Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry (knee) will return from a two-game absence on Friday versus Orlando. He's set to link up with Tyrese Maxey (hip) on the backcourt, pushing Cameron Payne to the bench. De'Anthony Melton could also lose playing time with Lowry's return. This is a bad fantasy matchup for Philadelphia against a slow-paced team, and Lowry hasn't been a great asset for managers. The veteran is averaging only 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for the month.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (ankle) will be available to play in Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The sharpshooter sat out Wednesday's game versus the Orlando Magic due to left ankle injury management, but he will be able to suit up for this next contest against one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Both Damian Lillard (adductor) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) are not playing, which will likely put a lot of playmaking responsibility into the hands of Middleton.

Boston Celtics forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring) and forward/center Al Horford (toe) will step out of the lineup on Friday against Charlotte. After losing to New York 118-109 on Thursday, Boston gives all of its key guys rest on Friday, with Xavier Tillman Sr. and Luke Kornet direct beneficiaries from the frontcourt absentees. The stage is set for the two to perform well against a team that gives up the third-most points and the second-most rebounds in the league to opposing centers.

New York Knicks forward/center Isaiah Hartenstein (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Nets. He had a double-double with six assists and two blocks in Thursday's win over the Boston Celtics. But the 25-year-old will sit this one out to rest before presumably suiting up for New York's final regular season game on Sunday. Nonetheless, without Hartenstein in the equation, Precious Achiuwa and Mitchell Robinson should split time in the middle, although the former is a much safer DFS option.

Boston Celtics guards Jrue Holiday (knee) and Derrick White (ankle) won't be in the lineup on Friday versus Charlotte. Boston will run with its bench mob against the Hornets, as the entire starting five plus Al Horford (toe) has been ruled out. Payton Pritchard will get the keys to the backcourt, with Jaden Springer and Svi Mykhailiuk also in a position to benefit from the absences of Holiday and White.

Boston Celtics guard/forward Jaylen Brown (hand) will come out of the lineup as the team finishes a back-to-back on Friday against Charlotte. Brown is dealing with a hand sprain, but this is more of a rest day for him, with the C's having already secured the best record in the league and playing for a second consecutive night. Sam Hauser and Svi Mykhailiuk look set for a nice boost in minutes on Friday without Brown.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (knee) will not play against Charlotte on Friday. The team has ruled him out with a right knee contusion. Boston will have all of its top six guys out on Friday, meaning a boatload of open minutes for the rest of the crew. Sam Hauser and Oshae Brissett will be the players directly benefiting from Tatum's absence.

Brooklyn Nets guard Dennis Schroder (Achilles) won't play on Friday against the Knicks. The veteran has played well since getting moved to Brooklyn. However, the team has nothing left to play for, so Schroder may be done for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. With Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) also out, Jacob Gilyard (hip) could slide into the starting lineup if he's cleared to play. But the offense should continue to run through Cam Thomas and Mikal Bridges regardless of who's at the one.

Chicago Bulls guard/forward DeMar DeRozan (rest) will get the night off on Friday versus Washington. The Bulls have nothing left to play for and complete a back-to-back set, so it's completely understandable that the team gives DeRozan some time off. Coby White is set to be the only regular starter in the lineup and should get heavy usage in a good matchup against a struggling team. Meanwhile, Chicago's bench mob led by Dalen Terry will get an opportunity to show what they are capable of in larger roles.

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (rest) won't feature against the Wizards on Friday. He sits out the second leg of a back-to-back for rest purposes. With Andre Drummond (ankle) already on the shelf, it looks like we'll get to know Adama Sanogo a lot better on Friday. Smaller lineups could also give extra playing time to Dalen Terry, Torrey Craig, and Javonte Green.

Washington Wizards forward/center Richaun Holmes (toe) won't be able to return to the lineup on Friday against Chicago. The team has downgraded Holmes from questionable to out, meaning an eighth consecutive absence for him. Tristan Vukcevic is available again on Friday and should make another start in a decent matchup. The 21-year-old has looked very promising in his first few outings in the NBA, averaging 14.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in three previous starts.

Utah Jazz guard Kris Dunn (foot) will miss a fourth consecutive game on Friday against the Clippers. He remains on the shelf due to inflammation in his left foot. The Jazz backcourt is down to bare bones, meaning fantasy managers should target Keyonte George and Talen Horton-Tucker. Johnny Juzang is also among the beneficiaries in the situation, but he's been wildly inconsistent with his performances.

Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson (back) will remain out of the lineup on Friday against the Clippers. Clarkson has played just five times since the beginning of last month, leaving Utah without its third-best scorer. Keyonte George has gotten a big boost in fantasy value on Utah's backcourt over the final couple of months of the season, with Talen Horton-Tucker also recently breaking back into the rotation. With Collin Sexton (illness) considered doubtful for Friday, George and Horton-Tucker could be used even more on the offensive end.

Utah Jazz forward/center John Collins (back) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Clippers. He will miss a seventh consecutive game with back spasms. Omer Yurtseven has taken over as Utah's starting center. He's averaging 8.6 points and 8.2 rebounds in the role. The Clippers give up the eighth-most rebounds in the league to opposing centers, giving Yurtseven a good opportunity to battle for a double-double in Friday's matchup.

Houston Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet (hip) will miss Friday's contest against Portland. He gets the night off because of a right hip contusion after erupting for a season-high 42 points on Thursday versus Utah. VanVleet's absence will likely open the door for Aaron Holiday to join the starting unit, although Jalen Green and Amen Thompson will be the biggest beneficiaries in the situation. Both should get more playmaking opportunities and shots. Green ate up just 19 minutes on Thursday and should be eager to perform well in a favorable matchup.

Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) will officially suit up ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. The big man will make his first appearance on the court since suffering a left meniscus injury in early March. Fantasy managers should not expect Towns to have a full workload on Friday. It's his first game back, so the team will likely ease him back into action. The expectation is that Naz Reid will see decreased playing time, so fantasy managers should expect less value from him. However, Reid should still be rostered in all fantasy formats right now.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (groin) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The star guard was considered as doubtful coming into this game, but the team will ultimately hold him out. This is not good news for the Bucks as this team is already shorthanded. The expectation is that the Bucks will use a committee approach to fill the void left by Lillard. Patrick Beverley, Pat Connaughton, and Malik Beasley figure to all see more playing time. Out of the three, Beverley has the most upside in terms of streaming appeal.

Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (rest) has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as this looks like a routine rest game for DeRozan. The Bulls have already locked up the 9th seed, so they have no incentive to put DeRozan out there. The expectation is that the Bulls will use a committee approach to fill the void. Dalen Terry, Javonte Green, and Jevon Carter figure to all see more playing time.

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Phoenix Suns. Fox appears to be fine after suffering a right ankle sprain during Thursday's game. Fox said afterwards that he was fine, so it appears that he was right. Fantasy managers should expect Fox to carry his normal workload ahead of Friday's game.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (knee) is listed as probable ahead of Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The veteran forward sat out alongside guard Klay Thompson (knee) during Thursday's contest. However, head coach Steve Kerr mentioned beforehand that both players should be active for Friday. The return of Green should push Jonathan Kuminga out of the starting five. Kuminga won't have as strong of streaming appeal while playing off the bench. Fantasy managers should double check that status of Green and Thompson ahead of tip-off.