January 3, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (illness) will suit up for Saturday's game at Golden State after missing his first contest of the 2025 campaign on Thursday in the loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The 22-year-old is having a fantastic season, averaging 24.6 points, 6.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 37.4% shooting from behind the arc, all career-highs. His return should mean less work for
Walter Clayton Jr., who logged 30 minutes versus the Clippers. However, the rookie may still stay involved, considering
Ace Bailey (hip) remains out. Unfortunately, Clayton's fantasy outlook isn't favorable in a meeting with one of the NBA's top defensive squads.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
PJ Hall will start in Saturday's meeting with the Bulls. With
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and
Moussa Diabate (wrist) both sidelined, the Hornets are thin at the five spot. The 23-year-old got the first start of his career in Friday's one-point loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, finishing with four points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. While Hall is a risky option for fantasy managers, his ceiling is higher on Saturday in a contest that should feature plenty of scoring between two of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Charlotte Hornets
January 3, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Saturday against the Knicks. As usual, the multi-time All-Star carried an injury designation. However, he'll be on the floor on Saturday night. Embiid is starting to return to form after struggling to begin the 2025 campaign. He combined for 65 points in recent meetings with the Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies before amassing 22 points on Thursday in the 123-108 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
New York Knicks center
Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) will play on Saturday against Philadelphia. He didn't suit up for Friday's loss to the Atlanta Hawks, his third absence of the 2025 campaign. Fortunately, that trend won't continue. As usual, KAT is a must-start in all fantasy setups.
Ariel Hukporti, who had eight points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks on Friday, will head back to the bench behind
Mitchell Robinson (ankle), who is also available. As a result, Hukporti shouldn't be anywhere near a fantasy lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Ian Begley
January 3, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (knee) did not return to Friday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old logged 20 minutes in that one, finishing with 11 points, four assists, three rebounds, and one steal before suffering a right knee strain in the third quarter. According to head coach Jamahl Mosley, he will be re-evaluated ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Indiana Pacers. Suggs has battled injuries in previous seasons. Unfortunately, it's been the same story throughout the 2025 campaign, with the 2021 No. 5 overall selection already missing time because of various ailments, including his most recent, a hip injury that kept him off the court for seven contests. Without question, the team will play it safe, so fantasy managers may not see Suggs on the floor for at least a few games. If that's the case,
Anthony Black could remain in the starting lineup, even once
Franz Wagner (ankle), who is expected back within the week, is cleared to suit up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jason Beede
January 3, 2026
San Antonio Spurs forward
Devin Vassell (adductor) was injured in Monday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. An MRI confirmed an adductor strain, already costing him meetings with the Knicks and most recently, Friday's win over the Indiana Pacers. Unfortunately, Vassell is projected to miss additional contests moving ahead, with head coach Mitch Johnson stating that the 25-year-old will be sidelined for "more than a few games." Vassell's production is down this season compared to previous campaigns, although he's still averaging 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. It's unknown how long he'll be on the shelf. In the meantime,
Justin Champagnie is expected to replace him in the rotation. However,
Dylan Harper, coming off a 22-point effort, should benefit more, especially if
Victor Wembanyama (knee) remains out.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jeff McDonald
January 3, 2026
Utah Jazz center
Jusuf Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors after sitting out Thursday versus the Clippers with a left toe sprain. If Nurkic remains sidelined,
Kyle Filipowski would likely draw another start, but his fantasy profile remains unstable. Over his last five games, Filipowski has averaged 9.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 22.0 minutes, mixing a 25-point outing in 35 minutes with a two-point performance in 11 minutes. He profiles as a risky streaming option with highly volatile game-to-game production.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Warriors and could miss a second straight contest with a left knee contusion. If Markkanen remains sidelined, minutes would be redistributed across the frontcourt, but no clear fantasy replacement has emerged.
Brice Sensabaugh,
Kyle Filipowski, and
Taylor Hendricks would all see expanded run, though each remains highly inconsistent and matchup-dependent. Sensabaugh provides the most scoring upside, with Filipowski and Hendricks needing steady minutes to return fantasy value.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (illness) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Golden State Warriors after missing Thursday versus the Clippers, with a decision expected closer to tipoff. George has been on a major run, delivering first-round nine-category value by averaging 28.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 4.0 three-pointers in 35.3 minutes. If he sits,
Isaiah Collier becomes the primary beneficiary after posting 16 points and 10 assists in 37 minutes last game, while
Walter Clayton Jr. logged nine points and three assists in 30 minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Miami Heat forward/center
Bam Adebayo (back) is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup against Minnesota and is expected to play through mild lower back soreness. Adebayo has continued to anchor the frontcourt, averaging 13.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 31.6 minutes over his last five games. His availability keeps
Kel'el Ware in a secondary but viable role, with occasional double-double upside when minutes hold, while
Andrew Wiggins maintains steady wing usage. Adebayo remains a firm hold with reliable multi-category production.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Saturday's matchup against the New York Knicks as he continues right knee injury management. Embiid is trending toward his third straight appearance and has delivered strong fantasy returns lately, averaging 29.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 three-pointers, and 1.3 blocks in 33.2 minutes over his last six games. If he plays,
Andre Drummond and
Adem Bona are pushed into reduced roles with limited fantasy appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 3, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Draymond Green (rest) will play Saturday against the Jazz after sitting out Friday's loss to Oklahoma City in the first leg of a back-to-back. Green steps back into his usual frontcourt role after averaging 9.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 23.8 minutes over December. His availability squeezes minutes for
Trayce Jackson-Davis and
Quinten Post, while
Gui Santos becomes harder to trust outside deep formats. Green remains a low-usage glue piece best suited for category balance.
--Brian DailisanSource: Kenzo Fukuda
January 3, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Cason Wallace (knee) will not return to Friday's game against the Golden State Warriors after suffering a right knee contusion and is next scheduled to be evaluated for Sunday versus Phoenix. Wallace logged two points, three rebounds, two steals, and one assist in 14 minutes. If he misses time, wing minutes open in a crowded rotation, with
Ajay Mitchell the most reliable fantasy option. Mitchell is averaging 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 three-pointers in 25.7 minutes, while
Aaron Wiggins,
Isaiah Joe, and
Alex Caruso rotate situationally.
--Brian DailisanSource: Nick Gallo
January 3, 2026
Sacramento Kings center
Maxime Raynaud (knee) exited Friday's loss to the Phoenix Suns late in the fourth quarter and did not return after being helped off the court. Raynaud's status now looms large for fantasy managers, especially with
Domantas Sabonis (knee) also nursing an injury. If Raynaud misses time, minutes would open for
Precious Achiuwa and
Drew Eubanks, though both carry volatility. Deep leagues should monitor a potential call-up for
Dylan Cardwell, whose rebounding and defensive stats could translate quickly if given rotation minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Kings on NBCS
January 3, 2026
New York Knicks guard/forward
Josh Hart (ankle) has been cleared for light court work but will be re-evaluated in one week after missing time since Dec. 25 with a sprained right ankle. Hart is set to remain sidelined, keeping the Knicks' wing rotation thin.
Miles McBride stands to benefit most after starting against Atlanta and logging 11 points with three three-pointers in 31 minutes, offering short-term value in deeper formats.
Jordan Clarkson could also see incremental run, while fringe minutes for
Mohamed Diawara and
Kevin McCullar Jr. remain low-impact for fantasy purposes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ian Begley
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