January 16, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (ankle) isn't expected to play on Saturday versus Utah. The rookie sprained his ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Chicago Bulls and didn't suit up for Thursday's meeting with the Jazz.
Brandon Williams entered the starting lineup in that one, finishing with 18 points. Of course, others benefited as well, with
Klay Thompson,
Naji Marshall, and
Jaden Hardy combining for 63 points.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers forward/center
Dominick Barlow (back) has been upgraded to available for Friday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team initially listed Barlow as questionable for the game after he hurt his back in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. Barlow has been a regular starter for Philadelphia throughout the campaign, averaging 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. His numbers have slipped this month, down to 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (illness) won't play on Saturday against the Mavericks. He has missed plenty of time this season. However, his most recent string of collective absences is one of his longest of the campaign.
Isaiah Collier entered the starting lineup when these clubs met on Thursday, finishing with 10 points, 12 assists, and five boards. Fantasy managers may also continue to see expanded production from
Brice Sensabaugh, who had 27 points in that one from off the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) will be active on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is available to make his third consecutive appearance after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. George will meet the Cavaliers for the second time this week. In Wednesday's heavy 133-107 loss in the matchup, George contributed 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) won't play on Friday against Toronto. The sprained ankle has been an issue for over a week, although he's managed to play through it. However, the multi-time All-Star will miss his first contest in nearly two months. The Clippers won't play again until Monday in Washington, so Leonard has more time to rest and recover. In the meantime,
Jordan Miller might have earned the right to enter the starting lineup, with the 25-year-old coming off an 11-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, two-steal performance.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard
Immanuel Quickley (back) won't play on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The back spasms will keep him out for a second-straight contest, meaning his next chance to suit up will be on Sunday versus the Lakers.
Jamal Shead started in his place in Wednesday's 115-101 win over the Indiana Pacers, finishing with seven points, six assists, three boards and one steal in 34 minutes of action.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Blake Murphy
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game in Toronto while managing a lingering ankle issue. Leonard has continued to produce while managing the issue, averaging 31.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 5.3 three-pointers in 30.6 minutes over his last three games. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but he remains a must-start if active. A potential absence would open minor opportunities for
Nicolas Batum, rookie
Kobe Sanders, and
Jordan Miller, though all carry volatility.
James Harden would take on more of the offense, leaving the fringe wings as situational streamers.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Paul George (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against Cleveland due to left knee injury management, a familiar designation after he carried the same tag Wednesday. After appearing in each of the past two contests, George looks positioned to make another start, logging 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 30 minutes in the last meeting with the Cavaliers. With George in the lineup, the rotation tightens and usage drops for
VJ Edgecombe,
Kelly Oubre Jr., and
Quentin Grimes.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to left knee injury management, marking another appearance on the injury report this week. Despite the recurring designation, Embiid has delivered when active, averaging 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 three-pointers, and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes over his last five games. Fantasy managers can continue starting him confidently, with
Tyrese Maxey and
Paul George maintaining stable roles alongside him.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will remain out for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right thumb sprain, and he does not have a clear timetable to return, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday versus Detroit.
Aaron Nesmith should continue to see heavy minutes, though the production dipped to six points, five rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes last time out.
Johnny Furphy has taken on a larger role, averaging 8.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes over his last five starts, but his volatility keeps him limited to deep-league use.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Sam Merrill (hand) is out for Friday's game against the 76ers due to a right-hand sprain, an injury he aggravated on Wednesday. Merrill logged just three points in 10 minutes in the win, and his absence removes a key spacing piece from the rotation.
Craig Porter Jr. becomes a viable short-term assists streamer after stepping into a larger bench role, while
Jaylon Tyson could also see extra opportunities on the wing. With
Darius Garland (toe) sidelined,
Donovan Mitchell is expected to carry a heavier share of the perimeter workload.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Khris Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento due to right knee injury management after appearing in three straight contests. The absence opens short-term fantasy value on the wing, especially with
Bilal Coulibaly (back) also sidelined.
Justin Champagnie profiles as a viable streaming option after playing well off the bench, averaging 10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 three-pointers in 23.4 minutes over his last five games. Rookie
Will Riley should also see added run, but remains more of a fringe fantasy option.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Bilal Coulibaly (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Clippers in the second quarter with lower back tightness. He could return Saturday in Denver, but his absence creates short-term fantasy openings.
Justin Champagnie is positioned for a larger role, with a start firmly in play after logging seven points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes Wednesday, making him a viable streaming option. Rookie
Will Riley should also see added run after scoring 12 points in 27 minutes, though he remains more of a fringe fantasy play.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
RJ Barrett (ankle) will not play Friday against the Clippers, extending his absence to a fourth straight game, with his next chance to return Sunday versus the Lakers. The fantasy impact continues to center on
Jamal Shead, who has started each of the past three games and averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 assists despite shooting 34.5 percent from the field. Shead profiles as a short-term assist streamer rather than a scoring play. Barrett sitting again leaves more creation on
Immanuel Quickley's plate and helps Shead maintain his minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers, marking his sixth straight absence with a right ankle sprain. His next chance to return comes Sunday in Houston. From a fantasy angle, Jones' continued absence keeps
Saddiq Bey in play as a short-term streamer. Bey, working back from injury, logged 12 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes during a win over Brooklyn. His minutes and usage remain stable while Jones sits.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
RADIO
