Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (knee) will remain out on Monday against the Miami Heat but is expected to return soon. According to Sportsnet's Blake Murphy, Barrett will begin "return-to-play" activities this week. The Canadian star has missed nine games due to a right knee sprain. He received a platelet-rich plasma injection for his knee last week. Jamal Shead has had a larger role in the rotation during Barrett's absence, averaging 8.6 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.4 steals across 24.4 minutes per game in December.

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (hip) was diagnosed with a left hip contusion, ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reports. This is a positive update, considering Suggs left the arena in a wheelchair after being injured in Saturday's loss to the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup semifinals. However, it remains unclear when Suggs will be available to return to the court. Orlando will be back in action on Thursday, facing the Denver Nuggets on the road. Tyus Jones appears to be the most likely option to fill Suggs' place in the starting lineup, while Tristan da Silva could see increased minutes coming off the bench.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (neck) will play on Monday against Detroit. He popped up on the injury report because of neck spasms. Fortunately, the 27-year-old won't miss his first game of the 2025 campaign. Pritchard is having a fantastic season, averaging 16.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists, all career-highs. While he's shot a career-low 33.7% from behind the arc, he remains a must-start in all fantasy formats despite a tough matchup on the horizon.

Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (calf) is questionable for Monday's matchup with Memphis after seeing consistent heavy minutes of late. Harden logged 22 points, three rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in 40 minutes last time out and is averaging 22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists across his last five. Any limitation would funnel more creation to Kawhi Leonard, while Kris Dunn and Bogdan Bogdanovic pick up secondary handling. Harden remains a clear hold, with the current workload creating short-term risk.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (oblique) is questionable for Monday's game in Denver after missing eleven straight contests. If cleared, he is expected to return with a minutes restriction. Eason last appeared Nov. 14 and logged three points, five rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 10 minutes, but his broader profile is stronger, averaging 13.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, and 2.8 three-pointers across his last five active games. His role is stable long-term, and if the steals return, he becomes a viable standard-league add. Josh Okogie, Jae'Sean Tate, and Jeff Green would feel the minutes squeeze.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) is questionable for Monday's game in Utah due to a left calf contusion, a new issue that could prompt a cautious approach. If Dallas elects to sit Davis, Daniel Gafford's (ankle) status becomes pivotal, with P.J. Washington in line for added run as a small-ball five. Davis is coming off 24 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in 33 minutes Friday, making any absence a notable category hit. Naji Marshall would gain stability, while Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse remain fringe streamers.

Dallas Mavericks guard D'Angelo Russell (illness) will miss a second straight game Monday at Utah, an injury/status update that keeps Dallas thin at point guard. Ryan Nembhard is the preferred stream for assists and efficiency, logging 12.8 points and 7.8 assists in 27.4 minutes over his last five with 62.8 percent shooting. Brandon Williams is a deeper-league fallback at 9.4 points and 4.6 assists in 20.1 minutes, while Cooper Flagg can absorb extra creation if Anthony Davis (calf) sits.

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will miss at least the next two weeks while he undergoes further evaluation, and his prior POTS diagnosis introduces added durability risk for fantasy managers. Onyeka Okongwu remains a must-start after posting 20 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks in 36 minutes. Over his last five, Okongwu is averaging 15.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks. Jalen Johnson continues to shoulder frontcourt creation responsibilities, while Mouhamed Gueye gains steadier rotation minutes but remains a fringe option best reserved for deep formats.

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (rest) will sit out Monday against Dallas, with a return expected Thursday versus the Lakers. Kyle Filipowski becomes the top streaming target with both Nurkic and Walker Kessler (shoulder) sidelined, averaging 12.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers in 29.0 minutes over his last five. 37-year-old veteran Kevin Love is a deeper-league option for rebounds and three-point production after posting 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 three-pointers in 17.2 minutes across that span. Taylor Hendricks remains a watchlist option only.

Golden State Warriors' G Stephen Curry scored 48 points on 16-of-26 shooting in a 131-136 loss to Portland on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Atlanta's F Jalen Johnson recorded a triple-double, finishing with 12 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in a 120-117 win over the 76ers on Sunday, Dec. 14.

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (illness) will play on Sunday against the Warriors. The 28-year-old will return from a two-game stint on the shelf. He would have been in line to start had Donovan Clingan (leg) been ruled out. However, Clingan is available, so Williams isn't the best fantasy option in any format, especially versus Golden State, a team that has been solid on the defensive end during the 2025 campaign.

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (leg) will return from a three-game stint on the shelf for Sunday's meeting with Golden State. The 21-year-old has averaged a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double this season while amassing 1.4 blocks per contest. His shooting numbers aren't the best (48.2% from the field and 24.1% from deep). However, Clingan has at least been a reliable fantasy contributor in a few statistical categories, offsetting his subpar shooting percentages. With Robert Williams III (illness) and Yang Hansen (face) also available, the Blazers will once again have depth at the five position. With that said, all three might have issues surpassing their usual fantasy projections versus a Warriors team that has been sound defensively throughout the 2025 campaign.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Sunday against Atlanta. The 31-year-old is coming off his best game of the 2025 campaign, amassing 39 points and nine boards in Friday's win over Indiana. With Tyrese Maxey (illness) sidelined again, Embiid could be in line for another quality outing versus a Hawks team that won't have Kristaps Porzingis (illness).

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (foot) won't play on Sunday against Sacramento. Edwards continues to battle foot soreness and will now miss his second-straight game. Interestingly enough, he'll also miss his sixth game of the 2025 campaign, tying his mark from his previous two seasons combined. The Timberwolves won't be on the court again until Wednesday's matchup versus the Memphis Grizzlies, so fantasy managers will be anxiously awaiting an update. Without him, Bones Hyland (knee), who is available, could work his way back into the starting lineup, although Naz Reid, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Donte DiVincenzo should split most of the surplus shot attempts caused by Edwards' absence.

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) is available for Sunday's game versus the 76ers. He popped up on the injury report because of a sprained right ankle, although the issue won't be enough to cause his first absence of the 2025 campaign. The 27-year-old is easily having the best season of his career, averaging 20.7 points while shooting 39.1% from behind the arc. With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) out again, Alexander-Walker should continue to benefit on the scoring end, even with a difficult contest up ahead.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (illness) won't play on Sunday against the Hawks, his second-straight absence. He's under the weather, so his next chance to suit up will be on Friday night versus the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. With Joel Embiid (knee) questionable, Philly may need to rely more on Paul George and VJ Edgecombe to handle most of the work offensively. Quentin Grimes, coming off a 10-point, nine-rebound, one-block, one-steal outing in Friday's win over the Indiana Pacers, will presumably remain in the starting lineup.

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.

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.