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.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (toe) will be able to return as expected when the Heat visit the Magic in an NBA Cup Quarterfinals contest on Tuesday night. He was listed as probable but upgraded to available on Tuesday afternoon. Herro was able to practice on Monday after missing two games, and his return will likely push Kel'el Ware back to the bench, with Bam Adebayo sliding back to center. Herro has only played five games this season while battling injuries, but he produced 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per contest, and he'll be a huge part of Miami's offense in his return on Tuesday as they look to advance to the Semifinals by knocking off their in-state rivals.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (illness) was downgraded to questionable on Tuesday afternoon before his team faces the Knicks in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. Quickley played through the same illness on Sunday and logged 31 minutes against Boston with 11 points and five assists. Since Jamal Shead (quad) is also questionable, the Raptors could be very shorthanded in the backcourt. If both are out, the Raptors would be forced to go with more of Ja'Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick while Scottie Barnes would serve more as the team's point forward. Quickley has averaged16.5 points and 6.2 assists, and if he plays through the illness again on Tuesday, the first-round pick will have a revenge game narrative against the Knicks in Toronto.

Toronto Raptors forward Jamison Battle (ankle) is doubtful for Tuesday's matchup against New York, keeping the second-year wing on the fringes of the rotation. Battle has averaged 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes across his last five appearances, offering no fantasy utility even when active. His absence does not change Toronto's rotation, as Scottie Barnes, Collin Murray-Boyles, and Ochai Agbaji already dominate the forward minutes. Managers can safely look elsewhere for streaming value, as Battle remains off the fantasy radar.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jacob Toppin (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in a late-November G League outing. He logged only spot minutes with Atlanta, producing eight points across five brief appearances, so his absence carries no fantasy consequences. The Hawks' forward rotation remains fully intact, with Jalen Johnson anchoring the position and Asa Newell and Mouhamed Gueye holding reserve roles. No player gains meaningful opportunity from this injury, and managers can safely disregard Toppin in all formats.

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Ben Sheppard (calf) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will miss at least 10 more days after already sitting out the past two contests. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes across 22 games, so his absence has minimal impact outside deeper formats. The main fantasy ripple is added opportunity for rookie Ethan Thompson, who logged six points and five rebounds in 28 minutes in the last game and profiles as a deeper-league streamer, while T.J. McConnell and Garrison Mathews gain modest bumps.

New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (ankle) will miss Tuesday's game in Toronto after exiting Sunday's win over Orlando. His absence frees up backcourt minutes, putting veteran scorer Jordan Clarkson on the streaming radar despite a quiet zero-point outing in 17 minutes Sunday. McBride had averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over his last five games, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, so his removal creates a clearer secondary role for Clarkson and a slight usage bump for the remaining starters. Managers in shallow formats can stream accordingly.

San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (calf) will travel for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed 11 straight games with a left calf strain but participated fully in Sunday's practice, putting him close to a return. Fantasy managers should keep him on the bench but ready to activate. His last healthy stretch included 27.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 36.0 minutes. If he sits again, Luke Kornet remains a low-usage streaming big, while Kelly Olynyk and Jeremy Sochan profile as deeper-league options.

Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (hip) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's NBA Cup clash against the Orlando Magic. He didn't practice on Monday and could miss the big matchup due to a left hip contusion. Smith was a starter for Miami last time out against the Sacramento Kings. However, with Tyler Herro (toe) and Davion Mitchell (groin) on track to return to the lineup on Tuesday, Smith's role will be very different if he gets cleared for action. Pelle Larsson (hip), who is also expected to return on Tuesday, could play a few extra minutes in Smith's absence.

Toronto Raptors point guard Jamal Shead (quadriceps) is considered questionable for a meeting with the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup on Tuesday. He could miss his first game of the season due to a right quadriceps contusion. With RJ Barrett (knee) on the shelf, Shead has regularly logged 20-plus minutes on the floor. In Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics, Shead even started the second half after Ja'Kobe Walter struggled. If Shead exits the lineup, players like Walter and Ochai Agbaji will have an opportunity to take on a larger workload. However, neither player has offered consistent fantasy production in 2025-26.

Miami Heat guard/forward Pelle Larsson (hip) practiced on Monday and is listed as probable for Tuesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Orlando Magic. He was unavailable on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings due to a hip problem. Larsson's fantasy value has plummeted in recent weeks as Miami has returned to full health. Since Tyler Herro's season debut on Nov. 24, Larsson has been limited to 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 20.6 minutes per game. Across his last two outings, Larsson has shot just 1-for-9 from the field, scoring four points. Currently, the Swedish youngster isn't a good fantasy option.

Miami Heat point guard Davion Mitchell (groin) looks set to return to the lineup for Tuesday's NBA Cup game against the Orlando Magic, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. Due to right groin tightness, Mitchell was unavailable on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. With him out, Dru Smith (hip) made his first start of the season. The 27-year-old had a minimal impact and will return to the bench on Tuesday if he can play. Smith is considered questionable for the matchup. Mitchell has logged three double-doubles as Miami's starting point guard in 2025-26, averaging 9.7 points and 7.8 assists. He could make a big impact in Tuesday's game, as Orlando allows the eighth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.