January 9, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (rest) won't play on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets. The former All-Star has logged 40-plus minutes in three of the last four games, and the team has decided to give him some rest on Saturday. Without Markkanen,
Kyle Filipowski,
Cody Williams, and
Taylor Hendricks all have more playing opportunities. Filipowski has the best fantasy upside among them, but his inconsistency is a concern. On Saturday, Filipowski may also benefit from
Jusuf Nurkic's (toe) absence, as he is listed as questionable on the injury report.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Detroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's contest against the Los Angeles Clippers. He continues to nurse a right ankle sprain sustained during New Year's Day's game against the Miami Heat.
Isaiah Stewart's workload has significantly increased during Duren's absence. After initially struggling as a starter, Stewart finally came through for fantasy managers on Wednesday against the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old scored a career-high 31 points on 14-for-17 shooting. Stewart has a good chance to do more damage on Saturday against one of the league's weakest defensive squads.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder forward
Alex Caruso (back) is available to play Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. Caruso has missed the last two games with a back injury but is set to return Friday. The veteran has averaged 6,9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 18 minutes, all down from his 2024-25 averages. With key starters
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and
Chet Holmgren (shin) ruled out for Friday's contest against the Grizzlies, Caruso may have a larger role despite playing his first game this week. While he could play more minutes than usual, Caruso remains on the low end of fantasy relevance at this point.
--Nathan HarveySource: Clemente Almanza
January 9, 2026
Detroit Pistons point guard
Cade Cunningham (wrist) is questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. He missed his fourth game of the season on Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls due to a wrist injury. In Cunningham's absence,
Jaden Ivey started the game, while
Daniss Jenkins stood out with a career-high 15 assists off the bench. Both guards will have additional fantasy value again on Saturday if Cunningham remains out of the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards (foot) is listed as questionable for Saturday's clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even though he's been listed as questionable for a number of games recently due to a right foot injury, the Timberwolves star has managed to stay in the lineup. He also went head-to-head with the Cavaliers on Thursday, producing 25 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and one block.
Bones Hyland would probably assume a more prominent role if Edwards takes some time off because of his injury.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard
Cedric Coward (ankle) is listed as available to play Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Coward has missed the previous two games with a left ankle sprain but is off the injury report and will return Friday. The rookie has been a lone bright spot for the Grizzlies this season, averaging 13.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in just under 27 minutes per game. With
Ja Morant (calf) and other key Memphis players ruled out Friday, Coward may have to step up despite missing the past two games. The ninth-overall pick should be in fantasy lineups tonight as the Grizzlies face a beat-up Thunder team.
--Nathan HarveySource: Memphis Grizzlies
January 9, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Jrue Holiday (calf) will remain on the shelf for Friday's tilt against the Houston Rockets. The team has downgraded Holiday on the injury report from doubtful to out. The veteran guard will miss his 27th straight game due to a right calf strain. Although Holiday will sit out again on Friday, he seems to be moving in the right direction. He was cleared for on-court activities last week and hadn't been listed as doubtful before. With Holiday sidelined,
Caleb Love will continue to have additional fantasy value on Friday night. He has notched 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game since the turn of the year.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward
John Konchar (thumb) has been ruled out for Friday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Konchar suffered a thumb injury that required surgery in early December. Although he was not quite ready to play on Friday, he should return soon. The seventh-year veteran has averaged 3.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 13 minutes per game. With Konchar and multiple key players for the Grizzlies out, expect
Cam Spencer and
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to see an uptick in minutes against the defending champions. Konchar will look to return to the lineup on Sunday when Memphis faces off against the Brooklyn Nets.
--Nathan HarveySource: Memphis Grizzlies
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura (calf) will miss a sixth consecutive game on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Although Hachimura was first listed as questionable and seemed close to returning, his status has now been downgraded to out.
Jake LaRavia has offered good fantasy value as Hachimura's replacement in the starting lineup. The Wake Forest product has averaged 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over the past five games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Cason Wallace (toe) is listed as out for Friday night's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Wallace is set to miss his first game since October 23rd due to a sore left toe. The 22-year-old guard has averaged 7.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 27 minutes. Wallace also leads the NBA in steals (2.2 per game) and has started in 30 of 37 games this season. With Wallace,
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), and
Chet Holmgren (shin) out on Friday, and
Alex Caruso (back) questionable, the Thunder will look for
Aaron Wiggins and
Isaiah Joe to step up, while
Jalen Williams will have to be relied on heavily against the Grizzlies. With the Thunder back in action on Sunday, Wallace and the others will look to return against the Miami Heat.
--Nathan HarveySource: Brandon Rahbar
January 9, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Khris Middleton (knee) is ready to play ahead of Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Middleton sat out of Wednesday's game, which isn't shocking considering it was the second leg of a back-to-back set. The veteran forward is back in the starting five ahead of Friday's tip-off. This season, Middleton is averaging 9.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds across 24.4 minutes per game this season. Middleton is going to have his rest games, but is consistent enough to be trusted as a low-end streaming option.
--Andy WebbSource: Washington Wizards
January 9, 2026
Washington Wizards guard
Kyshawn George (hip) is active and in the starting five ahead of Friday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. George is back after missing seven games due to a left hip flexor strain. There is no word on George being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to be a full-go. Before going down, George was averaging 13.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds over his previous 12 games.
Tre Johnson will head back to the bench and will lose streaming appeal with George back in the mix.
--Andy WebbSource: George Finberg
January 9, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) is available to play Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Williams returned Monday, playing 22 minutes and recording 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. After missing the second half of Tuesday's back-to-back, Williams is set to play and have a big role against the defending champions. With
Ja Morant (calf),
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe),
Ty Jerome (calf), and
John Konchar (thumb) all out, and rookie
Cedric Coward (ankle) listed as a game-time decision, Williams may have to handle a heavy workload despite just returning from injury. Fantasy managers can rely on the 25-year-old guard to provide some value against the Thunder, who have been struggling as of late.
--Nathan HarveySource: Jonah Dylan
January 9, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Friday against the Orlando Magic. Embiid continues to manage his left knee and was initially listed as questionable on the injury report, but he is ready to make his sixth consecutive appearance. We have seen a vintage Embiid lately, as teams have struggled to contain the former MVP. Most recently, he notched 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in just 25 minutes in a blowout victory against the Washington Wizards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Leonard was questionable coming into this game after tweaking his ankle on Wednesday. It wasn't significant enough to hold Leonard out of action, so he'll suit up for the first game of this back-to-back set. Over his last 10 games, Leonard is averaging 32.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 37.1 minutes per game. Fantasy managers should double-check their lineups and make sure Leonard is active ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: Law Murray
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