Fantasy News

Valanciunas is expected to play through another probable tag related to his calf injury. He may see a reduced role, however, as Nikola Jokic (knee) is expected back in the lineup Friday.

The Nuggets continue to list Murray as probable, and he continues to play. Managers can expect to get official confirmation on his status closer to Friday's tip. Murray closed with 27 points (9-16 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 7-7 FT), four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 33 minutes during Thursday's 107-103 win over Brooklyn.

Michael Porter (personal) won't play Friday, so Thomas could see a lot of offense coming his way, making him an intriguing target in daily fantasy leagues with a favorable matchup against the Jazz. Thomas is averaging 15.9 points on 39.5 percent shooting from the floor and 83.8 percent at the stripe this season.

This will be Clowney's fourth consecutive game on the inactive list, and it's unclear if he's made any progress with his back issue. Danny Wolf should get another start Friday evening, and he could see some more shots falling his way with Michael Porter (personal) also unavailable.

This is a major surprise for Denver, but certainly a welcome one. It was reported Jan. 27 that Jokic wouldn't be re-evaluated for another week, but the superstar center is ahead of schedule in his rehab and will bolster Denver's frontcourt. With this news, Jonas Valanciunas is likely to retreat to the second unit. For what it's worth, the official injury report lists Jokic as questionable.

Friday's game is the second of a back-to-back set, so Porter likely would have been rested anyway, but instead, he'll skip the game for personal reasons. With both Porter and Noah Clowney (back) unavailable for Friday's game, Danny Wolf and Egor Demin could see a sizeable uptick in usage and Drake Powell could start. Porter's next chance to play will come Sunday in Detroit.

Williams will be sidelined for a second straight game. His next chance to play comes Sunday against Detroit. With Michael Porter (rest) and Noah Clowney (back) also out, Terance Mann, Danny Wolf and Drake Powell are candidates for increased minutes.

After getting the first leg of this back-to-back set off for maintenance, Demin will be back in the rotation Friday. Looking ahead, Brooklyn's next back-to-back set doesn't begin until Feb. 19.

Jerome was previously listed as doubtful and recently practiced in the G League, so he's nearing a return for Memphis. His next chance to make his Grizzlies debut comes Saturday against Minnesota.

Leonard was able to practice Thursday with no issues and will play through another questionable tag. The forward is averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.7 three-pointers over his last three outings.

The scoring comes and goes with Martin, but he's capable of contributing a little bit of everything to the stat sheet without really hurting you in any area. Over the past eight games, Martin has been a top-80 option with averages of 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.0 triples, 1.6 steals and 0.9 swats per contest.

Robinson has been off from three-point territory over the past two games, converting just one of his 14 attempts from distance. The three-point marksman has hit a minor bump in the road, but he should snap out of his shooting funk soon enough, and he'll have an opportunity to do so Friday against the Warriors.

Westbrook will sit for the second straight game. He was previously marked as questionable ahead of Thursday's outing, so fantasy managers can operate under the assumption that he's day-to-day. In the meantime, Dennis Schroder is likely to take on an expanded role.

Monk is set to return from a two-game layoff Friday evening, and with Russell Westbrook (foot) out, Monk could see some additional minutes and shots falling his way. The nine-year veteran has been heating up over the past five games with averages of 18.6 points, 3.2 assists, 3.8 triples and just 1.4 turnovers per contest.

Friday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so Sabonis will sit out for maintenance reasons. In his absence, the Kings will likely lean more on Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell. Precious Achiuwa could see a slight uptick in minutes as well.

With both Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Tyler Herro (ribs) nursing injuries, Larsson has been flirting with 30 minutes per contest, and he's made the most of the increased opportunity. Over his past four appearances, Larsson has been a late-round producer with averages of 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.0 three-pointers per game.

Okoro continues to see sizable workloads for the Bulls, but his fantasy appeal remains very low. Over his last 11 games, he's seeing 26.5 minutes per contest with averages of 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers on 47.3 percent shooting from the field.

Achiuwa's 13 boards were a game high, and this was his fourth game in January with at least one steal and one block. His minutes fluctuate with the matchup, so he's not much more than a rebounding specialist in deep leagues. Through 16 games in January, Achiuwa has averaged 8.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest.

Pickett continues to start for a shorthanded Denver squad but had another quiet outing. Meanwhile, both Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway had productive games off the bench. Pickett has been ice cold for quite a while and is only worth monitoring in deeper formats for the time being.

Capela was a bright spot against his former team. Although he's been used sparingly by Houston this season, he does have an opportunity to carve out a larger role with Steven Adams (ankle) out for the season. The veteran center logged single-digit minutes in his previous two contests, so fantasy managers will need to see consistent workloads before adding him in most cases.

This was a strong showing for Nance after seeing a combined 14 minutes in his last two appearances. With Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) sidelined and in the rumor mill, Nance is someone who could carve out a larger role for himself in the second half of the season. He's someone to monitor closely in deeper formats.

Watson contributed to his team's victory through shooting and defensive numbers while barely notching a double-double Thursday. Watson increased his G League averages to 11.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per contest across the 2025-26 campaign.

Queta will shake off a probable tag and is set to return from a one-game absence. With this news, Amari Williams is likely to retreat to the second unit Friday.

No surprise here, as Brown was previously considered doubtful. Presumably, this is more of a maintenance day, but it remains to be seen if he will be back for Sunday's game against the Bucks. In the meantime, this could be a big opportunity for Hugo Gonzalez and Baylor Scheierman to see more run.

Davis had an explosive performance, taking advantage of his opportunities to produce everywhere while leading his side in points, rebounds and assists. He achieved the first triple-double for any South Bay player in the current campaign, strengthening his solid form offensively and adding his second double-digit rebound count of the season.

East was quite active despite being deployed as a member of the second unit this time. The 29 points ended as a team-high tally and represented East's best record since Nov. 18. Despite being left out of the starting lineup in most contests, he's now averaging 18.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 27.2 minutes per game this season.

Vukcevic will be sidelined for the eighth straight game, and there's been no indication that he's close to a return. He can be considered week-to-week.

Bagley will be sidelined for a fifth straight contest and remains without a timetable to return. His next chance to play comes Sunday against the Kings.

Johnson suffered a left ankle sprain Thursday against the Bucks and was unable to return, so it's not a surprise to see him sitting out for this contest. In his absence, the Wizards will likely rely heavily on second-year point guard Bub Carrington.

Middleton will sit out for maintenance-related reasons for the second leg of this back-to-back set. During Thursday's game against the Bucks, Middleton logged 26 minutes with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Abmas made his sixth consecutive appearance off the bench against South Bay, but he showed significant improvement over his previous output in almost every statistical category. He was particularly efficient from beyond the arc, with his 62.5 percent accuracy marking a season-high performance.

Ingram struggled to convert his attempts from the field but still got close to a double-double during Thursday's defeat. The two-way forward remains a largely unused asset for San Antonio while serving as the G League team's most reliable source of rebounds, which should be the case again in upcoming action.

Love will join Jusuf Nurkic (illness) on the sidelines for this one. Love is sitting out for the second straight game, but he remains day-to-day with a chance to return Sunday against Toronto.

Nurkic was unable to shake his questionable tag for this contest. The same goes for Kevin Love (illness), leaving the Jazz shorthanded in the frontcourt. With this news, Kyle Filipowski and Taylor Hendricks could see expanded roles Friday.

Williams had a fine outing as he complemented his season-high scoring total with a significant production of rebounds. He bounced back from a run of three quiet games since moving from the starting lineup to a backup role. The double-double increased his 2025-26 season tally to three in 23 games played.

Dennis operated as his team's biggest threat from the field during a solid performance Thursday. The guard tallied his second-most points over the latest 10 G League games. He has been a regular starter and should continue to play a primary role in Stockton's offense in the future.

Morales extended his positive momentum following a season-high 30 points during his previous game, although he was not so efficient this time. In any case, Morales has achieved two consecutive double-doubles, adding to a season total of seven, which represents the highest figure on the squad.

McBride was previously labeled as questionable, suggesting that he's day-to-day. However, he appears likely to miss his second straight contest for New York. That could result in more minutes for Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet.

Hart is trending towards playing after previously carrying a probable tag. If he can get through warmups without any setbacks, Hart is likely to get the green light to suit up. Over his last eight appearances, Hart has averaged 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.0 steals in 32.0 minutes per game.

Smart led his team in points during the victory, making the most of his time on the court in his usual role as part of Osceola's second unit. The 26-year-old tied his season-high scoring mark, and the seven three-pointers qualified as his best count in 14 regular-season appearances.

Jones took over a starting role in Westchester's rotation after coming off the bench in two straight contests, and he finished with a game-high scoring total. Jones has seen sporadic minutes with the NBA squad since signing a two-way deal with the Knicks, but for now, it seems like most of his opportunities will come in the G League in the coming weeks.

Cooper Flagg remains the best rookie in this year's class, but Knueppel has been better than advertised and has emerged as a key player for the Hornets already. This 34-point output was Knueppel's highest-scoring output of his career, and the eight three-pointers were also a career-best mark. Knueppel is averaging 18.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.8 three-pointers made per game since the beginning of January while making 42.3 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc over that stretch.

Ball was locked in from three-point range and drained at least six threes for the seventh time this season, and he ended just one assist away from recording what would've been his third double-double of the month. Ball has been productive all season long, and his January numbers have been quite solid, but there's been some regression compared to the numbers he'd been posting in recent months. Over 16 games in January, he's averaging 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.5 three-pointers made. To put things into context, he was averaging 20.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game between October and December.

Miller reached the 20-point mark for the ninth straight game, and he continues to be one of the most reliable offensive weapons for a rising Hornets team that has won four of its last five contests. Over that nine-game stretch, Miller is averaging a solid line of 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals and 3.6 three-pointers made per game.

McCullar will look to return to action as soon as he's ready for a full workload. He's a two-way option for the Knicks, but he has been left out of the rotation at the NBA level for most of the last month. Thus, he could see more consistent playing time with Westchester, potentially threatening Toby Okani's role whenever he's healthy.

Washington made his presence felt on both ends of the court, ending just one rebound shy of a double-double while posting at least two stocks for the fifth straight contest. Washington has been linked with a move away from the Mavericks before the Feb. 5 deadline, but until that materializes, he should continue to see a steady workload in the frontcourt. Washington is averaging 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per game in his last four contests.

Harper excelled in both attacking and defensive aspects, with his 37 points representing a game-high tally and his all-around effort leading to a second straight game with multiple assists, blocks and steals. Despite playing just a few minutes for the NBA Celtics over the past few months, the two-way player has found success in the G League, leading his squad with a regular-season average of 23.6 points per game.

The third-year guard returned from a one-game absence due to a hand sprain and didn't miss a beat, draining multiple three-pointers in his eighth straight appearance. Gillespie has been locked in from beyond the arc during that stretch, averaging 14.9 points, 4.3 boards, 3.5 assists, 3.5 threes and 1.1 steals in 29.3 minutes while shooting a blistering 51.9 percent from long distance.

Making his third straight start with both Devin Booker (ankle) and Jalen Green (hamstring) unavailable, Allen delivered his best scoring performance since Jan. 15, when he also lit up the Pistons for 33 points. The veteran guard has scored in double digits in 12 straight games (four starts), averaging 18.4 points, 3.5 boards, 3.5 threes, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 29.0 minutes.

Thompson returned to the rotation after missing the loss to the Timberwolves on Wednesday and notched his best scoring output since dropping 23 points against the Jazz on Jan. 17. The veteran sharpshooter is not the player he once was, but he might be useful in category-based leagues due to his three-point shooting. He's making 3.5 threes per game and hitting 43.7 percent of his attempts since the beginning of January.

The double-double was Duren's third in eight games since returning from an ankle injury, and his 21st of the season -- tying him for ninth in the league -- while the 23 points represented his best scoring effort during that span. Since rejoining the Pistons' lineup, the fourth-year center is averaging 17.8 points, 10.5 boards, 1.9 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.8 steals while shooting 65.6 percent from the floor.

McCoy continued to make an impact off the bench as he came two assists short of a double-double, while his 25 points tied for the highest total on the team during the victory. McCoy also added unusual three-point shooting production to his regular offensive value.

The fifth-year star appears to be fully recovered from a sore wrist and a bruised hip that contributed to a mid-January swoon, scoring more than 20 points in three straight games and delivering double-doubles in two of them. Through 10 games this month, Cunningham is averaging 21.8 points, 9.8 assists, 3.9 boards, 1.5 steals, 1.5 threes and 1.1 blocks despite shooting just 40.9 percent from the floor and 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.

The fourth-year forward continues to be a reliable secondary option in the Nuggets' offense, helping to fill the hole left by the absence of Nikola Jokic (knee). Watson has scored in double digits in 17 straight games dating back to Dec. 27, averaging 21.1 points, 5.5 boards, 2.5 assists, 2.1 threes, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals over that stretch.

The seven made three-pointers tied his season high, and it was the fourth time in 14 January games that Hardaway has scored at least 25 points, as he continues to anchor the second unit for an injury-depleted Denver squad. On the month, the veteran forward is averaging 16.0 points, 3.3 threes, 2.9 boards and 1.6 assists in 28.9 minutes.

The 27 points led the Nuggets on the night. Murray is battling through some nagging injuries, but with Nikola Jokic (knee) on the shelf, the 28-year-old guard is toughing it out. Murray's been able to play 12 of the 16 games Jokic has missed so far, scoring more than 20 points in 11 of them while averaging 27.8 points, 8.3 assists, 4.2 boards, 2.7 threes and 1.0 steals.

Making his first start in the NBA with fellow rookie Egor Demin (foot) sidelined, Traore didn't look out of place, but he didn't make much of an impact, either. Traore missed the last two games himself due to an illness, and through 14 contests in January, the 19th overall pick in the 2025 Draft is averaging 7.9 points, 3.5 assists, 1.5 boards and 1.1 threes in 23.9 minutes.

Goodwin was one of the top performers in Thursday's matchup with an efficient effort from three-point range and a solid impact on the boards. He reached double digits in rebounds for the first time in the 2025-26 season, leading to his first double-double in that span. Additionally, he recorded more than 20 points for the fourth consecutive game.

Williams reached the 15-point mark for the fourth straight game, and for the seventh time across his last eight appearances. The fourth-year guard continues to have a solid season, even if he's moved to a bench role. He's averaging 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.8 steals per game since the beginning of January.

The 26-year-old center came close to producing his third career triple-double, with the previous two both coming this season. Claxton has delivered solid secondary numbers since returning to the starting lineup Jan. 9, and over the last 12 games, he's averaging 10.0 points, 6.7 boards, 4.2 assists and 1.6 blocks in 28.9 minutes a contest while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor.

Labissiere signed a 10-day contract with the Wizards on Tuesday and logged his first four minutes of play in the NBA season against Portland. The center is expected to serve as a depth player for Washington, but he's now moving to the G League affiliate, where he played a great role previously in the campaign, averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.3 blocks per game.

Jones will rejoin the parent club ahead of Saturday's clash with Atlanta after spending a day with the G League squad. However, given the limited role he has played at the NBA level since recovering from a major back injury in December, he's likely to remain a reserve option in the short term.

Powell has posted back-to-back games with at least 20 points for the first time since a back-to-back set Jan. 19 and 20. A steady scoring threat, Powell continues to have a strong role on offense. He's averaging 21.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in January while shooting 38.3 percent from three-point range in those 15 contests.

Jaquez has been one of the most productive bench players in the NBA this season, and he's scored in double digits in each of his last three outings, racking up 52 points, 19 rebounds and 16 assists over that span. Jaquez is averaging 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game while coming off the bench in each of his 12 contests since the beginning of January.

Adebayo continues to leave his mark on both ends of the court. This was his sixth consecutive game with at least 20 points, and he has notched four double-doubles in that stretch. Adebayo is firmly entrenched as one of the Heat's go-to options on offense after reaching the 20-point plateau in all but one of his last 10 outings, a stretch in which he's averaging a robust line of 23.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.1 steals per contest.

Johnson recovered from an illness early in the week but is getting some practice with the G League team, heading back on assignment despite being recalled Thursday. While he hasn't played since Jan. 16, Johnson could see meaningful action with the Go-Go in upcoming games. Over his previous stints in the G League, he recorded an average of 17.6 points per contest.

White was one of several Chicago players who shot the ball poorly in this contest, but his work from the charity stripe salvaged his fantasy output. White has posted exactly 14 points in back-to-back games while shooting 26.9 percent from the field in those contests. It's a clear regression from his previous stretch of five consecutive appearances with 20 or more points between Jan. 18 and Jan. 26. His long-term fantasy upside lies somewhere between those two stretches.

Vucevic did enough to secure a double-double, a feat he's achieved in seven of his 15 appearances in January, but his shooting woes were noticeable. Vucevic hasn't stopped producing even when he's struggled with his shot, so fantasy managers shouldn't put too much stock into an off night. Even with the ups and downs in efficiency, Vucevic is still averaging 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game since the beginning of January.

Robert rolled to his ninth double-double in 13 January appearances. He didn't need many opportunities on the offensive end to reach double figures and managed to power through an ankle sprain that he seemingly picked up during Monday's clash against Golden State. The big man is averaging 10.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks so far this month.

Huerter has been impressing off the bench, scoring in double digits in seven of his last 11 outings. This was also the seventh time he drained at least four three-pointers, a season-high mark. Huerter could be in line for a bigger role after the trade deadline, although that depends on the personnel moves the Bulls make. For the time being, he should continue to be an option off the bench, a scenario that limits his upside in most formats.

McDaniels impressed from beyond the arc Thursday, where he scored 15 of his 21 points. He's been incredibly successful when given opportunities from deep, hitting at a clip of 44.0 percent over 47 games so far this season.

Hartenstein was clearly operating with some restrictions following a 16-game absence due to a right soleus strain, as he came off the bench for what was his first appearance since Dec. 28. He was effective in limited chances on the offensive end and tacked on five points from the free-throw line. The veteran center will most likely have his playing time monitored closely once again Sunday in Denver.

Santos put together a strong 16-point performance Wednesday against the Jazz but evidently picked up a calf injury along the way. Even so, he appears on track to take the court Friday evening, barring any kind of setback.

Edwards continued his stretch of strong play Thursday by shooting with efficiency. He was equally as impressive on the defensive end and has now recorded at least one block and one steal in two straight appearances. It was also a positive sign to see Edwards look sharp in the second half of a back-to-back after sitting out Monday with a sore right foot.

Gilgeous-Alexander put together a strong showing on the offensive end and has now scored 30 or more points 33 times in 47 appearances so far this season. However, he was unable to single-handedly keep his team in the game in the second half, as OKC entered the fourth quarter down by 16, and that deficit only grew down the stretch. Despite a third loss in four games for the Thunder, the reigning MVP continues to play at a high level and provide strong production across the board.

Brooks was clearly locked in on the offensive end and set a new career high in scoring while drilling 59.1 percent of his field-goal attempts, on a night when the Suns were giving away t-shirts with his nickname on them. He was also more involved than usual on the boards by securing a season-high eight rebounds. Brooks has shown that he's more than capable of holding down the fort without the assistance of Devin Booker (ankle) or Jalen Green (hamstring).

Porter was highly effective from beyond the arc Thursday, which allowed the Nets to stay competitive into the fourth quarter even after falling behind early by 19 points. He tacked on 21 of his 38 points from deep and put the finishing touches on his big night by recording his first double-double since Jan. 4. Porter has now put up 30 or more points in three of his last four matchups.

Hamilton was unavailable for last Thursday's matchup against the Motor City Cruise due to knee and hip injuries, but the extra time between games helped him avoid missing more time. The 26-year-old is playing in a strict reserve role, averaging 7.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 16.1 minutes per game across his first 13 G League regular-season contests.

Flagg scored the most points by a player under 20 years of age in NBA history during Thursday's loss. He dominated in the post from start to finish and showcased his range down the stretch, tying the game at 121 by drilling a clutch trey with 33.1 seconds remaining. However, the 19-year-old committed a turnover on Dallas' second-to-last possession and couldn't find a way to tie the game as time expired. While the final outcome didn't go his way, Flagg was incredibly efficient considering his high volume on the offensive end, knocking down 69.0 percent of his attempts from the field.

Scott paced the second unit in points and matched his season-high scoring output as well Thursday. Across his first 12 G League regular-season contests, the 22-year-old is averaging 5.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.1 three-pointers in 17.6 minutes per game.

Edwards logged a season-high 41 minutes and turned in his sixth double-double of the campaign. Through 15 G League regular-season appearances, the 25-year-old is averaging 15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 34.3 minutes per game.

Durant got hot during the third quarter, scoring 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting, and there wasn't much the Hawks could do to stop him. The 37-year-old former MVP has been putting up top-20 fantasy numbers this season with 26.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.4 triples, 0.7 steals and 0.9 swats per contest.

Smith was a beast on the defensive end, setting a career high in blocks without committing a single foul. The 22-year-old forward finished with a plus-15 differential in the blowout win, and he joined Victor Wembanyama as the only other player this season to have three-plus steals and five-plus blocks in a game.

Thompson didn't really look for his shot in this one, but he did a nice job distributing the rock on offense, and he was a pest on the defensive end. The Rockets have now won six of their past eight games, and they'll look to earn their second straight victory Saturday versus the Mavericks.

Kispert got some extended minutes with Jalen Johnson (calf) taking the night off, and he took advantage of the increased opportunity. This was Kispert's second straight game with multiple triples and double-digit points, and this was his second game of the season with at least one steal and one block. It'll be interesting to see if he can keep the hot streak going Saturday with a favorable matchup against the Pacers.

With Jalen Johnson (calf) sitting out Thursday's game, the Hawks leaned more heavily on McCollum offensively, and he also saw an uptick in minutes. McCollum has been playing well in Atlanta, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.6 triples and just 1.7 turnovers per contest.

Koloko did a nice job making things difficult on Alperen Sengun, helping hold him to just nine points on 3-for-14 shooting. Onyeka Okongwu (teeth) has already been ruled out for Saturday's game in Indiana, so Koloko likely has another start coming his way. Give him a look if you need some boards and defensive stats.

Dosunmu took advantage of more looks in the second half after Jalen Smith was ruled out for the rest of the night due to a calf injury. Dosunmu posted his best scoring performance since Jan. 7 by shooting 50 percent from the field while going perfect from the charity stripe. The Illinois product was just as impressive on the boards by grabbing a season-high seven rebounds. Dosunmu could be in line for an uptick in minutes going forward depending on the severity of Smith's injury.

George led the way for Washington in the scoring department, though it clearly wasn't his most efficient showing, as he needed 24 attempts from the field to reach 23 points. He also managed to contribute outside of the scoring column, dishing out five assists for a second straight game while accounting for two of the Wizards' eight steals.

Kuzma failed to connect from beyond the arc, but he posted a serviceable shooting line and fell one rebound shy of a double-double. His production across the board has noticeably improved over his last three performances, as he's averaging 15.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 34.0 minutes during that hot stretch. The Bucks will need to continue to lean heavily on Kuzma while Giannis Antetokounmpo recovers from a calf injury.

Rollins found success yet again on the offensive end, particularly from beyond the arc where, he recorded nine of his 17 points. This improves his scoring average to 20.7 points over his last three appearances. Rollins also impressed with his playmaking ability, and he added to his solid evening by tying his season high in swipes.

Turner poured in a team-high 21 points and drilled a pair of treys, but he didn't get enough support from his surrounding cast to escape with the win. The 29-year-old was highly effective on the glass, where he grabbed double-digit rebounds for the first time since Nov. 24, resulting in his third double-double of the season. He also recorded six blocked shots for the second time in three games. Turner should continue to see plenty of opportunities to produce across the board without the help of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) for the foreseeable future.

Sarr dominated the boards for the Wizards and secured seven of his 17 rebounds on the offensive glass. He also enjoyed an efficient shooting night, resulting in his second consecutive double-double. While Sarr wasn't able to replicate the six blocks he recorded Tuesday against the Blazers, he swatted away two more shots Thursday, tying Bilal Coulibaly for the team high in blocks.

LaVine was cleared to return Thursday from a two-game absence due to lower-back soreness. He ended up finishing as the Kings' third-leading scorer behind Dennis Schroder (27 points) and DeMar DeRozan (25 points), though LaVine connected on just 31.3 percent of his field-goal attempts during the loss. The Kings play the Celtics on Friday, so it's possible that DeRozan is rested for the second leg of the back-to-back set.

Coming off a zero-assist game against the Knicks on Tuesday, DeRozan was able to get his teammates more involved with a team-high eight dimes while finishing second on the team in scoring behind Dennis Schroder (27 points). Since the start of the new year, DeRozan has averaged 20.8 points, 4.4 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals over 33.8 minutes per game.

Schroder got the start Thursday in the absence of Russell Westbrook (foot), and the former responded by recording a season high in points. It was Schroder's eighth 20-plus point performance of the season, and he could remain in the starting lineup for the second leg of the Kings' back-to-back set Friday against the Celtics if Westbrook is not cleared to play. Schroder has averaged 16.6 points, 4.0 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 threes over 26.0 minutes per game over his last five outings.

Embiid scored 10 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter to help the 76ers crawl back from an 11-point deficit, and he was credited with the assist on Tyrese Maxey's game-winning layup. Embiid continues to manage a lingering knee injury that will likely keep him off the floor for one game of back-to-back sets, but the 2023-24 MVP has been phenomenal when he does play, especially since the new year. He has scored at least 29 points in six consecutive games, and over that span he has averaged 33.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.5 threes over 35.6 minutes per game while connecting on 54.0 percent of his field-goal attempts.

Maxey and Joel Embiid (37 points) carried the scoring load for the 76ers during Thursday's contest. The duo connected with each other on the 76ers' final offensive play of the fourth quarter, which resulted in an and-one layup for Maxey to give Philadelphia the come-from-behind victory and the All-Star guard his fifth 40-plus-point performance of the season (and first since Nov. 30 against the Hawks). Since Jan. 1, Maxey has averaged 26.9 points, 6.5 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.9 threes, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks over 37.9 minutes per game.

Smith's night will end with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and five rebounds (three offensive) over 15 minutes in the first half. Patrick Williams should see a significant increase in minutes off the bench for the second half in Smith's absence.

Hartenstein hasn't seen the court since Dec. 28 due to a calf injury, and the Thunder will elect to utilize the big man off the bench Thursday in an effort to ease him back into action. He'll likely be on a minutes restriction, though the team hasn't hinted at a specific range. Jaylin Williams will remain part of the starting lineup at least for one more game as a result.

Traore will draw the first start of his NBA career with Egor Demin (foot) sidelined. Traore sat out of Sunday's matchup against the Clippers due to illness and wasn't deployed off the bench despite being available Tuesday, but he'll be in line for his fair share of opportunities Thursday night.

The rookie first-rounder has started in each of his last eight outings, though he played just eight minutes during the Nets' 106-102 loss to the Suns on Tuesday. The Nets will roll with a starting lineup of Nolan Traore, Terance Mann, Michael Porter, Danny Wolf and Nic Claxton for Thursday's contest.

Joining Wolf in the first unit for Thursday's game will be Nolan Traore, Terance Mann, Michael Porter and Nic Claxton. Through four starts this season, Wolf has posted averages of 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 triples and 1.3 steals per contest.

This was expected with Collin Gillespie (hand) back in action, but Goodwin should still see a sizeable role in the rotation with Devin Booker (ankle) unavailable. Through 14 games in January, Goodwin owns averages of 8.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.1 steals per contest.

Johnson appeared to roll his left ankle after landing on Ryan Rollins' foot on a jump shot, with the former checking out of the game at the 8:05 mark in the second quarter. The injury is severe enough for Johnson that the rookie first-rounder will not return to Thursday's game, and he'll finish with eight points (2-7 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT) and two assists over 11 minutes. Bub Carrington was on the floor for the Wizards to open the second half and should see a significant increase in minutes in Johnson's absence.

Wallace was added to the injury report as questionable with left hip soreness after missing Tuesday's matchup against New Orleans, but he'll be back in action Thursday evening. He's averaging 5.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.8 steals through 12 January appearances.

Cryer is set for his third straight absence while tending to a left hamstring injury. His next opportunity to suit up will arrive Tuesday against Philadelphia.

Gillespie is back after a one-game absence, and his return will likely result in Jordan Goodwin heading back to the second unit. Gillespie is averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 assists, 2.9 triples and 1.4 steals per game this season.

Gobert was a game-time decision for Thursday's game due to a left ankle sprain, but the veteran center has been given the green light to play against Oklahoma City. He has averaged 10.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.1 steals over 30.5 minutes per game since Jan. 3.

Valanciunas was trending in the right direction after being listed as probable, and the team has now officially cleared him to take the court Thursday. The big man is fresh off a double-double Tuesday against the Pistons, recording 16 points and 16 rebounds in 31 minutes.

Murray will continue to play through the hamstring and hip issues, and he'll get as many minutes as he can handle. Murray has scored 20-plus points in three straight contests and has logged at least 36 minutes in each of those games.

Krejci will join the starting lineup with Zaccharie Risacher (knee), Jalen Johnson (calf) and Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) all ruled out for Atlanta. Krjeci started five consecutive games for the Hawks earlier in January and averaged 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.8 minutes.

Okogie will return to the starting unit with Tari Eason (rest) unavailable, and he'll be joined in the first unit by Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith and Alperen Sengun. In 27 starts this season, Okogie has posted averages of 6.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.1 triples and 1.5 steals per game.

Smith will make his 10th start of the season Thursday (and sixth in seven games) while Josh Giddey (hamstring) sits out of the second leg of the Bulls' back-to-back set. Smith has averaged 12.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.1 threes, 0.8 blocks and 0.7 steals in 27.8 minutes per game over his last 10 outings (six starts).

With Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) sidelined, Thursday will mark Koloko's first start and fifth appearance with the Hawks since signing a two-way deal with the team Jan. 16. Over his four prior outings with Atlanta, Koloko has averaged 4.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over 13.0 minutes per game.

Sengun was initially listed as questionable after spraining his right ankle against the Spurs on Wednesday, but the fifth-year center has been officially cleared to play in Thursday's contest. He has averaged 20.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks over 34.4 minutes per game over his last five outings.

Johnson has been sidelined by a bone bruise in his right knee since Dec. 23, but the recent update indicates that the seventh-year pro could be cleared to return by early February. He started in each of his 28 outings prior to the injury, and his return would likely result in Jalen Pickett or Spencer Jones reverting to a bench role. Johnson is averaging 11.7 points per game in his first season with the Nuggets, which is his lowest scoring output since the 2020-21 season as a member of the Suns (9.6 points per game across 60 regular-season games).

The team hasn't disclosed much of a timetable for Braun's return, so this latest update at least provides some perspective on a potential target date. The Kansas product hasn't take the floor since Jan. 9 after suffering a left ankle sprain and has already been downgraded to out for Thursday's matchup against the Nets.

Williams tweaked his ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Timberwolves, but he was able to play through it, and he'll continue to do so Thursday evening. Williams is averaging 12.5 points and 3.7 assists per game this season.

Kawamura has put an oblique injury behind him and will be available off the bench if called upon Thursday night. However, he's yet to appear in an NBA game so far this season and should continue to see the majority of his playing time in the G League.

As anticipated, Miller has received the green light to take the court for Thursday's clash. He's put up 20 or more points in eight straight games and is averaging 24.8 points on 53.9 percent shooting from the field over that stretch.

Williams missed Wednesday's loss to the Warriors with an illness, and now he's in danger of sitting out his second straight game. We'll have a better idea of Williams' status based on his activity level at shootaround, but if he is forced to spend another game on the sidelines, his minutes would be split up between Brice Sensabaugh and Walter Clayton.

Love sat out Wednesday's loss to the Warriors for rest purposes, but he's appearing on the injury report with a different designation for Friday's contest. More clarity on Love's availability should surface closer to the 9:30 p.m. ET tipoff.

Nurkic is recovering from an illness that prevented him from playing against the Clippers on Tuesday, though he returned against the Warriors on Wednesday and finished with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, five assists and one steal over 23 minutes. His playing time Wednesday was his lowest since Dec. 20 against the Magic (21 minutes), so he could be on a minutes restriction if available for Friday's contest, which would mean more minutes being available for Kyle Filipowski and Kevin Love (rest).

Markkanen will receive a scheduled night off after appearing in two straight games for the Jazz. Kyle Filipowski figures to be in line for the start at power forward in Markkanen's absence, while Kyle Anderson and Taylor Hendricks could be in line for some extra looks off the bench.

Leonard has been questionable for the past three games, but he has continued to play through a knee issue. However, if Leonard needs to miss Friday's game, that would create more opportunity for Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller.

Thompson was added to the injury report as probable after missing Wednesday's clash due to left knee soreness, and he's officially been cleared to suit up Thursday. The 35-year-old has been held to six points in each of his previous two appearances, so he'll aim to get back on track against the Hornets.

Gray is managing a non-COVID illness, and he's unavailable for at least one G League tilt to tend to the ailment. Given the nature of the issue, the guard's status should be viewed as day-to-day moving ahead.

Evbuomwan is nursing a calf injury, which is costing him at least one G League contest. Considering the severity of the issue is unclear, the forward can be labeled as day-to-day going forward.

LaVine was removed from the injury report ahead of Thursday's matchup, but it appears the club will ease him back into action following a two-game absence due to lower-back soreness. Nique Clifford will remain in the starting lineup for the time being, though he hasn't been all that effective in two starting opportunities.

Schroder will step into the starting five with Russell Westbrook (foot) ruled out Thursday. This marks Schroder's first start since Nov. 12. The guard began the season in a starting role for the Kings, averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.1 steals in his first 12 appearances of the 2025-26 campaign, all starts.

Monk is sidelined for a second consecutive contest, and he's up against a short turnaround if he wants to recover in time for Friday's matchup in Boston. Russell Westbrook (foot) also won't play Thursday, forcing the Kings to divvy up the bulk of the minutes at point guard between Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis.

Ware saw just seven minutes off the bench in his return from a four-game absence Wednesday, so it'll be interesting to see if he's cleared for much more than that Thursday night. Ware will be a risky target in daily fantasy leagues as he works his way back from the hamstring injury.

Embiid will appear in a second straight game after previously being added to the team's injury report as probable due to left knee injury management. He's coming off a strong 29-point showing in 29 minutes Tuesday against the Bucks and is averaging 32.4 points over his previous five games.

Powell was added to the injury report as probable earlier in the day due to lower-back tightness, and he's since been given the green light to suit up. The UCLA product is averaging 18.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists over his last five appearances.

Smith is dealing with some minor soreness in his right calf, but he'll power through it and get out there for Thursday's match. Smith has been playing well in January, posting averages of 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.9 triples and 1.0 blocks per contest.

Grimes was being considered a game-time call leading up to Thursday's tipoff, but he's since been downgraded to out due to a right ankle sprain. His next chance to take the court will arrive Saturday against the Pelicans.

After playing 29 minutes in Wednesday's loss in Indiana, Giddey is getting Thursday night off for hamstring injury maintenance. The Bulls have another back-to-back set coming up this weekend with the Heat, so more load management is likely on the horizon for Giddey. Isaac Okoro and Kevin Huerter should help hold down the fort Thursday.

Okongwu has already been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup against the Rockets, but this bodes well for his future availability. That said, the Hawks are taking a slightly cautious approach and will hold out the big man at least for Saturday's tilt in Indiana as well, per Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network. Okongwu's next chance to play now comes Tuesday in Miami.

George was being listed as probable, and now we have official confirmation that he'll be out there. George is averaging 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 triples and 1.5 steals per game this season.

The Cavaliers are expected to re-evaluate Garland's right toe sprain in the imminent future. However, it's unknown if the star guard is joining the team or has a chance to return at any point during their upcoming five-game road trip. Until more light emerges on Garland's status, Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill both are worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Jerome logged another practice with the Grizzlies' G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle, on Wednesday, but he's unlikely to make his season debut Friday after being tagged as doubtful. His next chance to take the court will arrive Saturday against the T-Wolves.

Despite dealing with an illness, Anthony is getting the green light to play Thursday. It's been a rough season overall for the 2020 first-rounder, but he's picking up a bit of steam amid the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf). Over his past three appearances, Anthony has averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 three-pointers in 18.3 minutes per game.

Aldama will miss a second straight game after picking up a right knee injury. Jock Landale entered the starting five in Aldama's place Wednesday and should be in position to do so again Friday.

Sarr is feeling a bit under the weather, but he'll power through and get out there for Thursday's game. The sophomore center is averaging 17.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 triples and 2.2 swats per game this season.

Robinson missed Wednesday's win over the Raptors for rest purposes, with that game being the second of a back-to-back set, but he'll get back out there for Friday's game. Robinson is averaging 4.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 19.7 minutes per game this season.

The Trail Blazers are likely to check back in on Williams' health closer to Friday's tipoff. With Duop Reath having undergone season-ending surgery Thursday, Portland could be left with rookie first-rounder Yang Hansen to step into the No. 2 center gig behind Donovan Clingan.

McBride sat out of Wednesday's clash with the Raptors but appears to have a chance to return for Friday's matchup. Tyler Kolek and Landry Shamet would once again be in line for more chances if McBride isn't cleared to take the court.

After sitting out Wednesday's loss to the Hawks, Queta appears to be primed to return to the court Friday. Amari Williams figures to revert back to the bench. Over his last six appearances, Queta has averaged 9.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals in 25.9 minutes per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the floor.

There have been no reports of Murray making positive progress in his recovery, so he should be viewed as week-to-week moving forward. Murray's minutes will continue to be divvied up amongst Sidy Cissoko and Rayan Rupert.

Hart has once again popped up on the injury report due to an ankle issue. He managed to play through the injury Wednesday against Toronto, though the team will presumably wait until closer to tipoff to disclose whether Hart will suit up Friday evening.

The star forward recently missed two games with the injury, so Portland is continuing to monitor his health. If Avdija can't give it a go Friday, Sidy Cissoko would likely jump into the starting lineup. More playing time would also be available for Caleb Love off the bench.

Brown appears headed for a night off as he deals with several lower-body injuries. If he's downgraded to out before tipoff, look for Hugo Gonzalez to draw a start at small forward.

The questionable tag is an encouraging sign, giving Reaves a chance to suit up for the first time since Dec. 25. If the star guard is finally ready to return to action, Marcus Smart's fantasy value could take a considerable hit. Fewer minutes would be open to Jarred Vanderbilt as well.

Doncic tweaked his left ankle during Wednesday's loss to the Cavs and now is in danger of missing Friday's game. We'll have a better idea on his status following Friday's shootaround, but if Doncic is out, that would open up a lot of minutes for Gabe Vincent and Marcus Smart, and Rui Hachimura could see a sizeable uptick in usage.

After playing 33 minutes during Wednesday's 117-106 victory over Boston, the star forward is sitting out the second half of this back-to-back. With Onyeka Okongwu (face) also ruled out, the Hawks are likely to ask more of Corey Kispert, Luke Kennard and Mouhamed Gueye in the frontcourt Thursday.

This is a brutal blow for Denver and for Gordon's fantasy managers. If he's re-evaluated at the front end of this timetable, a return against the Thunder on Feb. 27 would be the best-case scenario. In Gordon's absence, Peyton Watson will likely take on a larger role, and Spencer Jones and Bruce Brown could see more run as well.

Wagner's absence will mark his fifth straight. The Magic appear to be taking a cautious approach with the star forward, who isn't taking contact in practice as he tries to put the injury behind him. Anthony Black has thrived in 2025-26 and remains locked into the starting lineup at least until Wagner is finally ready to return.

Reath was diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right foot, which required surgery, and his 2025-26 campaign is now over. Before going down, the 29-year-old big man averaged 2.9 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.3 assists in 8.1 minutes per contest through games this season. With Reath now done for the year, Robert Williams is in line to serve as Portland's primary backup at center behind Donovan Clingan the rest of the way.

Green just can't seem to get past the injury that's troubled him since training camp, and the Suns continue to exercise caution with the star guard. Until Green finally gets back up to speed, Jordan Goodwin should continue to take on a more prominent role in the Phoenix backcourt. Jamaree Bouyea should remain in the mix as well.