Injuries & Player Updates

Austin Reaves Returns After 19-Game Absence as Lakers Manage Minutes

Austin Reaves
January 2026

Reaves returned off the bench after missing 19 games with a left calf strain, posting 15 points in 21 minutes in a 125-109 win over the Nets. Redick put him on restricted minutes and said the team has missed him across the board. The absence has limited how the Lakers can judge their ceiling, with LeBron calling him an “All-Star 2-guard” level piece.

Sengun Replaces Gilgeous-Alexander on Team World for All-Star 2026

Alperen Şengün
January 2026

Alperen Şengün was named as the replacement for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Team World for the 75th NBA All-Star Game after Gilgeous-Alexander was ruled out with an abdominal strain. Şengün earned his second straight All-Star selection while averaging roughly 21 points, 9 rebounds and over 6 assists, helping Houston to a top-four West record. The event uses a three-team format with Team World facing two USA teams in a short round-robin tournament at Intuit Dome.

Jonathan Kuminga Out At Least One Week With Knee Bone Bruise

Jonathan Kuminga
January 2026

Newly acquired Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga will miss at least one week with a left knee bone bruise, with evaluation planned after the 2026 All-Star break. Atlanta says the injury occurred on Jan. 22 while he was with Golden State. Kuminga and Buddy Hield arrived in the deal that sent Kristaps Porziņģis to the Warriors. Onyeka Okongwu returned versus Charlotte wearing a protective mask after a dental fracture.

Mac McClung Replaces David Jones Garcia in Rising Stars

Mac McClung
January 2026

Mac McClung will replace injured David Jones Garcia on Team Austin in the 2026 Castrol Rising Stars event at Intuit Dome, part of NBA All-Star weekend. Jones Garcia is out with a right ankle injury. The Bulls signed McClung to a two-way deal on Feb. 5, 2026; he is a three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and had brief NBA minutes this season.

Bucks Not Shutting Down Giannis as Calf Rehab Nears Return Phase

Milwaukee Bucks
January 2026

Doc Rivers says the Milwaukee Bucks will not shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo for the season, but his return from a right calf strain remains uncertain. Giannis has been out since January 23 and expected a four-to-six-week absence. Rivers says Giannis is close, working out, and will play once healthy. After the trade deadline passed, teammates described relief as rumors cooled, helped by Giannis posting “I’m not leaving.” Milwaukee’s record has dipped without him, keeping pressure on the club.

Scoot Henderson Cleared for Season Debut After Hamstring Tear

Scoot Henderson
January 2026

Scoot Henderson is set to make his season debut for the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday at home against the Memphis Grizzlies after recovering from a torn left hamstring. Interim coach Tiago Splitter says the guard will be available. Henderson tore the hamstring during an offseason workout in September and has been rehabbing since. Portland plans to reintegrate him in game action now that he has cleared return-to-play steps, giving the 22-year-old his first minutes of the campaign.

Luka Dončić Hamstring Scare: MRI Scheduled After Exiting Lakers Win vs 76er

Luka Dončić
January 2026

Dončić left the game late in the first half with left leg soreness described as a sore hamstring and will undergo imaging. He felt discomfort, limped off, and was ruled out for the second half after staff assessed he should not continue. The Lakers still won 119-115 after a big Reaves scoring burst on restricted minutes. The report highlights ongoing availability issues for the Lakers’ core, noting limited games with Dončić, Reaves, and James all together this season.

Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Out Until After All-Star Break With Abdominal Strain

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
January 2026

Gilgeous-Alexander has an abdominal strain, will miss the remaining pre-break games, and will not play in the 2026 All-Star Game; OKC face a major short-term blow. The team will reassess after the break. The report notes OKC’s wider injury list and that SGA’s 20+ point streak (121) sits second all-time behind Chamberlain’s 126.

Austin Reaves Returns After 19-Game Absence as Lakers Manage Minutes

Austin Reaves
January 2026

Reaves returned off the bench after missing 19 games with a left calf strain, posting 15 points in 21 minutes in a 125-109 win over the Nets. Redick put him on restricted minutes and said the team has missed him across the board. The absence has limited how the Lakers can judge their ceiling, with LeBron calling him an “All-Star 2-guard” level piece.

Durant Sits With Sprained Ankle After Stepping on Fan’s Foot

Kevin Durant
January 2026

Kevin Durant missed Houston’s game after spraining his left ankle when he stepped on a fan’s foot. Coach Udoka said he tweaked it and offered no return date. Durant was named an All-Star reserve on Sunday. Durant played heavy minutes in a recent win over Dallas, then was ruled out about 90 minutes before tip. Reed Sheppard is expected to start in his place. Houston said he had not missed games for injury this season before now.

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