NBA News

Andrew Nembhard • PG • Pacers

Andrew Nembhard Won't Play on Thursday

Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (back) is officially ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Nembhard was a late addition to the injury report due to lower back soreness. The Pacers will take the cautious approach and hold out Nembhard for Thursday's contest. His absence on the court should free up playing time for T.J. McConnell and Ben Sheppard. Both players should see an uptick in value due to the increased playing time. McConnell is the better streaming choice for Thursday's game due to the fact that he has been the more consistent option this season.

Jan 8

Brandon Miller • SF • Hornets

Brandon Miller is Cleared for Thursday's Game

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (knee) is officially cleared to suit up for Thursday's game versus the Indiana Pacers. Miller is back in action after sitting out of Wednesday's contest due to a left knee contusion. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about the injury, with Miller likely being held out for injury maintenance reasons. He's averaging 20.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 30.7 minutes per game this season. Miller has scored 20 or more points in four of his last five games. When healthy, Miller is worth starting in most fantasy formats.

Jan 8

LaMelo Ball • PG • Hornets

LaMelo Ball Upgraded to Available on Thursday

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (ankle) has been upgraded to available ahead of Thursday's game against the Indiana Pacers. Ball was listed as probable with right ankle soreness, but will officially play in both legs of the back-to-back set. On Wednesday, Ball struggled from the floor, going 7-for-20, but finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in 25 minutes of action. The hope is that Ball will be a more efficient shooter during this favorable matchup against the Pacers. Fantasy managers can safely get Ball active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.

Jan 8

Kevin Love • PF • Jazz

Kevin Love Available For Thursday

Utah Jazz forward/center Kevin Love (rest) is set to suit up against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Love has had the last two games off to rest, but he will return to action this evening. Jusuf Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable, and if he's unable to play, Love could see extended minutes in his return. The 37-year-old veteran center has averaged 9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 20.3 minutes per game in his last 10 outings.

Jan 8

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Suffers Ankle Injury, Considered Questionable for Friday

According to NBA writer Justin Russo, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is listed as questionable for Friday's matchup with the Brooklyn Nets due to a right ankle sprain. The 34-year-old veteran forward turned his right ankle after stepping on a fan during a 123-111 loss to the Knicks on Wednesday. If Leonard is unable to suit up, John Collins, Kris Dunn, and Kobe Sanders will likely receive extra minutes and added scoring opportunities during the contest.

Jan 8

Jusuf Nurkić • C • Jazz

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable For Thursday Against Mavs

Utah Jazz center Jusuf Nurkic (toe) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Nurkic may miss the second half of a back-to-back set due to injury maintenance for a left toe sprain. On Wednesday, the 31-year-old big man racked up 15 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, one block, and three steals across 33 minutes during a 129-125 loss to the Thunder. If Nurkic is unable to suit up, center Kyle Filipowski will take on a heavier workload than usual this evening.

Jan 8

Ace Bailey • SF • Jazz

Ace Bailey Considered Questionable Versus Dallas

Utah Jazz guard/forward Ace Bailey (hip) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Dallas Mavericks. Bailey returned on Wednesday against the Thunder after missing five consecutive contests due to a left hip flexor strain. However, he may sit out the back end of back-to-back games this evening. If the 19-year-old rookie is unavailable, Brice Sensabaugh and Svi Mykhailiuk will likely take on extra minutes during tonight's tilt.

Jan 8

Anthony Edwards • SG • Timberwolves

Anthony Edwards Questionable for Thursday

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (foot) is considered questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers due to right foot injury management. It appears the Timberwolves may be leaning towards giving Edwards the evening off. However, he was listed as questionable with the same injury designation before Tuesday's game against the Heat but ended up playing. The 24-year-old star guard posted 26 points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal across 29 minutes during the 122-94 Timberwolves win. Fantasy managers will have better insight into Edwards' status near tip-off at 8 p.m. ET.

Jan 8

Dean Wade • PF • Cavaliers

Dean Wade Ruled Out Thursday

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.

Jan 8

Brandon Williams • PG • Mavericks

Brandon Williams Questionable for Thursday

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.

Jan 8

P.J. Washington • PF • Mavericks

P.J. Washington Doubtful Thursday

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.

Jan 8

Jaime Jaquez Jr. • SF • Heat

Jaime Jaquez Jr. Questionable Thursday

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.

Jan 8

Donovan Mitchell • SG • Cavaliers

Donovan Mitchell Available Thursday

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.

Jan 8

Corey Kispert • SF • Hawks

Hawks Land Corey Kispert

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.

Jan 8

CJ McCollum • PG • Hawks

CJ McCollum Moves to Atlanta

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.

Jan 8

Trae Young • PG • Wizards

Trae Young Traded to Washington

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.

Jan 8

Ja Morant • PG • Grizzlies

Ja Morant Remains Out on Wednesday

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.

Jan 8

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander • PG • Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Will Suit Up Versus Utah

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.

Jan 8

Jaren Jackson Jr. • PF • Grizzlies

Jaren Jackson Jr. Good to Go Against Phoenix

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.

Jan 8

Santi Aldama • PF • Grizzlies

Santi Aldama Cleared to Play on Wednesday

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.

Jan 8

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