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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, December 19, 2025

Quentin Grimes Moves to Bench for Friday's Game vs. Knicks

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Quentin Grimes will come off the bench for Friday's game against the Knicks, with Andre Drummond moving into the starting lineup. This change comes after Grimes started the previous two games, averaging 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.0 threes, and 1.5 steals over 39.0 minutes during that span.

Peyton Watson Questionable for Saturday with Right Trunk Contusion

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Peyton Watson (side) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Rockets, dealing with a right trunk contusion that sidelined him for Thursday's contest. He was a starter in the 14 games leading up to his injury, averaging 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.6 threes, and 1.1 blocks over 30.2 minutes per game. He could return after a one-game absence.

Vince Williams Out Saturday with Left Knee Soreness

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Vince Williams has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Wizards due to left knee soreness. His absence, along with Ja Morant (ankle) also being sidelined, means Cam Spencer could start and Jock Landale may see increased minutes. Williams' next chance to return to action is scheduled for Monday in Oklahoma City.

Khris Middleton Questionable for Saturday, Likely Doubtful with Knee Injury

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Khris Middleton (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game in Memphis. He has missed the Wizards' last four games, and with Saturday marking the first of a back-to-back set, he is leaning closer to doubtful. If Middleton remains sidelined, Justin Champagnie and Will Riley will continue to pick up the slack.

Ayo Dosunmu Returns Friday After Three-Game Absence with Thumb Sprain

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Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) is available for Friday's game against the Cavaliers, marking his return after missing three games due to a sprained right thumb. While his minutes restriction status is unknown, the 25-year-old swingman had been starting his last four appearances, averaging 13.3 points, 4.3 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 33.8 minutes per contest during that span.

Ja Morant Ruled Out for Saturday's Game with Sprained Left Ankle

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Ja Morant (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Wizards due to a sprained left ankle. He is among nine Memphis players unavailable for the contest. The seventh-year point guard's next chance to return to action will be on Monday against the Thunder. Vince Williams and Cam Spencer are considered top candidates to enter the Grizzlies' starting lineup in his absence.

Tre Jones Available Friday Despite Left Hamstring Tightness

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Tre Jones (hamstring) is available for Friday's game in Cleveland, despite experiencing tightness in his left hamstring. Jones will push through the issue after recording a double-double in Wednesday's victory over the Cavaliers and accumulating five steals across his last two games.

Jaylen Clark Out Friday with Illness; Questionable for Sunday

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Jaylen Clark (illness) will not suit up for Friday's game against the Thunder. His absence is expected to create additional minutes for Terrence Shannon and Rob Dillingham in the second unit. Clark is currently considered questionable for Sunday's game against the Bucks.

Wiggins Ruled Out for Friday's Game with Lower-Back Pain

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Andrew Wiggins (back) was initially questionable for Friday's game against the Celtics due to lower-back pain but has since been officially ruled out. This marks his first absence since Nov. 24. His unavailability is expected to open up increased minutes for teammates Jaime Jaquez, Simone Fontecchio, and Kel'el Ware. Wiggins' next opportunity to return to action will be on Sunday against the Knicks.

Donovan Mitchell Ruled Out for Friday's Game Due to Illness

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Donovan Mitchell (illness) will not play in Friday's game against the Bulls. His absence is expected to result in a sizeable uptick in usage for Darius Garland, along with increased opportunities for Lonzo Ball, De'Andre Hunter, and Jaylon Tyson. Mitchell's next chance to return to action will be on Monday against the Hornets.

Josh Hart Cleared to Play Friday vs. 76ers After Abdominal Strain

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New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (abdomen) is available for Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, having been cleared after missing Thursday's game against the Pacers due to an abdominal strain. Hart is expected to resume his usual workload. Prior to his absence, he started in 10 regular-season games, averaging 16.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.1 threes, and 2.1 steals over 34.9 minutes per contest.

Klay Thompson Questionable for Saturday; Mavericks Explore Trade Market

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Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson is questionable for Saturday's game against the 76ers due to left knee soreness, potentially marking his first non-back-to-back absence for the issue this season. The Mavericks are also reportedly exploring the trade market for the 35-year-old, whose $16.7 million contract this season and $17.5 million next complicates potential deals. Thompson is averaging 10.8 points per game off the bench, with his 3-point shooting improving to over 40% in his last 10 games, though his season average is 35.7% and defense has declined.

Anthony Davis Probable for Saturday; Mavericks Still Entertaining Trade Offers

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Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis (illness) is probable for Saturday's game against the 76ers, having played through the illness on Thursday. He has averaged 19.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 30.7 minutes over six games this month. Despite his recent play, the Mavericks are reportedly entertaining trade offers for the 32-year-old, though a deal is considered more likely in the offseason due to nagging injuries limiting him to a dozen games this season and his desire for a contract extension. Atlanta, Toronto, and Detroit have shown interest.

Collin Sexton Doubtful for Saturday, Likely to Miss Sixth Consecutive Game

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Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton (quadriceps) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Pistons, making him likely to miss his sixth consecutive contest due to a left quadriceps strain. This marks the first time he has been initially ruled as doubtful instead of out since sustaining the injury. Should Sexton be officially ruled out, Sion James, Tre Mann (knee), and KJ Simpson are candidates for increased playing time.

Jakob Poeltl Questionable for Saturday's Game vs. Celtics with Back Injury

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Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics as the team continues to monitor his lower-back injury. If Poeltl is unable to play, Sandro Mamukelashvili would likely step into the starting center role and could see a significant increase in fantasy value.

Jalen Suggs Doubtful for Saturday's Game with Hip Injury

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Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (hip) is doubtful for Saturday's game against the Jazz. This marks a trend toward him missing his second consecutive game. The Magic have not provided a specific timetable for his return, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day as he has not been completely ruled out for the contest.

Mitchell Downgraded to Questionable for Friday with Ankle Sprain

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Miami Heat guard Davion Mitchell (ankle) has been downgraded from probable to questionable for Friday's game against Boston. This is a troubling update, as he was initially expected to handle increased ball-handling duties with Tyler Herro (toe) ruled out. In 20 games this season without Herro, Mitchell has averaged 10.5 points, 7.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals across 29.9 minutes. If Mitchell is unable to play, Dru Smith could potentially start, with Kasparas Jakucionis as backup.

Trae Young (Knee) Sits Out Friday's Game vs. Spurs for Injury Management

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (knee) will sit out Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs for right knee injury management, marking the second leg of a back-to-back. Young had just returned, logging 20 minutes in Thursday's loss to the Hornets, his first appearance since October 29. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is projected to return to the starting lineup, with Vit Krejci also a potential streaming option for fantasy managers.

Isaiah Hartenstein Cleared to Play Friday After Calf/Rest Day

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Oklahoma City Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein is officially available for Friday's game against Minnesota, having been cleared from calf soreness and a rest day on Thursday. The big man is no longer on the injury report after getting maintenance time off. This season, Hartenstein has been a consistent contributor, averaging a double-double with 12.1 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His return is expected to bolster the Thunder's lineup.

Clippers Reject Trade Calls for Ivica Zubac, See Him as Core Future Piece

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Despite interest from other teams, the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly rejecting all trade inquiries for center Ivica Zubac, viewing him as a crucial part of their future plans beyond 2027. The team has "shoved away people calling," indicating a strong desire to retain the underrated big man. Zubac has been performing well this season, averaging 16.2 points, 11.5 rebounds (third most in the league), and shooting an efficient 61.3%, even as the Clippers' perimeter struggles lead defenses to collapse on him.