January 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers, marking his sixth straight absence with a right ankle sprain. His next chance to return comes Sunday against Miami. Jones' continued absence has not produced reliable fantasy value from the supporting cast.
Jordan Hawkins has averaged just 10.4 minutes and 3.4 points over his last five, while rookie
Micah Peavy has logged 9.9 minutes and 2.8 points.
Saddiq Bey (hip), who posted 16 points Wednesday, carries the most stable role if cleared, while the rest remain fringe deep-league options.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans, extending his absence to eight straight contests with left Achilles tendonitis. Grant is traveling with the team, keeping a Saturday return against the Spurs in play, but his status remains fluid. His continued absence leaves Portland thin at forward, though fantasy returns have been limited.
Kris Murray has averaged 27.9 minutes with 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds over his last seven, while
Sidy Cissoko has logged 21.9 minutes with 6.9 points and 2.0 assists. Both remain inconsistent deep-league streamers, with
Deni Avdija carrying the most stable usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Boston Celtics forward/center
Chris Boucher (personal) is available for Thursday's game against Sacramento after missing three straight contests while away from the team. His return carries limited fantasy impact, as Boucher has not held a consistent role in Boston's rotation.
Neemias Queta has started at center and remains the primary frontcourt option, averaging 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block over his last five games.
Luka Garza continues to back him up, posting 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 21.3 minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Boston Celtics
January 1, 2026
Detroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (ankle) will not return to Thursday's game against Miami after suffering a right ankle sprain. Duren logged 18 minutes before exiting, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, and one steal after briefly attempting to play in the second half. With
Tobias Harris (hip) still out, Detroit is thin up front.
Paul Reed becomes a deep-league streaming option if Duren misses time, averaging 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks in two starts.
Isaiah Stewart and
Ron Holland II could also see expanded roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: Pistons PR
January 1, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Milwaukee, extending his absence to six straight contests with a left elbow sprain. His ongoing absence leaves the Hornets short-handed at center and keeps fill-in options on the fantasy radar.
Moussa Diabate (wrist) has started in Kalkbrenner's place and has averaged 8.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals over his last five while logging 31.9 minutes, making him a strong short-term streamer if cleared.
PJ Hall could also see rotational minutes if Diabate is limited.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
New York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart (ankle) will miss Friday's game against Atlanta, extending his absence to a fourth straight contest while he recovers from a right ankle sprain. His continued absence has opened consistent backcourt and wing minutes for several rotation players.
Miles McBride delivered 21 points in 26 minutes in the last game and remains a viable streamer for scoring and threes.
Jordan Clarkson continues to supply bench offense, while
Tyler Kolek has taken on added playmaking duties.
Mohamed Diawara has started but remains inconsistent, limiting his fantasy appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Kyshawn George (hip) will miss Friday's game against Brooklyn with a left hip flexor strain, marking a fourth straight absence. His continued absence has kept Washington's wing rotation steady for fantasy streaming.
Bub Carrington has averaged 14.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.3 three-pointers over his last three while playing 25.8 minutes, making him a viable deep-league add. Rookie
Tre Johnson has supplied 17.3 points and 3.7 three-pointers in 26.3 minutes, while
Justin Champagnie continues to contribute rebounds and secondary scoring.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (ankle/knee) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against Dallas, a welcome sign after a stretch of heavy management and spotty availability. When he does play, the production has followed. Embiid has appeared in just 14 games but is coming off a 38-minute overtime effort Tuesday with 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two blocks. His return squeezes minutes for
Andre Drummond and
Adem Bona. Embiid remains a must-start when active, though rest risk lingers in weekly formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Austin Krell
January 1, 2026
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) will be re-evaluated in four weeks after a right calf strain, leaving Denver thin up front with
Nikola Jokic (knee) also sidelined.
DaRon Holmes II and
Zeke Nnaji are positioned for increased roles. Holmes has averaged just 8.6 minutes over four games, but an expanded workload would give him deep-league streaming appeal through rebounds and defensive stats. Nnaji could see situational run, while
Peyton Watson may log minutes at the five if Denver goes small.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
January 1, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
D'Angelo Russell (illness) is out for Thursday's game, continuing a stretch of inconsistent availability. His role has also varied when active, keeping Dallas' point guard rotation unsettled.
Brandon Williams again benefited last game, logging 30 minutes with 22 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal, positioning him as a short-term streaming option. Rookie
Ryan Nembhard drew the start but played 17 minutes, while
Max Christie and
Naji Marshall should continue to see steady run.
--Brian DailisanSource: Noah Weber
January 1, 2026
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (soleus) is available for Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Sengun drops the questionable tag for tonight's tilt after missing the last two contests because of a left soleus strain. The Rockets are hurting heading into this one, with
Clint Capela (illness) and
Steven Adams (ankle) out, so having the 23-year-old active will bring a much-needed boost to a depleted frontcourt. Before missing two previous contests, Sengun registered 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and one steal across 31 minutes in a 119-96 win over the Lakers on Christmas Day.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today reports that Houston Rockets centers
Steven Adams (ankle) and
Clint Capela (illness) are unavailable for Thursday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. Adams sprained his right ankle during Monday's 126-119 win over the Pacers, while Capela is feeling under the weather. With both veteran big men out of action,
Dorian Finney-Smith may see an expanded role, but he should not be viewed as a streaming option for fantasy managers.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Sharif Phillips-Keaton
January 1, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Egor Demin (back) won't play on Thursday against Houston. He had 23 points in Monday's loss to the Golden State Warriors. However, the rookie will sit this one out because of back soreness. With
Michael Porter Jr. (illness) also sidelined,
Noah Clowney,
Danny Wolf, and
Nicolas Claxton are all in line for more production.
Cam Thomas, who has been limited since returning from a hamstring injury, should be considered the favorite to lead the team in scoring.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Ace Bailey (hip) remains out for Thursday's meeting with the Clippers, marking his third-straight absence. With
Keyonte George (illness),
Lauri Markkanen (knee), and
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) also ruled out, Bailey would have been in line for a significant bump on the offensive end. However, since he's sidelined as well,
Walter Clayton Jr. and
Isaiah Collier should see all the minutes they can handle, with
Svi Mykhailiuk also likely being more involved on both ends of the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
According to Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today, Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (illness) is set to suit up against the Brooklyn Nets. Eason was listed as questionable due to an illness, but he has since been cleared to play. This evening's clash will be the sixth game in a row the 24-year-old has played after missing over a month due to an oblique injury. With
Steven Adams (ankle) and
Clint Capela (illness) out of action, fantasy managers could look to Eason as an option, as he will likely see extended minutes during tonight's contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Sharif Phillips-Keaton
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