January 9, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) is available to play Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Williams returned Monday, playing 22 minutes and recording 15 points, six rebounds, and five assists. After missing the second half of Tuesday's back-to-back, Williams is set to play and have a big role against the defending champions. With
Ja Morant (calf),
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe),
Ty Jerome (calf), and
John Konchar (thumb) all out, and rookie
Cedric Coward (ankle) listed as a game-time decision, Williams may have to handle a heavy workload despite just returning from injury. Fantasy managers can rely on the 25-year-old guard to provide some value against the Thunder, who have been struggling as of late.
--Nathan HarveySource: Jonah Dylan
January 9, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will play on Friday against the Orlando Magic. Embiid continues to manage his left knee and was initially listed as questionable on the injury report, but he is ready to make his sixth consecutive appearance. We have seen a vintage Embiid lately, as teams have struggled to contain the former MVP. Most recently, he notched 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in just 25 minutes in a blowout victory against the Washington Wizards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Leonard was questionable coming into this game after tweaking his ankle on Wednesday. It wasn't significant enough to hold Leonard out of action, so he'll suit up for the first game of this back-to-back set. Over his last 10 games, Leonard is averaging 32.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists across 37.1 minutes per game. Fantasy managers should double-check their lineups and make sure Leonard is active ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: Law Murray
January 9, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward
Trey Murphy III (back) will return from a one-game absence on Friday versus the Washington Wizards. He's been dealing with lower back spasms, but the team upgraded Murphy III's status from questionable to available. Murphy III began the week with a career night against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring 42 points on Tuesday night. He could cook up something special again on Friday, as Washington has the second-worst defensive rating in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Orlando Magic forward
Tristan da Silva (back) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. This comes as a surprise, given da Silva looked fine during Wednesday's game. He finished with 14 points, three rebounds, and two assists across 24 minutes of action. His absence should free up playing time for
Tyus Jones and
Jett Howard in the rotation.
Jalen Suggs (knee) is also sidelined, so Jones will probably see heavy minutes. He's the better streaming choice between the two players for Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: Orlando Magic
January 9, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (knee) will play against the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday. The team upgraded his status on the injury report from probable to available. The 27-year-old has shaken off knee soreness and will continue to lead Brooklyn's offense on Friday. Porter Jr. averaged 28.3 points in December and has been even more productive in his first few outings in January, notching 30.5 points per game. Since the Clippers have the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA, Porter Jr. could be in line for another prolific scoring performance on Friday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (foot/sciatica) is now considered probable for Friday's action against the Milwaukee Bucks. The team initially listed him as questionable on the injury report. The fact that James was upgraded to probable indicates he is likely to return to the lineup after a one-game absence. While James has ridden the backseat for most of the campaign, he has started 2026 in dominant fashion. Across three January appearances, the veteran star has produced 29.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game. It's been a remarkable run, given that James turned 41 on Dec. 30.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton will move back into the starting five ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Claxton returned on Wednesday after missing two games due to personal reasons. He operated under a minutes limit on Wednesday as the team wanted to ease him back into action. He'll return to the starting five on Friday, which will shift
Day'Ron Sharpe to the bench. Claxton is averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 29.9 minutes per game this season. He appears to be a full-go now, so fantasy managers can get him back into their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: C.J. Holmes
January 9, 2026
Toronto Raptors guard/forward
Brandon Ingram (thumb) will miss his first game of the season on Friday against the Boston Celtics. The former All-Star injured his right thumb during Wednesday's win over the Charlotte Hornets and was ruled out for Friday after initially being considered a game-time call. Ingram's first opportunity to return will come on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. On Friday, the Raptors are also rolling without
Scottie Barnes (knee), so
RJ Barrett and
Immanuel Quickley could have extremely high usage rates. Meanwhile,
Jamal Shead,
Ja'Kobe Walter, and
Gradey Dick may see additional time on the court.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Toronto Raptors forward
Scottie Barnes (knee) won't play on Friday against Boston. He injured his knee in Wednesday's win over the Charlotte Hornets. While the 24-year-old could miss a few contests, the fact he wasn't ruled out early heading into this one at least suggests he might be day-to-day, meaning there may be a chance he suits up on Sunday versus Philly. With
Brandon Ingram (thumb) also unavailable,
RJ Barrett and
Immanuel Quickley should pick up more of the slack offensively.
Collin Murray-Boyles and
Sandro Mamukelashvili could also benefit on both ends of the floor.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Dallas Mavericks forward/center
Anthony Davis (hand) "could miss a number of months." AD suffered an injury to his left hand in Thursday's loss to the Utah Jazz. He is heading for a second opinion, and there's a chance he may need surgery. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, Davis might find himself remaining with the Mavericks. However, the team could still find a trade partner, although his asking price can't get much lower. With that said, with Davis out of the picture,
Moussa Cisse and
Dwight Powell may gain consistent minutes behind
Daniel Gafford throughout the remainder of the 2025 campaign, assuming Dallas can't acquire another big.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (ankle) is listed as probable ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. His presence on the injury report is likely precautionary after he missed Monday's game. Murray looked fine during Wednesday's game when he finished with 22 points, 17 assists, and eight rebounds. Barring any setbacks, Murray will be out there and is an elite option in all fantasy formats. If he sits out,
Jalen Pickett and
Tim Hardaway Jr. would have increased playing time. Both players would be viable streaming options if Murray gets downgraded.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Christian Braun (ankle) holds a probable tag heading into Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. His appearance on the injury report is precautionary after Braun missed nearly two months due to a sprained left ankle. Braun finished with five points, five rebounds, and two assists in 30 minutes of action on Wednesday. Barring any setbacks, Braun should be out there for this favorable matchup against the Hawks.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and
Jalen Pickett would see increased run if Braun does get downgraded to out. Between the two, Hardaway has the higher upside as a streaming option.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Cedric Coward (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Coward is in danger of missing his third straight contest after suffering a left ankle sprain during Sunday's contest. The absence of Coward has led to increased playing time for GG Jackson and
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Both players should be viewed as low-end streaming options if Coward misses a third straight game.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 9, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Porter is feeling a little sore after a knee-to-knee collision with
Wendell Carter Jr. during Wednesday's game versus the Orlando Magic. It didn't seem to impact his performance as he finished with 34 points, five rebounds, and three steals during the loss.
Danny Wolf would likely be asked to take on a larger role if Porter is unable to play. He normally only plays minutes in the teens, but could offer low-end streaming value with an expanded role.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
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