January 2, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (ankle) is listed as probable for Friday's game against Cleveland after managing a right ankle sprain. With Denver shorthanded, Murray is set to carry a heavy offensive burden. Over his last five games, he has averaged 37.7 minutes, 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 3.6 three-pointers, functioning as the clear focal point of the offense.
Nikola Jokic (knee),
Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cam Johnson (knee), and
Christian Braun (ankle) remain sidelined, cementing Murray's elite usage.
Peyton Watson and
Spencer Jones should continue to see modest bumps, while Murray remains a high-floor fantasy anchor with his ceiling intact.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Atlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young (quadriceps) is questionable for Friday against the Knicks after missing the last two games, keeping Atlanta's backcourt situation fluid.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker has started both games in Young's absence and remains a hold even off the bench, with his role and usage expanding noticeably when elevated. He erupted for 30 points, four rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block in 40 minutes before posting 11 points and three assists in 31 minutes.
Dyson Daniels,
Jalen Johnson, and
Onyeka Okongwu continue to offer steady multi-category value regardless of Young's availability.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura (calf) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Memphis and will also miss Sunday, with a target return early next week, per coach JJ Redick. His continued absence keeps the Lakers' forward rotation thin and elevates
Jake LaRavia's short-term fantasy profile. Across his 10 starts this season, LaRavia has averaged 10.5 points on 43.7 percent shooting, 1.0 three-pointer, 5.7 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 32.5 minutes, offering multi-category deep-league value.
Jarred Vanderbilt and
Nick Smith Jr. remain secondary options, while usage stays concentrated with
Luka Doncic and
LeBron James.
--Brian DailisanSource: Dave McMenamin
January 2, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will miss Friday's game against the Warriors after the team ruled him out in advance, extending his absence to three games. His next opportunity to return comes Sunday versus Phoenix. Hartenstein's absence has pushed more frontcourt responsibility onto
Chet Holmgren, who delivered 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six blocks Wednesday, while
Jalen Williams has picked up added rebounding and playmaking.
Branden Carlson recently logged an extended run, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, and one block in 20 minutes, though he remains a fringe deep-league streamer.
Cason Wallace offers steals-only appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Trail Blazers, marking his sixth straight absence with a right ankle sprain. His next chance to return comes Sunday against Miami. Jones' continued absence has not produced reliable fantasy value from the supporting cast.
Jordan Hawkins has averaged just 10.4 minutes and 3.4 points over his last five, while rookie
Micah Peavy has logged 9.9 minutes and 2.8 points.
Saddiq Bey (hip), who posted 16 points Wednesday, carries the most stable role if cleared, while the rest remain fringe deep-league options.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pelicans, extending his absence to eight straight contests with left Achilles tendonitis. Grant is traveling with the team, keeping a Saturday return against the Spurs in play, but his status remains fluid. His continued absence leaves Portland thin at forward, though fantasy returns have been limited.
Kris Murray has averaged 27.9 minutes with 7.6 points and 4.3 rebounds over his last seven, while
Sidy Cissoko has logged 21.9 minutes with 6.9 points and 2.0 assists. Both remain inconsistent deep-league streamers, with
Deni Avdija carrying the most stable usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Boston Celtics forward/center
Chris Boucher (personal) is available for Thursday's game against Sacramento after missing three straight contests while away from the team. His return carries limited fantasy impact, as Boucher has not held a consistent role in Boston's rotation.
Neemias Queta has started at center and remains the primary frontcourt option, averaging 10.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 block over his last five games.
Luka Garza continues to back him up, posting 10.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in 21.3 minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Boston Celtics
January 1, 2026
Detroit Pistons center
Jalen Duren (ankle) will not return to Thursday's game against Miami after suffering a right ankle sprain. Duren logged 18 minutes before exiting, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, and one steal after briefly attempting to play in the second half. With
Tobias Harris (hip) still out, Detroit is thin up front.
Paul Reed becomes a deep-league streaming option if Duren misses time, averaging 19.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 3.0 steals, and 2.0 blocks in two starts.
Isaiah Stewart and
Ron Holland II could also see expanded roles.
--Brian DailisanSource: Pistons PR
January 1, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Milwaukee, extending his absence to six straight contests with a left elbow sprain. His ongoing absence leaves the Hornets short-handed at center and keeps fill-in options on the fantasy radar.
Moussa Diabate (wrist) has started in Kalkbrenner's place and has averaged 8.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals over his last five while logging 31.9 minutes, making him a strong short-term streamer if cleared.
PJ Hall could also see rotational minutes if Diabate is limited.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
New York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart (ankle) will miss Friday's game against Atlanta, extending his absence to a fourth straight contest while he recovers from a right ankle sprain. His continued absence has opened consistent backcourt and wing minutes for several rotation players.
Miles McBride delivered 21 points in 26 minutes in the last game and remains a viable streamer for scoring and threes.
Jordan Clarkson continues to supply bench offense, while
Tyler Kolek has taken on added playmaking duties.
Mohamed Diawara has started but remains inconsistent, limiting his fantasy appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Kyshawn George (hip) will miss Friday's game against Brooklyn with a left hip flexor strain, marking a fourth straight absence. His continued absence has kept Washington's wing rotation steady for fantasy streaming.
Bub Carrington has averaged 14.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 3.3 three-pointers over his last three while playing 25.8 minutes, making him a viable deep-league add. Rookie
Tre Johnson has supplied 17.3 points and 3.7 three-pointers in 26.3 minutes, while
Justin Champagnie continues to contribute rebounds and secondary scoring.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (ankle/knee) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against Dallas, a welcome sign after a stretch of heavy management and spotty availability. When he does play, the production has followed. Embiid has appeared in just 14 games but is coming off a 38-minute overtime effort Tuesday with 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and two blocks. His return squeezes minutes for
Andre Drummond and
Adem Bona. Embiid remains a must-start when active, though rest risk lingers in weekly formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Austin Krell
January 1, 2026
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) will be re-evaluated in four weeks after a right calf strain, leaving Denver thin up front with
Nikola Jokic (knee) also sidelined.
DaRon Holmes II and
Zeke Nnaji are positioned for increased roles. Holmes has averaged just 8.6 minutes over four games, but an expanded workload would give him deep-league streaming appeal through rebounds and defensive stats. Nnaji could see situational run, while
Peyton Watson may log minutes at the five if Denver goes small.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
January 1, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
D'Angelo Russell (illness) is out for Thursday's game, continuing a stretch of inconsistent availability. His role has also varied when active, keeping Dallas' point guard rotation unsettled.
Brandon Williams again benefited last game, logging 30 minutes with 22 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal, positioning him as a short-term streaming option. Rookie
Ryan Nembhard drew the start but played 17 minutes, while
Max Christie and
Naji Marshall should continue to see steady run.
--Brian DailisanSource: Noah Weber
January 1, 2026
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (soleus) is available for Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Sengun drops the questionable tag for tonight's tilt after missing the last two contests because of a left soleus strain. The Rockets are hurting heading into this one, with
Clint Capela (illness) and
Steven Adams (ankle) out, so having the 23-year-old active will bring a much-needed boost to a depleted frontcourt. Before missing two previous contests, Sengun registered 14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and one steal across 31 minutes in a 119-96 win over the Lakers on Christmas Day.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
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