Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz and will receive further evaluation on his left knee in the next 24 hours. Embiid was scheduled to go for an MRI on Wednesday, and while it sounds like we'll have to wait a little while longer for the extent of the setback to his already-injured left knee, Philly has ruled out the 29-year-old MVP candidate well in advance of Thursday's action. With that said, Embiid can only miss four more games after Thursday to be eligible for the MVP award based on the NBA's new rules. BBall Paul Reed will hold down the fort at the five for the Sixers in the meantime, averaging 12.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals in 12 games without Embiid this year and is close to a must-roster in fantasy.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (knee) is out for Wednesday's matchup versus the Phoenix Suns due to a left knee contusion. Simmons returned for the Nets on Monday after nearly a three-month absence, amassing 10 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in the rout of the Utah Jazz, so it's rough timing for the 27-year-old point forward to head back to the sidelines. The slow-healing Simmons developed swelling in his knee after the game, but since tests have shown no further issues, he should be deemed day-to-day ahead of Saturday's showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers. With Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) also out on Wednesday, Lonnie Walker IV, Dennis Smith Jr., and Royce O'Neale should have longer leashes from Brooklyn's bench.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (jaw) will play in Wednesday's tilt versus the Detroit Pistons. Sidelined since mid-December with a fractured jaw, Garland makes his highly-anticipated return to the hardwood after participating in Wednesday's morning shootaround. The matchup against the Pistons is an appetizing one for Garland, but even though he's rejoining Cleveland's starting group in place of Isaac Okoro right off the bat, the 24-year-old star playmaker is still risky in DFS due to the risk of his minutes being monitored in a game with blowout potential. The red-hot Cavs are glad to have Garland's 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, and 1.6 steals per game back in their dynamic backcourt alongside superstar Donovan Mitchell, however, and so should season-long fantasy managers.

The Charlotte Hornets have upgraded forward Miles Bridges (elbow) from probable to available for Wednesday's contest versus the Chicago Bulls. A left elbow contusion clouded Bridges' availability a bit on Wednesday, but Charlotte has officially given him the green light to suit up, and he hasn't sat out since Dec. 18. The 25-year-old playmaking forward is playing top-50 ball in nine-category fantasy leagues this year, averaging 20.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists 2.3 threes, and 1.1 steals in 34 games for the Hornets. Although Wednesday's matchup carries the lowest implied point total (214.5) of the nine-game slate, Bridges belongs in all season-long lineups,.

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been downgraded from doubtful to out for Wednesday's game versus the Chicago Bulls. Ball continues to nurse soreness in his right ankle, which has cost him the team's past two contests, and he'll aim to return when the 10-35 Hornets head out for a brief one-game road trip on Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Terry Rozier now in South Beach, Charlotte has been forced to turn to swingman Cody Martin as their starting point guard. Over Martin's past nine games without Ball in the lineup, he is averaging 8.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers and is worth a look in deep fantasy leagues despite a tough matchup against Alex Caruso's lockdown defense.