January 22, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Cooper Flagg will remain on a minutes limit ahead of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Flagg made his return to the court during Monday's game versus the New York Knicks. He finished with 18 points, three assists, and seven rebounds across 28 minutes during that contest. The Mavs plan to be more cautious with Flagg during Thursday's game and keep him in the 20-to-25-minute range. His fantasy value is going to be limited, given he won't have a full workload yet.
Ryan Nembhard and
Brandon Williams could see a few extra minutes during Thursday's game.
--Andy WebbSource: Noah Weber
January 22, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (ankle) will play on Thursday against the Houston Rockets. He will return to the lineup after a one-game absence, having been initially listed as probable for Thursday's matchup. The former MVP has scored 30 points in each of his last two appearances and is averaging 26.7 points and 7.3 rebounds for the month. Houston is ranked sixth in defensive efficiency and allows the fewest rebounds in the league to opposing centers, so Embiid must bring his A-game on Thursday to be effective.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (thumb) has been upgraded to available for the second game of his team's back-to-back on Thursday night against the Orlando Magic. Charlotte played their star guard off the bench on Wednesday against the Cavaliers, and he collected just two points across 22 minutes while also sustaining a thumb contusion on his shooting hand. Despite thumb pain, the 24-year-old will likely rejoin the Hornets first unit during tonight's action. If he has a setback,
Brandon Miller and
Kon Knueppel will have to produce more on the offensive end, while
Collin Sexton could see extended minutes.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard/forward
Tim Hardaway Jr. (knee) will be in the lineup on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. The team has upgraded Hardaway Jr.'s status on the injury report from probable to available. The veteran sniper has struggled in recent games, scoring a combined 16 points on 1-for-13 three-point shooting in back-to-back losses to the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Lakers. Prior to the slump, Hardaway Jr. posted a season-high 30 points in a 121-115 win over Washington on Saturday. The Wizards are giving up the most points in the Eastern Conference, giving Hardaway Jr. a good opportunity to get back on track.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Golden State Warriors. This marks the fourth game in a row that Gafford has missed due to a right ankle sprain. His absence should continue to mean extended playing time for
Dwight Powell and
Moussa Cisse in the rotation. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Saturday to see if Gafford gets cleared for that one. Cisse has been the better fantasy option between the two big men lately. The rookie center has averaged nearly a double-double during each of his last three games. Fantasy managers in need of help ahead of Thursday's slate should consider streaming Cisse until Gafford returns.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valaniunas (calf) has been officially listed as available for Thursday's matchup against the Washington Wizards. He will make his first appearance of 2026 after missing three weeks with a calf strain. With
Nikola Jokic (knee) out, Valanciunas' return is a major boost for Denver. However, Nuggets head coach David Adelman said Valanciunas' minutes will be "pretty limited" on Thursday night. The return of Valanciunas is set to impact the playing time of DaRon Holmes and
Zeke Nnaji.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward/center
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) was upgraded from probable to available on the injury report and will play on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. Gordon is a mainstay on Denver's injury report, but he has missed only one of the last eight games. He has logged 30-plus minutes in each of his last five appearances, which is another pleasing fact for fantasy managers. On Saturday, Gordon nearly had his third career triple-double in a home game against the Wizards, finishing with eight points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Davion Mitchell (shoulder) has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Mitchell was tagged as questionable earlier in the day due to a left shoulder bruise. He has now been downgraded to doubtful, so fantasy managers should prepare to be without Mitchell. The Heat are already without
Tyler Herro (rib), so losing Mitchell is going to put them in a bad spot. It would likely mean significant minutes for
Pelle Larsson,
Kasparas Jakucionis, and
Dru Smith in the rotation. Among the trio, Larsson is the best streaming choice ahead of Thursday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves forward
Julius Randle (foot) has been upgraded to active for Thursday's clash with the Chicago Bulls. Randle is dealing with foot soreness and was added to the team's injury report late, but he has since been cleared to play. Fantasy managers should expect the 31-year-old to still be a big part of the team's offensive attack despite the foot pain. He's played in all 44 Wolves games this campaign, averaging 22.4 points, 5.4 assists, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 33.7 minutes per outing.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Timberwolves PR
January 22, 2026
Denver Nuggets point guard
Jamal Murray (hip) will be active on Thursday against the Washington Wizards. He will make his sixth consecutive appearance after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. Murray has been on fire lately, averaging 29.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists in January. The two teams met last weekend, and Murray stole the show with a 42-point performance, shooting 5-for-8 from downtown. He also had six assists, three rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Norman Powell (back) has been downgraded from probable to questionable ahead of Thursday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. Powell was a late addition to the injury report due to lower back tightness. It seems like the team is going to wait and see how he feels during warmups before making a final decision. If he sits,
Pelle Larsson and
Nikola Jovic would likely see larger roles in the rotation. Between the two, Larsson is the better streaming option ahead of Thursday's game. The second-year guard finished with 16 points, nine assists, and six rebounds during Tuesday's game. He's bringing enough to the table to warrant streaming while the Heat are banged up right now.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Denver Nuggets center
Jonas Valanciunas (calf) is expected to play against the Washington Wizards on Thursday. The veteran center sustained a right calf strain against Toronto on New Year's Eve and was initially due to miss at least four weeks. With
Nikola Jokic (knee) still out, the Nuggets could use Valanciunas to bolster their frontcourt during tonight's tilt. If he does indeed return, the 33-year-old would provide much-needed support to
Aaron Gordon (hamstring), who has recently filled in at center.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Bennett Durando
January 22, 2026
Charlotte Hornets PR announced that Charlotte Hornets forward
Grant Williams (knee) won't suit up against the Orlando Magic on Thursday due to right knee injury management. Williams has played in five games this season since recovering from an ACL tear that kept him out of action since November 2024. With Williams sidelined,
Josh Green and
Sion James could land expanded roles in the Hornets frontcourt during tonight's clash.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Charlotte Hornets PR
January 22, 2026
Houston Rockets guard
Aaron Holiday (back) won't suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Holiday was unable to shed a questionable tag and will sit out tonight's contest due to back spasms. The 29-year-old guard has struggled to make his mark in fantasy, averaging 6.0 points in 14.0 minutes per contest across 30 outings so far this campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
January 22, 2026
San Antonio Spurs center
Luke Kornet (adductor) won't play against the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Kornet is dealing with left adductor tightness. His next chance to suit up is Sunday versus New Orleans. The 30-year-old big man has played in 36 games this campaign, averaging 8.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes per contest. With Kornet out of action this evening, 36-year-old veteran
Kelly Olynyk will likely jump back into the rotation and backup star center
Victor Wembanyama.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
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