Houston Rockets vs. Brooklyn Nets - News - January 01, 2026 | FOX Sports

Day'Ron Sharpe - Starting sans Claxton Sharpe is starting in Friday's game against the Wizards.

Impact The big man is getting a crack in the first unit in the absence of Nic Claxton (personal) on Friday. It'll be the first start of the season for Sharpe, who averaged 17.0 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals in 30.8 minutes per game covering a pair of regular-season contests as a starter in 2024-25.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ziaire Williams - Back to bench Friday Williams is not in the Nets' starting lineup against the Wizards on Friday.

Impact Williams was moved into the Nets' starting lineup for Thursday's loss to the Rockets, finishing with 14 points, two rebounds and five steals over 27 minutes. He'll come off the bench Friday due to the returns of Terance Mann and Egor Demin, but Williams should still see a healthy amount of minutes of the bench in the absence of Michael Porter (illness).

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Drake Powell - Reverting to bench role Friday Powell is not in the Nets' starting lineup against the Wizards on Friday.

Impact Powell made his first NBA start against the Rockets on Thursday and finished with eight points, one assist, one steal and two turnovers over 25 minutes. The rookie first-rounder will revert to the bench Friday while Terrance Mann and Egor Demin return to the starting lineup.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Terance Mann - Cleared to play Friday Mann (hip) is available for Friday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Mann has been cleared to return from a one-game absence due to a right hip contusion, and the 2019 second-rounder should see a heavier workload Friday due to the absences of Cam Thomas (rest) and Michael Porter (illness). Across nine games in December, Mann averaged 6.2 points, 4.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 0.8 steals over 25.7 minutes per game.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Steven Adams - Iffy for Saturday Adams is questionable for Saturday's game against Dallas due to a right ankle sprain.

Impact Adams is at risk of missing consecutive contests with the injury. Clint Capela is slated to return from a one-game absence with an illness, so he'd likely move into the backup center role behind Alperen Sengun if Adams is unable to suit up against the Mavericks.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Clint Capela - Removed from injury report Capela (illness) is off the injury report for Saturday's game against Dallas.

Impact After sitting out Thursday's win in Brooklyn with an illness, Capela is set to be available for Friday. With Steven Adams (ankle) questionable against the Mavericks, the Rockets could need Capela to assume the backup role at center behind Alperen Sengun.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Danny Wolf - Sees 29 minutes in loss Wolf provided nine points (4-10 FG, 1-4 3Pt), four rebounds, five assists and two steals in 29 minutes during Thursday's 120-96 loss to the Rockets.

Impact The Nets were very shorthanded Thursday, and that's expected to be the case Friday as well -- Nicolas Claxton is out for personal reasons. With that in mind, Wolf could be in line for another start in the frontcourt. His production has been lacking lately, however.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE