While Landale will not be starting again with the absence of Zach Edey (ankle), he did start to see an increased role again, playing at least 20 minutes in his last three appearances. While Santi Aldama was the one elevated to the starting lineup, Landale should get to see plently of opportunities at center.
Despite starting again, Aldama had one of his worst performances of the season, which can primarily be attributed to the respective scoring explosions of Jaren Jackson (31) and Cam Spencer (27). After dropping 22 points in his last two appearances, Aldama cooled off but will look to bounce back Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
While Caldwell-Pope did not take many shots Monday, he contributed in other ways, dishing out six assists, grabbing a season-high seven rebounds and tacking on two steals. Caldwell-Pope figures to retain a sizable role off the bench.
Collier has dished at least seven assists in three of his last four appearances, and has seen more minutes recently. While Keyonte George will likely retain his role as the team's starting point guard, Collier has proven value off the bench, and is a great source of assists for fantasy managers.
While Bailey was clearly outshined by Cooper Flagg's 40-point explosion, his team was able to get the last laugh as Utah ended up winning in overtime. Bailey, however, has not been shooting well, averaging 9.2 points on just 35.2 percent from the field and 1.4 threes on a meager 31.8 percent clip in his last five contests.
Powell has been called to take on a larger role recently with the loss of Dereck Lively (foot) for the season, and with Anthony Davis (calf) ruled out for Monday's game against the Jazz. In the three games where Powell has played at least 24 minutes, he averages 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks.
Adebayo notched his tenth double-double of the season, and has been on a tear recently, averaging 20.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.5 threes across 32.3 minutes in his last six games. Although Kel'el Ware led the team in rebounds off the bench with 13, both Adebayo and Ware have been elite sources of rebounds for fantasy managers all season.
For the first time since Nov. 28, Zubac was held to single-digit points. There haven't been a ton of positives in Los Angeles this season, but Zubac has certainly played well with averages of 16.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 blocks across 26 regular-season games.
Mitchell has now scored at least 10 points in four of his last five appearances, averaging 10.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.4 threes across 31.6 minutes in that span. With Tyler Herro (toe) missing three of his last four games, Miami has called upon Mitchell to provide them with the volume he has been giving at the beginning of the season, and the latter has stepped up to the challenge.
Dick bounced back from his last two scoreless appearances to reach double digits in points for just the eighth time this season, which included him breaking a three-game dry spell from beyond the arc. On the season, Dick averages 6.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.1 blocks and 0.9 threes across 15.8 minutes.
White bounced back from his 11-point showing against Milwaukee to the tune of 31 points, 10 field goals and five three-pointers. Although White can be a little streaky from the field, he has been more consistent shooting the ball as of recent, averaging 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 1.0 blocks and 4.5 threes across 33.0 minutes in his last six appearances.
Brown has now dropped at least 30 points in his last five games and in eight of his last nine, averaging 32.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.3 threes across 36.7 minutes in that span. Brown has very clearly been the focal point of Boston's offense this season, and their success largely hinges on him.
Ivey has scored 10 points in his last three games, and has been one of the more important players off the bench for Detroit since returning from his knee injury. In 11 games, Ivey averages 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.1 blocks and 1.0 threes across 14.9 minutes.
East was dominant during the victory despite coming off the bench, dishing out a season-high 11 assists in addition to shooting an efficient 69.2 percent from the floor. The 26-year-old also managed to record his first double-double of the campaign and now averages 17.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists across 13 appearances.
Tonje has continued to produce offensively for the Stars as of late, surpassing 25 points scored in three of his last five outings. The two-way player hasn't appeared in an NBA game so far this season and is currently averaging 17.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 steals across 13 outings in the G League.
After pouring in a season-high 20 points in 20 minutes off the bench in the Jazz's previous game Friday against the Grizzlies, Love looked like a prime candidate to see his minutes pick up Monday, as Utah was without Jusuf Nurkic (rest) for the contest. Instead, Kyle Filipowski took Nurkic's spot in the starting five, and the Jazz went with Taylor Hendricks and Kyle Anderson as their main backup big men while Love was cut out of the rotation entirely. Like Love, Svi Mykhailiuk -- who had started each of the previous 24 games -- was dropped from the rotation Monday after previously holding a consistent role, and Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune suggests that the lineup changes could be indicative of a shift in the organization to prioritize the development of younger players. Even if Monday's game proves to be more of a one-off arrangement and he recaptures his previous role as the top backup center when Nurkic is back in action, Love is still unlikely to see enough minutes to make much of a fantasy impact.
Despite being a lottery pick, Maluach has spent more time in the G League than on an NBA court, primarily because of Phoenix's depth at the center position. Maluach is playing behind the likes of Mark Williams, Oso Ighodaro and Nick Richards. If one of the aforementioned big men were to miss time, Maluach's role would likely be elevated, but as of now, he will continue to split time between Phoenix and its G League affiliate.
With Dennis Schroder healthy again, Carter is going to struggle to find consistent minutes in Sacramento.
Knecht has fallen out of the rotation in Los Angeles, so the Lakers will look to get him some live reps in South Bay for the time being.
Fleming has gone back and forth between the two clubs and does not have a consistent role in Phoenix's rotation. In five games with the Valley Suns, Fleming has averaged 17.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 2.8 threes across 35.4 minutes.
Traore does not have a consistent role within Brooklyn's rotation and has spent a lot of time between the Nets and their G League affiliate. In 13 games with Long Island, Traore averages 18.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks and 2.2 threes across 30.5 minutes.
Thiero has been limited to nine NBA appearances thus far with an average of 5.8 minutes per contest, so this move makes sense for the rookie.
Mykhailiuk had started each of Utah's first 24 games of the season and played 20-plus minutes in all but two of those contests, but he was surprisingly moved to the bench and dropped from the rotation entirely Monday. The Jazz went with Brice Sensabaugh and Ace Bailey as their starting wings, with rookie Walter Clayton and second-year player Cody Williams serving as the primary backup options. Though the Jazz sit at 10-15 and in the mix for a spot in the Play-In Tournament, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune suggests that the shakeup of the rotation in Monday's game could signal a shift in Utah's strategy to prioritize the development of younger players rather than continuing to give journeyman veterans such as Mykhailiuk regular minutes. Along with Mykhailiuk, center Kevin Love had been a mainstay in the rotation all season but also went unused Monday in a coach's decision, even though Jusuf Nurkic (rest) wasn't available.
It's the first time in Jones' brief NBA career that he's recorded multiple steals and blocks in the same game. The second-year forward has started 10 straight games with Aaron Gordon (hamstring) in street clothes, and over that stretch, Jones is averaging 8.2 points, 3.9 boards, 1.3 threes, 0.8 assists and 1.1 combined steals and blocks in 25.6 minutes a contest while shooting a surprising 56.4 percent from the floor and 44.8 percent (13-for-29) from beyond the arc.
Saraf has been dealing with an illness that held him out of Brooklyn's last two games, and now he will spend some time with the Nets' G League affiliate, assuming he is healthy enough to play. In 12 NBA games this season, Saraf averages 5.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.3 blocks and 0.8 threes across 16.8 minutes.
Lanier has been dominant across two G League appearances, posting averages of 33.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 7.0 three-pointers.
Nikola Jokic led the way with a 39-point triple-double, but Murray needed to come up big as well, as no other Nuggets player scored more than 13. The 28-year-old point guard has scored more than 30 points in four of the last eight games, averaging 28.3 points, 6.9 assists, 4.0 threes, 3.9 boards and 1.0 steals during that stretch while shooting a stellar 54.9 percent from the floor, 90.5 percent from the charity stripe and 57.1 percent from long distance.
Monday's game was the front end of a back-to-back set, but it remains to be seen if Abmas will be able to play Tuesday for the rematch. Abmas is averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 assists and 2.0 rebounds this season.
The 44 minutes were a season high for Thompson, helping him record his fifth double-double of 2025-26, but the Rockets have been leaning heavily on the third-year guard of late. Thompson played at least 40 minutes in four of the last 11 games, averaging 37.5 minutes over that stretch while producing 17.5 points, 8.7 boards, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals.
The double-double was his fourth of the season, and two of them have come in the last two games. Smith has recorded all four of them since Nov. 16, and during that span, the fourth-year forward is averaging 15.8 points, 7.3 boards, 2.3 assists, 2.2 threes and 1.5 combined blocks and steals.
Gobert left Sunday's game against the Kings after 20 minutes for personal reasons, but he'll be back Wednesday with no word of any limitations. Before leaving Sunday's game, he was well on his way to a strong line with seven points (3-4 FG, 1-6 FT), 12 rebounds, three assists and one block across 20 minutes.
The five rejections were not only a season high for Durant, but they also equaled his total from his prior 13 games combined. The future Hall of Famer also scored at least 25 points for the fifth time in seven contests since returning to the Rockets after attending to a personal matter in late November. Over that stretch, he's averaging 25.3 points, 5.4 assists, 4.3 boards, 2.0 threes, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 steals while shooting 53.3 percent from the floor and a sizzling 50.0 percent (14-for-28) from beyond the arc.
Making his third start in the last five games, Filipowski set a new season high in scoring while just missing his second double-double of 2025-26. The second-year center has seen his court time increase over the last couple of weeks as the Jazz make an effort not to overwork Jusuf Nurkic. Over the last seven games, Filipowski has averaged 13.9 points, 7.7 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.1 threes and 1.0 steals in 30.6 minutes while shooting 54.4 percent from the floor.
Bamba was dominant in his return, helping the Stars improve to 11-2 on the season. Across 11 games, Bamba is averaging a double-double with 17.3 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.6 blocks.
While his 33 points were only third on the night behind Cooper Flagg (42) and Keyonte George (37), Markkanen led all players in rebounding, and his four steals were as much as the entire Mavericks starting lineup put together. It was only Markkanen's second double-double of the season, with the other being a 51-point, 14-board eruption against the Suns on Oct. 27. He's scored at least 30 points in six of his last 14 games, averaging 27.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.7 threes, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals during that span.
Monday's game was the front end of a back-to-back set, so it's possible Hinson was held out for maintenance. Hinson has been terrific this season with averages of 25.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.9 steals and 4.4 three-pointers.
Gafford took back his spot in the starting five after missing Dallas' previous three games due to right ankle injury management, but his playing time was kept in check while he played for just the second time in two weeks. Foul trouble may have been a factor in Gafford's limited minutes, as he had already racked up three personals just over two minutes into the second quarter before hitting the bench for the remainder of the period. He then played brief shifts at the beginning of the third and fourth quarters before the Mavericks went with Dwight Powell at center in overtime. Gafford should generally see his minutes pick up once he's further removed from the injury and when he's not plagued by fouls, though his playing time could still be somewhat volatile depending on matchups, especially when the Mavericks also have Anthony Davis (calf) available as an alternative at center.
The third-year guard remains hot, topping 30 points for the second straight game while tying his season high in made three-pointers. George has reached the 30-point mark in five of the last 13 games, in large part because he continues to get to the free-throw line with impressive frequency. Over that stretch, he's averaging 25.5 points, 6.5 assists, 3.9 boards, 2.9 threes and 0.9 steals while shooting 89.1 percent from the charity stripe on 7.1 attempts a contest.
Robbins was back in action after missing time with an eye issue. Through nine games, he's averaging 9.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.1 three-pointers.
The 27-year-old forward has scored at least 15 points in six of seven games since moving into the starting lineup for the Mavericks. Marshall's consistent contributions extend beyond his offense, and during that stretch, he's averaging 15.7 points, 3.9 boards, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 threes in 32.7 minutes a contest while shooting 64.3 percent from the floor. Dallas is also 5-2 during that time, so coach Jason Kidd isn't likely to shake up his rotations while they seem to be working, though Marshall could move to the bench once Daniel Gafford and Anthony Davis (calf) are healthy at the same time.
Plowden led all scorers on the Kings, but his team dropped to 8-5 on the season. Across 13 games this season, Plowden holds averages of 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.9 three-pointers.
After going scoreless in Friday's win over the Nets, Nembhard bounced back with his third double-double in eight games since moving into the starting five. Over that stretch, the undrafted rookie out of Gonzaga is averaging 12.9 points, 7.1 assists, 2.6 boards and 2.1 threes while shooting an impressive 58.1 percent from the floor and 54.8 percent (17-for-31) from beyond the arc, as he takes full advantage of the opportunity available in Dallas' injury-plagued backcourt.
Batcho returned to the lineup after missing over a week for personal reasons. Through eight games, Batcho is averaging 4.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 blocks.
It was Washington's third double-double of the season, but his first since Nov. 5 as he's dealt with a couple of nagging injuries over the last month-plus. The 13 boards were also a season high for the 27-year-old forward, and he's drained at least one three-pointer in 10 straight contests dating back to Nov. 18, a stretch in which he's averaging 18.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 threes, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks.
After being recalled from the G League's San Diego Clippers earlier in the day, Niederhauser suited up for the parent club Monday but once again found himself outside of the rotation, with his playing time coming well after the Grizzlies had the game in hand. Though the 6-20 Clippers don't appear to view Niederhauser as an NBA-ready contributor just yet, the rookie first-round pick could nonetheless be in the mix for more meaningful run in competitive games behind top center Ivica Zubac once the team fades from playoff contention.
A second-year forward out of Grand Canyon, McGlothan will get the chance to make his NBA debut if/when he gets into a game. The 26-year-old forward had previously attended training camp with the Pacers on an Exhibit 10 deal before getting assigned to the G League's Noblesville Boom upon getting cut and clearing waivers prior to the start of the season. Over his 14 appearances with the Boom, McGlothan averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.5 three-pointers and 0.6 blocks in 33.8 minutes per contest while shooting 52.9 percent from the field.
Shackelford had a strong outing despite the loss, as his 25 points led the team and matched his season-high total set during the Nov. 9 loss against South Bay. The 6-foot-3 guard is currently averaging 13.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists across 33.3 minutes in 11 games played.
Dunn logged a double-digit scoring total for the first time in two weeks. He suffered through an abysmal four-game drought, during which he averaged only 6.3 points per game. Unfortunately, production gaps have been common for Dunn, who manages to hold onto a starting role due to his defensive skill set.
With James Harden (calf) a step slow with an injury, Leonard commanded the offense but couldn't do enough to get past the Grizzlies. Leonard no longer sits on back-to-backs, which is good news for a Clippers team that is now in the midst of a four-game losing streak. Leonard's numbers have remained steady during the skid, averaging 22.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the four-game span.
Harden took the floor despite his calf injury, and although he was effective in distributing the ball to other playmakers, he finished with his second-lowest scoring total of the season. Aside from the Spurs and Knicks, the league will enjoy a few days of rest, which should give Harden a chance to rest his leg and return to higher production.
Wells extended his double-digit scoring streak to nine games. The Washington State product has fully recovered from an abysmal start to the season, where he averaged only nine points per game over the first 10 contests. Wells has averaged 17.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists over the past five games, and he'll be called upon for more production if Ja Morant (ankle) misses additional time.
Spencer was scintillating beyond the arc, drilling seven of his 10 three-point attempts in the win. Monday marked the first time that Spencer passed the 30-minute threshold, and if Ja Morant's (ankle) injury persists after the upcoming two-day break, the second-year pro will be in line for another usage bump.
Fantasy managers have patiently waited for Jackson to explode, and he paid off with his best scoring total of the season versus the Clippers. Rebound totals have been disappointing for Jackson, who hasn't recorded a double-digit result in the category this season, but the scoring production was encouraging after a four-game run where he averaged only 9.5 points per game.
Despite playing a handful of extra minutes, Scheierman failed to score for the third straight game. With Sam Hauser suffering an ankle injury, Scheierman was called upon late in the game, although he offered nothing in terms of tangible production. Even if Hauser is to miss time, there is no reason to add Scheierman outside of the deepest leagues.
Minott's fall from grace continues, going scoreless for the fourth time in the past month. In 13 appearances during that time, Minott has offered very little on either end of the floor, averaging 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per contest. Outside of dynasty formats, it's hard to make a case for Minott being on any rosters.
Simons continues to be a non-factor for the Celtics, scoring single digits for the third time in the past four games. While he was never really looked upon as a key piece for Boston, Simons' production has fallen short of even the biggest skeptics. In 26 appearances, he is averaging 13.0 points and 2.3 three-pointers in 23.7 minutes per game, leaving him well outside the top-200 players in standard formats. At this point, there is no reason to be holding him outside of deeper formats.
LeVert scored in double digits for the third straight game, but his peripheral production continues to be an issue. Although he has been playing some key minutes down the stretch, for the most part, LeVert is simply a backup piece. In 11 appearances over the past month, he is averaging 9.5 points and 3.1 assists in 20.8 minutes per contest. As a player who is barely inside the top 300 this season, LeVert can be left on the waiver wire in all but the deepest of leagues.
Jenkins logged fewer than five minutes for the second time in the past three games, continuing his recent downward trend. With Detroit now fielding a largely healthy lineup, Jenkins is simply being phased out of the rotation. While he has likely done enough to at least touch the floor on most nights, there is no reason to be holding him outside of deeper fantasy leagues. In five games over the past two weeks, Jenkins has averaged just 4.2 points in 11.7 minutes per game.
Morant injured his ankle on a drive to the basket and was in obvious pain after the play, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. He would check out with 3:40 remaining in the contest and didn't return with the game comfortably in hand. The team intends to re-evaluate the star point guard Tuesday, and the hope is that he managed to avoid a significant injury.
Thompson continues to struggle, having now played fewer than 30 minutes in six straight games. Although he is locked in as a member of the starting lineup, his limited offensive skill set, particularly an inability to stretch the floor, typically results in him being subbed out of the game during crucial moments. Through 22 appearances, Thompson is averaging just 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 combined steals and blocks in 27.4 minutes per game, making him barely a top-200 player.
Ware logged fewer than 20 minutes for the second straight game, salvaging a quiet night with a team-high 13 rebounds. His role continues to change, seemingly on a nightly basis, making him a hard player to get a read on for fantasy purposes. While he does remain a must-roster player, it is looking like the majority of his value could end up being tied to rebounds and blocks only.
The Auburn product posted his first double-double of the season, filling up the entire box score as well. Williams has been quite effective as a member of the second unit, averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 blocks in 17.7 minutes per game through seven appearances off the bench in 2025-26.
Johnson moved into the rotation for just the second time in the past eight games. Although he recorded a season-high two steals, nothing about this performance makes him a worthwhile fantasy target. In 10 appearances this season, Johnson is averaging 3.9 points in 11.9 minutes.
Cooke established a season high in points and triples, setting the pace in scoring Monday as well. Through seven G League outings, the two-way player is averaging a substantial 22.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks in 31.7 minutes per game.
Smith played at least 20 minutes for just the fifth time this season, sliding into a slightly larger role after Nikola Jovic was forced from the floor due to an elbow injury. Tyler Herro also missed the game as a result of a toe issue, providing Smith with some added responsibility. There is no reason to prioritize him outside of deeper formats, but if both Jovic and Herro are forced to miss additional time, Smith could make for an interesting streaming option for anyone needing steals.
Jokic pieced together yet another monster performance across the board despite fouling out in overtime, securing his 12th triple-double of the season in the process. He's been on a tear to begin the month of December, averaging 32.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 10.5 assists and 1.2 steals through his first six appearances.
Poeltl scored no more than 10 points for the fourth straight game, another in a string of underwhelming performances. Ongoing back issues continue to plague the veteran big man, limiting him to just 20 games thus far. His per-game production has also suffered as a result of the injury, averaging 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 26.2 minutes per contest. At this point, managers simply have to sit tight and hope that he can turn things around.
Mamukelashvili scored double digits for the third time in the past five games, continuing what has been a strong start to the season. Although his role remains permanently affixed to the second unit, Mamukelashvili has been able to deliver serviceable production, averaging 9.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 combined steals and blocks in just 19.5 minutes per game.
Sengun engaged in a back-and-forth battle with Nikola Jokic, as both players posted a triple-double in this heavyweight matchup, but at the end of the day, the Rockets' big man couldn't avoid the defeat for Houston. This was Sengun's first triple-double of the 2025-26 campaign, and he's now posted either a triple-double or a double-double in his last four appearances dating back to Dec. 1.
Barnes continues to thrive on both ends of the floor, helping the Raptors to a much-needed victory. He ended with his 13th double-double of the season, while adding at least four combined steals and blocks for the seventh time. Through 27 appearances, Barnes is averaging 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers in 33.8 minutes per contest, good enough for first-round value in nine-category leagues.
Watson was diagnosed with a right trunk contusion and never returned after departing during the first half. Head coach David Adelman stated after the game that Watson is dealing with a stinger, and the injury shouldn't cause a long-term absence, per Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette. Watson can be considered day-to-day until further notice.
Flagg posted the best showing of his young career and set a single-game NBA scoring record for 18-year-old players, beating LeBron James' 37-point performance in 2003, per NBA reporter Marc Stein. Flagg also set career highs in free-throw attempts and makes while recording at least one steal and one block for a third straight game. The rookie is averaging 24.2 points while shooting at a clip of 53.5 percent from the field over six December appearances.
Ingram couldn't reach the 30-point mark for a third straight game, but the star forward posted a well-rounded line as the Raptors earned the win Monday. Ingram has been one of Toronto's most consistent players this season. He should remain a valuable fantasy commodity due both to his well-rounded production and elevated usage. Factoring in Monday's production, Ingram has scored at least 20 points in five of his previous six outings.
Cunningham led the way in scoring for Detroit in an impressive victory. This marks the first time he's reached the 30-point threshold since Nov. 28 after getting off to a slow start in December by his standards. Cunningham was also impressive as a facilitator and has now secured a double-double in two of his last three appearances.
Batum was absent from practice Sunday after falling ill, and the Clippers have elected to hold him out Monday. Kobe Brown and Kobe Sanders should be candidates for more run in Batum's absence.
Hauser departed the contest in the first half after suffering an ankle injury and was held out the rest of the way. It's safe to consider him day-to-day until the team has more information to share on Hauser's availability going forward.
Watson made his way back to the bench shortly after being evaluated in the locker room. However, he didn't appear to be moving well, per Bennett Durando of The Denver Post.
This is promising news for the Heat after it looked as though Jovic suffered a significant injury during Monday's matchup against the Raptors. Tuesday's scans should give Miami a better idea of the timetable for Jovic's return to play.
Watson was spotted grabbing his left side as he walked to the locker room, and his absence would thin the team's frontcourt depth. With Aaron Gordon (hamstring) also out, not having Watson could translate to more minutes for Spencer Jones, Zeke Nnaji and even Tim Hardaway.
Clarke has been practicing in the G League, but he's not yet ready for game action. His next opportunity for a return will arrive Wednesday in Minnesota.
There was some confusion about Harden's availability after coach Ty Lue prematurely stated that the guard was available for Monday's clash. However, the team has now officially declared Harden available against the Grizzlies.
Morant was on a 25-minute restriction in his first game back Friday against the Jazz, and he figures to stick around that mark again Monday as the Grizzlies ease him back into action. He was incredibly effective in a 130-126 loss Monday, racking up 21 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and one block.
Coach Ty Lue stated in his pre-game presser that Harden had been cleared for action, but the Clippers announced shortly after that Lue misspoke, and Harden is still being considered a game-time call. More clarity on the star guard's status should arrive closer to tipoff.
Sensabaugh hasn't been particularly impressive of late, but he'll draw his first start of the 2025-26 season Monday evening. He's averaging 6.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 13.4 minutes over his last five games. Svi Mykhailiuk will retreat to the bench as a result of the lineup change.
With Brice Sensabaugh joining the starting five, Mykhailiuk will slide to the second unit for the first time this season. Over his last five outings, the 28-year-old shooting guard has averaged 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 25.4 minutes per game.
Harden will shake off his questionable tag due to a left calf contusion and suit up Monday. Over his last five appearances, the star guard has averaged 22.4 points, 6.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 34.4 minutes per game. He has shot 45.6 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from three-point range during that span.
With Anthony Davis (calf) sidelined, Gafford will get the starting nod. However, the big man will be limited to 17-20 minutes in his return from a three-game absence due to a right ankle injury, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. Over his last five outings (three starts), the 27-year-old has averaged 6.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 22.2 minutes per tilt.
Strawther was listed on the injury report as questionable after missing 12 straight games with a back injury, but he's been given the green light to suit up Monday evening. He'll presumably be on some sort of restriction in his first game back.
Hauser limped off the court during the second quarter, and his return is now in doubt. He missed his lone shot in four minutes prior to exiting.
Jovic was hit while he was in the air during a dunk attempt and hit the floor hard before leaving the court with a brace on his arm. He'll finish with no counting stats over just 12 seconds. Keshad Johnson and Jaime Jaquez are candidates for increased minutes the rest of the way. Jovic should be considered doubtful for Thursday's game against the Nets until the Heat offer an update on his status.
Head coach Ime Udoka clarified that Eason's absence from Monday's game isn't a setback in his injury but rather general soreness after a workout. The forward hasn't played in a month while dealing with an oblique injury, so his absence shouldn't have a lot of fantasy ramifications. His next chance to play will come against the Pelicans on Thursday.
Hauser briefly remained in the game before eventually limping back to the locker room with 9:47 remaining in the second. If the forward is unable to return, Josh Minott and Hugo Gonzalez are candidates for increased minutes the rest of the way.
Williams will miss his third game of the season after picking up a right Achilles injury. Expect Ryan Nembhard and Jaden Hardy to see more opportunities in the backcourt with D'Angelo Russell (illness) and Kyrie Irving (knee) also sidelined.
Gafford will shed his questionable tag and return from a three-game absence due to a right ankle injury. With Anthony Davis (calf) sidelined, Gafford could get the starting nod, though he'll be limited regardless. Over his last five outings (three starts), the 27-year-old center has averaged 6.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 22.2 minutes per tilt.
Davis managed to take part in Monday's shootaround, but he isn't feeling healthy enough to give it a go. He'll miss his first game of December, opening the door for Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall to see more opportunities.
With Jusuf Nurkic (rest) unavailable, Filipowski will enter the starting five for the third time this month. The second-year center has averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists across 23.3 minutes per contest in seven starts this season.
The team initially reported that Konchar was out indefinitely following surgery, so this latest update brings some more clarity around his timetable for a return. He'll remain sidelined at least until the end of the calendar year and likely into January as he rehabs from a procedure that repaired a torn UCL in his left thumb.
Shead should see regular minutes off the bench in this game, but he'll move to the second unit due to Immanuel Quickley (illness) returning to the starting lineup. Shead is averaging 5.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game when coming off the bench this season.
With Tyler Herro (toe) ruled out less than 30 minutes before tipoff, Fontecchio will get the starting nod for the first time this season. Over his last five outings, the 30-year-old forward has averaged 8.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.
Herro was initially listed in the starting lineup, but the team has since downgraded him to out with the same toe injury that forced him to miss two games earlier this month. Simone Fontecchio will draw the start in Herro's place.
Jakucionis will be available for this matchup, but that doesn't mean he'll play. The rookie has made just one appearance this season, so he should carry minimal fantasy upside across all formats.
Hansen joined the Remix for Monday's 116-110 win over the Stockton Kings, recording 18 points (8-11 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds and four assists in 31 minutes. He hasn't seen the floor in each of Portland's last two games and isn't likely to play meaningful minutes unless there are injuries to multiple centers.
Rupert played for the Rip City Remix in the G League on Monday, tallying 12 points (5-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 14 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block across 32 minutes. He'll add depth to the Blazers on the wings, but it's unclear if he'll see any meaningful minutes. The Blazers' next game will be against the Kings on Thursday.
As expected, Battle will shed his probable tag and return from a two-game absence due to a sprained left ankle. Over his last five appearances (one start), the 24-year-old forward has averaged 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.4 minutes per tilt.
Toppin was already set to miss the remainder of the season after he underwent surgery last Monday to repair a torn labrum last Monday. The transaction frees up a two-way roster spot for the Hawks.
Pritchard was a late addition to the injury report due to neck spasms, though he'll shed his questionable tag Monday. Over five games in December, the 27-year-old point guard has averaged 14.2 points, 6.0 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 32.2 minutes per contest.
Edwards has fallen out of favor in the Philadelphia rotation recently, as he didn't see the floor at all during the Dec. 7 loss to the Lakers. However, a move to the G League should increase his reps for the time being.
With Joel Embiid looking healthier and Andre Drummond comfortably ahead of Bona on the depth chart, this move makes sense for the 76ers with the team looking to maximize his reps.
The scoring output was strong, but Risacher continues to underwhelm as a whole and hasn't quite taken the leap some fantasy managers may have hoped for during his second season. The 2024 No. 1 overall pick doesn't appear to be in any danger of losing his starting role, but he's averaged just 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals in 24.6 minutes per contest in his last 12 games.
While Krejci has a lone start to his name in 2025-26, his efficiency helped him stay relevant in nine-category fantasy leagues. Until Trae Young (knee) is cleared to suit up, Krejci should see enough minutes to supply streaming value in deeper setups. He's averaged 10.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.6 three-pointers per contest across his last 12 outings, shooting 50.0 percent from the field.
Albeit in a losing effort, Barlow contributed a full stat line Sunday. As long as Kelly Oubre (knee) and Trendon Watford (adductor) remain off the floor, Barlow remains in a favorable position for playing time. He's started nine consecutive games, during which Barlow has averaged 9.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks in 29.2 minutes per contest.
Demin was called out by his head coach for his recent dud against the Mavericks on Friday, so credit to the rookie for bouncing back. Through 22 regular-season games, Demin holds averages of 8.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 1.8 three-pointers.
The Nets ran away with this game early, so the team was able to pull its foot off the gas and give the key players some rest down the stretch. Claxton is in the midst of a terrific campaign with averages of 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 blocks across 21 regular-season games.
Head coach Steve Kerr has a propensity to tinker with his starting lineup, though Podziemski hasn't been in the first unit since the Dec. 7 loss to the 76ers. The 2023 first-rounder has still averaged a solid 13.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game in his last 11 outings, and Podziemski's role could fluctuate all year long based on matchups.
It was a fairly quiet showing for the second-year forward, but he's performed well overall so far this season and is locked into a starting role at power forward. Buzelis has averaged 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 blocks and 0.9 steals per contest in his last 15 games, chipping in across the board for the Bulls.
The veteran point guard remained in the first unit despite the return of Dennis Schroder (hip), handing out at least 10 dimes for the ninth time in 2025-26. After spending most of the offseason in free agency, Westbrook has been a strong fantasy producer in points leagues with the Kings. Over his last 10 appearances, he's averaged 13.9 points, 9.0 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals per game.
Williams was a very late addition to the injury report, and that's usually a troubling sign in fantasy hoops. With D'Angelo Russell (illness) already sidelined, the Mavericks may need Ryan Nembhard to shoulder a heavy workload Monday.
Sunday marked the seventh time in 2025-26 that McDaniels has scored at least 20 points. Four of those have come when Anthony Edwards (foot) has been unavailable, like he was Sunday. McDaniels was cooling down a bit after a hot start to the campaign, but he remains productive while averaging 13.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks per tilt over his last 10 games.
Niang's rehab due to a stress reaction in his left foot could drag into the new year. Until the forward is cleared to make his season debut, Brice Sensabaugh should be able to maintain his spot in the rotation.
Outside of a scoreless outing against the Suns on Dec. 1, this was Hachimura's worst offensive showing of the season. He somewhat salvaged his production by tying his season highs in rebounds and steals. However, with Austin Reaves (calf) sidelined for at least a week, Hachimura will need to bounce back offensively.
Despite the return of Jarrett Allen, Bryant scored in double figures off the bench for only the second time this season. While Allen is back after a multi-game absence, the Cavaliers are expected to be without Evan Mobley (calf) for at least a few weeks, leaving the door open for Bryant to remain part of the rotation. Larry Nance (calf) also remains out indefinitely.
With Evan Mobley (calf) set to miss multiple weeks, Tomlin is a candidate to see increased run during the short term. He has 18 appearances to his name this season, posting averages of 6.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks in 16.5 minutes per contest.
Drummond's production has been hit-or-miss this season, but he continues to find ways to impact the stat sheet, even with the 76ers getting healthy. Joel Embiid is playing well, so Drummond will take a back seat some nights, but he's always worth a look when Embiid is resting or sidelined for a few games.
With Quenton Jackson likely to earn a larger role on this team, Thompson's minutes could be in danger moving forward, especially after a dud like this one. Through six regular-season appearances, Thompson has posted averages of 5.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.5 steals on 42.3 percent shooting from the field.
Doncic struggled to shoot the ball from the floor Sunday, though his game-high 29 points were enough to lift the Lakers to victory. With Austin Reaves (calf) sidelined, Doncic should continue to handle the heavy lifting offensively. The superstar guard has averaged 34.5 points, 8.8 assists, 8.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks per game in his last 11 outings.
Okongwu grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds Sunday and is averaging 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.7 steals in 33.3 minutes per game over his past three appearances. Kristaps Porzingis (illness) is slated to miss at least a few weeks and could be sidelined indefinitely, giving Okongwu a huge runway to continue his career-best campaign.
Walker had some enticing streaming appeal earlier this year, but a healthier Pacers team has led to a drop in his fantasy value. He's averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 17.5 minutes per game across his last five contests, so Walker can likely be left on the waiver wire outside of deep leagues.
Even with Austin Reaves (calf) sidelined, Vincent has struggled to get things going this season. Over 14 appearances this season, Vincent has scored double-digit points only once while shooting 35 percent from the floor.
Vanderbilt played double-digit minutes for the first time since Nov. 14. After not seeing the floor in eight straight games, the defensive-minded forward has received minutes in two of the Lakers' past three games. With Austin Reaves (calf) sidelined for at least a week, coach JJ Redick might open up the rotation, which could bode well for Vanderbilt's playing time.
The Wizards are missing several key players, which allowed Riley to operate as the sixth man Sunday. He's averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23.5 minutes per game over his last five contests, so the rise in playing time hasn't translated into a significant bump in fantasy value.
Gafford has missed the past three games for Dallas, but he's officially listed as questionable for this contest. Anthony Davis (calf) is also questionable, but he was able to participate Monday morning as well.
Davis is currently listed as questionable on the official injury report, but it bodes well for his status that he was able to get some shots up Monday morning. Daniel Gafford (ankle), who is also listed as questionable, participated as well.
Hayes scored in double figures for the first time since Nov. 15 and grabbed a season-high nine rebounds, falling one short of a double-double. He's played double-digit minutes in 21 straight games, topping 20 minutes only four times. Even with Sunday's strong performance, Hayes' production has been underwhelming thus far.
Gueye will have plenty of time to recover ahead of the G League Winter Showcase. Gueye holds averages of 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.2 blocks this season.
It's not clear how severe this issue is for Nembhard. Fortunately for him, the Bulls are off until the G League Winter Showcase, giving him a couple of extra days to rest and recover.
McClung continues to be one of the most dominant players in the early going. Through 11 G League games, he's averaging 23.5 points, 6.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.1 three-pointers.
Carton had been sidelined since early December with a hand issue. Across eight appearances this season, Carton holds averages of 11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 three-pointers.
Portland plugged Clingan back into the starting five after he had missed the previous three contests due to a left lower leg contusion, but he wasn't asked to handle heavy minutes while interim head coach Tiago Splitter occasionally turned to either Sidy Cissoko or Jerami Grant to serve as small-ball centers when Clingan and top backup Robert Williams were off the court. Clingan was still able to make an impact in the defensive categories and on the glass during his time on the floor, but he continued to remain relatively uninvolved on offense. He's maintaining a modest 15 percent usage rate for the season and has reached double figures in scoring in just eight of his 22 appearances.
This was Springer's best performance of the season, and it will be interesting to see if he can build some momentum from this. Across seven appearances, Springer holds averages of 10.6 points, 3.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 three-pointers.
Allen is no stranger to big lines, as he just put up 42 points (14-25 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 5-6 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and three steals across 45 minutes in Friday's 120-119 G League win over the Oklahoma City Blue. Through 12 games, he's averaging 20.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.3 three-pointers.
Minaya can be considered questionable for the rematch on Dec. 16. Across 11 outings, Minaya has averaged 7.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 three-pointers.
This was a strong performance from Baker in what's been a quiet campaign thus far. Through seven games, he's averaging 5.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists in 11.6 minutes per contest.
Minor just missed out on a double-double despite his modest workload. Across four games this season, Minor has averaged 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 24.0 minutes.
Suggs' timeline to resume playing remains murky, as his return date will depend on how quickly he responds to treatment. At least for the time being, fantasy managers can consider him unlikely to play in Thursday's game against Denver. Anthony Black has stepped up this season and could be asked to carry more responsibility out of the backcourt in Suggs' potential absence, and Tyus Jones could also take on a more prominent role in the backcourt rotation.
Lovering had been sidelined since early December with this issue, but he's been able to put it behind him. Through 10 appearances this season, he's averaging 5.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 1.2 blocks in 27.2 minutes per contest.
Pritchard was a late addition to the injury report and is in jeopardy of missing his first game of the campaign. If he's unable to give it a go Monday, Derrick White is likely to see an uptick in usage, and Anfernee Simons could be more involved in the backcourt.
