February 5, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) is not on the injury report for Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana rested several regulars, including Nembhard, when the team wrapped up a back-to-back set on Tuesday night against the Utah Jazz. Nembhard has been inconsistent in recent outings and was quiet on Monday against Houston, finishing with seven points and eight assists. He has a significantly better matchup on Friday against a team ranked eighth from the bottom in defensive efficiency. With
T.J. McConnell (knee) also back on Friday,
Kam Jones and
Quenton Jackson must settle for lesser roles.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they extended a non-roster invitation to infield prospect
George Lombard Jr. for major-league spring training. Lombard, who is MLB Pipeline's No. 32 overall prospect going into the 2026 season, played in 132 games at High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset last year and batted .235/.367/.381 with a .748 OPS, nine home runs, 49 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases in 580 plate appearances. The 20-year-old hit just .215 (84-for-391) with eight homers, 36 RBI, 68 runs, and 24 steals in 108 games at Somerset, but he was the third-youngest qualified hitter at Double-A. Lombard has a fly-ball swing, but he has yet to develop much power and has struggled to get on base regularly against older competition. The former first-rounder still has some developing to do, but he makes for a nice dynasty stash as a future shortstop with above-average speed and potential plus power as well.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Yankees
February 5, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam (rest) will hop back into the lineup on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team has removed him from the injury report after Siakam sat out the second leg of a back-to-back on Tuesday against Utah for rest. Siakam's return will push
Jarace Walker to the bench, though he should still have a prominent role in the rotation. In two meetings with the Bucks this season, Siakam has averaged 23.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. He's in a good spot to improve his numbers on Friday, as Milwaukee remains without
Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) and might be without
Bobby Portis (hip), who is listed as questionable on the injury report.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
The Minnesota Twins signed free-agent catcher
David Banuelos to a minor-league deal on Thursday that includes an invitation to big-league camp, according to Darren Wolfson. Banuelos was in the Twins' system from 2018 to 2022. The 29-year-old backstop was originally a fifth-round selection in 2017 out of California State Long Beach by the Seattle Mariners. He made his major-league debut in 2024 with the Baltimore Orioles, but he has just three plate appearances at the big-league level over the last two years. At Triple-A Norfolk in 2025, Banuelos hit only .107 with a home run, two RBI, and four runs scored in 21 games played. Banuelos will almost certainly open the 2026 campaign at Triple-A St. Paul as catching depth behind
Ryan Jeffers,
Victor Caratini, and
Alex Jackson.
--Keith HernandezSource: Darren Wolfson
February 5, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ty Jerome (calf) won't suit up on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. Memphis will begin a back-to-back on Friday night, and Jerome will exit the lineup after making his first three appearances of the season. He has looked very impressive in his first few outings, averaging 22.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 steals in just 20.3 minutes per game.
Cam Spencer and
Javon Small are set to fill the point guard minutes on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija (back) is questionable for Friday's encounter with the Memphis Grizzlies. Avdija practiced on Thursday, but Sean Highkin of Rip City Radio 620 Portland reported that he is unlikely to play on Friday night. However, Avdija hasn't been officially ruled out, leaving hope that he can return to the court. Due to a lingering back issue, Avdija has played in only four of the last 11 games.
Jerami Grant and
Sidy Cissoko see increased usage in Avdija's absence, while the returning
Scoot Henderson (hamstring) will also help fill the void.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that outfield prospect
Cole Carrigg has received a non-roster invitation to 2026 major-league spring training. The 23-year-old former second-round pick out of San Diego State University in 2023 will get an invite after slashing .237/.316/.394 with a .711 OPS, 15 home runs, 64 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 46 stolen bases in 123 games played last year with Double-A Hartford. Carrigg's speed and defense are his primary calling cards, but the Rockies are already set in center field with
Brenton Doyle. He has stolen 99 bases in the last two seasons, but he also saw his strikeout rate jump from 19% at High-A Spokane to 27% last year at Hartford. Hitter-friendly Coors Field should help mask some of Carrigg's deficiencies as a hitter when he makes it to the big leagues, though, and his speed and defense will certainly play.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rockies Club Information
February 5, 2026
Golden State Warriors guard
De'Anthony Melton (knee) will be active on Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns, Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. He was initially considered questionable for the game due to a sore left knee. Melton has enjoyed a productive campaign as a reserve guard in San Francisco, averaging 13.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals across his last eight outings. With
Stephen Curry (knee) out, Melton can make an even larger impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dalton Johnson
February 5, 2026
The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that they gave first base prospect
Charlie Condon a non-roster invitation to 2026 major-league spring training. Condon, the No. 70 overall prospect at MLB Pipeline, will have a shot to win an Opening Day roster spot if he excels in spring training, especially since the Rockies no longer have either
Michael Toglia or
Warming Bernabel competing at first base. The former third overall pick out of Georgia hit .268/.376/.444 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, and 59 runs scored in 99 games at the Rookie level, High-A Spokane, and Double-A Hartford last year. Condon played third base and outfield in college, but he is expected to move forward exclusively as a power-hitting first baseman, and he should make his MLB debut at some point in 2026. He may never live up to his draft pedigree, but at hitter-friendly Coors Field, Condon and his 6-foot-6 frame should project for plenty of power at the very least.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rockies Club Information
February 5, 2026
Detroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (knee) won't return to Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. He managed only four points and three rebounds in 13 minutes during the first half before being ruled out for the rest of the contest due to right knee soreness.
Ron Holland II started the second half in Duren's place.
Paul Reed will help fill the center minutes behind
Isaiah Stewart. Hopefully, this isn't a serious injury for Duren, as he's been having a great year. Across 42 outings, Duren has averaged 18.0 points and 10.7 rebounds.
--Taavi PailkSource: Detroit Pistons PR
February 5, 2026
Indicted Cleveland Guardians pitcher
Emmanuel Clase is accused of throwing suspicious pitches to benefit bettors in at least 48 games over two years, according to a court document that was filed on Thursday. Federal prosecutors listed nine games in which Clase allegedly threw rigged pitches in the indictment unsealed in November. Major League Baseball said it is cooperating with federal prosecutors and declined further comment. Pitcher
Luis L. Ortiz's attorney asked for his client's case to be severed from Clase's, arguing that Ortiz and Clase have "markedly different levels of culpability." Prosecutors accused Ortiz of rigging pitches in two games in June of last year. Clase appeared in 197 regular-season games from 2023 to July of 2025, when he was put on non-disciplinary leave by the league. It's still a bit hard to fathom for Clase, who was one of the best closers in the game. If found guilty, he will never pitch again.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - David Purdum
February 5, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers point guard
Darius Garland (toe) won't be ready to make his team debut on Friday against the Sacramento Kings. Garland has landed in L.A. nursing a toe injury, and it remains uncertain when he will be available for action. With Garland out of the mix,
Kris Dunn and
Kobe Sanders have more fantasy appeal, but the two are hard to trust due to their inconsistent performances. After a couple of strong outings, Sanders produced a four-point dud as a starter in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. Meanwhile, Dunn has been limited to 5.3 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game over his last four appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Domantas Sabonis (back) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lithuanian star returned from a back problem in Wednesday's loss to Memphis, but the team hasn't removed him from the injury report. Sabonis had 24 points and 15 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Grizzlies. If he can't play on Friday night,
Maxime Raynaud and
Dylan Cardwell will see additional action against a Clippers frontcourt that no longer has
Ivica Zubac, making it an easier matchup for Sacramento's bigs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Houston Rockets guard/forward
Tari Eason (lower leg) has been downgraded to out for Thursday's matchup against Charlotte as the team manages him on the second night of a back-to-back. Eason's absence pushes
Josh Okogie into a starting role, though his fantasy impact projects as minimal. Okogie is posting 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds across 20.0 minutes on the season, keeping his appeal limited to deep formats. Eason remains a hold when active due to his defensive contributions, while Houston's rotation sees only marginal fantasy movement with this change.
--Brian DailisanSource: Lachard Binkley
February 5, 2026
San Antonio Spurs center
Luke Kornet (adductor, ankle) won't suit up on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks, while forward/center
Kelly Olynyk (foot) has been cleared to play. Kornet has been banged up lately and will get some rest after his big 15-rebound performance in Wednesday's win over Oklahoma City. Olynyk will take over Kornet's duties as a reserve big behind
Victor Wembanyama. He was initially listed as questionable for Thursday's game. Even when healthy, Olynyk hasn't played for the Spurs lately, so this will be an opportunity for the veteran to impress. However, he is unlikely to make a fantasy impact.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves power forward
Julius Randle (thumb) remains on the injury report ahead of Friday's matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans. He's been dealing with a sore left thumb recently, though it hasn't yet kept Randle off the floor. However, the injury to his shooting hand has reduced Randle's scoring efficiency. Over the last two games, Randle has shot 12-for-32 from the field (37.5 percent).
Naz Reid and
Jaylen Clark could get more work if Randle has to exit the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (toe) is listed as probable for Friday's contest against the Detroit Pistons. Anunoby has a sore right toe but is expected to play in the matchup between the Eastern Conference's top two teams. Anunoby had a quiet five-point outing when the Knicks faced Detroit a month ago in this season's first meeting. Given his recent form, Anunoby is poised for a much stronger showing on Friday. He has averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals across his last eight outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Marvin Bagley III has been ruled out for Thursday's game against San Antonio, as Dallas has yet to finalize its trade-related transactions. Bagley remains unavailable while paperwork is completed, delaying his Mavericks debut until at least Saturday. He averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 19.2 minutes with Washington, mostly in a reserve role. For now,
Daniel Gafford remains the clear fantasy priority in the frontcourt, though Bagley could emerge as a deeper-league points and rebounds option once active, especially if injuries thin the rotation.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grant Afseth
February 5, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard
Dylan Harper (ankle) has been cleared to play on Thursday against the Dallas Mavericks, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reports. He is rejoining the lineup after missing one game with a right ankle sprain. Harper was initially listed as questionable for Thursday's tilt. While Harper has had an up-and-down rookie campaign, he was riding positive momentum before his injury. Over his last three appearances, Harper has averaged 17.0 points per game. Keeping the hot spell going could prove tricky, given that Dallas has a top-10 defensive rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jared Weiss
February 5, 2026
Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden's attorneys will seek testimony from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and at least four current and former NFL owners in his lawsuit over whether the league leaked the emails that forced his departure as the Raiders' coach, according to a court filing this week. Gruden resigned in October of 2021 after the publication of emails he sent years earlier that included racist, misogynistic, and anti-gay language. Gruden's lawsuit accuses the league and Goodell of a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" to destroy his career. To this point, there have been no settlement talks. Gruden was an on-air analyst for ESPN from 2011 to 2018 when the emails were sent. In its filings to seek dismissal of Gruden's lawsuit, the NFL has said Gruden's case "hinges solely on unsupported allegations that fail as a matter of law or fall far short of stating a claim and should have been promptly dismissed when the NFL Parties first so moved."
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Don Van Natta Jr.
February 5, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Dylan Cardwell is set to sign a four-year agreement on Thursday, converting his two-way slot into a standard deal with the first two seasons fully guaranteed. The move reflects consistent, low-usage production rather than a clear path to immediate minutes. Over his last ten games, Cardwell has provided late-round value with 5.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.0 blocks while remaining efficient in limited run. With
Domantas Sabonis locked into the starting role and
Maxime Raynaud also in the rotation, Cardwell profiles as a deep-league blocks streamer. Fantasy managers can still track his role if Sacramento shifts toward evaluating younger players later in the season.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 5, 2026
Atlanta Hawks center
Jock Landale has been named a starter for Thursday's tilt against the Utah Jazz. The Australian big man has just joined the team and will be handed a significant role straight away. This is a great matchup for Landale to make a big first impression on the Hawks fans. Not only are the Jazz starting without
Jusuf Nurkic, but they have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to centers over the course of the season. Landale is joining
Dyson Daniels,
Nickeil Alexander-Walker,
Zaccharie Risacher, and
Jalen Johnson in the first unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: Atlanta Hawks
February 5, 2026
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen confirmed on Thursday that the majority of work for
Jordan Lawlar will come in the outfield this spring, but the team isn't closing off infield work for him, according to Jody Jackson of The Arizona Republic. The D-backs previously stated that the 23-year-old former top prospect would see work in center field in spring training, but that was before they traded utility man
Blaze Alexander to the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. Alexander's departure seemingly opens up playing time at third base going into the 2026 season, but Arizona has their sights set on Lawlar trying his hand in the outfield. There is also a need in the outfield, though, with
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (knee) injured and
Jake McCarthy no longer in town. Lawlar has only played in 42 big-league games for Arizona and hasn't lived up to his prospect hype, slashing .165/.241/.237 with no homers, five RBI, and 37 K's in 108 plate appearances. His bat showed promise in September, though, giving hope to fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues that he can be a post-hype breakout type in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Arizona Republic - Jody Jackson
February 5, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Brandon Williams (lower leg) won't play in Thursday's matchup against the San Antonio Spurs, Abby Jones of DLLS Sports reports. A right lower leg contusion will keep Williams out for a second consecutive game, as the team has downgraded him from questionable to out. The rest of the Mavericks' bench will absorb Williams' minutes, but there aren't any standout names to count on for fantasy production. All Dallas' reserves finished with seven or fewer points in Tuesday's loss to Boston.
--Taavi PailkSource: Abby Jones
February 5, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Thursday's game against San Antonio after managing a sprained right ankle. The clearance is a positive sign given his recent workload and the Mavericks' thin frontcourt. Gafford has started his last two games and delivered back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 13.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 26.5 minutes while shooting 73.3 percent from the field. With
Anthony Davis (finger) no longer in Dallas, Gafford's role carries strong streamer value with mid-tier hold appeal, though ankle management remains a risk.
--Brian DailisanSource: Noah Weber
February 5, 2026
Detroit Pistons guard/forward
Kevin Huerter is available to make his team debut on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. He will start the game on the bench, but Huerter could see a decent amount of action to acclimate to his new teammates. There aren't many matchups better than this in the NBA to make a mark, as Washington holds a 120.0 defensive rating, the second-worst in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (bench role) will not start Thursday against Atlanta, signaling a continued shift in the frontcourt rotation. While Nurkic is technically available, Utah has shown little interest in using him, pointing toward a reduced role as the Jazz lean into younger options.
Kyle Filipowski is the clear fantasy beneficiary after starting Tuesday and logging 36 minutes, posting 16 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block. Filipowski profiles as a strong streamer with workload-driven upside, while
Brice Sensabaugh remains a deeper-league points and threes option if Utah continues prioritizing development.
--Brian DailisanSource: Andy Larsen
February 5, 2026
Detroit Pistons forward
Tobias Harris (hip) will miss the first leg of a back-to-back on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. The team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. With Harris out,
Isaiah Stewart will get a chance to make his 12th start of the season, giving his fantasy stock a significant boost. In his previous starts, Stewart has averaged 13.0 points and 5.7 rebounds in 27.2 minutes. He and
Jalen Duren could feast against a Wizards team that has had trouble against opposing bigs all season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Detroit Pistons point guard
Cade Cunningham (wrist) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. The star guard is managing a wrist injury and was initially listed as questionable on the injury report. Cunningham will try to extend his double-double streak to four games in a very favorable matchup against the second-worst defense in the Association. In his previous meeting with the Wizards, Cunningham finished with a huge 46-12-11 line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
February 5, 2026
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kevin Love (illness) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Atlanta, sidelining the veteran for a second straight contest. His absence keeps frontcourt minutes wide open, and the fantasy returns were loud last time out. Second-year big
Kyle Filipowski started and logged 36 minutes, producing 16 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block.
Brice Sensabaugh added 20 points, four three-pointers, and five assists in 30 minutes off the bench. Filipowski profiles as a strong short-term streamer with double-double upside, while Sensabaugh remains a points and threes play in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Utah Jazz
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