NBA News

Dominick Barlow • PF • 76ers

Dominick Barlow Good to Go Friday

Philadelphia 76ers forward/center Dominick Barlow (back) has been upgraded to available for Friday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team initially listed Barlow as questionable for the game after he hurt his back in Wednesday's loss to Cleveland. Barlow has been a regular starter for Philadelphia throughout the campaign, averaging 8.3 points and 5.2 rebounds. His numbers have slipped this month, down to 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds.

Jan 16

Lauri Markkanen • PF • Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Out Again on Saturday

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (illness) won't play on Saturday against the Mavericks. He has missed plenty of time this season. However, his most recent string of collective absences is one of his longest of the campaign. Isaiah Collier entered the starting lineup when these clubs met on Thursday, finishing with 10 points, 12 assists, and five boards. Fantasy managers may also continue to see expanded production from Brice Sensabaugh, who had 27 points in that one from off the bench.

Jan 16

Paul George • SF • 76ers

Paul George Available Friday

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) will be active on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is available to make his third consecutive appearance after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. George will meet the Cavaliers for the second time this week. In Wednesday's heavy 133-107 loss in the matchup, George contributed 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Jan 16

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Won't Suit Up Against Toronto

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) won't play on Friday against Toronto. The sprained ankle has been an issue for over a week, although he's managed to play through it. However, the multi-time All-Star will miss his first contest in nearly two months. The Clippers won't play again until Monday in Washington, so Leonard has more time to rest and recover. In the meantime, Jordan Miller might have earned the right to enter the starting lineup, with the 25-year-old coming off an 11-point, 10-rebound, five-assist, two-steal performance.

Jan 16

Immanuel Quickley • PG • Raptors

Immanuel Quickley Ruled Out on Friday

Toronto Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (back) won't play on Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. The back spasms will keep him out for a second-straight contest, meaning his next chance to suit up will be on Sunday versus the Lakers. Jamal Shead started in his place in Wednesday's 115-101 win over the Indiana Pacers, finishing with seven points, six assists, three boards and one steal in 34 minutes of action.

Jan 16

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Questionable Ahead of Raptors Matchup

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is questionable for Friday's game in Toronto while managing a lingering ankle issue. Leonard has continued to produce while managing the issue, averaging 31.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 5.3 three-pointers in 30.6 minutes over his last three games. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but he remains a must-start if active. A potential absence would open minor opportunities for Nicolas Batum, rookie Kobe Sanders, and Jordan Miller, though all carry volatility. James Harden would take on more of the offense, leaving the fringe wings as situational streamers.

Jan 16

Paul George • SF • 76ers

Paul George Likely to Go Friday Against Cleveland

Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward Paul George (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against Cleveland due to left knee injury management, a familiar designation after he carried the same tag Wednesday. After appearing in each of the past two contests, George looks positioned to make another start, logging 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists in 30 minutes in the last meeting with the Cavaliers. With George in the lineup, the rotation tightens and usage drops for VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Quentin Grimes.

Jan 16

Joel Embiid • C • 76ers

Joel Embiid Expected to Play Friday vs. Cavaliers

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (knee) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to left knee injury management, marking another appearance on the injury report this week. Despite the recurring designation, Embiid has delivered when active, averaging 25.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 three-pointers, and 1.0 blocks in 31.5 minutes over his last five games. Fantasy managers can continue starting him confidently, with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George maintaining stable roles alongside him.

Jan 16

Bennedict Mathurin • SG • Pacers

Bennedict Mathurin Still Sidelined for Pelicans Matchup

Indiana Pacers guard/forward Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) will remain out for Friday's game against the Pelicans due to a right thumb sprain, and he does not have a clear timetable to return, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday versus Detroit. Aaron Nesmith should continue to see heavy minutes, though the production dipped to six points, five rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes last time out. Johnny Furphy has taken on a larger role, averaging 8.0 points and 7.8 rebounds in 23.8 minutes over his last five starts, but his volatility keeps him limited to deep-league use.

Jan 16

Sam Merrill • SG • Cavaliers

Sam Merrill Out Friday with Hand Sprain

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (hand) is out for Friday's game against the 76ers due to a right-hand sprain, an injury he aggravated on Wednesday. Merrill logged just three points in 10 minutes in the win, and his absence removes a key spacing piece from the rotation. Craig Porter Jr. becomes a viable short-term assists streamer after stepping into a larger bench role, while Jaylon Tyson could also see extra opportunities on the wing. With Darius Garland (toe) sidelined, Donovan Mitchell is expected to carry a heavier share of the perimeter workload.

Jan 16

Khris Middleton • SF • Wizards

Khris Middleton Won't Suit Up Friday vs. Kings

Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento due to right knee injury management after appearing in three straight contests. The absence opens short-term fantasy value on the wing, especially with Bilal Coulibaly (back) also sidelined. Justin Champagnie profiles as a viable streaming option after playing well off the bench, averaging 10.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.0 three-pointers in 23.4 minutes over his last five games. Rookie Will Riley should also see added run, but remains more of a fringe fantasy option.

Jan 16

Bilal Coulibaly • SG • Wizards

Bilal Coulibaly Misses Kings Game with Back Issue

Washington Wizards guard/forward Bilal Coulibaly (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Kings after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Clippers in the second quarter with lower back tightness. He could return Saturday in Denver, but his absence creates short-term fantasy openings. Justin Champagnie is positioned for a larger role, with a start firmly in play after logging seven points and eight rebounds in 27 minutes Wednesday, making him a viable streaming option. Rookie Will Riley should also see added run after scoring 12 points in 27 minutes, though he remains more of a fringe fantasy play.

Jan 16

RJ Barrett • SG • Raptors

RJ Barrett Won't Play Friday vs. Clippers

Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (ankle) will not play Friday against the Clippers, extending his absence to a fourth straight game, with his next chance to return Sunday versus the Lakers. The fantasy impact continues to center on Jamal Shead, who has started each of the past three games and averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 assists despite shooting 34.5 percent from the field. Shead profiles as a short-term assist streamer rather than a scoring play. Barrett sitting again leaves more creation on Immanuel Quickley's plate and helps Shead maintain his minutes.

Jan 16

Herbert Jones • SF • Pelicans

Herbert Jones Misses Sixth Straight Game Friday

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers, marking his sixth straight absence with a right ankle sprain. His next chance to return comes Sunday in Houston. From a fantasy angle, Jones' continued absence keeps Saddiq Bey in play as a short-term streamer. Bey, working back from injury, logged 12 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one steal in 26 minutes during a win over Brooklyn. His minutes and usage remain stable while Jones sits.

Jan 16

Jakob Poeltl • C • Raptors

Jakob Poeltl Remains Out Friday Against Clippers

Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (back) is out for Friday's game against the Clippers, with the team still offering no firm timetable despite clearing him for contact Jan. 5. From a fantasy standpoint, managers should continue to pivot to rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, who has started seven straight and delivered 10.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals in 31.0 minutes while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 90.0 percent at the line. Murray-Boyles remains a strong streamer and deep-league hold until Poeltl returns.

Jan 16

Gui Santos • SF • Warriors

Gui Santos Exits Early with Ankle Injury

Golden State Warriors forward Gui Santos (ankle) was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's game against the Knicks after suffering a left ankle sprain in the first quarter. Santos finished with three points, one rebound, and one block in five minutes before being shut down. The injury carries little standalone fantasy impact, but it does create minor ripple effects in the rotation. Al Horford and Trayce Jackson-Davis are candidates for added frontcourt minutes. Brandin Podziemski could also see a slight uptick in run and secondary usage, keeping him relevant in deeper formats.

Jan 16

Cam Whitmore • SF • Wizards

Cam Whitmore to Miss Rest of Season with Venous Condition

Washington Wizards forward Cam Whitmore (venous condition) will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season after beginning the recovery process, bringing his year to a premature end. Whitmore can be dropped in all formats. The fantasy ripple centers on Kyshawn George, a surprise contributor averaging 14.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.2 three-pointers, and 1.0 steals. Those counting stats can hold, but minutes and usage are split across a crowded forward rotation with Bilal Coulibaly, Justin Champagnie, Khris Middleton, and rookie Will Riley, keeping George's ceiling in check.

Jan 16

Kyle Kuzma • PF • Bucks

Kyle Kuzma Available Versus Spurs

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (illness) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's matchup with the San Antonio Spurs. He was previously considered questionable due to an illness. Kuzma has seen a reduced role since Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to the rotation and recorded only two points and two assists in Tuesday's blowout loss to Minnesota. The 30-year-old has played under 25 minutes in three of his last four outings.

Jan 16

Giannis Antetokounmpo • PF • Bucks

Giannis Antetokounmpo Active on Thursday

Milwaukee Bucks forward/center Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) is set to suit up for Thursday's clash versus Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. The 31-year-old star forward was previously listed on the injury report with a left ankle sprain, but has since been cleared to play. The big man's minutes have been restricted recently, but he has still produced outstanding numbers. During his last six outings, Antetokounmpo has averaged 29.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per contest.

Jan 16

Cooper Flagg • PF • Mavericks

Cooper Flagg Sidelined Thursday

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Cooper Flagg (ankle) won't suit up against the Utah Jazz on Thursday. Flagg left Wednesday's loss early and will sit out the evening due to a sprained left ankle. Without Flagg, Anthony Davis (finger) and P.J. Washington (ankle), a depleted Mavs rotation will rely on Brandon Williams, Jaden Hardy, Ryan Nembhard, Caleb Martin, and Naji Marshall to carry heavier workloads during tonight's tilt.

Jan 16

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