Paul George
January 2026
George received a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. The NBA announced the penalty and stated the suspension starts immediately with the 76ers’ next game.
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.
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.
Jrue Holiday
January 2026
Holiday received ovations and a tribute video in Boston after helping win the 2024 title, while the Celtics remain second in the East despite this being positioned as a bridge season during Tatum’s recovery. The piece frames Boston’s offseason cost-cutting under the second apron as the reason Holiday and Porzingis were moved, while noting Holiday’s minutes restriction after a calf strain and his reunion with former teammates.
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.
Isaiah Stewart
January 2026
Stewart credits being dunked on early in his career as fuel for becoming an elite rim protector, with strong block production and league-leading rim defense metrics driving Defensive Player of the Year ambition. He describes repeatedly challenging shots without fear, leading to high block totals, low opponent efficiency at the rim, conference monthly defensive honors, and internal endorsements from coaches and teammates.
Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks
January 2026
The NBA postponed Nuggets at Grizzlies and Mavericks at Bucks because a winter storm created unsafe travel conditions, with rescheduled dates not yet announced. Dallas attempted to fly to Milwaukee twice and could not. The league postponed both games hours before tipoff and redirected prepared arena food to local shelters in Milwaukee.
