9.0 rebounds across the last three games without Stewart.

Utah Jazz forward/center John Collins (hip) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against Portland. He's dealing with a hip contusion and might be absent for a second straight game. As a result of Collins' absence, Micah Potter hopped into the starting five for Monday's clash with Cleveland. He put in a good performance in 26 minutes with 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block. The Trail Blazers' defense is horrible, and they struggle to rebound the ball, so Potter will find himself in a perfect spot for another productive outing if he continues to fill in for Collins.

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (ankle) has been labeled as questionable for Thursday's meeting with Portland. An ankle might keep George off the court for a third consecutive game. The injury has given Svi Mykhailiuk a chance to prove his worth. He's made back-to-back starts, averaging 14.5 points and 2.0 assists with six makes from downtown. Mykhailiuk might do damage with three-point bombs again on Thursday, with the Trail Blazers giving up the eighth-most three-point makes in the league.

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (ankle) is questionable for Thursday's game against Utah. He's in danger of missing a second consecutive contest. Williams III's continued absence would leave Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan as the lone big men in the rotation. Deni Avdija, who scored a team-high 19 points off the bench in Monday's 132-108 loss to Dallas, has also seen time at center this season. Utah gives up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, so this will be a juicy matchup for the Portland players who end up getting minutes at the five position.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (lower leg) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Thursday's encounter with New Orleans. He's missed the past three games while managing a lower leg injury. Eason has established himself as one of the league's most productive bench players, averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 22.8 minutes this season. He might have a bigger role to play in Thursday's game due to Dillon Brooks' (ankle), although the team likely will not want to overwork him. Cam Whitmore and Jae'Sean Tate will lose minutes with Eason's return.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Houston. The 24-year-old sprained his left ankle in the last contest against Denver on Sunday. However, Murphy III may remain in the lineup versus the Rockets. On Tuesday, the team announced that Murphy III is considered day-to-day. Both Brandon Boston Jr. and Jordan Hawkins would have larger roles to play in the rotation if Murphy III isn't game-ready. New Orleans might also be without another rotational piece in Javonte Green (knee), who is sporting a questionable tag as well.

Houston Rockets guard/forward Dillon Brooks (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's clash against New Orleans. He's nursing right ankle soreness. Brooks' injury has come at a bad time for the Rockets, who play three games in four nights. Amen Thompson crushed it as a starter in Brooks' place on Monday against Charlotte and should do well again in Thursday's matchup. The 21-year-old posted a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds on Monday, adding three assists, three blocks, and one steal to his tally.

Los Angeles Lakers' G Austin Reaves recorded a triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds in a 115-113 win over Golden State on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Spurs' C Victor Wembanyama recorded a double-double, scoring 42 points and grabbing 18 rebounds in a 114-117 loss to New York on Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Knicks' F Mikal Bridges scored 41 points on 17-of-25 shooting in a 117-114 win over the Spurs on Wednesday, Dec. 25.