Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors, while center Moussa Diabate is listed as probable on the injury report. Kalkbrenner will sit out his ninth consecutive game due to a sprained left elbow. Diabate skipped a couple of games last week due to a wrist sprain, but it looks like he will be good to go against Toronto. With Kalkbrenner sidelined, Diabate has stepped into a regular starting role, averaging 8.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game with the first unit. Facing a Raptors team missing Jakob Poeltl (back) on Wednesday, Diabate is well-positioned for another productive outing.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (back) won't take the court on Wednesday night against the Utah Jazz. The defensive specialist is dealing with a lower back issue and is missing a second consecutive game. Caruso's absence opens up additional playing time for Aaron Wiggins, Cason Wallace, and Isaiah Joe. Of the trio, Wiggins appears to be the safest bet to deliver fantasy value, as he had a starting role in Monday's victory over the Charlotte Hornets, filling in for Isaiah Hartenstein (calf).

Charlotte Hornets guard/forward Brandon Miller (knee) is considered probable for Wednesday's matchup against the Toronto Raptors. He is on the injury report with a left knee contusion, but the issue isn't expected to keep Miller off the floor. Miller struggled against Toronto earlier in the season, posting only 19 points across two games. However, he has looked like a different player in recent weeks. Through his first outings in 2026, Miller has posted 23.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game.

Brooklyn Nets center Nicolas Claxton (personal) will return from a two-game absence on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic. He missed a pair of games last week for personal reasons. While Claxton wasn't at Tuesday's practice, the team has not listed him on the injury report, indicating that he is ready to rejoin the lineup. Claxton's return will bump Day'Ron Sharpe to the bench, significantly lowering his fantasy value. Orlando has done a decent job defensively against centers this season and limited Claxton to 13 points and five rebounds earlier in the campaign.

Orlando Magic forward/center Moritz Wagner (knee) will remain on the shelf on Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. The German big man is expected to make his season debut this week, but he won't be available for the second leg of a back-to-back. Wagner's next chance to return will come on Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers. Orlando also has a meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans scheduled for Sunday. Given Wagner's extended absence due to a knee injury, he's likely to be eased back into action with a strict minutes restriction upon his return, limiting his fantasy appeal.

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (knee) has been ruled out for Wednesday's matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. On Tuesday, Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said Suggs has not been cleared for on-court activities, so this probably won't be his last absence. With Suggs sidelined, Tristan da Silva made a second consecutive start in Tuesday's loss to the Washington Wizards, scoring 13 points and snagging two steals. Tyus Jones and Jase Richardson also had increased roles, with the latter scoring a team-high 20 points. The Magic struggled in the first half, leading to bench players like Jones and Richardson seeing a lot of action.

Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (ankle) will remain sidelined on Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. He has missed 13 games with a high ankle sprain, but the German star appears to be nearing his comeback. Last Friday, it was reported that Orlando expects Wagner to be available "within the next week." With Jalen Suggs (knee) also out on Wednesday, players like Tristan da Silva, Anthony Black, Tyus Jones, and Jase Richardson will have additional fantasy value. That said, this isn't a good matchup from a fantasy standpoint, as Orlando will face a slow-paced team that has the fourth-best defensive record in the Eastern Conference.

Pelicans' F Trey Murphy III scored 42 points on 14-of-26 shooting in a 103-111 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday, Jan. 6.

Golden State Warriors forward/center Draymond Green (ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Green could already miss his second game this month after spraining his left ankle during Monday's loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis are candidates for increased playing time if Green misses Wednesday's action. That said, it's a difficult fantasy matchup for the duo, as Milwaukee allows the third-fewest fantasy points to centers.

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (concussion) will be sidelined for a second consecutive game on Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons. Smith entered concussion protocol over the weekend after sustaining a head injury during a game against the Charlotte Hornets. Chicago's frontcourt is also currently without Zach Collins (toe), opening up a spot in the rotation for Lachlan Olbrich. The 22-year-old rookie failed to impress on Monday night against the Boston Celtics, finishing scoreless in 12 minutes and recording two rebounds and two assists.

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (illness) has been tagged as questionable on the injury report for Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons. He is dealing with an illness, and if Buzelis can't shake it off before tip-off, he would miss his first game of the season. The 21-year-old sophomore has taken an impressive leap in 2025-26, averaging 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. Patrick Williams and Julian Phillips will likely be called upon to take on larger roles Wednesday night if Buzelis is unavailable.

Detroit Pistons point guard Cade Cunningham (wrist) is considered probable for Wednesday's contest against the Chicago Bulls. Detroit's leading man is dealing with a right wrist injury, but the probable designation indicates that Cunningham isn't expected to miss time. The 24-year-old is averaging a double-double for a second consecutive month. He has notched 29.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10.3 assists, 1.7 blocks, and 2.0 steals per game through his first few outings of 2026. If Cunningham experiences a setback, Jaden Ivey and Daniss Jenkins will take on a greater workload against Chicago.

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (calf) is considered questionable for Wednesday's tilt against the Detroit Pistons. On Monday, White made a sooner-than-expected return to the lineup from a right calf injury, but he may sit out some action again. Tre Jones and Kevin Huerter will likely see more time on the court if White is unavailable, although Wednesday presents a challenging matchup for the Bulls against the league's second-ranked defense.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) will miss a sixth consecutive game on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. Hartenstein is recovering from a right soleus strain and doesn't have a return timeline. Chet Holmgren has operated as the starting center during Hartenstein's absence, with Branden Carlson seeing additional action off the bench. Wednesday's matchup is a juicy spot for the Thunder bigs against a team that struggles against centers. Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace have filled in for Hartenstein in the starting lineup.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) has been upgraded to questionable on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's contest against the Washington Wizards. The veteran has been sidelined since Nov. 14 due to a knee sprain, but he could be ready to return to the court against his former team. Before injuring his left knee, Oubre Jr. was performing well. He has averaged 16.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in 34.8 minutes this season. Initially, Oubre Jr.'s workload is likely to be limited upon his return.

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Boston Celtics. The veteran sniper is dealing with an illness and wasn't available for Monday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers. Denver was short-handed on Monday and could be in a similar situation on Wednesday, with Jamal Murray (ankle), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), and Christian Braun (ankle) all also questionable. Players like Jalen Pickett, Spencer Jones, and Zeke Nnaji stepped up on Monday night and may be asked to do it again against Boston.

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Christian Braun (ankle) carries a questionable tag on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. On Sunday, the 24-year-old returned to the lineup from a seven-week absence, but Braun didn't play in Monday's contest against the Philadelphia 76ers. He may now miss a second straight game. Braun's absence would give additional fantasy value to Bruce Brown and Spencer Jones. However, Wednesday's matchup is unattractive from a fantasy perspective, as Boston plays at the slowest pace in the league.

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's clash against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with a left ankle sprain, which may sideline Murray for a second consecutive contest. Overall, Murray has shown impressive durability this season, skipping only two games. With Murray out, Jalen Pickett had an outstanding game in Monday's overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Pickett could make some noise again on Wednesday if he maintains a starting role.

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been tagged as questionable on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. After he returned from a hamstring injury on Sunday against the Brooklyn Nets, Gordon sat out the second leg of a back-to-back on Monday night versus the Philadelphia 76ers. The team will not want to risk an injury setback and may keep Gordon out of action again on Wednesday. Peyton Watson and Zeke Nnaji are in a position to contribute more if Gordon doesn't play.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward Max Strus (foot) will be out for at least another month, the team announced Tuesday. Strus underwent foot surgery on Aug. 26 and was initially expected to resume basketball activities in three to four months. However, the 29-year-old has yet to play this season. It's now clear that Strus will remain out at least until February. Jaylon Tyson and Sam Merrill have capitalized on Strus' absence this season, both showing major improvement in their offensive production.