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
January 1, 2026
San Antonio Spurs forward/center
Victor Wembanyama (knee) was limited to 24 minutes in Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks but escaped serious injury. Wembanyama's left knee buckled when he tried to grab a rebound early in the fourth quarter. He was subbed out of the game with 10:32 remaining in the quarter, and Wembanyama didn't return to the contest. After the game, Wembanyama said he suffered a hyperextension and expected to be back for the next game. San Antonio continues the season with a back-to-back on Friday and Saturday. The team will probably be cautious with its superstar, meaning Wembanyama might still sit out some action this week even if he feels ready to play.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 31, 2025
San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (thumb) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's matchup with the New York Knicks. Castle carried a questionable tag due to a sprained left thumb, but he has since been cleared for action ahead of tonight's tilt. The 21-year-old could be in line for a productive evening in all fantasy formats as he's posted averages of 20.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game across 10 appearances in December. In his last outing on Monday in a loss to Cleveland, he finished with 15 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and one steal in 34 minutes.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
December 31, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Tyler Kolek (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Wednesday's clash with the San Antonio Spurs. Despite dealing with right ankle soreness, Kolek sheds a probable tag and will be set to suit up for tonight's tilt. The 24-year-old has played in 28 games this season, averaging 5.2 points, 2.9 assists and 1.8 rebounds across 13.0 minutes per contest. During his last seven outings, he's carried a heavier workload, averaging 21.5 minutes per game. However, his time on the floor will likely keep decreasing with
Miles McBride back in action.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
December 31, 2025
Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (illness) is questionable for Thursday's game against Brooklyn. He recently returned after missing over a month because of an oblique injury. Since then, the 24-year-old has appeared in the Rockets' previous five contests. However, his status is now in jeopardy as a result of an illness. With so many players listed on the injury report for Houston, there are a number of directions head coach Ime Udoka might go regarding the rotation, although
Reed Sheppard should remain in line to see a substantial bump in minutes and scoring opportunities regardless of who is ruled out.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 31, 2025
Detroit Pistons forward
Tobias Harris (hip) is doubtful for Thursday's meeting with Miami. He logged six minutes in Tuesday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers because of a left hip injury. Unfortunately, that puts his status in doubt for Thursday's game and beyond. With
Caris LeVert (knee) also sidelined,
Ron Holland II, coming off a 11-point, seven rebound effort, could find himself in the starting lineup. There will also be room for expanded production for
Isaiah Stewart,
Javonte Green, and
Jaden Ivey.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Repor
December 31, 2025
New York Knicks center
Ariel Hukporti (mouth) is set to suit up for Wednesday's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. Hukporti has been cleared to play after carrying a questionable tag earlier due to sustaining a lip laceration in Monday's 130-125 win over the Pelicans. The 23-year-old could be in line to see extra minutes this evening with
Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out of action. However, fantasy managers should expect Hukporti to be a non-factor in fantasy during tonight's tilt as he's averaging just 1.3 points and 2.4 rebounds per game across 20 outings this season.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
December 31, 2025
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (soleus) is questionable for Thursday's game against Brooklyn after missing the last two contests because of a calf strain. The Rockets are hurting heading into this one, with
Clint Capela (illness) and
Steven Adams (ankle) also carrying a questionable designation. As a result, Houston may need to roll with
Dorian Finney-Smith at the five versus his former team. DFS most recently logged 16 minutes in Monday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, finishing with six points and two rebounds.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 31, 2025
Charlotte Hornets center
Mason Plumlee (groin) underwent surgery "to address an injury to his right groin." He will be re-evaluated in six weeks, with the team planning to announce updates "as appropriate." The 35-year-old signed with the Hornets in July after bouncing around the NBA since being drafted in 2013 by the Brooklyn Nets. He appeared in 14 games for Charlotte this season. However, Plumlee hasn't been productive, averaging 1.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. While he would could have seen more action while
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) is sidelined, he still wouldn't have garnered attention from fantasy managers, considering
Moussa Diabate has been holding things down at the five. With that said, the select few who have Plumlee on the roster can drop him without thinking twice.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 31, 2025
According to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic, Chicago Bulls center
Zach Collins (toe) will be sidelined at least 10 more days due to a sprained right toe. The timetable for a return likely puts Collins out of action for at least six contests. His injury occurred in the closing minutes of Saturday's loss to Milwaukee. The 28-year-old big man finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists in 24 minutes before leaving the floor. While Collins is sidelined,
Jalen Smith will see an expanded role backing up starting center
Nikola Vucevic.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Joel Lorenzi
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