Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (hamstring) won't return to Friday's NBA Cup clash with the Houston Rockets. The 30-year-old didn't suit up for the win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. While he received the green light to get on the floor on Friday, his night came to an abrupt end due to a right hamstring strain after only three minutes of work. Gordon is having the best season of his career, averaging 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 45.2% shooting from behind the arc. With that in mind, if he ends up missing time, Tim Hardaway Jr. or Bruce Brown could find themselves in the starting lineup, with Spencer Jones getting more minutes from off the bench. Of course, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray should continue to lead the way offensively.

Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game in New Orleans. Okongwu has averaged 16.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists across 29 minutes, and he posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists in his most recent game. Managers should be ready if he sits, as he has been steady across his last five games, highlighted by a 32-point outing. If he doesn't suit up, Kristaps Porzingis absorbs most of the interior workload while Mouhamed Gueye becomes a deeper-league streaming option. Vit Krejci and Luke Kennard also gain marginal stability with Atlanta already missing Trae Young (knee). Okongwu remains a hold in standard formats given his consistent playing time and production.

Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Friday's meeting with the Heat, though head coach Billy Donovan noted he will be capped at roughly 20-24 minutes in his return. Jones had been productive before the injury, averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.1 steals, but the lighter workload will keep expectations in check. His activation comes on the same night Coby White (calf) has been ruled out, leaving Chicago short on creation but not empty-handed. With Jones operating in a controlled role, Ayo Dosunmu is still positioned for extra touches, and Kevin Huerter should see a cleaner path to shots.

Dallas Mavericks guard D'Angelo Russell (illness) is out for Friday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, marking his first absence of the season. Russell has delivered 12.6 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 22 minutes, but his usage has fluctuated, and Dallas now shifts to a deeper guard rotation. Brandon Williams should take on primary ball-handling duties, while Max Christie is positioned for a steadier workload after logging seven rebounds and 15 points in his last outing. Jaden Hardy becomes a viable deep-league streamer for scoring after producing 17 points in his recent matchup against Minnesota.

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) is doubtful for Saturday's matchup against the Mavericks after already missing Thursday's win over Sacramento. Jackson has averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 29 minutes this season, but his absence again would push Santi Aldama into another start after he delivered 29 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 27 minutes on Thursday. Zach Edey and Jock Landale also produced well in expanded roles and remain useful streamers for blocks and boards if Jackson sits. Managers should treat Aldama as the priority add, with Edey offering upside in deeper formats while the frontcourt redistributes minutes and usage without Jackson.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup with the Heat, pausing a strong stretch in which he averaged 26.0 points and 7.5 assists over his last two appearances. His absence removes a major scoring and creation piece on the second night of a back-to-back. Tre Jones (ankle), however, has been upgraded to available, giving Chicago a much-needed stabilizer in the backcourt. With White sidelined, Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huerter should see expanded roles, while Josh Giddey is expected to take on more initiation responsibilities. White remains a hold given his recent form and the chance he returns to meaningful minutes once healthy.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (wrist) will play on Friday versus the Suns. He's had an exceptional season, averaging a career-high 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, and 1.0 steals while shooting an impressive 52.1% from deep. Fortunately, his absence was short-lived. All things considered, McDaniels can automatically be plugged back into all fantasy lineups, with Mike Conley in line to return to the bench.

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (finger) won't play in Friday's Central Division showdown with the Indiana Pacers. He was listed as questionable heading into this contest because of a sprained right finger. Unfortunately, the injury will keep him off the floor for the first time this season. The 27-year-old has played as well as expected, averaging 14.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 14 appearances. While Allen is currently shooting a career-low 57.7% from the field, his absence will leave a significant void for fantasy managers. With Allen sidelined, Evan Mobley will presumably shift to the five, with Dean Wade, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, and Larry Nance Jr. in line to see extra minutes.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) is available for Friday's clash with the Pacers. The left great toe injury has been a real nuisance this season, resulting in Garland appearing in just three contests. Not only that, but the 24-year-old is averaging a subpar 13.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 steals. With a productive resume like his from previous years, it's hard to imagine fantasy participants keeping him out of the lineup, even while operating under a minutes cap. Unfortunately, it may take Garland some time to regain his form, so there may be bumps for managers along the way. With Garland in the mix, Nae'Qwan Tomlin, who had 10 points and two rebounds in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets, will be tough to trust from a fantasy standpoint, considering his role might be significantly reduced.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jaylon Tyson (concussion) will play on Friday versus the Cavs. He was having an above-average year before missing the last five games, averaging 11.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.3 steals while shooting 46.2% from behind the arc. He was also receiving some action as a member of the starting lineup. Although it's nice to see any player back on the floor after an injury, Tyson's fantasy value may be at lowest of the season, considering he'll likely see limited minutes. In addition, Darius Garland (toe) is available, so the 22-year-old may have a tougher time getting more involved from off the bench.

Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James (groin) is probable for Saturday's matchup against the Clippers. He is expected to keep his usual role after playing 23 minutes in Wednesday's loss to Indiana. James scored one point with two rebounds, one assist and one steal in that game, and he is averaging 7.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists on 43.8 percent shooting this season. His usage stays low and his last five games include 0.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in roughly 26 minutes, making him a deep-league option only. His value improves slightly if Tre Mann (ankle), who is questionable, sits. Brandon Miller's return and Collin Sexton's steady workload keeps James capped to a complementary role.

Washington Wizards forward/center Marvin Bagley III (hip) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors after being downgraded from doubtful, leaving Washington without both of its primary bigs. Bagley started for Alexandre Sarr (toe) on Wednesday and logged 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 30 minutes, and he has averaged 7.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes this season. With Bagley and Sarr sidelined, the Wizards are forced into a thin frontcourt rotation featuring Tristan Vukcevic and Anthony Gill, with Vukcevic offering the most short-term appeal for deep formats. Cam Whitmore and Kyshawn George may also see steadier usage as Washington redistributes possessions and rebounding opportunities.

According to Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, forward Andrew Wiggins (hip) is "day-to-day." The 30-year-old has played well this season, averaging 16.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals. He also appeared in all 15 games so far this season. While Wiggins will miss his first contest of the 2025 campaign on Friday night when the Heat host the Chicago Bulls, there's a chance he'll be available on Sunday afternoon versus the 76ers. There are several directions Spoelstra can go while Wiggins is sidelined, although all of them should mean more minutes for Simone Fontecchio and Jaime Jaquez Jr., with the latter potentially on track to enter the starting lineup.

Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (shoulder) is available to make his return to the lineup on Saturday afternoon against the Los Angeles Clippers. The third-year forward injured his shoulder in the second game of the season and has been inactive since. There's no word on any potential minutes restriction for the former second-overall pick. Rookie guard Sion James (groin) has been starting in Miller's place and should move back to the bench in short order. Miller scored 25 points and dished out seven assists in his one full game this season.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) is probable for Saturday's contest against the Orlando Magic. There's little worry here about Brunson sitting this one out. The All-NBA guard returned to action on Wednesday in Dallas after a two-game absence and played 34 minutes, right in line with his season-long average. He scored 28 points against the Mavericks, also in line with his scoring average. The reigning Clutch Player of the Year has seen a slight dip in his shooting percentages, but remains one of the league's best guards.

Utah Jazz forward Kyle Filipowski (wrist) is available to play in Friday night's NBA Cup group play tilt with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The second-year forward missed just one game, on Tuesday night, with a wrist sprain. The former Duke Blue Devil hasn't built on a successful rookie season. He's seen a decrease in minutes, points, rebounds, and shooting percentage in his second year. Filipowski hasn't started a game since the calendar flipped to November and isn't on fantasy basketball radars right now.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (calf) will be sidelined when his team faces off against the Golden State Warriors in tonight's NBA Cup game. To make matters worse for Portland, Sharpe's starting backcourt mate, Jrue Holiday (calf), is also out. This will be the second straight game Sharpe has been sidelined. Sidy Cissoko started in Sharpe's absence in Wednesday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. Sharpe had picked up some of the scoring and ball-handling slack with Holiday out of the lineup. Forwards Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant will handle those responsibilities against Golden State. The 22-year-old is averaging a career-best 22.6 points and 1.4 steals per game.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday (calf) won't suit up for tonight's NBA Cup game against the Golden State Warriors, despite the questionable tag. This will be the fourth consecutive game that Holiday has been sidelined, with the Trail Blazers losing all three of the previous contests. His fellow backcourt member, Shadeon Sharpe (calf), is also out. Jerami Grant has replaced Holiday in the starting lineup, with Deni Avdija playing the "point guard" role. The 35-year-old has enjoyed a statistical resurgence in his first season in Portland, averaging 16.7 points, 8.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game.

Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (quad) will officially miss a third consecutive game with a right quad contusion. The team ruled him out ahead of time on Friday, so they'll take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in their NBA Cup game without Allen's 18.5 points per game. Ryan Dunn and Collin Gillespie should both continue to see added opportunities in Allen's absence. Dunn has averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 steals per contest in his two starts since Allen was hurt. Gillespie is still coming off the bench, but has averaged 17.0 points, 6.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 2.5 threes, and 2.5 turnovers per game in the same span. That means both can serve as quality streaming options in category leagues. Dunn gives a bit more value in the stocks department.

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (wrist) may only need to miss one game after picking up a questionable tag for Friday's game against the Phoenix Suns. He's dealing with a sprained wrist that he suffered on Monday in their win over the Dallas Mavericks. The 25-year-old doesn't miss games very often, so he has a real chance to return. If he is forced to miss one more game, however, Mike Conley would likely remain in the starting five. In their last game against the Washington Wizards, Conley registered 10 points, six assists, one rebound, and one steal across 27 minutes. He'd be the best streaming option, especially for guard stats in category leagues.