NBA News

Patrick Williams • PF • Bulls

Patrick Williams Won't Face the Nets

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (ankle) won't play on Sunday against Brooklyn. Williams logged 12 minutes when these clubs met on Friday night before he tweaked his right ankle and was eventually ruled out. It's unknown how long the injury will keep him out of commission. However, the 24-year-old has averaged a career-low 6.5 points this season, so his absence won't impact many fantasy managers outside of opening up more minutes for Jalen Smith, who is coming off a 14-point, 13-rebound, four-block effort.

Jan 18

Tari Eason • SF • Rockets

Tari Eason to Miss Fifth Straight Game

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Eason was listed as questionable coming into the game, but will now sit out his fifth straight game. When healthy, Eason has been solid, averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. His absence should mean that Josh Okogie draws another start on Sunday. He'll likely see decent playing time, but is too inconsistent to trust as a streaming option.

Jan 18

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Ruled Out on Sunday

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's meeting with the Nets. The 2021 No. 6 overall pick carried a doubtful tag heading into this one. While nobody expected him to play, the doubtful designation suggests he's progressing. In the meantime, Tre Jones should continue to roll with the starters, with the former Duke Blue Devil most recently amassing 11 points, five assists, five boards, and one steal when the Nets and Bulls met on Friday night.

Jan 18

Darius Garland • PG • Cavaliers

Darius Garland Diagnosed With Big-Toe Sprain

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) will be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 big-toe sprain. The injury isn't to the same toe that forced him to miss the start of the 2025 campaign. However, it's unknown how long it will keep him off the floor. The 25-year-old is averaging 18.0 points, 6.9 assists, and 36.0% shooting from behind the arc this season. While Garland is out of commission, Donovan Mitchell should take over most of the ball-handling duties, with Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson in line for enhanced roles.

Jan 18

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard to Miss Final Two Games of Road Trip

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) will miss the remainder of the team's road trip. The multi-time All-Star suffered a left knee contusion during a meeting with the Detroit Pistons just over a week ago. While he managed to suit up for games against the Hornets and Wizards, he'll now head back to Los Angeles for treatment to address irritation in the knee. Leonard will be re-evaluated once the Clippers return home, so there's always a chance he'll miss more than two contests, especially since he's battled numerous knee injuries throughout his career. With that said, Jordan Miller is in line for an enhanced role, with the 2023 No. 48 overall pick most recently amassing 19 points, six assists, and four steals in Friday's 121-117 win over the Toronto Raptors.

Jan 18

Jalen Williams • SF • Thunder

Jalen Williams Ruled Out for Remainder of Meeting with Miami

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (thigh) won't return to Saturday's matchup with the Miami Heat. The 24-year-old was having a productive evening. However, he would eventually be ruled out with what the team is calling right thigh soreness, so he will finish this one with eight points, three boards, and three assists in 14 minutes. Of course, the Thunder will likely take the safe approach, meaning there's a chance he won't suit up on Monday in Cleveland. If that's the case, Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell should both be in line for more work.

Jan 18

Naz Reid • C • Timberwolves

Naz Reid Won't Return on Saturday Night

Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Naz Reid (shoulder) won't return to Saturday's meeting with the Spurs. He got the start in place of Rudy Gobert (hip). Unfortunately, the 26-year-old would end up logging only five minutes before eventually being ruled out because of left shoulder soreness. Minnesota plays again on Tuesday in Utah, although there likely will be an update in the next day or two. As far as the remainder of Saturday's contest is concerned, 2025 No. 17 overall selection Joan Beringer should see considerably more action.

Jan 18

Jalen Suggs • SG • Magic

Jalen Suggs Out on Sunday Against Grizzlies

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (knee) will miss a seventh consecutive game on Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Magic currently in Europe, Suggs will have some additional time to recover next week, but it's unclear when he will be ready to return. With Suggs on the shelf, Anthony Black, Tyus Jones, and Jase Richardson carry extra fantasy value. Black has been the best of the bunch, scoring 20-plus points in three consecutive games.

Jan 18

Santi Aldama • PF • Grizzlies

Santi Aldama Questionable for Sunday's Matchup

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama (calf) is listed as questionable for Sunday's meeting with the Orlando Magic. The Spaniard could be absent for the first time this season due to a right calf contusion. While Aldama has made eight consecutive appearances as a reserve, he often plays 30-plus minutes, meaning his absence would leave a notable gap in the rotation. GG Jackson II and John Konchar could take on extra minutes on Sunday if Aldama doesn't play.

Jan 18

Ja Morant • PG • Grizzlies

Ja Morant Listed as Probable for Sunday

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant (calf) has been officially listed as probable for Sunday's tilt against the Orlando Magic in London. On Saturday, Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo hinted that Morant is on track to return after he came through a full practice. The probable designation indicates that the Grizzlies star is indeed expected to be back in the lineup. Morant's return will end Cam Spencer's run as a starter, though he will remain a significant piece in the rotation.

Jan 18

Tari Eason • SF • Rockets

Tari Eason Listed as Questionable for Sunday

Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. He hopes to end a four-game absence. While Eason has been nursing a right ankle sprain, Josh Okogie has started three straight games. Yet, the Nigerian veteran has been anonymous in each contest, scoring only a total of 10 points. Eason was having a strong offensive stretch before his injury, shooting 41.7 percent from deep in January and averaging 13.4 points with 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals.

Jan 18

Herbert Jones • SF • Pelicans

Herbert Jones Ruled Out for Sunday

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) will remain out on Sunday against the Houston Rockets. He will miss his seventh consecutive game due to a sprained left ankle. Since Dec. 22, Jones has played in only one game, and it's unclear when he will be cleared to return. At the start of this week, Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego labeled Jones day-to-day. With Jones out, Saddiq Bey should log another start on Sunday. The Villanova product has averaged 17.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in a starting role this campaign.

Jan 18

Rudy Gobert • C • Timberwolves

Rudy Gobert Won't Play Saturday

Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (hip) will be inactive on Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs. He will skip the second leg of a back-to-back after notching a 10-point, 13-rebound double-double across 32 minutes in Friday's loss to the Houston Rockets. Naz Reid will likely slide into the starting lineup, while rookie Joan Beringer will be more involved in the action. Reid recently notched 19 points and three rebounds in his first start of the campaign against the Milwaukee Bucks. On Saturday night, he has a much tougher matchup against Victor Wembanyama.

Jan 18

Paul Reed • PF • Pistons

Paul Reed Available Saturday

Detroit Pistons forward/center Paul Reed (personal) will be in the lineup on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. Due to personal reasons, Reed was initially iffy for Saturday's action. However, Detroit upgraded him to probable in the afternoon, and he has now been listed as available. Reed will return from a one-game absence. Since both Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart are healthy, Reed's playing time on Saturday may be limited to only a handful of minutes.

Jan 18

Stephon Castle • SG • Spurs

Stephon Castle is Available on Saturday

San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (illness) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was tagged as questionable coming into the game, but will play through the illness. In January, Castle is averaging 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists in eight contests. He has scored 15 or more points in six of his last eight games. The second-year guard should be rostered and started in basically all fantasy formats.

Jan 18

Ausar Thompson • SG • Pistons

Ausar Thompson Good to Go Against Pacers

Detroit Pistons guard/forward Ausar Thompson (heel) has shed a probable tag and will suit up on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. The 22-year-old is ready to play through a heel contusion. Thompson has struggled offensively in recent weeks, averaging only 8.7 points per game in January. He will look to overcome the slump on Saturday night against the Pacers, who are allowing the eighth-most points per game this season.

Jan 18

Cade Cunningham • PG • Pistons

Cade Cunningham Cleared for Saturday's Action

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (wrist) will be active against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. The team has upgraded his status from probable to available. Cunningham has been dealing with a wrist contusion in his shooting hand. He shot only 18.8 percent from the field in Thursday's win over the Phoenix Suns. However, the Pistons star is in a good bounce-back spot on Saturday, as the Pacers have not been a good team this season.

Jan 18

Ziaire Williams • SF • Nets

Ziaire Williams Still Out Sunday

Brooklyn Nets guard/forward Ziaire Williams (conditioning) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Chicago Bulls. The 24-year-old recently missed time due to illness and is now working on his conditioning to get back into game shape. Sunday's game will Mark Williams' sixth consecutive absence. Brooklyn will also be without Michael Porter Jr. (rest) and Drake Powell (knee) on Sunday, which should create more playing opportunities for Danny Wolf, Terance Mann, and Nolan Traore.

Jan 18

Drake Powell • SG • Nets

Drake Powell Won't Play Against Bulls

Brooklyn Nets shooting guard Drake Powell (knee) won't play on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls. He will sit out the front end of a back-to-back to manage a left knee injury. Powell has made three consecutive starts for the Nets, averaging 9.7 points over that stretch. His absence on Sunday could give Terance Mann an opportunity to rejoin the first unit. Nolan Traore and Cam Thomas are also candidates for increased playing time, especially with Michael Porter Jr. (rest) out of the rotation.

Jan 18

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Holds Doubtful Tag for Sunday's Game

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (hamstring) is listed as doubtful to suit up for Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. This isn't shocking news considering Giddey hasn't played in a game since December 29. He's still working his way back from a hamstring injury, but the doubtful tag suggests that he's not quite ready to play yet. The expectation is that Tre Jones will continue to start in Giddey's place. He scored 34 points with seven assists during Tuesday's game against the Houston Rockets. Jones has enough upside to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats while Giddey is out.

Jan 18

NBA News

LEGEND