Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (ankle) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Jones will make his return to the court after missing three games due to an ankle injury. The Bulls will remain cautious and keep Jones on a minutes limit during his first game back. Jones will only play 24 minutes on Friday, but should be back to full speed after this one. The fifth-year guard has picked up his play in recent weeks. Over the last six games, Jones is averaging 13.2 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 rebounds across 26.2 minutes per game. Once he's back to full speed, Jones is worth a look as a streaming option in 12-team formats.

Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson (hip) will return to the court for Friday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Johnson has been cleared to play after missing seven games due to a left hip flexor strain. Head coach Brian Keefe stated that Johnson won't have a full workload during his first game back. He didn't say how much Johnson would play, but his fantasy value will be hindered without a full workload. This season, Johnson is averaging 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 24.1 minutes in 15 games. The first-round pick won't be a recommended streaming option for Friday's big slate. Johnson could be worth a look as a streaming option once he's back to full speed.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) is available for Friday's meeting with the Hornets. He missed the start of the 2025 campaign and has sat out sporadically since returning for the loss to the Utah Jazz on November 16. However, the extra time off due to the NBA Cup allowed White to get some much-needed rest. Despite the injury, he has averaged a career-high 22.1 points this season, adding 5.4 assists. Fantasy managers could see more production from the 25-year-old versus one of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.

Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (knee) has been upgraded to available for Friday's game against the Chicago Bulls. He was previously listed as questionable, but is now set to return after a one-game absence. Diabate figures to return to his role as the primary backup center to Ryan Kalkbrenner. This season, Diabate is averaging 8.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 22.4 minutes per game. His overall ceiling is limited with Kalkbrenner being the starting big man. He offers low-end streaming appeal ahead of Friday's contest.

San Anthonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (calf) is expected to play in Saturday's NBA Cup meeting with the Thunder after missing the last 12 games due to a calf strain. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick was performing at an MVP-caliber level before going on the shelf, averaging 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists (all career-highs), 3.6 blocks, and 1.1 steals. Wemby will presumably see fewer than the 34.7 minutes he's averaged during the 2025 campaign, although that shouldn't stop fantasy managers from plugging him back into their starting lineups. On the other hand, DFS participants should proceed with caution, considering his hefty rostering cost as well as a tough matchup on the horizon against arguably the best defensive team in the National Basketball Association. Luke Kornet, who has been starting in place of Wembanyama, will almost certainly head back to the bench, eliminating nearly all of his fantasy value.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (illness) won't play on Friday against Indiana. The 25-year-old is in the MVP conversation this season. Unfortunately, he'll miss his first game of the 2025 campaign on Friday due to an illness. His next chance to suit up will be on Sunday in Atlanta. In the meantime, Jared McCain or Quentin Grimes could find themselves in the starting lineup, although both players should see considerably more minutes as well as an increase in scoring opportunities regardless of their roles.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (foot) won't play on Friday versus Golden State. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick had 40 points in Monday's loss to the Phoenix Suns. He'll now miss his fifth game of the 2025 campaign, which is almost the number of contests he was sidelined in the previous two seasons combined. With Mike Conley (Achilles) also ruled out, Donte DiVincenzo, Julius Randle, and Jaden McDaniels are nearly locks to surpass their usual fantasy expectations. The same can be said for Naz Reid. Bones Hyland, finishing with 14 points against Phoenix, can be utilized for streaming purposes while gaining attention as a high-upside value option for DFS participants, especially if he enters the starting lineup. Edwards next opportunity to get back on the floor will be on Sunday versus the Sacramento Kings.

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Friday's matchup with Brooklyn and is trending toward a third straight absence. With Dereck Lively II (foot) ruled out for the season and set to undergo foot surgery, Anthony Davis should continue handling heavier minutes at center after producing 29 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block in 30 minutes last time out. Dwight Powell and Moussa Cisse are expected to pick up backup runs behind Davis but remain fringe fantasy options rather than reliable streamers.

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) will miss a second straight game Friday against Cleveland, further stretching an already thin wing rotation. With Bilal Coulibaly (oblique) and Corey Kispert (thumb) also sidelined, Justin Champagnie has stepped into a larger role, posting 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks in 32 minutes last time out. Rookie Will Riley added 15 points in 19 minutes and remains a deep-league option for points and threes. Champagnie profiles as a boards-and-stocks streamer, while Riley is best treated as matchup dependent.

Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (quadriceps) will miss his third straight game Friday against Chicago due to a left quad strain, with his next chance to return Sunday in Cleveland. His absence keeps Charlotte thin in the backcourt alongside LaMelo Ball (ankle) and Tre Mann (knee), pushing more responsibility to younger options. KJ Simpson logged 16 points, five rebounds, and one assist in 29 minutes in his last start, giving him deep-league streaming appeal. Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller should continue handling added usage, while Sexton remains a clear hold in standard formats.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) is probable for Friday's matchup with Charlotte after a late addition to the injury report, though he remains on track to play. The designation appears precautionary as White continues to ramp up after missing a large chunk of the early season. He has averaged 20.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists over his last five games while logging a steady role. With Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) and Kevin Huerter (hamstring) sidelined, White's usage should hold, while Tre Jones (ankle) benefits as a secondary ball-handler.

Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (ankle) is probable for Friday's game against Charlotte after missing three straight contests and logging two full practices. Jones should continue to factor into the rotation with Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) and Kevin Huerter (hamstring) sidelined, even with Coby White (calf) back. Over his last five appearances, Jones averaged 14.6 points, 1.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steal in 27.8 minutes on 64.9 percent shooting, giving him soft hold value in deeper formats.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) will not play Friday against Charlotte due to a Grade 1 sprain after missing practice time. Dosunmu had been holding his own of late, averaging 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers in 31.8 minutes over his last five, so the Bulls lose a useful glue piece. Coby White (calf) and Tre Jones (ankle) are both probable and should absorb the ball-handling and extra guard run if cleared, while Jevon Carter and Dalen Terry remain deep-league fillers.

Milwaukee's G Kevin Porter Jr. recorded a triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds in a 116-101 win over the Celtics on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Milwaukee Bucks' F Kyle Kuzma scored 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting in a 116-101 win over the Celtics on Thursday, Dec. 11. Kuzma is owned in only 42.1% leagues.

Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Golden State Warriors. The veteran floor general is bothered by right Achilles tendinopathy. Conley has been limited to 19.1 minutes per game this season, so he won't be a big miss. However, Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham could get a slight boost in playing time, increasing their fantasy prospects. The two may also benefit from the absence of Anthony Edwards (foot), who is listed as questionable for Friday's game. Matchups against Golden State have been favorable for point guards, as the Warriors allow the 12th-most fantasy points in the league to the position.

Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (hip) will remain out for a seventh consecutive game on Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. He was always unlikely to play after Sacramento listed Schroder as doubtful on the initial injury report. There's no Zach LaVine (thumb) either on Thursday night, opening up additional playing opportunities for Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, and Nique Clifford. The latter is set to start to contest in LaVine's place. Schroder's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (foot) is considered questionable for Friday's fascinating matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. On Monday night, Edwards dropped 40 points on the Phoenix Suns, but he is now experiencing soreness in his right foot. Mike Conley (Achilles) has been officially ruled out for Friday, meaning Minnesota will be lacking playmakers if Edwards also has to sit. Players like Bones Hyland and Rob Dillingham will be asked to step up. At the same time, Edwards' absence would give additional offensive touches to Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, and Donte DiVincenzo.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray will join the first unit on Thursday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Portland is without Donovan Clingan (lower leg), Robert Williams (illness), and Yang Hansen (face), giving Murray a good opportunity to play a big role in the frontcourt. Duop Reath is also expected to see more action on Thursday night. Murray's previous two starts this season didn't go too well, as he averaged 8.0 points and 5.0 rebounds across 30.0 minutes.

Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. will return to the starting lineup on Thursday against the Boston Celtics, replacing Jericho Sims. Trent Jr. was a regular starter earlier in the campaign but has come exclusively off the bench this month. Sims started each of the last two contests, but the 27-year-old was limited to only 2.0 points per game and had 6.0 rebounds. While Trent Jr. has done a decent job off the bench, his numbers have improved slightly in a starting role this season, jumping to 9.9 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists.