Nikola Jokić
January 2026
Jokić returned from a hyperextended left knee on a minutes restriction and produced an immediate impact in a Nuggets win over the Clippers. After missing 16 games, he posted 31 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes as Denver won 122-109, indicating a controlled ramp-up while restoring Denver’s primary engine.
Nikola Jokić
January 2026
Jokić returned to the starting lineup after missing 16 games with a hyperextended left knee and will be managed with a minutes restriction. Denver went 10-6 without him; his return supports Denver’s push while Gordon is out again with a right hamstring issue and other teammates remain sidelined; Jokić is also tracking the 65-game threshold for major award eligibility.
Onyeka Okongwu
January 2026
Okongwu suffered a dental fracture and lost at least one tooth after being elbowed in the mouth; he will miss at least the next game. Brown was called for a flagrant foul and said the contact was unintentional; Okongwu briefly returned to shoot a free throw before exiting, with Snyder confirming he will need dental work.
Onyeka Okongwu
January 2026
Okongwu suffered a dental fracture after being elbowed in the mouth and will miss at least the next game, despite returning briefly to take a foul shot. Brown was assessed a flagrant foul and said it was accidental; Snyder confirmed Okongwu took a heavy shot and will need dental work, with the Hawks managing him day to day.
Aaron Gordon
January 2026
Gordon has a right hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in four to six weeks, removing a key starter from Denver’s rotation. The injury occurred in the win over Milwaukee; he is averaging 17.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season, with Denver sitting third in the West.
Steven Adams
January 2026
The Rockets announced Adams will miss the rest of the season after left ankle surgery. He suffered the injury against New Orleans and was diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain; Houston lose a key rebounder and interior presence while already missing Fred VanVleet for the season.
Evan Mobley
January 2026
Mobley will miss time again with a left calf strain, his second calf issue this season. Tightness after the Magic win led to MRI confirmation; he previously missed five games with a Grade 1 calf strain and remains among league leaders in blocks.
Evan Mobley
January 2026
Mobley has a calf strain and is expected to miss one to three weeks, with Cleveland preparing for a road trip after hosting the Lakers. Tightness after the Magic game led to imaging confirmation; Mobley previously missed time with a Grade 1 calf strain and recently became the youngest Cavs player to reach 500 career blocks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
January 2026
Rivers confirmed a right calf strain and said there is no timetable for Antetokounmpo’s return, after Giannis had suggested a 4–6 week absence based on prior experience. The update highlights recurrence, prior missed time, and Bucks workload monitoring that did not prevent re-injury, with the team not considering shutting him down for the season.
Stephen Curry, Draymond Green
January 2026
Curry and Green were held out of a loss to the Timberwolves due to knee soreness and a back issue, adding to a depleted rotation already missing Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga. Kerr said Curry’s knee worsened enough Monday morning to rule him out, with optimism both could return next game, while the broader context is a compressed schedule and multiple key injuries.
