Last Updated on December 9, 2025 12:45 pm by Mike Passador | Published: December 9, 2025

Tonight’s Eastern Conference quarterfinals bring two matchups loaded with fantasy intrigue, where minutes and injuries are creating immediate opportunities. In Miami, Tyler Herro returns from a two-game absence (right big toe contusion) to face the Magic, slotting right back into a full scoring and playmaking role as the Heat enter the NBA Cup quarterfinals with an unusually clear injury report. Herro is a must-start plug-and-play option in all formats, giving managers confidence that the Heat’s primary offensive engine is back at near full strength.

Orlando, meanwhile, faces a more disrupted rotation with Franz Wagner sidelined for 2–4 weeks due to a high left ankle sprain. Tristan da Silva is the most likely fill-in at small forward, carrying streamer appeal, but Anthony Black is the player to watch. With Wagner out, Black’s minutes, playmaking opportunities and defensive contributions all spike, making him a strong add in standard leagues and a must-grab in deeper formats. The Magic will redistribute wing responsibilities and secondary creation, so monitoring which role players step up could uncover immediate fantasy value.

New York also sees rotation shifts impacting tonight’s slate. Miles McBride (left ankle) will miss the game against the Raptors, funneling minutes to Jordan Clarkson and potentially Tyler Kolek for deeper-league managers. OG Anunoby is ramping up quickly, logging 28 minutes on Sunday and producing his usual combination of scoring, threes, rebounds and elite defense. He’s near a full workload again and remains a top-50 fantasy option if healthy, while the extra minutes for Clarkson and the potential point guard rotation changes make the Knicks’ backcourt a fertile spot for short-term fantasy plays.

Top Pickups

This is the “general must-add” section regardless of the slate. If these players are being overlooked and remain chilling on the waiver wire, consider adding them to your squad.

Justin Champagnie (3%)

Justin Champagnie showed why he’s worth monitoring closely on Saturday against the Hawks, delivering 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two triples across 32 minutes. With Bilal Coulibaly out (oblique) and Khris Middleton on rest, Champagnie earned a start alongside Bub Carrington, highlighting the Wizards’ fluid lineup. When given 30-plus minutes, he’s a standard-league contributor and for deeper formats, he’s a stash worth considering as the minutes trend upward.

Over the last three weeks, Champagnie has been one of Washington’s most productive players, averaging 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and one block in 20 MPG with strong efficiency. His recent four-game stretch at 22.6 minutes per night has been even more compelling: 12 points, seven boards, two assists, 1.5 blocks and nearly 91% from the foul line. The Wizards’ lineup volatility makes consistency a challenge, but if Champagnie’s role stabilizes, he could quickly climb the fantasy ranks.

Anthony Black  (29%)

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