January 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans center
Derik Queen (quadriceps) is questionable for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. The rookie big man could miss his first career game due to a left quadriceps contusion. Queen has been New Orleans' starting center since mid-November, averaging 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 blocks in the first unit. If Queen isn't cleared to play,
Yves Missi and
Kevon Looney will split the minutes at the five spot in a good fantasy matchup against a team that gives up the sixth-most fantasy points to centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Saddiq Bey (hip) is questionable to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night. He is dealing with a sore right hip and might be out for only the second time this season. It has been an impressive comeback campaign for Bey, who was unavailable for the entire 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury. The 26-year-old is averaging 15.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, having started every game since Nov. 22.
Jose Alvarado will return from a suspension on Friday and could help fill some of Bey's minutes if needed.
Bryce McGowens could also be back in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen (knee) is questionable for Friday's meeting with the Sacramento Kings. He has been out of action for seven games due to a right knee problem. If Allen remains on the shelf on Friday night, Royce O'Neale will continue to roll with the starters. At the same time,
Jordan Goodwin will see increased playing time off the bench. This is an outstanding fantasy matchup for Suns players, as it's a pace-up spot for the team against one of the worst defenses in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
Moussa Diabate (wrist) has been tagged as questionable on the injury report ahead of Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 23-year-old big man, who has been Charlotte's starting center in recent games, sprained his right wrist against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. Diabate's absence would be a massive blow for the Hornets, who have already been without
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and
Mason Plumlee (groin).
PJ Hall will likely be the next man up as the starting center if Diabate exits the lineup. With that said, Friday is a tough matchup for Charlotte's bigs, as Milwaukee allows the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing fives.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Charlotte Hornets forward
Miles Bridges (ankle) seems set to return to the lineup on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks, as he is listed as probable for the game. Bridges sprained his right ankle earlier in the week against the Bucks, but it looks like the injury will cost him just one game.
Collin Sexton started in Bridges' place on Wednesday versus the Golden State Warriors and is likely to drop back to the second unit on Friday. Still, Sexton will continue to have fantasy value as a microwave scorer off the bench. Bridges' recent performances have been mostly mediocre, as he hasn't reached the 20-point plateau in six consecutive appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
De'Andre Hunter (illness) has been listed as questionable for Friday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. He's in danger of missing a second consecutive game due to illness. Hunter lost his starting role midway through December, but his workload has remained about the same. The 28-year-old has posted 12.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game since dropping to the bench. Due to Hunter's absence,
Jaylon Tyson and Nae'Qwan Tomlin saw more action in Wednesday's win over the Phoenix Suns. The latter doesn't have any significance in fantasy basketball, but Tyson's stock has been rising all season, and he has even more appeal with Hunter out.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
New York Knicks center
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is considered questionable for Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Due to ankle injury management, Robinson may be absent for a third consecutive contest. It's the start of a back-to-back, making it likely Robinson will be out for at least one of the upcoming two games. With Robinson sidelined,
Ariel Hukporti has operated as the backup big in recent games, contributing six points, six rebounds, and one block in Wednesday's defeat to the San Antonio Spurs.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard/forward
Devin Vassell (adductor) will remain sidelined on Friday against the Indiana Pacers. He will miss a second straight game due to an adductor strain. The 25-year-old likely also won't play in Saturday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers, as Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said prior to Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks that Vassell will be out for "more than a game or two." With Vassell out,
Julian Champagnie stepped into the starting unit on Wednesday and had a career night with 36 points.
Keldon Johnson, who notched 19 points and eight rebounds off the bench, also sees more action as a result of Vassell's absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Draymond Green (rest) will be in street clothes on Friday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After making eight consecutive appearances, the veteran will be rested for the first leg of a back-to-back. Green will probably return to the lineup for Saturday's meeting with the Utah Jazz. In the meantime,
Quinten Post,
Gui Santos,
Al Horford (sciatica), and
Trayce Jackson-Davis (knee) could get more work. The latter two are also on the injury report, but the team considers them probable for Friday's matchup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's tilt against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The veteran star has played through an ankle sprain for a couple of games, but he may take Friday night off to get some rest during a back-to-back set. Golden State faces the Utah Jazz on Saturday, and
Draymond Green (rest) has already been ruled out for Friday's contest against the reigning champions. If Curry sits,
Brandin Podziemski will probably be the biggest beneficiary, while
Buddy Hield,
Will Richard, and
Pat Spencer may also help fill his minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
San Antonio Spurs forward/center
Victor Wembanyama (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's matchup against the Indiana Pacers. He hasn't traveled with the team to Indianapolis after hurting his left knee during Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks. Fortunately, an MRI on Thursday showed that the French superstar didn't suffer any ligament damage. Initially, Wembanyama announced that he expected to play on Friday night. However, he will sit out at least one game and is considered day-to-day. Sources have told ESPN that San Antonio will list Wembanyama as questionable for Saturday's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Luke Kornet is set to start in Wembanyama's place on Friday, while
Kelly Olynyk will get more burn off the bench.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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
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