Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs - News - December 29, 2025

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Devin Vassell - Out with adductor strain Vassell is out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks due to a right adductor strain, per Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio.

Impact Vassell exited Monday's game against Cleveland for undisclosed reasons before returning to the floor in the fourth quarter, though it appears he came away from the contest with an injury. Given the tricky nature of the issue, it wouldn't be shocking if Vassell missed more time beyond Wednesday. Julian Champagnie stands out as the most likely option to jump into the starting lineup.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Stephon Castle - Questionable against Knicks Castle is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Knicks with a left thumb sprain, per Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio.

Impact The 2024 first-rounder could join Devin Vassell (adductor) as a spectator. If Castle is sidelined, Dylan Harper and Keldon Johnson would both be in line for an expanded role in the San Antonio backcourt Wednesday.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Larry Nance Jr. - Remains out with calf strain Nance is out for Wednesday's game against the Suns due to a strained right calf.

Impact The Cavaliers announced at the end of November that Nance could miss as long as four weeks, so it's possible they'll update his return timeline at some point soon. Until that happens, the veteran big man can be considered week-to-week.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Max Strus - Remains without timetable Strus (foot) won't play Wednesday against the Suns and remains without a timetable to return.

Impact Strus has yet to play this season after undergoing foot surgery back in August. For now, fantasy managers can consider him week-to-week.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sam Merrill - Probable for Wednesday Merrill is probable for Wednesday's game against the Suns due to left hip soreness.

Impact Merrill is expected to play through the issue Wednesday, and the Cavaliers are likely to confirm his status closer to tipoff. The sharpshooter has averaged 11.0 points, 3.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 three-pointers in 26.4 minutes per game over his last five outings.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

De'Andre Hunter - Nearly double-doubles Hunter had 11 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and two steals in 24 minutes during Monday's 113-101 victory over the Spurs.

Impact This was a strong performance from Hunter, but his overall production has been a bit underwhelming. Part of the issue is that the Cavaliers have been getting a lot from players such as Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson. Hunter can be treated as a low-end fantasy contributor going forward.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lonzo Ball - Dropped from rotation Ball (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Monday in the Cavaliers' 113-101 win over the Spurs.

Impact Ball wasn't listed on the Cavaliers' injury report leading up to Monday's game, so his lack of playing time seems to be simply a result of him at least temporarily falling out of head coach Kenny Atkinson's rotation. Atkinson elected to go with Craig Porter, Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson as the team's reserve options at guard and on the wing while Ball failed to get off the bench. Ball's $10 million contract had likely given him a longer leash in the rotation that he otherwise deserved; the 28-year-old is shooting an abysmal 29.9 percent from the field and 25.6 percent from three-point range in 23.2 minutes per game over his 25 appearances on the season.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs - News: Dec 30, 2025

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