January 8, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward
Dean Wade (knee) won't play on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 29-year-old is having trouble with his left knee. He ended a two-game absence on Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers, but Wade logged only eight minutes before exiting the game due to a left knee contusion.
De'Andre Hunter,
Nae'Qwan Tomlin, and
Jaylon Tyson (illness) will help fill the void left by Wade. Although Tyson is listed on the injury report due to illness, he is expected to be available against Minnesota.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Dallas Mavericks point guard
Brandon Williams (heel) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against the Utah Jazz. He has sustained a heel contusion and may have to sit out some action after a good start to 2026. Over three January appearances, Williams has averaged 15.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 25.0 minutes. If Williams is unable to play against Utah,
Ryan Nembhard will likely receive a larger workload. This is an excellent fantasy matchup for Dallas' second unit, as Utah gives up the most bench points in the Association.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward
P.J. Washington (ankle) is not expected to suit up on Thursday against the Utah Jazz, as the team has listed him as doubtful on the injury report. Washington dropped out of the lineup this week due to a sprained right ankle and is poised to miss a second straight game.
Naji Marshall got a starting opportunity on Tuesday versus the Sacramento Kings and had a good all-around performance. Across 32 minutes, Marshall amassed 15 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and two steals. If Washington remains out on Thursday, Marshall is likely to log another start in a very attractive fantasy matchup against the NBA's poorest defense.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (ankle) is questionable for a meeting with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. He's been dealing with a right ankle sprain recently, missing two games. The absence of Jaquez Jr. has left Miami without one of the league's most productive reserves. The 24-year-old has contributed 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 29.1 minutes.
Nikola Jovic and
Pelle Larsson have had additional playing opportunities with Jaquez Jr. out. However, the rotation dynamics changed on Tuesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, as
Tyler Herro ended a nearly month-long absence.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (rest) is not on the injury report for Thursday's matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The six-time All-Star was rested on Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers.
Dean Wade (knee) started in his place but left early. Mitchell has scored 30-plus points in three straight games, shooting 54 percent. It will be challenging for him to keep the run going on Thursday night, as Cleveland faces the NBA's sixth-best defense.
Darius Garland and
Sam Merrill, who combined for 48 points on Tuesday, will have fewer scoring opportunities with Mitchell back.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
January 8, 2026
The Atlanta Hawks have acquired guard/forward
Corey Kispert (hamstring) from the Washington Wizards. The franchise decided to part ways with its star man,
Trae Young, and found a landing spot for him in D.C. Guard
CJ McCollum also moved to Atlanta as part of the deal. Kisper has made all of his 311 career appearances with the Wizards, averaging 10.9 points on 38.3 percent three-point shooting. Injuries have limited Kispert's impact this season; through 19 appearances, he's averaged 9.2 points in 19.5 minutes per game. From a fantasy perspective, the trade doesn't change much for Kispert, as his role in Atlanta will likely mirror what he had in Washington.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 8, 2026
Guard
CJ McCollum has been traded for the second time in six months, this time moving from the Washington Wizards to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for star guard
Trae Young. McCollum joined the Wizards from the New Orleans Pelicans in the offseason, making 35 appearances for the team. He averaged 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 30.9 minutes. The 34-year-old will likely have a lesser role in Atlanta and won't be as impactful in fantasy. Still, he's a savvy scorer and will bring veteran leadership to a young squad. McCollum has an expiring $30.6 million contract and is playing for his future this campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 7, 2026
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Atlanta Hawks are trading guard
Trae Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for
CJ McCollum and
Corey Kispert. The 2018 No. 5 overall pick has been a reliable fantasy producer since entering the National Basketball Association. In 493 regular-season contests, he's averaged 25.2 points, 9.8 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting 35.1% from deep. Young's three-point percentage has dipped in recent years. He's also had issues staying healthy and taking care of the ball. However, this is still a fantastic acquisition by the Wizards, although it's unknown how Young's presence will impact the production of up-and-coming players like
Kyshawn George,
Alexandre Sarr, and
Tre Johnson, among others.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guard
Ja Morant (calf) won't play on Wednesday against Phoenix, marking his third-straight absence. Only time will tell if he'll be able to get back on the floor when the Grizzlies face OKC on Friday night. However, while Morant is on the shelf,
Cam Spencer remains a must-start for fantasy managers. The 2024 No. 53 overall selection is coming off a strong showing, finishing with 21 points, eight boards, and eight assists in Tuesday's narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) will play on Wednesday against Utah. SGA struggled shooting the ball in Monday's loss to the Hornets. However, he still had 21 points, six assists, and one block. OKC has lost the last two contests, so Gilgeous-Alexander should have plenty of motivation to produce versus one of the worst defensive clubs in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward
Jaren Jackson Jr. (illness) is available to play on Wednesday against Phoenix. The Grizzlies are down
Cedric Coward (ankle) and
Ja Morant (calf), among others, so the team couldn't afford another absence. Fortunately, that's not the case with 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. With so many absences for Memphis on Wednesday evening, Jackson should be more productive than usual.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Santi Aldama (ankle) will play on Wednesday against Phoenix. The 24-year-old is coming off a rough showing in Tuesday's narrow win over the San Antonio Spurs, amassing 10 points, shooting 3-for-10 from the field and 1-for-6 from downtown. However, with
Ja Morant (calf),
Cedric Coward (ankle), and
Vince Williams Jr. (knee), Aldama has an excellent chance of turning things around, assuming his ankle cooperates.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 7, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard/forward
Brandon Miller (knee) is out for Wednesday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. He will sit out the opening set of back-to-back games due to a contusion on his left knee. Miller has averaged 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per contest during his first three games in 2026. While the 23-year-old is out of action,
Josh Green and
Sion James could see extra minutes during tonight's tilt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Charlotte Hornets PR
January 7, 2026
According to Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network, Atlanta Hawks forward/center
Onyeka Okongwu (illness) won't suit up against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. The 25-year-old big man will miss the game due to an illness. His next chance to get back on the floor will come on Friday against the Nuggets. Okumgwu has played in 37 games this season, posting averages of 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks across 37 appearances. With Okongwu sidelined this evening,
Mouhamed Gueye will likely take extra minutes.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Brad Rowland
January 7, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Jaren Jackson Jr. (illness) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup with the Phoenix Suns. Jackson was previously tagged as probable, but he has since been downgraded to questionable due to feeling under the weather. In 34 games this campaign, the 26-year-old big man is averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks across 30.4 minutes per outing. The Grizzlies frontcourt could also be without
Santi Aldama (ankle), who is considered questionable due to soreness in his right ankle.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Grizzlies PR
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