January 4, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lakers, extending his absence to eight straight contests due to left knee tendinitis. With Williams still sidelined, Memphis continues to lean on its depleted wing rotation.
Cedric Coward has been the most productive beneficiary, averaging 14.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 three-pointers in 27.3 minutes over his last seven games.
Cam Spencer has added steady playmaking, while
Jaylen Wells and
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope remain situational fantasy options in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 4, 2026
Sacramento Kings center
Maxime Raynaud (knee) will be available for Sunday's game against Milwaukee after an MRI showed no structural damage to his left knee. Raynaud briefly exited Friday's loss to Phoenix but avoided a serious issue and is expected to remain in the starting lineup with
Domantas Sabonis (knee) sidelined for multiple weeks. In his last 13 starts, Raynaud has averaged 13.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting 56.1 percent from the field in 30.4 minutes per game. He profiles as a steady standard-league hold with continued double-double upside.
--Brian DailisanSource: James Ham
January 4, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will miss a fourth straight game Sunday against Phoenix and continues to be ruled out in advance, with his next chance to play Monday versus Charlotte. His absence keeps
Chet Holmgren anchored in the middle, where he posted 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks in 26 minutes Friday.
Jalen Williams should continue to chip in on the glass, while
Branden Carlson logged 22 minutes off the bench and delivered 15 points and 11 rebounds, making him a deep-league streaming consideration if frontcourt absences persist.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 4, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for a seventh straight game Sunday against Miami due to a right ankle sprain. With Jones and
Saddiq Bey (hip) both sidelined, New Orleans continues to test its wing depth, though fantasy results have been underwhelming. Over the last six games,
Bryce McGowens has averaged 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 20.0 minutes, while
Jordan Hawkins has posted 2.8 points in 11.4 minutes.
Micah Peavy has chipped in 2.7 points in 12.2 minutes. All three remain risky, deep-league-only options. Jones' next chance to return comes Tuesday against the Lakers.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 4, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Saddiq Bey (hip) will miss a second straight game Sunday against Miami due to a right hip strain. Bey's absence has opened wing minutes, though the fantasy results have been uneven.
Bryce McGowens has started each of the last four games but is averaging just 6.3 points on volatile shooting across 25.3 minutes, making him a risky streaming option.
Micah Peavy's playing time has fluctuated sharply, limiting his usefulness even in deeper formats. Bey's next chance to return comes Tuesday against the Lakers.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 4, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (personal) will miss a second straight game Sunday against Denver, with his next chance to return Wednesday versus Orlando. Claxton's absence once again elevates
Day'Ron Sharpe into a high-utility fantasy role. Sharpe started Friday's loss to Washington and delivered 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 30 minutes, continuing his trend as a strong per-minute producer whenever Claxton sits. Sharpe profiles as an automatic short-term stream and viable standard-league option, while
Noah Clowney and
Danny Wolf see modest frontcourt minutes without consistent fantasy floors.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 4, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will not play Sunday against Orlando due to a right thumb sprain, leaving Indiana short-handed on the wing. With Mathurin sidelined,
Aaron Nesmith profiles as the most reliable fantasy beneficiary after drawing a start last game and logging 29 minutes. Over his last four since returning from injury, Nesmith has averaged 10.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers, and 1.3 blocks in 25.9 minutes, offering low-end standard-league value.
Johnny Furphy and
Ben Sheppard should see extra run, but their fantasy appeal remains limited to deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 4, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Kyshawn George (hip) will miss a fifth straight game Sunday against Minnesota and remains without a timetable to return, keeping Washington's wing rotation thin. George's absence has opened steady fantasy lanes for
Tre Johnson,
Bub Carrington, and
Justin Champagnie. Over the last four games, Johnson has averaged 16.0 points and 3.3 three-pointers in 26.8 minutes, while Carrington has produced 12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 25.9 minutes with elevated turnover risk. Champagnie has delivered 13.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, and 1.3 steals in 27.3 minutes, making him the most stable roster play in standard formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (knee) is available for Saturday's game at Golden State. He didn't suit up for the recent 118-101 loss to the Clippers.
Svi Mykhailiuk entered the starting lineup, finishing with five points, two boards, and one assist in 24 minutes. With
Keyonte George (illness) also back in action, Mykhailiuk will likely return to the bench. As far as Markkanen is concerned, fantasy managers can get him back in their lineups, although he might be less productive than usual versus a Warriors team that has been sound defensively throughout the campaign.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (illness) will suit up for Saturday's game at Golden State after missing his first contest of the 2025 campaign on Thursday in the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 22-year-old is having a fantastic season, averaging 24.6 points, 6.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 37.4% shooting from behind the arc, all career-highs. His return should mean less work for
Walter Clayton Jr., who logged 30 minutes versus the Clippers. However, the rookie may still stay involved, considering
Ace Bailey (hip) remains out. Unfortunately, Clayton's fantasy outlook isn't favorable in a meeting with one of the NBA's top defensive squads.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
PJ Hall will start in Saturday's meeting with the Bulls. With
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and
Moussa Diabate (wrist) both sidelined, the Hornets are thin at the five spot. The 23-year-old got the first start of his career in Friday's one-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, finishing with four points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. While Hall is a risky option for fantasy managers, his ceiling is higher on Saturday in a contest that should feature plenty of scoring between two of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Charlotte Hornets
January 3, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Saturday against the Knicks. As usual, the multi-time All-Star carried an injury designation. However, he'll be on the floor on Saturday night. Embiid is starting to return to form after struggling to begin the 2025 campaign. He combined for 65 points in recent meetings with the Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies before amassing 22 points on Thursday in the 123-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
New York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) will play on Saturday against Philadelphia. He didn't suit up for Friday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks, his third absence of the 2025 campaign. Fortunately, that trend won't continue. As usual, KAT is a must-start in all fantasy setups.
Ariel Hukporti, who had eight points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks on Friday, will head back to the bench behind
Mitchell Robinson (ankle), who is also available. As a result, Hukporti shouldn't be anywhere near a fantasy lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
January 3, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (knee) did not return to Friday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old logged 20 minutes in that one, finishing with 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and one steal before suffering a right knee strain in the third quarter. According to head coach Jamahl Mosley, he will be re-evaluated ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Suggs has battled injuries in previous seasons. Unfortunately, it's been the same story throughout the 2025 campaign, with the 2021 No. 5 overall selection already missing time because of various ailments, including his most recent, a hip injury that kept him off the court for seven contests. Without question, the team will play it safe, so fantasy managers may not see Suggs on the floor for at least a few games. If that's the case,
Anthony Black could remain in the starting lineup, even once
Franz Wagner (ankle), who is expected back within the week, is cleared to suit up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jason Beede
January 3, 2026
San Antonio Spurs forward
Devin Vassell (adductor) was injured in Monday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. An MRI confirmed an adductor strain, already costing him meetings with the Knicks and most recently, Friday's win over the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, Vassell is projected to miss additional contests moving ahead, with head coach Mitch Johnson stating that the 25-year-old will be sidelined for "more than a few games." Vassell's production is down this season compared to previous campaigns, although he's still averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. It's unknown how long he'll be on the shelf. In the meantime,
Justin Champagnie is expected to replace him in the rotation. However,
Dylan Harper, coming off a 22-point effort, should benefit more, especially if
Victor Wembanyama (knee) remains out.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jeff McDonald
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