Brooklyn Nets forward/center Dorian Finney-Smith has been upgraded from probable to available for Tuesday's road matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. Finney-Smith continues to experience soreness in his left knee, which would seem to threaten his availability for the second leg of Brooklyn's back-to-back on Wednesday versus the Houston Rockets. The 30-year-old three-and-D specialist tends to be a low-end fantasy option, providing 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.4 treys per game on a career-high 43.0% clip from three-point land in his first full year with the Nets during 2023-24. With Ben Simmons (hip) on the shelf for the majority of the campaign, Finney-Smith has spent more time as a small-ball five than he ever has in his career behind starter Nicolas Claxton.

Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle spoke on the injury to guard/forward Bruce Brown (knee) on Tuesday, hinting that he could return on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Brown hasn't been seen on the floor since Dec. 21 with a right knee bone bruise. The Pacers begin a five-game homestand on Wednesday, so Brown should have a good opportunity to return from his absence at some stage during this swing. The position-less 27-year-old has gotten lost in the shuffle at times in the No. 1 Pacers offense with so many scoring options around him, but he is still chipping in 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 threes per game and should be rostered in most nine-category fantasy leagues. With Andrew Nembhard (back) doubtful versus the Bucks, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, and Buddy Hield would all be asked to step up if Brown remains sidelined as well.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups said pregame on Monday that center Deandre Ayton (knee) is not currently with the team and stayed back in Portland to receive "rigorous treatment" for the tendinitis in his right knee. It likely leaves Ayton doubtful to return from a four-game absence on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks. But Ayton should have a chance to join the squad at some point, since the Blazers will remain on the road for six more contests until Jan. 12. Moses Brown has served as the formal starter in Ayton's stead, but it hasn't translated to a meaningful uptick in fantasy value. Jerami Grant and Jabari Walker have shared minutes at the five as well, with the latter being worth a look in deeper leagues. In eight outings without Ayton this year, Walker is contributing 13.5 points on 55.2% field-goal shooting and 7.4 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game.

Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett debuted for the team with a 19-point, nine-rebound effort in a 124-121 win over Cleveland on Monday. He shot an efficient 6-for-12 from the field and 6-for-8 at the line in 29 minutes as a starter. It was a solid debut for Barrett, who was 1-for-2 with the three-ball, but he had trouble handling the ball and committed five of the team's 11 turnovers. Barrett should clean up the turnovers once he's better adjusted to his new teammates. He typically doesn't do much else besides scoring, but Barrett celebrated his first appearance with his hometown team with a season-high in rebounding and should get plenty of confidence from the positive start.

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley produced a good all-around performance in his first game for the team on Monday, finishing a 124-121 home victory against Cleveland with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. He hit two shots from outside with five attempts, and Quickley was 5-for-12 overall from the field while having zero turnovers in 28 minutes. The 24-year-old, who finished second in the voting for the Sixth Man of the Year Award last season, started life in Canada as a starter, pushing Dennis Schroder to the bench. Schroder was still productive with a 12-point, eight-assist performance and actually logged a couple of extra minutes compared to Quickley, but early signs suggest that the two don't bother each other too much, and Quickley is a good fit on his new team.