January 17, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Zaccharie Risacher (knee) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Boston, extending his absence to five straight contests with a left knee issue and setting up Monday against Milwaukee as his next possible return. His absence opens short-term rotation minutes, though the fantasy upside remains modest.
Vit Krejci has started the past four games and is averaging 6.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 22.7 minutes, offering limited deep-league value tied mostly to playing time.
Corey Kispert logged three points and two rebounds in 13 minutes last game and remains a situational flyer. Neither option provides stable fantasy value, keeping Risacher's absence more relevant to real-life depth than most fantasy formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Atlanta Hawks center
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) will miss Saturday's game against Boston, extending his absence to five straight contests with left Achilles tendinitis and leaving his return timeline unclear. His continued absence keeps
Onyeka Okongwu locked into heavy minutes and strong fantasy value across formats, averaging 16.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 2.6 three-pointers in 34.9 minutes over his last five games, making him a must-start in season-long and a high-floor DFS option.
Mouhamed Gueye continues to fill backup minutes, posting six points, three rebounds, and two steals in 21 minutes last game, but remains a low-ceiling, matchup-dependent deep-league play.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against Miami, marking his eleventh straight absence with a lingering right soleus strain and leaving his status uncertain until at least Monday. His continued absence keeps
Chet Holmgren anchored in a stable frontcourt role, averaging 13.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks over his last two games while maintaining strong DFS appeal through minutes security and defensive production.
Jalen Williams continues to benefit from consistent usage, while
Jaylin Williams and
Kenrich Williams see extra run as volatile deep-league and daily-league streamers dependent on matchup and game flow.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 17, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (ankle) will not return to Friday's game against Brooklyn after spraining his right ankle late in the third quarter, leaving his status for Sunday's rematch uncertain. Williams logged seven points, three rebounds, and one assist in 12 minutes off the bench. Chicago should continue to lean heavily on
Matas Buzelis, who is locked into a starter's workload and is averaging 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, and 2.0 blocks in 29.1 minutes. If Williams sits, the Bulls would lean even more on that frontcourt, with
Jalen Smith continuing to see steady run after posting 11.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 three-pointers, and 1.8 blocks in 24.0 minutes, keeping him viable in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: K.C. Johnson
January 17, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (calf) has a good chance to return Sunday in London after missing six games with a calf contusion, with coach Tuomas Iisalo noting Morant completed a full practice and handled full-speed stretches. His return restores Memphis' offensive engine and elite assist upside, although workload monitoring remains a possibility.
Cam Spencer started during Morant's absence and averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 9.5 assists in 29.7 minutes. He should remain serviceable even with Morant active, albeit with reduced usage and minutes. Spencer profiles as a lower-ceiling streamer, while Morant immediately reclaims primary creation duties.
--Brian DailisanSource: Marc Stein
January 16, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) is considered questionable for the first leg of a back-to-back on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. On Thursday, Grant ended a 14-game absence against the Atlanta Hawks, and the team understandably doesn't want to overwork the veteran so soon after his return. If Grant shakes off the questionable tag and plays, there's a strong chance he will sit out Sunday's contest against the Sacramento Kings. Due to Grant's health issues,
Sidy Cissoko has seen increased minutes, starting five consecutive games. Cissoko should still play a significant role even if Grant remains in the lineup, as
Deni Avdija (back) is likely to miss the Lakers game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Jrue Holiday (calf) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Holiday recently ended a lengthy injury absence and has played in three consecutive games. However, Portland has a back-to-back scheduled for this weekend, and it's likely the veteran guard will sit out at least one of the games.
Caleb Love's fantasy stock has been on the rise lately and would get a further boost with Holiday's absence.
Rayan Rupert may also log additional minutes in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is considered probable for Saturday's action against the Washington Wizards. While Gordon remains on the injury report, the probable tag suggests he will be cleared to make a sixth consecutive appearance. Saturday's matchup is a juicy one for Gordon, who has logged 30-plus minutes in each of the last three games. He has averaged 20.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists over that stretch.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Denver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray (ankle, illness) is probable for Saturday's clash against the Washington Wizards. Despite dealing with an ankle sprain and an illness, Murray has posted back-to-back 30-point games and is expected to make a third consecutive appearance on Saturday. Washington allows the second-most fantasy points to point guards, so this could be another special outing for Murray. Should Murray have a setback and miss Saturday's game,
Jalen Pickett would become a more appealing fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (illness) is in danger of missing Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the team listed him as questionable on the injury report. The 2025 NBA Rookie of the Year is battling an illness, which could force him out of the lineup for the first time since Dec. 8. Castle just notched his seventh double-double of the season, building on his impressive rookie year with a strong sophomore campaign. If Castle is unavailable against Minnesota,
Dylan Harper and
Lindy Waters III are likely to see increased playing time.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Keon Ellis (knee) won't be in action on Friday night against the Washington Wizards. Ellis was a late addition to the injury report due to a knee problem, and the team has downgraded his status from questionable to out. It has been a frustrating season for Ellis, who has had an inconsistent role with the Kings. After logging 20-plus minutes regularly at the start of the month, Ellis was limited to only five minutes in Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks.
Dennis Schroder is set to return from his suspension on Friday and will take Ellis's spot in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Initially, there was hope Eason could return from a three-game absence when the team listed him as questionable on the injury report. Unfortunately, he will miss at least one more game with a right ankle sprain, as Houston has now officially ruled him out.
Josh Okogie has a larger role without Eason, but he hasn't been a productive fantasy contributor. Eason's next chance to return will be on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward
Deni Avdija (back) is listed as doubtful for a meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night. Avdija is having a big season, but unfortunately, he injured his back in a recent game against the New York Knicks. He is now likely to sit out a third consecutive game.
Sidy Cissoko has been starting during Avdija's absence, but he faces extra competition for playing time after
Jerami Grant returned to the lineup on Thursday against the Atlanta Hawks. While Grant made his comeback in a bench role, he could be an option to start sooner rather than later. Players like Grant,
Jrue Holiday, and
Shaedon Sharpe have more offensive usage with Avdija out.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) has landed on the injury report with a questionable designation ahead of Saturday's favorable fantasy matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Only five teams have allowed more fantasy points to centers than the Trail Blazers, but Ayton may have to sit this one out due to a sore left knee.
Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) is also questionable for the game, meaning
Maxi Kleber and
Drew Timme could be the Lakers' lone natural options at center. The team may also turn to
Rui Hachimura and
Jarred Vanderbilt to fill out some of the minutes at the five position.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers point guard
Luka Doncic (groin) has been ruled out for Saturday's tilt against the Portland Trail Blazers. The NBA's leading scorer is dealing with soreness in his left groin and will sit out at least one game. This is the front end of a back-to-back for the Lakers, so it's possible Doncic is simply getting some time off to rest.
LeBron James' offensive usage will increase on Saturday, and
Deandre Ayton (knee) may also get more scoring opportunities if he shakes off a questionable tag.
Kobe Bufkin and
Gabe Vincent are the prime candidates to fill in for Doncic in the starting unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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