Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George (groin) is out for Wednesday's tilt against the Washington Wizards. George will sit out the fourth game of the Clippers' seven-game East Coast swing due to soreness in his left groin, with his next chance to suit up arriving on Friday against the Detroit Pistons. L.A.'s offense will run through James Harden and Kawhi Leonard in a mouthwatering matchup versus Washington, and Amir Coffey will replace George in the starting five. In both of his two outings without George in 2023-24, Coffey has notched double scoring figures, at least four rebounds, and multiple three-pointers and makes for a decent streaming option in fantasy for points and triples. Norman Powell has also delivered 21 points in each of his two games sans George.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (foot) is now questionable for Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets. After not appearing on the team's initial injury report, Williamson has popped up on an updated report with a left foot bone contusion. With Herbert Jones (groin) also questionable, the Pelicans could be very shorthanded in the frontcourt on Wednesday. The sharpshooting Trey Murphy III may be in line for a starting nod at power forward in New Orleans' first unit, and in four games without Williamson in 2023-24, Murphy is averaging a strong 18.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 three-pointers, 3.3 assists, and 1.0 steals. Larry Nance Jr. and Naji Marshall could also soak up more playing time in this case.

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ben Simmons (knee) has been downgraded to questionable for Wednesday's game against the Phoenix Suns with a left knee contusion. Simmons appeared to tweak his knee on an awkward landing following a blocked shot with the Nets up big late in Monday's blowout win over the Utah Jazz, threatening his status on Wednesday. The talented 27-year-old returned to Brooklyn's lineup with a bang following 38 games on the sidelines, teasing a triple-double with 10 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, one steal, and one block in just 18 minutes on Monday. If Simmons heads back to the seats against the Suns, more reserve minutes will be freed up for Royce O'Neale, Dennis Smith Jr., and Lonnie Walker IV.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (ankle) is listed as available for Wednesday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. Holmgren was not spotted at the team's morning shootaround, which spelled pessimism for his availability, but he's good to go and will avoid missing his first game of the campaign. The 21-year-old Rookie of the Year candidate may be hitting the proverbial rookie wall of late, averaging 11.7 points on 41.8% shooting from the field, 8.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.0 treys in 30.7 minutes over his last nine games, but he's returned second-round fantasy value in nine-category leagues overall in Year 1. Considering the defending champions are without Nikola Jokic (back) on Wednesday, Holmgren's matchup outlook should be brightened significantly.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (back) is listed as out for Wednesday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lower back pain will cause a rare absence for Jokic, who hasn't sat out since late November. The 28-year-old two-time MVP sounds to be day-to-day and hopes to return when the Nuggets host the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. Veteran DeAndre Jordan put on a vintage performance in a spot start when Jokic was out on Nov. 27 against the Los Angeles Clippers, posting 21 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block. Jordan sets up as a strong plug-and-play option as Denver's probable starting center in both DFS and season-long formats despite Chet Holmgren (ankle) suiting up for the Thunder.