We are still early enough in the season where you can get a handle on injuries pretty easily, even on large slates like tonight. However, we are fast approaching the time where monitoring for news is crucial, and tonight we are going to get a taste of that.

Two big-time power forwards look like game-time decisions tonight, and they both tip off at least an hour and a half after lineups lock. This could make building lineups for tonight very tricky.

Notable Injuries

Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz

Derrick Favors went through shootaround this morning and has been practicing with the team over the last few days. He was, at first, labeled a game-time decision, but Jazz beat writer Jody Genessy thinks the big man will play tonight. If Favors does suit up, the bigger question may be how many minutes he plays. If he is back to his full complement of minutes, he should be a fine DFS target tonight. However, there is also the chance that the Jazz bring him along slowly, especially if they have this game against the Lakers in hand. Rudy Gobert takes a hit if Favors does play tonight, as does Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Speaking of surprise news, Dirk Nowitzki missed shootaround this morning with what coach Rick Carlisle is calling a "stomach thing." He thinks Nowitzki will still play, but it is worth monitoring, especially against a juicy fantasy matchup with the Rockets. If for some reason Nowitzki is out or limited at all, the Mavs' other scorers like Deron Williams and Harrison Barnes deserve a nice bump, while Dwight Powell and Quincy Acy should see more minutes. However, for now it looks like Dirk's absence from shootaround is just precautionary. Check back at lineup lock for more info.

Frank Kaminsky, Charlotte Hornets

Frank Kaminsky sat out the Hornets' season opener, and he is officially questionable for Friday. Roy Hibbert, Cody Zeller and Marvin Williams all played well in Kaminsky's absence, and if he is out again, expect a few more minutes for all three of those guys against the Heat on Friday.

Bismack Biyombo, Orlando Magic

Bismack Biyombo is back from his one-game suspension, and after playing a key role in the preseason, Biyombo's presence does a couple of things for the Magic. The biggest is it improves their defense, but it also hurts Nikola Vucevic's fantasy value. The Magic's center had a big game when Biyombo was out on Wednesday, but with a stacked frontcourt, it could be a night to fade Vucevic after his stellar game Wednesday.

Lesser Injuries

Iman Shumpert, Cleveland Cavaliers

Iman Shumpert has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol, and he will be available for tonight's Eastern Conference Finals rematch against the Raptors. Shumpert doesn't provide a lot of fantasy value, especially with Kay Felder back tonight serving as the backup point guard.

Randy Foye, Brooklyn Nets

Randy Foye is also out tonight once again, which will add some value to Bojan Bogdanovic, who dropped 21 points with Foye out on Wednesday. Joe Harris should also see an expanded role with Foye sitting out Friday.

Lucas Nogueira, Toronto Raptors

With Biyombo being in Orlando now, the backup center duties fall on Lucas Nogueira in Toronto. However, he sprained his ankle in the Raptors' opener, and he is likely out tonight against the Cavs. Jonas Valanciunas had a huge game in expanded minutes after Nogueira was forced from the game, and he could again be forced to play as many minutes as he can handle. With the Raptors' frontcourt getting bit by the injury bug, Pascal Siakam and even Jakob Poeltl could see a minutes bump on Friday.

Channing Frye, Cleveland Cavaliers

Finally, in some sadder news, Channing Frye's mother lost her battle with cancer, and the veteran big man has been excused from the team indefinitely. Without Frye off the bench in this one, Kevin Love might be in for a minutes bump. The Cavs might also go smaller more with Richard Jefferson and Mike Dunleavy seeing some minutes at power forward when Love and LeBron James are on the bench. With the Raptors down some big men, too, the frontcourt rotations for both clubs will be interesting tonight.