January 8, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Ball was listed as probable with right ankle soreness, but will officially play in both legs of the back-to-back set. On Wednesday, Ball struggled from the floor, going 7-for-20, but finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in 25 minutes of action. The hope is that Ball will be a more efficient shooter during this favorable matchup against the Pacers. Fantasy managers can safely get Ball active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: Hornets PR
January 8, 2026
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kevin Love (rest) is set to suit up against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Love has had the last two games off to rest, but he will return to action this evening.
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable, and if he's unable to play, Love could see extended minutes in his return. The 37-year-old veteran center has averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game in his last 10 outings.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Utah Jazz
January 8, 2026
According to NBA writer Justin Russo, Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets due to a right ankle sprain. The 34-year-old veteran forward turned his right ankle after stepping on a fan during a 123-111 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday. If Leonard is unable to suit up,
John Collins,
Kris Dunn, and
Kobe Sanders will likely receive extra minutes and added scoring opportunities during the contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Justin Russo
January 8, 2026
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Nurkic may miss the second half of a back-to-back set due to injury maintenance for a left toe sprain. On Wednesday, the 31-year-old big man racked up 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one block, and three steals across 33 minutes during a 129-125 loss to the Thunder. If Nurkic is unable to suit up, center
Kyle Filipowski will take on a heavier workload than usual this evening.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Utah Jazz
January 8, 2026
Utah Jazz guard/forward
Ace Bailey (hip) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Bailey returned on Wednesday against the Thunder after missing five consecutive contests due to a left hip flexor strain. However, he may sit out the back end of back-to-back games this evening. If the 19-year-old rookie is unavailable,
Brice Sensabaugh and
Svi Mykhailiuk will likely take on extra minutes during tonight's tilt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Utah Jazz
January 8, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward
Anthony Edwards (foot) is considered questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers due to right foot injury management. It appears the Timberwolves may be leaning towards giving Edwards the evening off. However, he was listed as questionable with the same injury designation before Tuesday's game against the Heat but ended up playing. The 24-year-old star guard posted 26 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 29 minutes during the 122-94 Timberwolves win. Fantasy managers will have better insight into Edwards' status near tip-off at 8 p.m. ET.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
Dean Wade (knee) won't play on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 29-year-old is having trouble with his left knee. He ended a two-game absence on Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers, but Wade logged only eight minutes before exiting the game due to a left knee contusion.
De'Andre Hunter,
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, and
Jaylon Tyson (illness) will help fill the void left by Wade. Although Tyson is listed on the injury report due to illness, he is expected to be available against Minnesota.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Dallas Mavericks point guard
Brandon Williams (heel) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against the Utah Jazz. He has sustained a heel contusion and may have to sit out some action after a good start to 2026. Over three January appearances, Williams has averaged 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 25.0 minutes. If Williams is unable to play against Utah,
Ryan Nembhard will likely receive a larger workload. This is an excellent fantasy matchup for Dallas' second unit, as Utah gives up the most bench points in the Association.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington (ankle) is not expected to suit up on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, as the team has listed him as doubtful on the injury report. Washington dropped out of the lineup this week due to a sprained right ankle and is poised to miss a second straight game.
Naji Marshall got a starting opportunity on Tuesday versus the Sacramento Kings and had a good all-around performance. Across 32 minutes, Marshall amassed 15 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals. If Washington remains out on Thursday, Marshall is likely to log another start in a very attractive fantasy matchup against the NBA's poorest defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle) is questionable for a meeting with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. He's been dealing with a right ankle sprain recently, missing two games. The absence of Jaquez Jr. has left Miami without one of the league's most productive reserves. The 24-year-old has contributed 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 29.1 minutes.
Nikola Jovic and
Pelle Larsson have had additional playing opportunities with Jaquez Jr. out. However, the rotation dynamics changed on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as
Tyler Herro ended a nearly month-long absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (rest) is not on the injury report for Thursday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The six-time All-Star was rested on Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers.
Dean Wade (knee) started in his place but left early. Mitchell has scored 30-plus points in three straight games, shooting 54 percent. It will be challenging for him to keep the run going on Thursday night, as Cleveland faces the NBA's sixth-best defense.
Darius Garland and
Sam Merrill, who combined for 48 points on Tuesday, will have fewer scoring opportunities with Mitchell back.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
The Atlanta Hawks have acquired guard/forward
Corey Kispert (hamstring) from the Washington Wizards. The franchise decided to part ways with its star man,
Trae Young, and found a landing spot for him in D.C. Guard
CJ McCollum also moved to Atlanta as part of the deal. Kisper has made all of his 311 career appearances with the Wizards, averaging 10.9 points on 38.3 percent three-point shooting. Injuries have limited Kispert's impact this season; through 19 appearances, he's averaged 9.2 points in 19.5 minutes per game. From a fantasy perspective, the trade doesn't change much for Kispert, as his role in Atlanta will likely mirror what he had in Washington.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 8, 2026
Guard
CJ McCollum has been traded for the second time in six months, this time moving from the Washington Wizards to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for star guard
Trae Young. McCollum joined the Wizards from the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason, making 35 appearances for the team. He averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 30.9 minutes. The 34-year-old will likely have a lesser role in Atlanta and won't be as impactful in fantasy. Still, he's a savvy scorer and will bring veteran leadership to a young squad. McCollum has an expiring $30.6 million contract and is playing for his future this campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 7, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks are trading guard
Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for
CJ McCollum and
Corey Kispert. The 2018 No. 5 overall pick has been a reliable fantasy producer since entering the National Basketball Association. In 493 regular-season contests, he's averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 35.1% from deep. Young's three-point percentage has dipped in recent years. He's also had issues staying healthy and taking care of the ball. However, this is still a fantastic acquisition by the Wizards, although it's unknown how Young's presence will impact the production of up-and-coming players like
Kyshawn George,
Alexandre Sarr, and
Tre Johnson, among others.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (calf) won't play on Wednesday against Phoenix, marking his third-straight absence. Only time will tell if he'll be able to get back on the floor when the Grizzlies face OKC on Friday night. However, while Morant is on the shelf,
Cam Spencer remains a must-start for fantasy managers. The 2024 No. 53 overall selection is coming off a strong showing, finishing with 21 points, eight boards, and eight assists in Tuesday's narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
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