February 20, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (hamstring) and guard
Jalen Pickett (knee) are available for Friday's game against Portland. Murray was initially listed with right hamstring tightness on the second night of a back-to-back but will handle his usual workload. Over his last 10 games, he has produced 24.2 points, 8.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 36.3 minutes, reinforcing his must-start status in all formats. His return keeps
Christian Braun and
Cameron Johnson in complementary roles alongside
Nikola Jokic. Pickett is available despite the knee soreness, though his 15 minutes per game keep him off the radar outside of deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (knee) will play Friday against the Clippers after being added to the injury report earlier in the day. The 41-year-old remains a high-end fantasy anchor, producing 21.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 6.8 rebounds across 35.8 minutes per game in his last four outings, with one triple-double and three double-doubles in that span. With
Luka Doncic and
Deandre Ayton also active, usage should remain balanced, but James' 28.5 percent role keeps him locked into elite territory.
Austin Reaves can settle back into his usual secondary playmaking role, while
Rui Hachimura's upside remains limited with the starters healthy.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Max Christie (ankle) has been downgraded to out ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was initially listed as questionable, but will ultimately take a seat due to a lingering ankle injury. The expectation is that his playing time will be split up between
Klay Thompson and
Tyus Jones during Friday's game. Neither guard has been a consistent contributor lately, but Thompson has the higher update between the two of them. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley (calf) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Mobley made his return to the court on Thursday after missing seven games due to a calf strain. The Cavs have decided to take the cautious approach and rest Mobley in the second leg of the back-to-back set. The absence of Mobley will likely free up playing time for multiple players in the rotation.
Jaylon Tyson,
Dean Wade, and
Sam Merrill figure to all see increased run on Friday. Among the three players, Tyson is the best streaming choice for Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (ribs) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. As expected, Herro will suit up after missing the last 15 games due to a right rib injury. He hasn't suited up for a game since mid-January, so fantasy managers should expect Herro to have a minutes limit. There is no word on how many minutes he'll play, so DFS players should be cautious. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Herro active on Friday. It'll be interesting to see if he plays during the second leg of the back-to-back set on Saturday. For now, Herro is safe for Friday's slate, but fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for another update.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (back) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Powell missed the final two games before the All-Star break. He has received plenty of rest and is ready to go for the first game out of the break. There is no word on Powell being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to have his full workload. Powell is averaging 23.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game this season. Fantasy managers should make sure to double-check their lineups and get Powell active.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Claxton will miss both games in the back-to-back set, and this marks his third absence in a row. The Nets haven't given a timetable for his return, but his next chance to play will come Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.
Day'Ron Sharpe should continue seeing an increased role in the rotation while Claxton is out. Sharpe has been inconsistent at times, but is a more appealing streaming option with Claxton unavailable.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (toe) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. George suited up for Thursday's contest, but he appears to have suffered a toe sprain in the process. He finished with six points, three rebounds, and one assist in 19 minutes during Thursday's win. The Wizards have decided to play it safe during the second leg of the back-to-back set and hold out George on Friday. His absence should mean increased playing time for
Justin Champagnie and
Will Riley. Between the two, Champagnie is the better streaming option for Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Nembhard will officially miss the second leg of this back-to-back set due to a back issue. He finished with five points, four assists, and had six turnovers across 22 minutes on Thursday. His minutes will likely be split up between
T.J. McConnell and
Kam Jones. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Dallas Mavericks. McConnell is the better streaming option between the two guards with Jones sidelined.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. McConnell is back in the mix after sitting out Thursday's game due to a lingering hamstring injury. The veteran guard could be asked to play a larger role on Friday with
Andrew Nembhard (back) listed as doubtful. Normally, McConnell only plays minutes in the teens, but he'd be a more attractive streaming option if Nembhard is unable to play. Fantasy managers should check back for an update on Nembhard ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (illness) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Markkanen has gone from questionable to being completely ruled out due to an illness. The Jazz are tanking, so it's not shocking to see them sit Markkanen even for something that's probably minor. When healthy, Markkanen has been solid, averaging 26.7 points, 2.1 assists, and 7.0 rebounds across 34.4 minutes per game. His absence should mean an increased workload for
Brice Sensabaugh in the rotation. Sensabaugh is coming off a 28-point performance before the All-Star break. His fantasy value will likely rise in the second half with the Jazz resting their veterans more frequently.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam (personal) will miss Friday's rematch with Washington after sitting out Thursday's contest as well. His next opportunity to return comes Sunday against Dallas. With Siakam sidelined and
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) also out, Indiana has leaned heavily on
Jarace Walker, who logged 30 minutes and delivered 19 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in the first meeting with Washington.
Micah Potter added 14 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes. Walker is a must-stream in all formats, while Potter profiles as a viable deep-league add until Siakam returns.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
February 20, 2026
Memphis Grizzlies guards
Ty Jerome (calf) and
Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) have been ruled out for Friday's matchup against Utah. Expect
Cam Spencer,
Javon Small, and
Jahmai Mashack to pick up the slack in the backcourt while the usual ball handlers sit. Spencer logged 22 minutes with nine assists and one steal in a Feb. 11 loss to Denver, while Mashack posted nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block in 22 minutes. Small last played Feb. 9, recording eight points, two 3-pointers, and two steals in 21 minutes. Spencer profiles as the safest deep-league assist streamer, while Mashack offers multi-category upside in expanded run.
--Brian DailisanSource: Grizzlies PR
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (hamstring) is not listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Clippers after missing four contests before the All-Star break. He saw limited action during All-Star weekend and could have his workload managed in his first Lakers appearance since Feb. 5. In his last five games, Doncic averaged 26.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 3.6 3-pointers in 28.4 minutes, carrying a 37.6 percent usage rate. He remains a must-start in all formats, though managers should monitor minutes.
Austin Reaves and
LeBron James may see slightly reduced on-ball volume with Doncic back.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) is not listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Clippers after missing two contests before the All-Star break. With the roster back to full strength, Ayton is expected to reclaim his starting role, pushing
Jaxson Hayes to the bench. Over his last five games, Ayton has averaged 12.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 27.5 minutes, offering steady rebounding with modest usage behind
Luka Doncic and
LeBron James. He profiles as a mid-tier center hold, while Hayes loses short-term streaming appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
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