According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, the Suns and Hornets have had "preliminary" talks surrounding a trade involving center Jusuf Nurkic, with the deal involving Hornets center Nick Richards. The 30-year-old has had one of the worst seasons of his career, averaging 8.6 points and 9.2 rebounds. He's also missed 10 games this season while not getting on the floor in Phoenix's previous two contests. With that said, Nurkic could have a tough time getting consistent work in Charlotte, at least while Mark Williams remains healthy, which has been an issue for the former Duke Blue Devil over the years. But it doesn't appear Nurkic will find his way back into the Suns' rotation anytime soon, meaning Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro should continue to handle things in the middle.

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (calf) plans to play on Sunday versus the Mavericks. The 29-year-old, who is averaging only 13.7 points this season, has been burdened by a calf strain. He missed time because of the ailment back in November. However, Gordon aggravated the injury during the Christmas meeting with the Phoenix Suns, keeping him off the floor for Denver's previous nine contests. It's reasonable to assume head coach Mike Malone will be overly cautious with him for at least a few games, so Peyton Watson could continue to see more minutes than usual. But the real question will be how Gordon's return will impact Russell Westbrook, who has averaged 17.3 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.3 rebounds in six games in January.

Detroit Pistons' G Cade Cunningham recorded a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 18 assists and 10 rebounds in a 123-114 win over the Raptors on Saturday, Jan. 11.

Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (face) was ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against Miami, marking his seventh consecutive absence. Head coach Chauncey Billups indicated Grant is still dealing with "a lot of jaw and neck soreness." However, the team plans to "ramp him up in the next couple of days." The 30-year-old has averaged 15.0 points this season, a significant decline from the 2023-24 campaign. Still, fantasy managers will be glad to see him back in the lineup, although that may not be for another week or two. But while Grant is on the shelf, Deni Avdija, averaging 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 19 starts, could continue to surpass his usual fantasy expectations.

Brooklyn Nets forward Cameron Johnson (ankle) won't play on Sunday versus Utah. He's had the best season of his career in 2024-25, averaging 19.5 points, 4.3 boards, and 43.6% shooting from behind the arc. Unfortunately, after the 2019 No. 11 overall pick appeared in 32 of Brooklyn's first 34 contests, he'll now miss a fifth consecutive game on Sunday because of a sprained ankle. With Cam Thomas (hamstring) and D'Angelo Russell (shin) also still sidelined, the team will need others to step up, meaning Keon Johnson, Noah Clowney, Tyrese Martin, and Nicolas Claxton could be more productive on the scoring end.

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (toe) won't play on Sunday versus Orlando. The toe sprain continues to plague the 31-year-old, who will now miss a fourth consecutive contest. With Joel Embiid (foot, face) questionable, Drummond likely would have gotten the start. However, if Embiid doesn't suit up against the Magic, Guerschon Yabusele will likely handle things in the middle. The 2016 No. 16 overall pick has played well enough in his 15 starts this season, averaging 10.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, giving him some upside for fantasy managers.

Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (foot) will remain on the sidelines for a fourth consecutive game on Sunday versus Oklahoma City. The former Sixth Man of the Year is dealing with a plantar fascia contusion in his right foot. Jared Butler has re-entered the rotation with Brogdon out, logging 20-plus minutes in four consecutive contests. He has put in some strong performances, averaging 18.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists over that span. However, Butler's success might not continue on Sunday, as the Wizards face a team that has by far the league's best defensive rating (103.3).

Brooklyn Nets point guard D'Angelo Russell (shin) will not take the court on Sunday against Utah. He injured his right shin a week ago and will miss a fourth consecutive game. The Nets also continue to carry other injuries, giving players like Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, and Ziaire Williams additional fantasy value. Utah has the second-worst defensive rating in the league but ranks near the top 10 in pace, so Sunday's matchup will be a good one for Brooklyn from a fantasy perspective.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Ty Jerome (illness) will likely skip Sunday's contest against Indiana, as he has been listed as doubtful on the injury report. Jerome is feeling under the weather and looks set to miss his second game of the season. The 27-year-old has been an important member of the bench unit this term, contributing 10.1 points in 17.6 minutes, with 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals. Sam Merrill and Caris LeVert might play a bit more with Jerome out of the lineup, with the latter being the better fantasy piece.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Alex Caruso (hip) will sit out a 10th consecutive game when the Western Conference leaders face Washington on Sunday. Caruso hasn't seen action since Dec. 23 due to a hip strain. Ajay Mitchell (toe) initially had a good run in the rotation when Caruso dropped out of the lineup, but he is also now injured. Cason Wallace has started to log 30 minutes regularly, with Isaiah Joe's playing time also getting a boost recently. He exploded for 31 points in 30 minutes, with eight triples on Friday against the Knicks. Joe could undoubtedly do damage again on Sunday against the worst defense in the National Basketball Association.

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III (illness) will not suit up for Saturday's matchup against Miami. He has been downgraded from questionable to out as Williams III battles an illness. Williams III's absence might give us a Duop Reath sighting on Friday, as Portland also won't have the services of Deandre Ayton (calf). Rookie Donovan Clingan will get the nod as the starter at center.

Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (heel) will remain absent from the lineup against Portland on Saturday. He last saw action on Nov. 18 and is nursing a heel injury. The team has downgraded Richardson from questionable to out ahead of tip-off for Saturday's game. The Heat have plenty of options at the guard positions, so even when Richardson eventually returns to the rotation, it's unlikely he will get enough minutes to help fantasy managers.

Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's contest against Miami. He's out for the first time in 12 games, missing the action due to left calf soreness. Robert Williams (illness) isn't available either for Saturday's game, giving Donovan Clingan an opportunity to show what he can do with a bigger workload. He's been confirmed as a starter for the game. The rookie giant has previously averaged 8.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks as a member of the first unit.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (elbow, shin) has once again picked up a questionable tag on the injury report as the team prepares to face the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, on Sunday. Murray is currently nursing elbow and shin injuries, but the ailments haven't kept him out of the lineup on previous occasions. We will likely see Murray out there on Sunday. However, if he needs to take some time off to heal, Jose Alvarado's fantasy stock would receive a boost. He's more known as a defensive specialist, but Alvarado can also make an impact on the offensive end, evident from his 13-point, nine-assist outing on Friday against Philadelphia.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (ankle) will return to action in Sunday's matchup against Boston. He's available to play again after sitting out three contests with an ankle sprain. Murphy III has been huge for the Pelicans lately, averaging 23.7 points across his last 12 appearances. However, this spell has come with Zion Williamson out of the lineup, and Murphy III will have a lesser role offensively going forward. With that said, the 24-year-old has good all-around talent and still has plenty to offer fantasy managers. With Murphy III back, we will likely see less of Brandon Boston Jr. in Sunday's game.

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (elbow) is considered probable for Sunday's matchup against Sacramento. He has been listed on the injury report with a right elbow contusion. Williams has struggled recently, and the injury is another blow for him. The 23-year-old has been limited to 5.6 points on a horrible 29 percent shooting this month, so even if Williams suits up for Sunday's game, fantasy managers should look elsewhere. If Williams is out, Rookie Matas Buzelis and Julian Phillips might see more playing time, but they are non-factors in fantasy basketball.

Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry (hip) will miss a fourth consecutive contest on Sunday against Orlando. The veteran guard is battling a hip sprain, and it's unclear when Lowry will be able to make a comeback. On Friday, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said there is no timeline for Lowry's return. There appears to be no beneficiary of his absence either, as Reggie Jackson has continued to see very few minutes, with the team leaning heavily on starting point guard Tyrese Maxey, who has surpassed the 40-minute mark twice in four games.

Orlando Magic guard/forward Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee) will likely be available for Sunday's contest against Philadelphia, as the team has listed him as probable on the injury report. Left knee soreness forced Caldwell-Pope to make an early exit against Milwaukee on Friday, but it seems that it is not a serious issue for the veteran. Due to limited action, Caldwell-Pope posted only three points on Friday, but he has had plenty of offensive success since the calendar flipped. The two-time NBA champion is shooting 48.3 percent from three-point range in January, averaging 11.5 points.

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (back) will sit out a fifth straight game on Sunday against Philadelphia. He has landed on the shelf after sustaining a lower back strain against Toronto on Jan. 3. Suggs' next chance to return comes on Jan. 15 against Milwaukee. However, the team has ruled Suggs out indefinitely, so it might be a while until he's back in action. Suggs's absence has boosted Cole Anthony's fantasy stock, and he's put together a strong stretch of games ahead of Sunday's action. The 24-year-old has averaged 16.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.3 steals since taking over Suggs' starting role.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero is not listed on the injury report for Sunday's clash with Philadelphia. Orlando's star man returned from a torn oblique on Friday against Milwaukee, putting up 34 points with seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and a pair of steals. He logged only 27 minutes due to a playing time restriction following his long layoff. Banchero might need a bit of time until he's ready for a full workload, but the fact that he isn't on the injury report indicates that he's fully recovered, and it shouldn't take long before he's back to getting his regular minutes again.