Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams (back) will take the court against the Pacers on Friday despite dealing with some lower back soreness earlier in the day. He was initially listed as probable after sustaining the injury during Wednesday's win over the Pistons. With Miles Bridges (knee) out, the 25-year-old is expected to be part of the starting lineup. Across eight contests, Williams is averaging 8.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per game.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (back) won't play in Friday's meeting with the New York Knicks. The 25-year-old began the season in the starting lineup. However, he's struggled this season, resulting in a demotion to the bench in favor of Andre Jackson Jr., who had seven points, four assists, and four steals in Thursday's win over the Utah Jazz. With that said, Trent wouldn't have been featured in most fantasy lineups, so his absence on Friday won't be much of a blow to managers.

According to Orlando Magic beat writer Adam Koffler, New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green announced that power forward Zion Williamson will not play in Friday's game against Orlando because of tightness in his left hamstring. The 24-year-old attempted to participate in the game on Wednesday but temporarily left due to an unspecified injury; however, he managed to complete the game. With Williamson unavailable, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis are expected to receive more minutes on the court.

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (illness) won't play in Friday's matchup with the Hornets. The veteran was listed as questionable. But an illness will keep him off the floor against Charlotte. McConnell isn't a consistent fantasy producer, considering he has averaged 9.8 points and 4.1 assists this season. However, his absence could mean more work for Ben Sheppard, who will likely draw value attention from DFS managers on Friday evening.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (illness) is now questionable for Friday's game against the Mavericks. He's not feeling well, so fantasy managers will anxiously await an update regarding his availability. If Booker can't play, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal (elbow) are the favorites to pick up the slack on the scoring end. At the same time, Royce O'Neale, Grayson Allen, and Tyus Jones could exceed expectations if Booker can't get on the floor.

Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (hamstring) won't play on Friday versus the Nets. With Kristaps Porzingis (foot) sidelined, Kornet has been getting some work from off the bench for the C's. However, he injured his hamstring in Wednesday's matchup with the Warriors and will now miss his first contest of the 2024-25 campaign. Al Horford will handle things in the middle. But there's room for Xavier Tillman Sr. to get more involved, although fantasy managers will be taking a risk by putting him in the starting lineup.

Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze will start in Friday's game versus the Pelicans. With Wendell Carter Jr. (foot) out again, Bitadze will remain with the first five. The 25-year-old has played well in his two starts this season, averaging 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals. While Bitadze's free-throw shooting could use some work, he remains a practical streaming option for fantasy managers against a New Orleans team plagued by injuries.

Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (ankle) won't play in Friday's meeting with the visiting Hawks. He tweaked his ankle in Wednesday's one-point loss to the Charlotte Hornets, limiting him to just eight minutes of work. Isaiah Stewart got more involved, finishing with seven boards, six assists, one steal, and one block. Duren's next chance to get on the floor will be on Sunday versus Houston. In the meantime, Stewart is worth streaming in any fantasy format, and he'll likely draw value attention from DFS participants. In addition, Paul Reed, who had 13 points in 12 minutes versus Charlotte, should be viewed as a risky, high-upside option.

According to Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star, Indiana Pacers forwardAaron Nesmith(ankle) will miss his third consecutive contest on Friday against Charlotte due to a sprained left ankle.Nesmith suffered the injury during the Pacers' loss to the Pelicans one week ago and has been wearing a walking boot since. During the 25-year-old's absence, second-year players Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker have seen an uptick in minutes on the court.

According to Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Miami Heat forward/centerKevin Love(conditioning) will not be available for Friday's contest against the Denver Nuggets. Love hasn't played in a game this season for personal reasons. He appears close to playing form and could make his season debut versus the Timberwolves on Sunday. Thomas Bryant and Haywood Highsmithhave taken more prominent roles in rotation during Love's absence.

Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (illness) picked up a questionable tag heading into their Friday night matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. The backup point guard is dealing with an illness, so it will likely be a game-time decision based on how he's feeling. Since Andrew Nembhard (knee) is considered probable, he'll see some extra minutes while Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard should see more opportunities as well.

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (knee) has been listed as probable ahead of the Friday night game against the Charlotte Hornets. Despite dealing with a sore knee, Nembhard has been able to start and play north of 28 minutes in each of the last two games. He'll likely continue in the same role and may even take on some extra minutes if T.J. McConnell (illness) is unable to suit up. Nembhard hasn't been much of a contributor points-wise, but his assist and steal numbers are suitable for deeper leagues.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (illness) has been tagged as questionable for Friday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers with an illness. The 26-year-old was unable to suit up for their last game against the Memphis Grizzlies as well, so hopefully he makes a return to the lineup. If he's unable to play, however, Dalton Knecht and Cam Reddish are likely to see more minutes again like they did in the Grizzlies game.

Los Angeles Lakers center Anthony Davis (foot) has been listed as probable ahead of the Friday night matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. The superstar big man is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot, but it looks like he'll be able to play through some pain in this game. He's been the key to the Lakers' success so far this year as he's been the anchor on both sides of the ball. He's averaging a career-high 32.6 points per game to go along with 11.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.7 blocks per contest. As long as he's healthy, he should be in every single fantasy lineup.

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (back) appeared on the injury report but is considered available for the team's Friday night contest against the Denver Nuggets. The lethal scorer continues to be a mainstay on the injury report but it hasn't held him back from playing yet this season. So far, Herro averages 22.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 4.0 threes, and 2.3 turnovers per game. Fantasy managers can continue to depend on him for scoring and threes while he contributes here and there in boards and assists.

Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (groin) will remain sidelined on Friday while he heals from a strained groin. This will be his fourth consecutive missed game after suffering the strain on October 28 against the Atlanta Hawks. While he's been out, the Wizards have embraced the new youth movement. Alexandre Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Bilal Coulibaly have all joined the starting five while Corey Kispert has seen plenty of minutes from the bench. All of which are solid streaming options in 12-team leagues and deeper.

Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington (knee) will miss his second game in a row dealing with a sprained right knee. The former Charlotte Hornet has been part of the starting lineup throughout the start of the season, but will make way for Naji Marshall while he remains on the sidelines. With Dereck Lively II (shoulder) also watching from the sidelines, Daniel Gafford will also see more minutes. Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Dwight Powell will see some opportunities off of the bench, but they serve as streaming options in deeper leagues.

Atlanta Hawks forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) will remain sidelined for an eighth consecutive game after officially being ruled out for Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Hunter continues to be listed with injury management for his right knee. While Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) is also out, Zaccharie Risacher and Dyson Daniels are the two best streaming options while David Roddy and Garrison Mathews could serve some spot starts here and there.

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (concussion) remains in the concussion protocol and is considered questionable for Friday night's game against the Miami Heat. The veteran combo guard has already missed the last three consecutive games and is in danger of missing a fourth. Murray first suffered the concussion against Minnesota on November 1. If he can't get back on the floor, Christian Braun and Peyton Watson have been solid streaming options while Russell Westbrook runs with the starting five as well.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Trey Murphy III (hamstring) will not make his season debut on Friday after being downgraded from doubtful to out. He has been battling a strained hamstring to start the year, and the Pelicans seem to be taking a cautious approach after signing him to an extension. The Pelicans are also without Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), and Jordan Hawkins (back). That leaves Jose Alvarado as a big-time streaming option with some added opportunities going to Brandon Boston Jr. and Javonte Green too.