Dallas Mavericks forward/center Anthony Davis (calf) has been listed as doubtful for Sunday's contest against the Portland Trail Blazers. This marks a downgrade to Davis' status because he has previously been on the injury report with a questionable designation. If there isn't a positive development in the next 24 hours or so, Davis will miss a ninth consecutive game. Fortunately for the Mavericks, they received some help in the frontcourt with the return of Dereck Lively II on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. After missing nearly three weeks of action, Lively II was limited to 17 minutes. His workload may increase on Sunday night, with Daniel Gafford also in a position to see more playing time due to Davis' absence.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (groin) remains out for Sunday's matchup with the Houston Rockets. He injured his groin during a recent meeting with the New York Knicks and wasn't available for Friday's NBA Cup game versus the Nets. He'll now miss his second-straight game because of the issue, although there hasn't been much revealed regarding his prognosis. While Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs, and Desmond Bane are the favorites to benefit the most on the scoring end, Tristan da Silva, coming off a 22-point effort as a starter, is worth streaming in any fantasy format.

Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (knee) will be out of action for at least four weeks, head coach Rick Carlisle announced on Saturday. Nesmith sprained his left knee on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. His exit from the lineup gave Jarace Walker a new starting opportunity on Saturday against the Toronto Raptors. During a recent seven-game stint in the first unit, Walker averaged 12.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists across 31.0 minutes per game. If he sticks in the starting lineup, the 22-year-old is set to have additional fantasy value until at least mid-December.

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (oblique) will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, head coach Ime Udoka announced on Saturday. Eason was diagnosed with a strained oblique following his early exit from Friday's victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The 24-year-old has been an important contributor in the rotation, averaging 11.5 points and 5.2 rebounds across 23.2 minutes, with close to 51 percent shooting from outside. Josh Okogie has broken into the starting lineup and may now see even more playing time due to Eason's absence. Reed Sheppard's role could also expand in the rotation.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (calf) is questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Sacramento Kings. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick is playing at an MVP level, averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.6 blocks, and 1.1 steals. He also hasn't missed a game after being limited to 46 appearances last season. However, nagging calf tightness could be enough to keep him off the floor for the first time in the 2025 campaign. If Wemby can't go, there are several directions head coach Mitch Johnson could go, although most of them will likely result in more minutes for Julian Champagnie, Luke Kornet, and Keldon Johnson.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (illness) will miss Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has ruled him out due to illness. Smart has had a strong eight-game stretch as a starter, averaging 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.6 steals. In his absence, Bronny James Jr. will make his second career start in Saturday's game. This is a big opportunity for James Jr. to make an impression after averaging only 12.1 minutes across eight contests so far this season. The 21-year-old should be fresh for the contest after being in the rotation in only one of the last three games.

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Julian Strawther (back) will play on Saturday versus the Timberwolves. He was listed on the injury report because of low back pain, but he'll be out there for a Nuggets team that won't have Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (biceps). Strawther isn't having a good season, averaging a career-low 4.1 points. As of now, he's not someone to roster in most fantasy setups, although that might chance if he's given extra playing time and makes good use of it.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (calf) will miss Saturday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. He will exit the lineup following a busy night on Friday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Hachimura is on the injury report with calf soreness, but it's safe to assume that the team is simply resting him for the season leg of a back-to-back. Jake LaRavia will replace Hachimura in the first unit. The 24-year-old has been a productive player as a starter this season and will have extra fantasy value on Saturday night. In five previous starts, LaRavia has averaged 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals.

Denver Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson (biceps) won't play on Saturday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The former Net suffered a biceps strain during Wednesday's game versus the Clippers. While there hasn't been an official update regarding a return timetable, it's reasonable to assume he may miss more time moving forward. Nikola Jokic (wrist) is available, which is good news. However, with Johnson and Christian Braun (ankle) sidelined, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson, who are both starting on Saturday night, should be viewed as risky, high-upside streaming options.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) is cleared to suit up for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He missed Wednesday's contest versus the Charlotte Hornets. However, despite being on the injury report, he was available for Friday's rematch. With Antetokounmpo available, Gary Trent Jr. will likely come off the bench, with fewer scoring opportunities for Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins, and Myles Turner.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (wrist) is available for Saturday's game against Minnesota. The multi-time MVP was listed as questionable due to a left wrist sprain. Luckily, the injury won't keep him off the floor for the first time this season. He is coming off a strong showing, amassing 55 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Clippers. With Jokic cleared for action, Jonas Valanciunas, who would have been in line to start, will come off the bench, lowering his fantasy ceiling.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort (shoulder) will play on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets. He didn't play the best before going down with the injury, averaging 7.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals while shooting 19.4% from behind the arc. Hopefully, the five-game layoff will allow him to get back on track for fantasy managers. If anything, his presence could make life more difficult for Collin Sexton, Tre Mann, and others. However, with Dort back on the floor, Ajay Mitchell, averaging 18.2 points, 2.2 steals, and 46.7% shooting from behind the arc in five starts this season, may have trouble matching that same level of production, especially if he comes off the bench.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (ankle) won't play on Saturday against the Grizzlies. The 25-year-old has appeared in three games so far this season, averaging 13 points, five assists, and one steal. He'll presumably be more productive once he's back to full-strength. Garland's next chance to suit up will be on Monday versus the Milwaukee Bucks. As far as Saturday night is concerned, Sam Merrill, coming off a 12-point performance on Thursday, remains a viable fantasy streamer.

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edy (ankle) will play on Saturday against the Cavs. The 23-year-old averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks as a rookie. Unfortunately, he missed time to begin the season to recover from offseason ankle surgery. It's possible Edey will be limited for at least a few games. However, he'll return to the starting lineup, meaning Jock Landale will return to the bench.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (foot) is available for Saturday's matchup with the Cavs. He was listed as doubtful on Friday night. Fortunately, the rookie was upgraded to questionable before ultimately getting the green light to suit up. Coward has played well in his first year in the National Basketball Association, averaging 14.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. However, he's starting on Saturday, so he may be even more productive.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle, injury management) won't play on Saturday night versus OKC. He returned from a five-game stint on the shelf because of right ankle impingement for Friday's NBA Cup meeting with the Milwaukee Bucks. Ball struggled, finishing with 16 points, going 5-for-15 from the field and 2-for-6 from behind the arc. While he at least added 10 assists, it was still a below-average fantasy showing. Assuming the 24-year-old didn't suffer a setback in the overtime loss, he'll likely be back in the lineup on Monday against the Toronto Raptors. As far as Saturday's contest is concerned, Collin Sexton and Tre Mann are the favorites to see more minutes, with one in line to return to the starting lineup.

Toronto Raptors forward/center Collin Murray-Boyles (illness) is listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers and could miss his second straight game. The rookie has been a steady rotation piece early on, averaging 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 20.8 minutes. He's also shooting 49.2% from the field and 50.0% from deep. If Murray-Boyles remains sidelined, Toronto will likely lean on Sandro Mamukelashvili to absorb his minutes, while Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram continue to dominate touches. For fantasy purposes, Murray-Boyles is more of a deep-league stash, as he is battling for minutes behind Jakob Poeltl and even Mamukelashvili in the frontcourt rotation.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Aaron Wiggins (adductor) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Charlotte Hornets, marking his fifth straight absence. Before the injury, Wiggins was enjoying a strong start, averaging 14.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 2.8 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes on 45.9% shooting. With Wiggins sidelined, Oklahoma City has leaned more on Isaiah Joe, Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, and Cason Wallace on the wing, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to dominate usage. Fantasy managers, especially in deeper leagues, should try to hold Wiggins, as his scoring and efficiency profile still project as rest-of-season value once he returns.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (wrist) is listed as questionable for Saturday's matchup in Minnesota after appearing in all eleven games this season and erupting for 55 points, five three-pointers, 12 rebounds, and six assists on 78.3% shooting in Wednesday's win over the Clippers. For the year, Jokic is posting 28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.7 blocks, 68.4% from the field, and 41.7% from deep, so any absence would reshape fantasy lineups. If he sits, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon should see clear usage bumps, while Jonas Valanciunas becomes a short-term streamer for points, rebounds, and field-goal percentage in deeper formats.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jaylon Tyson (head) will miss his third straight game on Saturday against the Memphis Grizzlies, as he remains in concussion protocol. The second-year wing was carving out a meaningful role before the injury, averaging 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 25.8 minutes while shooting 48.9% from the field and 46.2% from three. With Tyson sidelined, and Darius Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) also out, Donovan Mitchell should continue to carry a heavy usage load, while De'Andre Hunter remains locked into big minutes. Deep-league managers can look at Sam Merrill and Craig Porter Jr. as speculative streaming options until Tyson is cleared to return.