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
January 16, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Domantas Sabonis (knee) has been officially listed as available for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Reports of Sabonis' return began circulating earlier this week, and the team listed him as questionable on the initial injury report. Sabonis hasn't played since Nov. 16, so he could have a limited workload against Washington. Even so, the Lithuanian star could be in for a big night, as Washington has given up more fantasy points to centers than any other team this season. Sabonis' return will be a blow to
Maxime Raynaud's fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Detroit Pistons point guard
Cade Cunningham (wrist) is on the injury report with a probable tag ahead of Saturday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Cunningham returned from a right wrist injury in Thursday's win over the Phoenix Suns and is expected to make a second consecutive appearance. It's possible Cunningham was still bothered by the injury to his shooting hand against Phoenix, as he managed only 10 points with a very poor 3-for-16 efficiency. Detroit's star man salvaged his fantasy line a bit with 11 assists. If Cunningham suits up on Saturday, he'll be expected to bounce back in a much more favorable matchup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) won't be available on Saturday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. He will be forced to miss a second straight game due to a left knee sprain. Miami has also lost
Davion Mitchell (shoulder) from the rotation, increasing the fantasy value of
Pelle Larsson,
Kasparas Jakucionis, and
Simone Fontecchio. On Saturday, the team could also be without
Tyler Herro (toe, ribs), who is listed as questionable. However, this will be a tough matchup for the Heat against the NBA's top-ranked defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (toe, ribs) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Recently, Herro returned from a toe injury, and he is now also dealing with a rib contusion. Miami's backcourt is already missing
Davion Mitchell (shoulder). As a result,
Kasparas Jakucionis could jump into the first unit on Saturday. The Lithuanian rookie contributed 12 points and eight assists in a bench role on Thursday night against the Boston Celtics. There are also additional minutes available for
Dru Smith and
Pelle Larsson, who moved to the starting lineup on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
New York Knicks point guard
Jalen Brunson (ankle) is considered questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Brunson suffered a right ankle sprain on Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings and wasn't available for the second leg of a back-to-back the next day against the Golden State Warriors.
Miles McBride filled the gap in the first unit, finishing with 25 points and six assists. Assuming Brunson won't return on Saturday, McBride will continue to have additional fantasy value. That being said, the matchup on Saturday isn't ideal, as Phoenix gives up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to point guards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Devin Booker (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's contest against the New York Knicks. Booker sprained his left ankle earlier this week and has already missed one game. His exit from the lineup on Thursday against the Detroit Pistons allowed
Grayson Allen to start. The veteran sniper erupted for a game-high 33 points. If Booker remains out on Saturday, Allen is expected to lead Phoenix's offense again. Meanwhile, there would also be additional scoring touches for
Dillon Brooks and
Collin Gillespie.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Nicolas Batum will replace
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) in the starting lineup on Friday against the Toronto Raptors, Sportsnet's Blake Murphy reports. This will be the fourth start of the season for the French veteran. Previously, Batum has averaged 5.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists as a member of the starting unit. Although Batum's fantasy production has been modest, he could make an impact on Friday against a depleted Toronto lineup missing a couple of regular starters.
--Taavi PailkSource: Blake Murphy
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Julian Phillips (wrist) has been cleared for Friday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. The 22-year-old has missed a pair of contests due to a sprained wrist, but the team has upgraded him from questionable to available. Phillips will add depth to the Bulls' bench, nothing more.
Patrick Williams could lose some minutes now that Phillips is back, though he performed well in Wednesday's victory against Utah, recording 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard/forward
Kevin Huerter (hip) will play on Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. He has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of the game. While Huerter has come off the bench in three consecutive games, he has recently improved his scoring numbers, reaching double figures each time. On Friday, Huarter will head out against a team that allows the ninth-most bench points in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 16, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac (ankle) will play in Friday's contest against the Toronto Raptors. The team has upgraded his status from questionable to available. Zubac will be back in action after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Washington Wizards due to a left ankle sprain. Zubac's return will push
Brook Lopez to the bench, and
Yanic Konan Niederhauser will likely be out of the rotation. Friday's game is an uncomfortable spot for Zubac, since Toronto has given up the sixth-fewest fantasy points to centers this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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