Zach Edey, Scotty Pippen Jr, Brandon Clarke
January 2026
Edey will miss roughly six more weeks with a stress reaction in his left ankle; Clarke and Pippen Jr. are expected back in four to six weeks. Memphis will continue offloading and rehab for Edey with reevaluation in about six weeks. Clarke is rehabbing a calf strain; Pippen Jr. is progressing after a toe procedure.
Moritz Wagner
January 2026
Moritz Wagner played his first NBA game in over a year after ACL recovery, as Orlando travels to play Memphis in Berlin and London; Franz hopes to return from a high ankle sprain by Berlin. Moritz tore his ACL in December 2024 and returned with a short cameo; the team then flew to Europe for two showcase games aimed at growing German basketball exposure.
Conor Bradley
January 2026
Liverpool confirmed Bradley has significant bone and ligament damage in his left knee. ACL fears eased, but he is expected to miss the rest of the 2025-26 domestic season. He was stretchered off at the Emirates, scans showed major structural damage, and Liverpool will send him for surgery followed by rehab at the AXA Training Centre with no return date set.
Ricardo Pepi
January 2026
Pepi scored but suffered a forearm fracture in the 23rd minute, will have surgery, and is expected to miss roughly two months. He finished a back-post chance, landed awkwardly on his arm during the slide, and was substituted immediately. PSV confirmed the fracture and timeline, halting his scoring run that has taken him to 11 goals this season.
Kevin Keegan
January 2026
Kevin Keegan has been diagnosed with cancer after being admitted to hospital for ongoing abdominal symptoms, with his family confirming he will undergo treatment and asking for privacy. The update came via a family statement published on Newcastle’s website. Newcastle also posted public support, calling him “King Kev” and wishing him a full recovery as he begins treatment and continued monitoring.
Kylian Mbappe
January 2026
Real Madrid ruled Kylian Mbappe out of the entire Spanish Super Cup due to a left-knee sprain, opting not to take him to Saudi Arabia, while Trent Alexander-Arnold returns to the travelling squad. Madrid’s medical staff and hierarchy chose a conservative plan after Mbappe played through the issue in recent weeks, deciding he will only return when fully fit and not for a short-term final.
Josko Gvardiol
January 2026
Manchester City confirmed Josko Gvardiol has suffered a tibial fracture after the Chelsea draw, raising concern he could miss a significant period. The defensive situation is compounded by other centre-back issues. Gvardiol went off early in the second half and initial signs looked minor, but medical confirmation revealed a broken right leg. City’s back line is stretched with Ruben Dias also forced off and John Stones already unavailable.
Alperen Sengun
January 2026
Alperen Sengun left Houston’s 110-104 loss to Dallas after spraining his right ankle 1:04 into the game and did not return. Dallas also lost starter P.J. Washington Jr. to a sprained right ankle. Sengun landed awkwardly after a rebound and was helped off, while Houston were already without Steven Adams. Dallas ruled Washington out after the first quarter, with both teams hit early by ankle injuries in the same game.
Kylian Mbappé
January 2026
Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss at least three weeks, hitting Real Madrid as they return from the winter break. He has been a near ever-present this season with 27 goals across La Liga and the Champions League.
How: Mbappé had been managing the issue for weeks but an MRI confirmed a ligament lesion requiring rest and treatment. Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis and will monitor his progress, with the decision to stop now aimed at avoiding a more serious long-term problem.
Austin Reaves
December 2025
The Lakers have ruled Austin Reaves out for a minimum of four weeks after scans confirmed a strained gastrocnemius muscle in his left calf, an issue that previously cost him three games and now halts a career-best season in which he is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Reaves aggravated the calf after returning from an earlier strain, coming off the bench against Phoenix and then starting on Christmas versus Houston before exiting at halftime with 12 points. With a re-evaluation due late January, the Lakers must cover heavy minutes and playmaking in his absence.
