After missing the first two months of the year with a groin injury, the 26-year-old swingman made his G League season debut Saturday. Given how long he was sidelined, McConnell is likely to face heavy restrictions on his playing time for quite a bit before the Rio Grande Valley Vipers clear him to handle a full workload.
Nix led all scorers Saturday, and his 12 dimes also represented a game-high total. Across his last six outings during the G League regular season, the 23-year-old swingman is averaging 22.0 points, 8.5 assists, 8.2 rebounds and 2.5 steals in 36.6 minutes per game.
Simpson matched the team high in dimes Saturday and led the club in steals as well. Over his last five games during the G League regular season, the two-way player is averaging 14.8 points, 6.4 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 33.7 minutes per contest.
With Lauri Markkanen (rest), Ace Bailey (hip) and Jusuf Nurkic (toe) unavailable, Sensabaugh stepped up on the offensive end, albeit in a blowout loss. The 22-year-old swingman set a new season-high mark in points, scoring at least 20 for the fifth time across 37 regular-season outings (nine starts). Sensabaugh has scored in double figures in five of his last six games (all starts), averaging 15.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 29.0 minutes per contest over that stretch.
After totaling 13 points and 11 assists in his previous two appearances. Collier finished one assist shy of a double-double, albeit in a blowout loss. The second-year point guard saw 30-plus minutes for just the fifth time this season with multiple key contributors sidelined, and he scored double-digit points for the second time in his last five outings. Collier has produced inconsistent scoring numbers for most of the season, though he has dished out at least eight assists in 11 of his last 15 outings.
Williams got the starting nod for a second consecutive contest and finished as Utah's third-leading scorer on efficient shooting from the field. However, he also recorded an abysmal minus-60 point differential. The second-year forward has logged double-digit minutes in eight straight games, though Ace Bailey's (hip) eventual return to action and a normal workload should significantly eat into Williams' minutes.
While Miller didn't deliver his most efficient performance in the blowout win, he bounced back after scoring six points on 2-of-8 shooting in Thursday's loss to Indiana, when he was ejected after logging 19 minutes. Miller finished as Charlotte's second-leading scorer, recording 18 or more points for the sixth time in his last seven outings. Additionally, he tallied a game-high-tying three steals, matching his season high.
Kalkbrenner returned from a 10-game absence due to a sprained left elbow, chipping in double-digit points for just the third time across nine appearances (seven starts) since Dec. 1. The rookie big man led the second unit in rebounds as well, grabbing at least nine boards for the first time since Dec. 3. Kalkbrenner had started 25 of his 26 regular-season appearances entering Saturday's contest, so it will be worth monitoring his playing time and role going forward.
Mann hadn't seen the hardwood in five of Charlotte's last six outings due to a coach's decision, though he received extended burn in this blowout win. The 24-year-old guard led Charlotte with 20 points in just 12 minutes, matching his season-best mark in points. He also knocked down a season-high four triples. Still, with the team near full strength, Mann isn't guaranteed to play meaningful minutes moving forward.
Terry delivered a donut once again, going scoreless for the sixth time in his past eight appearances. Even with recent injuries to the backcourt, Terry has been unable to produce anything of note. In seven appearances over the past two weeks, he has averaged just 1.1 points in 9.5 minutes.
Smith was back in action, having missed the previous two games due to a concussion. Prior to his absence, Smith had been starting alongside Nikola Vucevic, a role that saw him putting up standard-league numbers. Although he came off the bench Saturday, it remains to be seen whether that will stick or whether he will move back into the starting lineup. Managers could do worse than grabbing him as a speculative pickup.
White bounced back after a woeful display against Boston earlier in the week, scoring at least 20 points for the first time in his past five games. He continues to play a limited role as he works his way back from his third calf injury of the season. There could still be an opportunity to buy low on White, although that window could slam shut if his numbers continue to rise.
Cisse chipped in on both ends of the floor, matching his season high with 10 rebounds while also setting a season high with five combined steals and blocks. With Anthony Davis (finger) likely to be sidelined beyond the All-Star break, Cisse could have an opportunity to play meaningful minutes, especially if Daniel Gafford continues to struggle as the starter. While he isn't worth adding just yet, Cisse is someone to keep an eye on, just in case the coaching staff decides to give him a larger role at some point down the stretch.
Russell moved back into the rotation, playing for the first time in the past six games after Brandon Williams was ruled out with an illness. Russell has been a non-factor this season, playing a muted role as the third-string point guard. In five appearances over the past month, he has averaged just 5.6 points and 2.6 assists in 13.7 minutes per game.
Gafford started at center, a role he is likely to fill for the foreseeable future. However, that's really where the good news ends, as he finished with yet another underwhelming fantasy line. While he should probably be considered a must-roster player, he is certainly not going to be suitable for everyone. Moussa Cisse was a far better option in this one, logging 19 minutes off the bench. If Dallas opts to pack things in for the season at some point, it's possible Cisse moves ahead of Gafford.
Despite being limited by early foul trouble, Reed went to work, particularly on the defensive end, where he racked up seven combined steals and blocks. The offensive output continues to be underwhelming despite his current role, although managers should be more than happy with his peripheral contributions. Until Jalen Duren (ankle) is cleared to return, Reed should be rostered in all formats.
Ivey moved into the starting lineup after Cade Cunningham was ruled out with a wrist injury. While this was a great opportunity for Ivey, he came up well short of what managers were hoping for. Given what we have seen from him thus far, and the fact that he is typically limited to minutes in the teens, Ivey can be ignored in standard leagues at this point.
Smith played just the sixth game of his career, dominating the glass with a career-high 14 rebounds while adding a career-high four blocks. Both Jalen Duren (ankle) and Isaiah Stewart (illness) were sidelined, while Paul Reed was limited to just 22 minutes due to foul trouble. This allowed Smith to step into the largest role of his career, rewarding anyone who took a chance on him in deeper formats. While this was a great performance, it should be treated as nothing more than an outlier unless Duren and Stewart continue to miss time.
Leonard played through a recent ankle complaint, scoring at least 22 points for the 12th straight game. After a slow but steady start to the season, Leonard has found his rhythm on both ends of the floor in recent times. In 14 games over the past month, he has been the second-ranked player in standard leagues, averaging 30.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.1 three-pointers and 3.6 combined steals and blocks.
Lopez turned into a pumpkin, offering very little in his 12 minutes. Even when Ivica Zubac was sidelined, Lopez was nothing more than a stream option, as his impact on a basketball court continues to decline. Lopez is currently averaging 6.3 points and 1.0 blocks in 16.9 minutes per game.
Batum failed to score Saturday, having now failed to tally double digits in five straight games. The fact that he is still playing a meaningful role for the Clippers tells you everything you need to know about the rotation. With that said, he is nowhere near being a fantasy asset, averaging just 4.8 points and 1.5 three-pointers in 20.6 minutes per game.
Dosunmu was remarkably efficient in this game, missing just two shots from the floor and ending just two assists shy of a double-double. Dosunmu isn't expected to move into the starting lineup with Coby White and Tre Jones as the top options in the backcourt without Josh Giddey (hamstring), but that won't matter much as long as Dosunmu continues to look this comfortable off the bench. This was Dosunmu's eighth game with at least 20 points this season.
Collins made history Saturday, becoming the ninth player in NBA history to tally at least four three-pointers, four steals and four blocks in a single game, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. He logged season highs in points and steals, matching his season-best marks in blocks and triples as well. The 28-year-old forward has scored in double figures in five straight games, averaging 19.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.2 blocks and 1.0 steals while shooting 69.6 percent from three-point range in 32.8 minutes per contest during that span.
The Celtics came up short in this game after the Spurs had an incredible scoring run in the final minutes, but White was Boston's best player by a wide margin. He finished just one board shy of a double-double, but he also recorded at least two tallies in each of the five major categories. This was the seventh time this season that he achieved that impressive feat.
The star floor general co-led the Spurs in scoring with Victor Wembanyama, but the former also led the team in assists and ranked second in rebounds. Fox surpassed the 20-point mark after not doing so in each of his previous three outings, and the Spurs needed each of his points in a tight win. This was Fox's eighth game with at least 20 points and six assists in the 2025-26 campaign.
After missing Thursday's win over the Hornets due to lower-back soreness, Nembhard returned to action Saturday and led the Pacers in multiple categories. The 25-year-old point guard tied the game-high mark in three-pointers and led all players in scoring, providing 20-plus points for the second time in his last three appearances. He also dished out a game-best nine assists and has reached that mark in each of his last three outings. During that span, he has averaged 21.3 points, 10.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 31.3 minutes per tilt.
Kalkbrenner is available to return from a 10-game absence due to a sprained left elbow, though he'll come off the bench for just the second time this season. Moussa Diabate will remain in the starting five. In his lone appearance off the bench during a loss to New York on Dec. 3, Kalkbrenner posted eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks in 25 minutes.
With LaMelo Ball returning to the starting five, Sexton will slide to the second unit Saturday. Over four appearances off the bench this month, the 27-year-old guard has averaged 15.3 points, 2.5 assists, 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 23.5 minutes per game.
As expected, Ball is back in his regular role as the Hornets' starting point guard after coming off the bench the last time out purely due to maintenance reasons. Ball is averaging 18.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game over his last five appearances.
With Lauri Markkanen (rest) sitting out Saturday's contest, Hendricks will enter the starting five. In five starts so far this season, the 22-year-old forward has averaged 4.8 points and 4.4 rebounds in 18.2 minutes per contest.
Schroder got into an altercation with an opposing player in an arena hallway following the Kings' loss to the Lakers on Dec. 28. Now, he'll be sidelined for Sacramento's next three outings, and the veteran point guard's next opportunity to play will come Friday against the Wizards. In the meantime, Keon Ellis, Nique Clifford and Malik Monk are candidates for increased playing time.
Risacher will miss his second consecutive contest due to left knee inflammation, and his next chance to play will come Tuesday against the Lakers. With the second-year forward sidelined, Vit Krejci, Luke Kennard and Corey Kispert are candidates for increased minutes.
Kispert's trade to Atlanta was finalized Friday, and the sharpshooting veteran will be available to make his Hawks debut Sunday. Kispert averaged 9.2 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 39.5 percent from three-point range in 19 regular-season games (two starts) with the Wizards before the trade.
After being acquired via trade from Washington, McCollum is set to make his Hawks debut against Golden State. Across 35 regular-season appearances (all starts) with the Wizards, the veteran guard averaged 18.8 points, 3.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 three-pointers in 30.9 minutes per contest.
Porzingis missed Friday's blowout win over the Nuggets due to left Achilles tendinitis after playing two games in a row on Jan. 5 and Jan. 7. He'll likely be a game-time call for this matchup, but even if he's cleared, it wouldn't be surprising if he's available off the bench in a limited capacity. He's played off the bench in each of his five appearances since the beginning of December, averaging 13.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.6 blocks per game in that span.
Saraf missed the parent club's past two games due to a left knee issue, and it's unclear if he'll play in Long Island's matchup against the Stockton Kings on Monday. Over 11 appearances in the G League, the rookie first-rounder has averaged 13.6 points, 4.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 25.8 minutes per tilt.
After coming off the bench in each of Dallas' previous three games, Nembhard will return to the starting five due to Anthony Davis (finger) being sidelined. In 16 starts so far this season, Nembhard has averaged 9.6 points, 6.1 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per contest.
The rookie first-rounder will get the starting nod for just the second time this season due to Sam Hauser (hamstring) being sidelined. Over five appearances this month, Gonzalez has averaged 3.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per contest, though he'll likely see an uptick in minutes Sunday.
Hauser posted 19 points, five rebounds and two assists in Friday's win over the Raptors, but he'll miss the second leg of this back-to-back set. The sharpshooter, who has shot 42.9 percent from beyond the arc in four outings since returning to the starting lineup Jan. 3, will aim to return against the Pacers on Monday. Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez are candidates for an uptick in minutes with Hauser unavailable.
Bouyea will miss his fourth straight game while in the league's concussion protocol. His next opportunity to suit up will come on the road against the Heat on Tuesday.
Green, who continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury, remains out despite making progress toward a return. The star guard hasn't played since Nov. 10, and his next chance to return will come against the Heat on Tuesday.
With Isaiah Stewart (illness) and Tobias Harris (hip) unavailable, Green will get the starting nod against Los Angeles. In three starts so far this season, the 32-year-old swingman has averaged 13.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 blocks and 1.0 steals in 35.7 minutes per tilt.
Jones didn't play Friday due to an ankle injury and an illness, and while he overcame the latter, the ankle issues persist for the second-year forward. Jones has started in each of his last 22 appearances, averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Murray didn't play in Friday's blowout loss to the Hawks and has missed two of the Nuggets' last three games. Not having the star floor general would be a huge loss for Denver, as the Nuggets are already without star center Nikola Jokic (knee). Murray is averaging 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 9.6 assists per game over his last 10 outings. If he's ruled out Sunday, look for Jalen Pickett and Bruce Brown to see an uptick in playing time.
Crawford has missed Houston's last two games due to an illness but will be available Sunday. Still, the two-way player isn't guaranteed to see the floor, as he has totaled just five minutes across two regular-season appearances thus far.
Gordon was probable before Friday's game against the Hawks but ended up playing and posting 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists across 24 minutes. He's yet to play more than 25 minutes since returning to the rotation on Jan. 4 after missing 19 contests between Nov. 22 and Jan. 2 due to the same right hamstring strain he's managing now. That said, the probable tag suggests Gordon should be able to play and handle the same workload he's been managing of late.
Eason will miss Sunday's contest after spraining his right ankle in Friday's loss to Portland. His next opportunity to play will come Tuesday against the Bulls. With the 24-year-old forward sidelined, Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith are candidates for increased playing time, while Jae'Sean Tate could enter the Houston rotation.
Head coach Ime Udoka said Monday that Sengun would likely miss around two weeks due to a right ankle sprain, though he has a chance to return Sunday after missing Houston's past three games. If the star big man is cleared to play, he'll likely be on a minutes restriction. Still, fewer minutes would be available for the likes of Steven Adams and Clint Capela.
Wallace was held out of Friday's win over Memphis due to toe soreness, though he's set to return to action Sunday. Over his last five outings (three starts), the 22-year-old guard has averaged 3.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 assists in 23.0 minutes per contest. He has shot just 29.2 percent from the field during that span.
Braun didn't score a single point in the loss to the Hawks on Friday, and while he's on the injury report ahead of Sunday's contest, the probable tag suggests he's likely to play. Braun has had a rough return to the lineup since coming back from an ankle injury three games ago, averaging just 2.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game during that span.
Champagnie will shed his questionable tag due to mid-back soreness and keep his record of perfect attendance this season alive. The 24-year-old forward has started five straight games with Devin Vassell (adductor) sidelined. During that span, Champagnie has averaged 19.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals across 32.0 minutes per contest.
Young is still dealing with a right quadriceps contusion and is without a timetable for a return. The star point guard should be considered doubtful to make his Wizards debut against the Clippers on Wednesday. In the meantime, Bub Carrington, Malaki Branham and AJ Johnson are candidates for increased playing time.
The star big man was one of several regulars who missed Friday's win over the Grizzlies, but he'll return for this contest and should handle his regular workload. Holmgren is averaging a robust line of 17.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.5 blocks per game in four games since the beginning of January.
Williams is set to return after missing the Thunder's last 13 games while dealing with right heel bursitis. He's expected to see minutes off the bench, as he's started in only three of his 25 appearances in 2025-26. He's averaging 5.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists across 18.3 minutes per game this season.
Hartenstein will miss his eighth straight game due to a right soleus strain, and it's not a positive sign that he continues to be ruled out a day in advance of tipoff. The big man's next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday against the Spurs.
Huff has been a regular starter for the Pacers of late and has been part of the first unit in all but two of the Pacers' last 20 games, but that won't be the case Saturday. Huff should still see sizable minutes as a rim protector. He's averaging 6.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.0 blocks across 16.7 minutes per game in 18 outings off the bench this season.
Smith was initially listed as questionable but was upgraded to probable Saturday before being cleared to suit up. It's unclear if he'll operate under a minutes restriction during his return, though the big man should see significant minutes with Zach Collins (toe) sidelined. Over his last five appearances (three starts), Smith has averaged 10.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 23.2 minutes per tilt.
Leonard was initially listed as questionable due to a right ankle sprain, but the veteran forward will tough it out and has been upgraded to available for the second leg of this back-to-back set. The star forward is averaging 29.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game since the beginning of December (17 games).
Connaughton was previously listed as questionable for this game due to an illness, and the former Notre Dame standout will be sidelined. The veteran forward will aim to return to action against the Clippers on Monday.
Gilgeous-Alexander missed the Thunder's 117-116 win over the Grizzlies on Friday due to an ankle issue, but the superstar point guard will return after a one-game absence. His return gives the Thunder a huge boost on offense and an unquestioned go-to option in the scoring column. The reigning MVP is averaging 30.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game since the beginning of January.
Huerter will shed his questionable tag due to a back issue and could see increased playing time with Josh Giddey (hamstring) out. Huerter has logged at least 24 minutes in each of his last five games (two starts), averaging 11.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 26.8 minutes per contest over that stretch.
Stewart was a late addition to the injury report due to an illness and will miss his first game since Nov. 12. With the 24-year-old big man joining Jalen Duren (ankle) and Tobias Harris (hip) on the sidelines, plenty of minutes will be available for Paul Reed, Ronald Holland and Javonte Green, while Isaac Jones and Tolu Smith are candidates to enter the rotation. Stewart's next opportunity to play will come Thursday against the Suns.
Cunningham was not present for Saturday's shootaround, so it's not entirely surprising to see him out for this matchup. The star floor general has missed Detroit's last two games, and his absence means Jaden Ivey should start at point guard once again. Cunningham's next chance to play will come against the Suns on Thursday.
Edey hasn't played since Dec. 7, and it's unclear when he'll be able to return to the hardwood. The big man, who's averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season, should be considered doubtful for the Grizzlies' next game against the Magic on Thursday. He's expected to be re-evaluated soon.
Konchar has missed the last 14 games for Memphis, and the questionable tag suggests he might have a shot at returning Sunday. Konchar hasn't played since Dec. 7 due to a torn UCL in his left thumb, and if he's cleared to return, he's likely to see minutes off the bench as a spot-up shooter.
Caldwell-Pope was unable to return to Friday's loss to the Thunder after exiting in the second quarter due to a jaw issue, though he's set to return to action Sunday. The veteran guard has averaged 9.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals in 19.0 minutes per game over his last five outings.
Morant will miss his fifth consecutive contest due to a right calf contusion, and his next opportunity to play will come Thursday against the Magic. With the Murray State product sidelined, Cam Spencer will likely remain in the starting five, while Vince Williams could see increased playing time.
Nembhard was trending in the right direction earlier Saturday, and he has now been upgraded to available. The fourth-year point guard is having a career-best season, averaging 17.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game, so having him back is a huge boost for the Pacers.
Porter is dealing with a right hip contusion, which is a new issue for the 25-year-old point guard. Still, he's likely to suit up against Denver. He has recorded two double-doubles over his last four outings, averaging 18.0 points, 8.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals across 38.8 minutes per game during that stretch.
Nembhard missed Thursday's win over the Hornets due to lower-back soreness but appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of Saturday's contest. He'll likely suit up barring any setbacks during his pregame warmups and will presumably be a game-time decision ahead of tipoff at 7:00 p.m. ET. If the 25-year-old point guard is ultimately ruled out, T.J. McConnell, Quenton Jackson and Ben Sheppard are candidates for increased minutes. Over his last five games, Nembhard has averaged 16.8 points, 7.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 32.2 minutes per tilt.
Jaquez was a late addition to Saturday's injury report due to an illness, but the young forward has been cleared to play anyway. Jaquez will return after a two-game absence due to an ankle injury. He is averaging a solid line of 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in his last 10 appearances.
Jackson hasn't played since Dec. 22 but appears to be nearing a return to action. Still, he isn't expected to return until next Saturday's game against Detroit at the very earliest. In the meantime, Micah Potter and Tony Bradley will likely continue to split the backup center duties behind Jay Huff.
Williams left during the second quarter of the Trail Blazers' 111-105 win over the Rockets on Friday after sustaining a right knee injury. If he's not cleared to play Sunday, then Yang Hansen would be in line for a more prominent role off the bench behind starting center Donovan Clingan.
Murray will miss a third straight game since he's dealing with a lumbar strain, but his absence won't cause a lot of issues in most fantasy formats. His next chance to play will come against the Warriors on Tuesday.
Grant hasn't played since Dec. 18 due to a nagging Achilles injury, and it seems he doesn't have a clear date for his return to the hardwood. Sidy Cissoko should continue to see steady minutes with Grant out, and the veteran will aim to be ready for Tuesday's matchup against the Warriors.
Holiday hasn't played since Nov. 14 due to a right calf strain but is trending in the right direction after receiving a questionable tag. If the veteran point guard is cleared to play, it wouldn't be surprising to see him operate under a minutes restriction. Still, his presence would leave fewer minutes available for the likes of Caleb Love and Rayan Rupert.
Powell will miss the front end of this back-to-back set due to left knee injury management, and his next opportunity to play will come Monday against Dallas. With the rookie first-rounder being joined on the sidelines by Michael Porter (rest) and Ziaire Williams (illness), Jalen Wilson, Danny Wolf and Tyrese Martin are candidates for increased playing time.
Shamet hasn't played since Nov. 22 due to a right shoulder sprain and remains without a timetable for a return. He progressed to on-court activities in late December, though he should be considered doubtful for future contests until the Knicks provide an update on his recovery.
Williams appeared to be a healthy scratch during Friday's loss against the Clippers despite starting Wednesday against the Magic. He may have been held out of Friday's contest while battling an illness, and his next chance to play is Monday against the Mavericks. Michael Porter (rest) and Drake Powell (knee) are also ruled out against Memphis, so Danny Wolf and Cam Thomas are both in line for elevated roles.
Yabusele is in jeopardy of missing his second straight game due to a right quadriceps contusion. The 30-year-old forward has logged double-digit minutes in just two of his last five appearances, so his absence wouldn't cause any significant waves in the rotation.
Porter will sit for the front end of the Nets' back-to-back set Sunday, but he'll likely be available for Monday's road tilt against the Mavericks. Danny Wolf and Cam Thomas are the top candidates to enter the Nets' starting lineup due to the absences of Porter, Drake Powell (knee) and Ziaire Williams (illness).
The 76ers and Raptors play in back-to-back games in Toronto on Sunday and Monday. Embiid will likely sit out of one of those games while managing a left knee injury, in which case Andre Drummond would be the top candidate to enter the 76ers' starting five. Embiid has played in each of the 76ers' last six games, and over that span he has averaged 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 blocks over 33.7 minutes per game.
Hart hasn't played since Dec. 25 due to a sprained right ankle. Even though his presence Sunday is uncertain, the fact that he's been upgraded to questionable means he's trending in the right direction. The absence of Hart has opened up more playing time for Miles McBride and Jordan Clarkson, but both would be in line to see fewer minutes if Hart returns to the hardwood.
Barnes missed the Raptors' loss to the Celtics on Friday, but the questionable tag suggests the star forward might have a shot at returning to action Sunday. Barnes is having another strong year with averages of 19.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and a combined 1.8 steals-plus-blocks per game in 38 starts. If he's out Sunday, then Collin Murray-Boyles and Jamison Battle would be in line to see more minutes at the four.
Poeltl is trending in the right direction but is still not ready to return. This means Sandro Mamukelashvili and Collin Murray-Boyles will continue to handle the minutes at center against Joel Embiid (knee) and the 76ers. Poeltl's next chance to return will come against Philadelphia on Monday in the second leg of a back-to-back set.
Ingram didn't play in Friday's loss to the Celtics, but the questionable tag suggests a decision on the swingman's status will be made closer to Sunday's 6 p.m. ET tipoff. Not having Ingram would be a huge blow to the offense for a shorthanded Raptors team that will be missing Jakob Poeltl (back) and RJ Barrett (ankle). Ingram is averaging 22.2 points, 6.2 boards and 3.5 assists per game since the beginning of December.
Barrett exited Friday's loss to the Celtics with a left ankle injury, and he hasn't recovered in time to play in the first leg of this back-to-back set. The absence of Barrett and Jakob Poeltl (back), as well as the questionable tags on Brandon Ingram (thumb) and Scottie Barnes (knee), suggest the Raptors will be shorthanded for this contest. Expect Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji and Ja'Kobe Walter to see more minutes with Barrett out.
Edwards has posted 25 points and four three-pointers in back-to-back games. He has scored at least 24 points in each of his last 13 games, and over that span he has averaged 30.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.5 threes, 1.6 steals and 0.9 blocks over 35.8 minutes per game. The superstar guard has been managing a right foot injury of late, so his status will be worth monitoring ahead of Sunday's game against the Spurs.
Reeves is serving under a two-way contract but has made only six appearances for the Hornets, averaging 3.5 points and 0.8 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game. The guard is expected to see action in the G League going forward, looking to improve on his season average of 19.0 points per contest for the Swarm.
Mobley was unable to connect on any of his attempts from deep, but he was efficient inside the arc and finished Saturday's win as the Cavaliers' second-leading scorer behind Donovan Mitchell (28 points), with the former scoring 16 of his points in the second half. Mobley has connected on 50 percent or more of his field goals in six of his last seven outings, and over that span he has averaged 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 2.6 blocks and 1.0 steals over 32.4 minutes per game.
Mitchell finished as Saturday's leading scorer, doing most of his damage from beyond the arc and from the charity stripe. He also co-led the Cavaliers in assists with Craig Porter, and the former has logged eight assists in back-to-back games. Mitchell has averaged 30.3 points, 6.0 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 threes and 1.5 steals over 34.1 minutes per game through four outings in January.
Telfort ended with a joint team-high scoring count with a strong display from the field Friday. Telfort has started in each of the last six games, averaging 16.0 points per contest during that period.
Freemantle produced on both ends of the court, while his 69.2 percent accuracy from the field was the highest among San Diego players during this game. He's in good form in terms of scoring with six straight double-digit totals, and he has established himself as a regular starter at center.
Alvarado will miss a third straight game due to this injury, and Sunday's absence will also mark the fifth game he's been sidelined over the Pelicans' last eight contests. The veteran guard will aim to return against the Nuggets on Tuesday.
Bernard had solid output as he continued to serve as one of his squad's main offensive threats in Friday's matchup. Bernard's average of 20.4 points per game is currently the third-highest on the team and represents his most consistent strength during the 2025-26 campaign.
Jones is set to miss a third consecutive game due to a sprained right ankle, which is the same injury that caused him to miss seven straight games prior to Jan. 6 against the Lakers. Bryce McGowens and Karlo Matkovic are the top candidates to start Sunday in Jones' absence. Jones' next opportunity to play is Tuesday against the Nuggets.
Bey missed Friday's game against the Wizards due to a right hip flexor strain, and the same injury has him with a doubtful tag for Sunday's contest. Bey has missed the last five games due to the injury, and if he remains out, then the likes of Micah Peavy and Karlo Matkovic should see more minutes.
Zikarsky achieved a full recovery from the issue that ruled him out for a few days, and he led his team in rebounds while securing a double-double against San Diego. The youngster is a two-way option for the Timberwolves but is getting all of his opportunities with the G League squad, for which he's averaging 13.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest.
Figueroa continued to impress as a second-unit player, contributing 20 or more points for the third consecutive game. Other than that, he converted his most three-pointers of the season despite logging fewer attempts than other times. He could remain valuable for offensive production even off the bench.
Banton was his team's top shooter and added a variety of stats for a strong overall output during the victory. After delivering his third-best scoring total of the campaign, he's now averaging 24.0 points and 7.0 assists per game.
Smith's midday upgrade from questionable to probable is an encouraging sign for his availability Saturday. The big man has been in concussion protocol and has missed back-to-back games. Smith is averaging 9.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists across 17.7 minutes per game this season.
When both Alex Sarr and Marvin Bagley have been available for games this season, Vukcevic has typically been outside of the rotation, with most of his appearances in those contests coming in garbage time late in blowouts. That changed Friday, however, as head coach Brian Keefe chose to deploy Vukcevic ahead of Bagley as Sarr's top backup. The 22-year-old capitalized on the opportunity, generating an excellent line that was highlighted by a career-high five rejections. Vukcevic is on a two-way pact and is eligible to appear in 14 more games before he would need to be upgraded to a standard contract, but that won't necessarily deter the rebuilding Wizards from continuing to prioritize him ahead of Bagley, who is four years older and on an expiring deal. Even in a limited role behind Sarr, Vukcevic could still make for an intriguing option in deeper fantasy leagues. In 73 games over his three NBA seasons, Vukcevic holds career per-36-minute averages of 22.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.1 three-pointers, 1.8 blocks and 0.8 steals.
Robinson-Earl was productive on the boards Friday, adding to his tally of six double-doubles in nine games played this season. Moreover, the 25-year-old posted a season-high total of 29 points. He moved to the center position after operating at power forward over most of his previous starts.
Nurkic will miss a second straight game due to a toe sprain in his left foot. His absence will mean more opportunities for Kevin Love and Kyle Filipowski. Nurkic's next chance to play will come Monday at Cleveland.
Suggs will miss a fifth consecutive contest due to a bruised right knee. The 24-year-old guard has immediately been ruled out for three consecutive games, so a return doesn't appear imminent. His next chance to play will come Thursday against New Orleans.
Da Silva missed Friday's game against the Pelicans due to back spasms, and the issue will keep him on the injury report ahead of Sunday's contest. With Franz Wagner (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee) out, da Silva would likely draw another start if available.
Hodge didn't play after serving as a depth asset during previous games, and it's still unclear when he'll be able to return. His unavailability means an increase in playing time for Matt Cross.
After missing a Dec. 21 game against the Kings due to a calf injury, Bagley had served as the top backup to starting center Alex Sarr in each of the ensuing nine contests while averaging 10.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.6 steals in 19.0 minutes per contest. The Wizards provided no indication that Bagley was nursing any sort of injury heading into Friday, so the 26-year-old's lack of playing time simply looks to be the result of head coach Brian Keefe wanting to get a look at two-way player Tristan Vukcevic as the team's second-unit center. Vukcevic came through with an excellent line -- 15 points, five blocks, four rebounds and two assists in 23 minutes -- and fits better with the rebuilding Wizards' timeline than Bagley, a well-traveled veteran on an expiring deal. As a result, it wouldn't be surprising if Bagley remains out of the rotation moving forward to allow the Wizards to give Vukcevic an extended evaluation.
Wagner's absence will extend to 16 games Sunday as he continues to recover from a left ankle sprain that he suffered against the Knicks on Dec. 7. His next chance to play is Thursday against the Grizzlies, though there doesn't appear to be a clear timeline for his return. Tristan da Silva (back) and Noah Penda should continue to see elevated roles for as long as Wagner is sidelined.
Brown recorded the most minutes among the Charge's players and led the team's offense. The 22 assists were a season-high count for him through 20 appearances, and the double-double raised his total to four over that period.
After averaging 17.8 minutes per game while appearing in each of the previous 10 contests, Bona looked to have moved ahead of Andre Drummond on the depth chart at center. However, head coach Nick Nurse ended up reversing course Friday, turning to Drummond as the sole backup option to starter Joel Embiid while Bona didn't get off the bench. Nurse has shown a willingness to occasionally use Bona alongside Embiid at times, but with Trendon Watford and Kelly Oubre recently returning from injuries, the 76ers could be less inclined to deploy Bona at power forward in future contests.
Hayes was coming off a solid run of form, so this issue dealt a big blow to the Charge's rotation. He's now questionable while he works on his recovery ahead of upcoming clashes. Meanwhile, Darius Brown and Sean McNeil could retain starting spots if Hayes fails to return in the short term.
Wagner was enjoying a career-best start to the 2024-25 regular season before tearing the ACL in his left knee in December 2024. He has progressed enough in his recovery to make his season debut Sunday, though he'll likely operate under a minutes restriction as he works his way into NBA-level shape. Goga Bitadze could revert to the Magic's No. 3 center once Wagner ramps up his minutes.
Salaun was considered probable for Saturday's game due to a sprained left ankle. Since the start of December, Salaun has averaged 19.0 minutes per game. With Grant Williams (knee) and Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) now healthy, though, Salaun could see his minutes drop going forward.
Williams had started twice in the past four contests and played at least 19 minutes in each of those contests, but he moved out of the rotation entirely Friday while Terance Mann took back his spot in the starting five following a one-game absence in a coach's decision. Head coach Jordi Fernandez seemingly prefers to run with a 10-man rotation more often than not, which means Williams could frequently find himself out of the mix when the Nets have all of their key contributors available like they did Friday.
Williams has fully recovered from a torn meniscus and ACL in his right knee that he suffered in November 2024. The veteran forward has been given the green light to make his 2025-26 regular-season debut Saturday, though he'll likely operate under a heavy minutes restriction as he works his way back to NBA-level conditioning. Tidjane Salaun, Sion James and Josh Green will likely see their playing time impacted by Williams' return.
Kalkbrenner is officially ready to return from a 10-game absence due to a sprained left elbow. The rookie center is averaging 8.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks across 25.6 minutes per game this season. He has started all but one of his 26 regular-season appearances thus far, though the Hornets could opt to deploy him off the bench, especially if he operates under a minutes restriction. Kalkbrenner's return will likely mean fewer minutes for Moussa Diabate and PJ Hall.
Keels helped his team to victory through a brilliant shooting effort, the highlight of which was his 100 percent efficiency on 12 three-point attempts. It was an explosive career-high performance for the guard, who had previously failed to score more than 30 points since November. He'll likely remain in the starting lineup as he looks to carry the momentum in upcoming games.
Pedulla made a significant playmaking and defensive impact, resulting in his third double-double in 22 games played during the current campaign. He recorded double digits in scoring for the ninth consecutive time while posting season highs in assists and steals.
Hinson put together an impressive performance that included 70.0 percent accuracy on his three-point attempts against Sioux Falls. Hinson reached 40 points for the first time this season and the third time in his G League career. He's now averaging 25.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest during the 2025-26 campaign.
Weems came off the bench after being out of action since late December. The forward performed just above his averages of 8.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He'll continue to push for appearances as part of the second unit behind Blake Hinson.
LaVine missed all but one of his seven attempts from beyond the arc Friday, and he has gone 5-for-17 (29.4 percent) over his three outings since returning from nine-game absence due to a left ankle sprain. The veteran wing is averaging 20.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 threes over 33.0 minutes per game this season.
DeRozan was the only Kings player to score more than 20 points during Friday's contest and finished as the game's second-leading scorer behind Stephen Curry (27 points). DeRozan also tied a season high with three steals, and over his last five outings he has averaged 18.8 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.0 threes and 2.0 steals over 33.2 minutes per game.
Connaughton is battling through an illness that puts him in jeopardy of not playing Saturday. However, his absence wouldn't have much of an impact given that he's been out of the Hornets' rotation of late.
Vassell's absence for Saturday's game against the Celtics will be his sixth straight due to a strained left adductor. The 25-year-old swingman has been making progress in his recovery and even traveled with the team to Boston. However, he'll be sidelined indefinitely.
Payton returned Friday from a one-game absence due to a left ankle sprain, and the 10th-year pro finished as the Warriors' leading rebounder, finishing one board shy from logging his second double-double of the season. Payton has scored in double digits in each of his last three outings, averaging 12.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists while connecting on 69.2 percent of his field-goal attempts over that span.
Podziemski was quiet for most of the night, but he came alive in the fourth quarter with 12 points, six of which came from the charity stripe. Friday broke Podziemski's three-game streak of not reaching double-digit points, so his fourth-quarter burst could be the spark he needs provide more scoring consistency off the Warriors' bench. He is averaging 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.8 threes and 1.0 steals over 27.1 minutes per game this season.
Curry scored all 27 of his points through the first three quarters of Friday's game while dropping a season-high 10 assists, en route to his second double-double of the season. He has scored at least 23 points in each of his last 10 games while connecting on at least four triples in eight of those contests. Over that 10-game span, Curry has averaged 28.5 points, 5.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 4.3 threes and 1.0 steals over 33.6 minutes per game.
Newton had an excellent display on the floor during Friday's contest. The two-way player contributed more than 30 points for the second straight G League game while remaining a regular starter and defensive force for the Vipers. However, he's not expected to see action for the Rockets, having yet to appear in the NBA during the regular season.
Monk hadn't played in any of the Kings' previous three games due to coach's decision, but he re-emerged on the second unit Friday after head coach Doug Christie elected to drop Doug McDermott from the rotation and also chose to cut down Precious Achiuwa's playing time. Though he wasn't particularly productive during his time on the court, Monk could become a more consistent fixture in the rotation in the short term if the Kings intend to showcase him ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
After returning to action in late December following a seven-game absence due to a left thumb avulsion fracture, Eubanks was part of the Sacramento rotation for four games before losing out on a regular role. Rookie two-way player Dylan Cardwell has since been recalled from the G League and has served as the top backup behind starting center Maxime Raynaud in the past two contests, leaving no minutes available for Eubanks. Even if the Kings opt to reassign Cardwell to the G League in the near future, Eubanks' time in the Sacramento rotation will likely be short-lived since Domantas Sabonis (knee) could be ready to return to action later this month.
Council usually features off the bench for the Vipers, but he has struggled to be available lately, with this injury adding to other foot and knee issues he suffered in past months. The severity of his current issue remains unknown, so Teddy Allen might continue to benefit from his absence with increased playing time.
Leonard tweaked his ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Knicks, though he was cleared to suit up in Friday's win over Brooklyn. He has appeared in each of the Clippers' last 21 games, but if he's unable to play for the second leg of this back-to-back set, then Kobe Sanders and Nicolas Batum figure to be the top candidates to enter the starting five.
McDermott had seen minutes in five of the Kings' previous seven games, but he fell out of the rotation Friday while Malik Monk re-emerged on the second unit. With the Kings now sitting at 8-30 on the season, finding regular playing time for the 33-year-old McDermott -- who is on an expiring contract -- seems unlikely to be a major priority moving forward.
Minott will miss a third consecutive game due to a sprained left ankle. He had been a fringe rotation piece before sustaining the injury, so his absence won't have much of an impact. Minott's next chance to play will come Monday against the Pacers.
Carey will look to return for upcoming action if he's dealing with a minor ailment. However, he has been limited to a secondary role throughout the season, and it's unclear if he'll get plenty of minutes right away. In any case, Efe Abogidi should be able to absorb however much time Carey ends up missing.
Sims made up for an inefficient display with his first double-double of the 2025-26 campaign, and he finished as his team's only player with double-digit rebounds. It was Sims' fifth successive start, and his 11 rebounds set a new season-high mark.
Johnson led the away side in scoring as he shot 68.8 percent from the field against the Vipers. He has scored more than 20 points in each of his last five starts, increasing his season average to 20.1 points per game, which represents the second-highest figure on the squad.
Rodman saw some action but only as a bench option after recovering from the illness that prevented him from playing Jan. 5. While he's unlikely to earn a significant role in future games, his latest performance marked a slight improvement over his averages of 2.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 0.4 steals per game.
Jones Garcia complemented a team-high scoring tally with his third consecutive double-double in Friday's G League game. The two-way player remains a regular contributor for the G League club, having posted 20-plus points in his last seven matchups with Austin.
Porter made his first start of the season Thursday, but he'll return to the second unit Saturday in favor of Sam Merrill. Porter played 15 minutes during the start, but he had played 23 or more minutes in each of his previous four outings.
Merrill will make his 14th start of the season Saturday while Craig Porter reverts to a bench role. Merrill has scored in double digits in seven of his last eight outings (five starts), and over that span he has averaged 15.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 4.0 threes and 0.9 steals across 27.3 minutes per game while connecting on 47.8 percent of his three-point attempts.
Pate secured his second-best scoring total in 23 games played this season thanks to his outstanding accuracy from three-point range Friday. The guard has been able to show his talent despite Westchester's struggles throughout the season, and he could remain one of the team's most reliable contributors in points and rebounds going forward.
Diallo barely got involved, but he was finally back with the team after being sidelined since Dec. 22. The 26-year-old made four starts prior to the issue, though he only stood out once with a double-double performance.
Williams led his side in scoring and was only one rebound short of extending a run of four double-doubles in G League action. He's signed to a two-way contract but hasn't played at the NBA level since Dec. 5, so he should be expected to see most of his playing time with Maine, where his average of 11.4 rebounds per game is the highest on the squad.
Edwards has been listed on the injury report of late due to right foot injury maintenance. He's been cleared to play Saturday, but the sixth-year pro may be held out of the second leg of the Timberwolves' back-to-back set Sunday against the Spurs. Edwards has averaged 30.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 3.5 threes, 1.7 steals and 0.8 blocks in 35.0 minutes per game over his last 10 outings, shooting 51.7 percent from the field during that span.
Tonje stood out as a threat from beyond the arc Friday, with the six three-pointers representing a season-high total for him. The two-way player has yet to be an option for the Jazz during the 2025-26 regular season, but he's averaging 18.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 0.9 steals per game in the G League.
Williams sat out the team's Jan. 5 win over the Cruise due to a knee injury but had a strong performance in his return, leading the team in scoring while shooting an efficient 54.5 percent from the field. Across 14 games played, the 24-year-old is currently averaging 20.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals per tilt.
Levin made his second start of the campaign and ended up turning in one of his strongest outings, setting new season-high totals in both points and assists en route to compiling his first double-double. The 31-year-old continues to shoot the ball efficiently, as he's now shot over 50.0 percent from the field in seven of his last eight outings.
Bryant is back with the NBA club after a brief G League stint. He's expected to be available for Saturday's game against Boston. The rookie has appeared in 29 regular-season outings for the parent club, averaging just 7.6 minutes per tilt.
Nelson finished with only a few contributions despite being part of the starting lineup for the first time this season in his return from a knee injury. Nelson could continue to be involved at center in the short term if E.J. Liddell (knee) remains injured or continues to spend time with the NBA team.
Cunningham is dealing with a right wrist contusion, which forced him to miss the Pistons' win over the Bulls on Wednesday. His inability to participate in the morning shootaround doesn't bode well for his chances of playing against the Clippers on Saturday, but his official status will be known closer to the 7:30 p.m. ET tipoff. Jaden Ivey drew the start Wednesday, and he could do so again Saturday if Cunningham is not cleared to play.
Smith had a dominant performance while coming off the bench, scoring a season-high 36 points while shooting an efficient 63.6 percent from the field. The 6-foot-4 guard also led the team in assists and is now averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals across 18 appearances.
Oladipo was not ready to appear in back-to-back games after having his playing time managed during his previous two outings in January. The veteran guard will aim to rejoin the squad for upcoming contests, potentially coming off the bench at first and eventually replacing Cormac Ryan or Stephen Thompson in the starting lineup.
Thompson was dominant during the victory, setting new season-high totals in points, rebounds and assists in addition to recording his first double-double. The 6-foot-4 guard was also extremely efficient, shooting 66.7 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Labissiere continued his productive run as he scored at least 20 points for the fifth straight contest. The experienced center has now converted on 68.5 percent of his attempts from the field over his last four games and has come close to a double-double with nine and eight rebounds, respectively, in his last two starts.
Randle has yet to miss a regular-season game during the 2025-26 campaign. That trend will continue Saturday, with the veteran forward being cleared to play against Cleveland after popping up on Friday's injury report due to left thumb soreness. In 18 games since Dec. 2, Randle has averaged 21.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.3 threes and 0.9 steals over 33.3 minutes per game.
Richmond was in decent form after making five consecutive starts prior to this injury. His recovery timeline remains unclear, so he'll be questionable for upcoming action. Therefore, Damari Monsanto could see increased playing time in the short term.
Even though Toronto was without three rotation players in Scottie Barnes (knee), Brandon Ingram (thumb) and Jakob Poeltl (back), Agbaji couldn't maintain his grasp on a spot in the Raptors' second unit. After playing 12 minutes or fewer in each of his previous four appearances, Agbaji had already been starting to see his role trend down, and his outlook won't improve as Toronto gets healthier.
Gilbert was unable to suit up and see his usual minutes as a bench option after suffering the injury. He has struggled with consistency of late but recently stood out with a triple-double on Jan. 1. Both Sharife Cooper and Nolan Hickman should continue to see extended minutes if Gilbert misses more games due to the issue.
Jones was the top scorer in Friday's game, posting a G League season-high mark of 27 points. The center, who is on assignment from the Pistons, has played an active role in the affiliate team, with his production coming mostly from shooting and rebounds.
The day off against the Spurs on Wednesday looks to have done James some good, as he appeared to be rejuvenated Friday. He's been excellent in recent outings, posting averages of 25.7 points, 7.2 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.0 three-pointers over his last six games.
Ayton had a tough night on both ends of the floor, so he ended up splitting the center minutes with Jaxson Hayes. Ayton is seemingly trending in the wrong direction, posting averages of 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.1 blocks over his last seven games.
With Myles Turner limited to 23 minutes due to foul trouble, Portis stepped up in a big way off the bench with his sixth double-double on the campaign. He's been trending up for the Bucks, posting averages of 14.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.4 three-pointers over his last seven outings.
Antetokounmpo was clutch in this game, and on top of his efficient shooting, he stripped LeBron James at the end of regulation to seal the win. The Bucks have won three of their last four games to improve to 17-21, and all signs point to the team being buyers at the trade deadline to bring in more talent alongside the two-time MVP.
For the fifth time this season, Porter reached four steals for the Bucks. He continues to lead the team in nine-category fantasy value, posting second-round numbers with 18.6 points, 7.7 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 34.5 minutes per contest.
Stanley was an option Friday but perhaps not healthy enough to see significant action. He may have more chances to produce in the future, although he's likely to play a minor role while in contention with Isaac Jones and Charles Bediako for minutes.
Clingan reached 15 rebounds for the sixth time this season. He's in the midst of a terrific fantasy campaign so far, posting averages of 11.1 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.4 blocks in 27.2 minutes per contest.
Cissoko started his second straight game, and after going scoreless in his first opportunity Wednesday, he bounced back nicely in this contest. He's trending up in deeper formats, posting averages of 8.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.9 three-pointers in 22.2 minutes per contest.
Martin is averaging 19.5 minutes per game over his 29 regular-season appearances, but he's now found himself out of the rotation for three consecutive games following the recent returns of Cam Thomas and Drake Powell from injury and Michael Porter from an illness. Additionally, the Nets have continued to prioritize finding consistent playing time for rookie first-round selection Nolan Traore, who has settled in ahead of Martin as the top backup at point guard to lottery pick Egor Demin.
Bediako returned to action after recovering from the injury that forced him to miss Wednesday's clash with the Go-Go. While he failed to make a big impact in the scoring column, his eight rebounds were his third-best figure through 15 appearances so far this season. He'll continue to push for more playing time behind Isaac Jones.
Smith continues to play at a high level for Houston and has become a legitimate two-way player. Overall this season, Smith has appeared in 34 regular-season games with averages of 15.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 blocks and 2.2 three-pointers on 43.6 percent shooting from the field.
Available to play for the first time since Dec. 19 following a 10-game absence due to a right calf strain, Dieng was needed to round out the Oklahoma City rotation while the Thunder were without seven players due to injury. Most of Dieng's appearances this season have come at the end of blowout games or when the Thunder have been down multiple key rotation pieces, so he could see his minutes disappear in Sunday's game against the Heat if one or more of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Chet Holmgren (shins) and Cason Wallace (toe) return to action after sitting out Friday.
For the fifth time this season, Sheppard reached 20 points for Houston. He needed a night like this one, as he's been held in check for the most part recently. Over his last four games, he's shooting 38.0 percent from the field with averages of 11.8 points, 3.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 2.0 three-pointers.
Williams is set to remain out for an unknown period, so he could continue to miss subsequent contests. He had started in four of his last five games, most recently as a forward, and it was Matthew Moncrieffe who featured in his place Friday.
Finney-Smith has yet to find his footing for Houston, posting averages of 2.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 15.4 minutes across eight appearances. It's worth mentioning that Tari Eason left this game with an ankle issue, however, so more minutes could potentially open up for Finney-Smith.
After recently recovering from a left ankle sprain, Barnhizer got the chance to make his first appearance for the Thunder since Dec. 25 while Oklahoma City was without seven players due to injury. Assuming the Thunder get at least one of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Chet Holmgren (shins) or Cason Wallace (toe) back for their next game Sunday versus the Heat, Barnhizer will likely drop back out of the rotation. Barnhizer is on a two-way deal with the Thunder and could soon be assigned to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue in order to pick up more extended minutes.
The rookie forward was making his first career NBA start in a depleted Magic frontcourt, but Penda didn't take full advantage of the opportunity. The 2025 second-round pick has seen a big spike in his court time in January with both Franz Wagner (ankle) and Moritz Wagner (knee) sidelined and even Tristan da Silva (back) unavailable Friday, and over the last three games Penda is averaging 9.3 points, 7.3 boards, 2.0 steals, 1.7 blocks, 1.3 assists and 1.3 threes in 29.3 minutes.
Lanier has continued to play for both the NBA and G League squads since December, although he's usually a second-unit option for the Pistons. In his 16 NBA regular-season games, the guard is currently averaging 0.7 points, 0.2 rebounds and 0.2 assists in 9.6 minutes per contest.
The fourth-year forward came up a few dimes shy of his fifth career triple-double, instead settling for his 12th double-double of the season. Five of those double-doubles have come in the last seven games, a stretch in which Banchero is averaging 24.1 points, 10.3 boards, 6.0 assists, 1.3 threes and 0.9 blocks while shooting 50.8 percent from the floor.
It was an strong bounce-back performance for Black, who has scored just 11 total points over the prior two games. The third-year guard continues to see elevated usage with a number of key Magic players on the shelf, including Jalen Suggs (knee), and Black has started 15 straight contests, averaging 19.1 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 boards, 2.1 threes, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over that period.
The 23 points led the Magic, who were missing some key pieces in Jalen Suggs (knee) and both Franz Wagner (ankle) and Moritz Wagner (knee). Bane has scored in double digits in 11 of the last 12 games, averaging 20.2 points, 4.8 boards, 4.1 assists, 1.6 threes and 1.6 combined steals and blocks over that stretch, and Orlando will continue to lean on him for offense until the roster gets healthier.
McNeeley has seen some opportunities with minutes off the bench for the Hornets, averaging 2.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game over five appearances in January. However, he'll be back to the G League team for a spell, and he could be more active at that level, where he has posted double-digit scoring totals in five starts and notched two double-doubles this season.
It was the second time in 20 games this season that George recorded multiple steals and blocks in the same contest. The veteran forward has scored in double digits in 13 of 15 games since the beginning of December, averaging 16.6 points, 5.7 boards, 3.5 assists, 2.7 threes and 1.2 steals over that span.
The oft-injured center came up just short of his fifth double-double in 18 games this season. Embiid has suited up for six straight contests -- his longest stretch of uninterrupted play so far in 2025-26 -- and scored at least 22 points in each, averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 boards, 4.3 assists and 1.2 blocks over 33.7 minutes while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.
Stewart is a late addition to the injury report, as he woke up Saturday feeling under the weather. The big man has stepped into a larger role due to the absences of Tobias Harris (hip) and Jalen Duren (ankle), so if Stewart can't play Saturday, the Pistons would have to lean heavily on Paul Reed, Ronald Holland and Tolu Smith in the frontcourt. Per Jacob Richman of Mlive.com, Stewart wasn't at Saturday morning's shootaround.
After recording three steals Wednesday against the Magic, Porter upped his defensive impact Friday as he set a new season high in the category. The 27-year-old forward has had a breakout in his first campaign for Brooklyn, and over 13 games since the beginning of December he's averaged 27.8 points, 7.5 boards, 4.5 threes, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Jaquez was slated to return from a two-game absence due to a wrist injury before Thursday's game against the Bulls was postponed. Now, he's back on the injury report Saturday due to a stomach bug. If he can't play, Pelle Larsson and Simone Fontecchio could see a bump in minutes.
The rookie guard led the Nets in scoring on the night, as he looks increasingly comfortable in the starting five. Demin has scored in double digits in nine of his last 10 games, averaging 15.7 points, 3.7 boards, 3.7 threes, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 28.9 minutes while shooting 44.6 percent from long distance.
The 25-year-old guard continues to get extra court time with Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring) sidelined, and Miller turned Friday's opportunity into the second-best scoring effort of his NBA career, after a 22-point performance Nov. 12 against the Nuggets. Over the last three games, Miller is averaging 12.0 points, 5.0 boards, 1.7 threes and 1.3 assists in 21.3 minutes from the second unit while shooting 56.5 percent from the floor and 55.6 percent (5-for-9) from beyond the arc.
Despite coming into the game with a questionable tag due to an ankle issue, Leonard got the start for the front half of a back-to-back for the Clippers and delivered another strong performance. The veteran forward has scored 20-plus points in 19 straight games dating back to Nov. 28, averaging 29.9 points, 6.8 boards, 3.7 assists, 2.8 threes, 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks in 35.1 minutes over that stretch.
Strawther was back in the rotation, albeit for just 10 minutes. He has played only three times in Denver's past six games, averaging 2.0 points in 10.3 minutes per contest. At this point, there is no reason to consider rostering him outside of very deep leagues.
Watson continues to go from strength to strength, scoring at least 20 points for the sixth straight game while also recording his second double-double of the season. Injuries to other players opened up an opportunity for Watson, and since that time, he has not looked back. In four games over the past week, he has averaged 25.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.8 three-pointers and 2.8 combined steals-plus-blocks.
Braun continued to struggle, failing to score despite playing 25 minutes. In three games since returning from an ankle injury, it's been tough going for Braun, who is averaging just 2.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game during that span. While he will almost certainly be better than this, it's difficult to make a case for him as a must-roster player outside of deeper leagues.
Despite shifting into the starting lineup, Krejci failed to score, missing all eight of his shot attempts. With Zaccharie Risacher sidelined due to a knee issue, Krejci was given an opportunity to play starter-level minutes. His four defensive stats did somewhat salvage what was otherwise a disappointing night. Assuming Atlanta starts to get healthy bodies back on the floor in the coming games, Krejci should be viewed as nothing more than a potential three-point streaming option.
Newell remained in the rotation, largely due to the fact that Atlanta was without a number of key pieces. While he has flashed some interesting upside this season, Newell's role is typically that of a depth piece. In 29 regular-season appearances, he has averaged 5.3 points and 2.0 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per contest.
Wallace scored in double figures for just the fifth time this season, taking advantage of some additional playing time. Both CJ McCollum (not with team) and Corey Kispert (not with team) were unavailable, while Zaccharie Risacher (knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) were late scratches, allowing Wallace to step into a larger role. While this was a positive performance, his role will likely regress again, perhaps as soon as Sunday against the Warriors.
