April 9, 2026
According to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers announced that center
Joel Embiid (appendicitis) is undergoing emergency surgery in Houston on Thursday after being diagnosed with appendicitis a few hours before the team's matchup with the Rockets. It's unclear when the 32-year-old big man will be able to return to the floor. With Embiid sidelined,
Adem Bona and
Andre Drummond should handle the bulk of the minutes at center over the final stretch of the regular season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Tim Bontemps
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Jarace Walker (back) could be back in street clothes on Thursday night, as the team has listed him as questionable for a meeting with the Brooklyn Nets. Walker shook off a back injury to end a four-game absence on Tuesday against Minnesota, recording 11 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. If he plays on Thursday, Walker is expected to see higher offensive usage again, as Indiana will remain without
Pascal Siakam (ankle) and
Andrew Nembhard (back). Walker's absence would open up more playing time for
Obi Toppin,
Jalen Slawson, and
Kobe Brown (back).
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Aaron Nesmith (neck) will sit out Thursday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets, missing his sixth consecutive game. Health issues have limited Nesmith to just 45 outings this campaign, and there's no point in bringing him back for the final regular-season games.
Pascal Siakam (ankle) and
Andrew Nembhard (back) are also out, so reserves like
Ethan Thompson,
Jalen Slawson, and
Quenton Jackson will have more prominent roles in a favorable fantasy matchup. Given how poor both defenses have been this season, it should be a free-scoring game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Indiana Pacers guards
Andrew Nembhard (back) and
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will remain out on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets. Both players exited the lineup at the start of the month and will sit out a fifth consecutive game, as Nembhard is dealing with a back problem and McConnell is managing a hamstring injury. With the two playmakers sidelined, Indiana will continue to rely more on
Quenton Jackson,
Ethan Thompson, and
Kam Jones in the backcourt. Of the trio, Thompson had the best outing in Tuesday's loss to Minnesota, tallying a team-high 17 points. Thompson formed the starting backcourt with Jackson, who finished with nine points, four assists, and one steal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Dru Smith (foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Toronto Raptors. He didn't play on Tuesday night against the Raptors, and it's unclear whether he will be part of the lineup for Thursday's rematch as Smith nurses a sore right foot. The 28-year-old has been highly rated by the organization, but his playing time has dried up recently. Over his last five outings, Smith has averaged just 8.4 minutes per game. Miami won't feel his absence if Smith isn't available on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (groin) is questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Toronto Raptors. These teams also played in Toronto on Tuesday, and Powell returned to action after missing four games due to illness. He might now take some time off again because of a sore right groin.
Pelle Larsson has benefited from Powell's absence and would be worthy of fantasy consideration if he remains in the starting lineup on Thursday. The Swedish sophomore has posted 12.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in a starting role this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday's clash against the New York Knicks. He must overcome lower-back spasms to avoid his fourth absence of the season. Hauser has been a regular starter for Boston in 2026, averaging 10.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists since joining the first unit.
Payton Pritchard,
Baylor Scheierman, and
Hugo Gonzalez may all benefit from Hauser's absence on Thursday. Boston's injury situation is definitely something to monitor, as every starter, except for
Jayson Tatum, has found their way onto the injury report ahead of Thursday's game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 9, 2026
Boston Celtics center
Neemias Queta (toe) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the New York Knicks. The Celtics begin a back-to-back set and have listed four starters as questionable on the injury report. Queta is nursing a right toe sprain. If he can't play against the Knicks,
Nikola Vucevic would move into the starting lineup. So far, Vucevic has started only one game for Boston, amassing 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one block in 26 minutes against Milwaukee on March 2.
Luka Garza's playing time would also increase with Queta's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Boston Celtics guard
Derrick White (knee) has been tagged as questionable on the injury report before Thursday's big game against the New York Knicks. He is nursing a right knee contusion. The Celtics might head out with a very different starting lineup, as White is joined on the injury report by
Jaylen Brown (Achilles),
Sam Hauser (back), and
Neemias Queta (toe). White's absence would open the door to the first unit for
Payton Pritchard, while
Baylor Scheierman and
Hugo Gonzalez might be more involved in the action. The Celtics also play on Friday against New Orleans, and there's a strong chance White will return to the lineup if he sits out Thursday's contest.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Tre Johnson (foot) is questionable for Thursday's game against Chicago after missing the last two contests due to a right foot sprain. If the rookie lottery pick remains sidelined,
Bub Carrington should continue to see solid run after posting 14 points, two three-pointers, four rebounds, and seven assists in 32 minutes Tuesday, giving him some deep-league streaming appeal for assists.
Jamir Watkins could also remain part of the rotation after finishing with 13 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes.
Jaden Hardy (back) could also benefit if available.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (Achilles) is considered questionable for Thursday's showdown against the New York Knicks. Boston has listed him on the injury report with left Achilles tendinitis. This is the first game of a back-to-back, so the team might be considering giving Brown some rest late in the regular season.
Derrick White (knee) is also on the injury report, which means the Celtics could be without two of their four leading scorers. It might be a big night for
Jayson Tatum, who returns to the arena where he tore his Achilles tendon last year.
Payton Pritchard and
Nikola Vucevic would also need to take on larger offensive roles if the Celtics aren't at full strength.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Bilal Coulibaly (foot) is questionable for Thursday's game against Chicago after finishing with 19 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 24 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Bulls. If he sits, Washington could lean more on
Will Riley and
Jamir Watkins for additional minutes on the wing. Riley logged two points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 31 minutes on Tuesday and remains a deep league option for managers seeking late production. Watkins could also see increased run after posting 13 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward
Gui Santos (pelvis) is questionable to play on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. He landed on the shelf earlier this week with a right pelvic contusion and could miss a second consecutive game. Santos has been among Golden State's offensive leaders in recent months, averaging 16.3 points per game.
Stephen Curry (knee) might not play against the Lakers either, so
Brandin Podziemski,
De'Anthony Melton, and
Pat Spencer could carry the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (toe) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Chicago and has not played since March 27, raising the possibility he could miss the rest of the regular season. His continued absence should keep
Julian Reese in a significant role after he posted 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks in 36 minutes in a recent start, making him an intriguing deep-league streaming option.
Anthony Gill (neck) could factor into the rotation if healthy, though Reese offers more fantasy appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
April 8, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Al Horford (calf) will remain on the shelf against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. He has been out since mid-March due to a calf injury, missing 13 games. Over the weekend, Golden State announced Horford was "making good progress." This suggests that the veteran big man could soon be ready to play, but it's possible the Warriors will keep him on the shelf until the play-in tournament. Golden State will run with a shorthanded frontcourt on Thursday night, opening up opportunities for
Charles Bassey (ankle) and
Malevy Leons.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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