January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Ace Bailey (hip) remains out for Thursday's meeting with the Clippers, marking his third-straight absence. With
Keyonte George (illness),
Lauri Markkanen (knee), and
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) also ruled out, Bailey would have been in line for a significant bump on the offensive end. However, since he's sidelined as well,
Walter Clayton Jr. and
Isaiah Collier should see all the minutes they can handle, with
Svi Mykhailiuk also likely being more involved on both ends of the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
According to Sharif Phillips-Keaton of USA Today, Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (illness) is set to suit up against the Brooklyn Nets. Eason was listed as questionable due to an illness, but he has since been cleared to play. This evening's clash will be the sixth game in a row the 24-year-old has played after missing over a month due to an oblique injury. With
Steven Adams (ankle) and
Clint Capela (illness) out of action, fantasy managers could look to Eason as an option, as he will likely see extended minutes during tonight's contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Sharif Phillips-Keaton
January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (knee) will not play on Thursday against the Clippers. He had 22 points, nine boards, two steals, and one block in Tuesday's loss to the Boston Celtics. However, the veteran won't suit up for this one because of knee soreness.
Keyonte George (illness),
Ace Bailey (hip), and
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) are also sidelined on Thursday evening, meaning players like
Brice Sensabaugh,
Kyle Filipowski,
Isaiah Collier, and
Walter Clayton Jr. should all surpass their usual statistical projections despite a challenging matchup on the horizon.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (illness) will miss Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers due to an illness. This evening's contest will be the first the 22-year-old has missed all season long. George is averaging a career-high 24.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.3 boards across 32 outings this campaign. His next chance to suit up comes on Saturday against Golden State. With
Lauri Markkanen (knee) also ruled out,
Isaiah Collier,
Walter Clayton Jr.,
Kyle Filipowski, and
Brice Sensabaugh could be fairly productive fantasy-wise during tonight's tilt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (illness) won't play on Thursday against Houston. He had 27 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals in Monday's 120-107 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately, Porter popped up on the injury report because of an illness, so he'll miss his first game in nearly a month. With
Egor Demin (back) also unavailable, Brooklyn may get more production from
Noah Clowney,
Danny Wolf, and
Nicolas Claxton.
Cam Thomas, who had been limited since returning from a hamstring injury, has the best chance of leading the team in scoring despite likely logging fewer minutes than usual.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Detroit Pistons forward
Tobias Harris (hip) won't play on Thursday versus Miami. He suffered a hip sprain in Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, ending his night after only five minutes of work. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day, although they shouldn't be surprised if he misses more games moving ahead. With
Caris LeVert (hip) also sidelined,
Ron Holland II is the favorite to enter the starting lineup. The 2024 No. 5 overall pick has averaged 7.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.0 steals in five starts throughout the 2025 campaign. While those numbers aren't the best, Holland will at least warrant consideration for those participating in deep fantasy setups.
Marcus Sasser and
Jaden Ivey could also surpass their usual fantasy expectations.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (knee) is questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Clippers. The veteran was available on Tuesday in the loss to the Boston Celtics, amassing 22 points, nine rebounds, two steals, and one block in 38 minutes of action. With
Keyonte George (illness) questionable, and
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) and
Ace Bailey (hip) already ruled out, the Jazz may need guys like
Brice Sensabaugh,
Kyle Filipowski,
Isaiah Collier, and
Walter Clayton Jr. to step things up on both ends of the floor. .
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (illness) is questionable for the meeting with the Clippers on Thursday night. He's having an excellent 2025 campaign, averaging a career-high 24.6 points, 6.8 assists, and 4.3 boards. The 22-year-old is also coming off one of his most productive games of the season, amassing 37 points in Tuesday's loss to the Boston Celtics. If
Lauri Markkanen (knee) can't suit up, George could be in line for additional scoring opportunities, making him a more enticing fantasy option. That will apply to Markkanen if George is ruled out. However, if both players are sidelined,
Isaiah Collier,
Walter Clayton Jr.,
Kyle Filipowski, and
Brice Sensabaugh might all smash their usual fantasy projections despite a challenging matchup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) won't suit up for Thursday's meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 2014 No. 16 overall pick is averaging close to a double-double this season, most recently amassing 26 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists on Tuesday in the loss to the Boston Celtics. It's unknown when he suffered the MTP joint sprain. More importantly, it's unknown how long he'll be sidelined. With
Kevin Love (rest) also ruled out, the Jazz are expected to roll with
Kyle Filipowski at the five. The 22-year-old has played well in his 11 starts throughout the 2025 campaign, logging 11.8 points and 7.2 boards per contest. With Utah projected to be the second-lowest scoring club on Thursday's slate, Filipowski may have a tough time being more productive than that, although it could happen if
Keyonte George (illness) and/or
Lauri Markkanen (knee), who are both questionable, can't get on the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (illness) may miss the first game of 2026, as the team considers him questionable for Thursday's meeting with the Houston Rockets. He is battling an illness and may depart the lineup after posting at least 24 points in five consecutive games. Individually, it has been a great campaign for Porter Jr. in Brooklyn, as the former Nugget has notched a team-high 25.8 points per game, along with 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists. If Porter Jr. is unavailable, the remaining starters will have increased opportunities on offense. Overall, the Nets may have three new faces in the first unit on Thursday, with
Egor Demin (back) ruled out and
Terance Mann (hip) questionable.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (ankle) appears ready to make his second consecutive appearance on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. Embiid recently missed one game due to a right ankle sprain. He made a spectacular return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, registering 34 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, two blocks, and one steal across 38 minutes in an overtime win. It might be another night of feasting for Embiid on Thursday against the Mavericks, who have given up the ninth-most fantasy points to centers this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Anthony Davis (adductor) has not been included on the injury report for Thursday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, indicating that he will return from a two-game absence. Davis suffered a right adductor injury on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors, but fortunately, he is back to full health after missing only two games. Davis' return will push
Daniel Gafford to the bench and potentially put
Dwight Powell out of the rotation. The star big man faced the Sixers only a couple of weeks ago, posting a 24-point, 15-rebound double-double. However, that came without
Joel Embiid (ankle) on the floor, and Philadelphia has listed him as probable for Thursday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 1, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Coby White (calf) will be re-evaluated in one week, the team announced on Wednesday. White injured his right calf on Monday versus the Minnesota Timberwolves and wasn't available for Wednesday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. It's now clear that he will sit out at least three more games.
Josh Giddey (hamstring) has been ruled out for at least two weeks, opening up two starting spots and a lot of offensive usage on the team. Both
Jalen Smith and
Tre Jones performed well as starters on Wednesday, while
Matas Buzelis was significantly more involved in the offense. Ultimately,
Isaac Okoro led Chicago in scoring with 24 points. Kevin Huarter and
Ayo Dosunmu are also among the players who benefit from the absences of White and Giddey.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chicago Bulls
January 1, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in two weeks, the team announced on Wednesday. Giddey didn't play on New Year's Eve against the New Orleans Pelicans and will be out for seven more games if he can make his return in two weeks. With
Coby White (calf) also out, the Bulls used
Jalen Smith and
Tre Jones as starters against New Orleans. Jones did a good job filling in for Giddey at point guard, posting a game-high 12 assists and scoring 20 points in 27 minutes.
Ayo Dosunmu and Kevin Huarter also gain fantasy value from Chicago's backcourt injuries.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chicago Bulls
January 1, 2026
Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) was in a walking boot after his early exit in Wednesday's 106-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors. Speaking to Sportsnet's Michael Grange, Valanciunas said he had a "pop" in his right calf. Filling in for
Nikola Jokic (knee) in the starting unit, the Lithuanian giant had a very productive 23-minute outing against his former team, finishing with 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal, and three blocks. It looks like Valanciunas might now join Jokic on the sidelines for upcoming games.
DaRon Holmes II was the reserve big on Wednesday, while
Zeke Nnaji's workload is also likely to increase if Valanciunas misses time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Michael Grange
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