Los Angeles Lakers point guard D'Angelo Russell (thumb) looks ready to return to action on Saturday versus Sacramento, with the team listing him as probable for the game. Russell sprained his left thumb at the start of the week and sat out a matchup against Golden State on Christmas Day. However, it appears that his absence will be limited to only one game. The Lakers will need all the help they can get on Saturday, as LeBron James (illness), Anthony Davis (ankle), and Rui Hachimura (illness) are all considered questionable for the contest.

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis (ankle) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's clash with Sacramento. He hurt his left ankle on Christmas Day against Golden State, exiting the action after logging just seven minutes. After the game, Davis announced that he intends to play on Saturday. However, Davis has picked up a questionable tag ahead of the game after missing Friday's practice. Rui Hachimura (illness) saw action as a center on Wednesday following Davis' exit and could land a massive role in Saturday's contest. However, Hachimura is also regarded as questionable for the contest, meaning the Lakers might have to lean heavily on Christian Koloko.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (illness) carries a questionable tag ahead of Saturday's matchup against Sacramento. James missed Friday's practice due to an illness, which isn't a good sign regarding his potential availability. Cam Reddish and Dalton Knecht will be asked to do much more if James doesn't play on Saturday. Knecht's far superior shooting ability makes him the better fantasy option. He's also just regained a bit of momentum with a 15-point, seven-rebound performance in Wednesday's victory over Golden State.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (foot, face) has picked up a questionable tag ahead of Saturday's contest against Utah. Embiid can't seem to stay clear of injuries and even got hurt during the warm-ups ahead of Philadelphia's Christmas clash against Boston when he rolled his ankle. However, he came through 31 minutes of action on Wednesday and should have a decent chance of remaining in the lineup on Saturday. However, if Embiid needs to take time off again, Andre Drummond will likely get a spot start in a dream matchup. Only two teams have allowed more fantasy points to opposing centers this season than the Jazz.

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (illness) has been labeled as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Lakers. He sat out Thursday's game against Detroit due to an illness and didn't practice on Friday. Filling in for Sabonis as the starting center, Alex Len went for four points, six rebounds, and two blocks in 23 minutes against the Pistons. Trey Lyles, who finished with 20 points and eight rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench, also has more playing opportunities without Sabonis.

Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard (illness) is in danger of missing a fifth consecutive game, as the team has listed him as questionable for Saturday's matchup against Chicago. Lillard is trying to overcome an illness after missing a couple of games earlier with a calf injury. Ryan Rollins has offered decent production as Lillard's replacement in the starting unit, doing a little bit of everything. He finished Thursday's 111-105 loss to Brooklyn with seven points, four rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals. Delon Wright and AJ Green have also had larger roles in the rotation during Lillard's absence.

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (illness) is considered questionable for Saturday's game against Chicago. The former MVP recently battled a back problem and is now dealing with an illness. Bobby Portis has produced a pair of double-doubles in the past three games as Antetokounmpo's replacement in the starting lineup. Assuming Antetokounmpo remains out, Portis should fill the box score again in Saturday's matchup, as the Bulls share the league's worst defensive record with Washington and have the eighth-lowest rebounding rate in the league.

Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (thumb) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's game against Oklahoma City. The talented big man is nursing a sore left thumb. After he missed the start of the season with a foot injury, Williams' role has steadily started to grow, and he recorded a season-high 26 minutes in Thursday's 113-110 loss to Washington. Nick Richards is in line to start instead of Williams if he's unavailable against the Thunder. Richards has been a double-double machine in a starting role this term, averaging 11.3 points and 10.2 rebounds with 1.7 blocks.

Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole (hip) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Knicks. He is bothered by a left hip contusion and might have to come out of the lineup for the third time this season. Malcolm Brogdon will likely be Poole's replacement in the first unit if he can't play. Corey Kispert and Jared Butler might also benefit. Brogdon has posted 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in a starting role this season.

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's matchup against Oklahoma City. After missing three games with a left ankle sprain, Miller put in a 36-minute shift against Washington on Thursday. However, the questionable designation ahead of Saturday suggests that Miller might return to the shelf. If he's out, Cody Martin will likely jump back into the starting lineup. Martin's production has not changed a lot in a starting role this season, but he should see more action after logging only 19 minutes in Thursday's matchup.

Atlanta Hawks guard/forward Bogdan Bogdanovic (lower leg) remains on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of Saturday's meeting with Miami. He could be out for a third straight game due to a left lower leg contusion. Garrison Mathews has taken on a bigger role in the rotation during Bogdanovic's absence, albeit with mixed results. He scored 25 points against Minnesota on Monday but finished with just five points in Thursday's comeback victory over Chicago. Miami has given up the fewest bench points in the league this season, so Atlanta's second unit may struggle in Saturday's game.

Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball (ankle, wrist) has been listed as questionable for Saturday's clash with Oklahoma City. We might be robbed of a fun matchup between Ball and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander because the Hornets leader is dealing with ankle and wrist soreness. Vasilije Micic should log another start if Ball isn't ready to play. Micic has filled in for Ball regularly in the first unit if he's been unavailable, averaging 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.5 assists this season as a starter.

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young (heel) is considered questionable for Saturday's matchup against Miami. He continues to carry a heel injury, although Young has played through the issue in back-to-back games. With Kobe Bufkin (shoulder) done for the season, Vit Krejci and Keaton Wallace will operate in the point guard position should Young be unavailable for Saturday's game. The two haven't done enough to warrant fantasy consideration.

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (conditioning) will not play in this weekend's back-to-back set against Atlanta and Houston. It was reported on Thursday that Butler will rejoin the lineup for Saturday's game, but the Heat have now announced that the veteran star will not return to the team until next week. Butler, who has been heavily linked with a trade recently, has missed three games due to an illness. Heat president Pat Riley tried to shut down the rumors on Friday by announcing that Butler would not be traded this season. With Butler unavailable for the weekend's games, Jaime Jaquez Jr. should continue his spell as a starter. He's notched 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 steals in the starting unit this season.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (knee) will rejoin the lineup on Friday versus Denver. Knee soreness kept Wade out of action for one game. The 28-year-old forward heads straight back into the starting lineup, bumping Sam Merrill to the bench. Generally, Wade doesn't provide much production to fantasy managers, even as a starter. He has averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals with the first unit this season.

Los Angeles Clippers point guard Kevin Porter Jr. (illness) will sit out Friday's game against Golden State. He's battling an illness and has been downgraded from questionable to out. As the leader of the second unit, Porter Jr. has contributed 10.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists this season. Bones Hyland and Jordan Miller might re-enter the rotation due to Porter Jr.'s absence, but they likely won't offer the same level of production he does.

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) will play in Friday's matchup against Cleveland. The Canadian star is dealing with an ankle injury but has been upgraded from probable to available. Murray saw a four-game run of 20-point performances come to an end on Christmas Day when he finished a 110-100 loss to Phoenix with 13 points. It won't be easy for him to get back on track on Friday, as the Cavaliers allow the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards.

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) will likely be absent for multiple games. Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports that Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said Gordon will miss the "next couple of games." Gordon's absence starts with Friday's matchup against Cleveland. In an interesting move, Malone has replaced Gordon with Russell Westbrook in the starting lineup. However, we should also see Peyton Watson more involved in Denver's play due to Gordon's injury.

Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (back) will not play against the Clippers on Friday. Following a 34-minute shift on Christmas Day against the Lakers, Green sits out the first leg on a back-to-back due to a lower back contusion. Jonathan Kuminga recently enjoyed a stretch as a starter ahead of Green and might rejoin the first unit again on Friday. He's notched 16.8 points and 4.5 rebounds across 10 starts this campaign. Kevon Looney and Kyle Anderson may also see more action, but they lack fantasy appeal.

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (ankle) will not be available against New Orleans on Friday. He injured his left ankle in Thursday's blowout win over Toronto. Aldama's role in the rotation has been significantly smaller recently, but he's still averaged over 22 minutes coming off the bench this month. Jake LaRavia and Brandon Clarke should get an uptick in minutes on Friday. The two have posted similar numbers across the season, though LaRavia has slightly more fantasy value due to his better passing ability.