February 18, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (ankle) won't play on Thursday versus Cleveland. He tweaked his ankle during practice on Wednesday, so it appears his absence might extend beyond Thursday's contest. While Claxton is sidelined,
Day'Ron Sharpe will likely replace him in the starting lineup. Sharpe has averaged 13.8 points, 8.5 boards, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks in four starts this season, meaning he needs to be featured in all fantasy lineups as long as Claxton remains on the shelf.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Dylan Cardwell (ankle) sprained his left ankle at practice Tuesday and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento. The rookie was providing 5.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 21.2 minutes across 29 games, flashing strong per-minute rebounding. With
Domantas Sabonis (knee) already out for the season,
Maxime Raynaud is locked into heavy run. Raynaud is averaging 9.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists in 23.5 minutes over 48 games and now projects for 30-plus minutes. He is a must-add in standard leagues, while
Precious Achiuwa gains deeper-league appeal.
--Brian DailisanSource: James Ham
February 18, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (shin) won't play on Thursday versus Atlanta. He reported soreness in his right shin during the All-Star break, so he'll miss at least one contest. However, the 31-year-old will be re-evaluated leading up to Philly's three-game road trip in New Orleans, Minnesota, and Indiana, meaning there is a chance he might miss more time. While Embiid is out of commission,
Andre Drummond, averaging 8.9 points and 10.8 boards in 19 starts this season, will presumably replace him in the rotation.
Adem Bona should also see additional action and would be worth streaming if Drummond sits out a game during the road trip.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Associated Press
February 18, 2026
Orlando Magic forward
Franz Wagner (ankle) will be sidelined indefinitely after further evaluation revealed he requires additional rehabilitation for soreness stemming from a left high ankle sprain, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks, leaving a significant usage gap in the interim. Wagner carries a 25.6 usage rate, and his absence elevates
Anthony Black, who is averaging 16.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 threes in 31.1 minutes across 53 games.
Paolo Banchero should handle more creation duties, while
Tristan da Silva and
Noah Penda profile as short-term streamers.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 18, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward/center
Domantas Sabonis (knee) underwent season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn left meniscus. The 29-year-old was limited to 19 appearances this season, averaging 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 29.7 minutes before being shut down as the 12-44 Kings shift focus to development. With backup center
Dylan Cardwell (ankle) also sidelined, rookie
Maxime Raynaud is positioned to handle 30-plus minutes nightly. Raynaud is averaging 9.8 points and 6.6 rebounds in 23.5 minutes across 48 games and now profiles as a must-add in standard leagues.
Precious Achiuwa should see a steadier run off the bench, while
Keegan Murray and
DeMar DeRozan gain modest usage bumps. Sabonis can be dropped in redraft formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Shams Charania
February 18, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Kyrie Irving (knee) will not return this season as he continues recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery performed March 26, the team announced Wednesday. The 33-year-old has yet to play in 2025-26, and Dallas is prioritizing a full recovery with an eye toward next fall. His absence locks in heavy on-ball duties for rookie guard
Cooper Flagg, who carries a 28.3 usage rate in 35.0 minutes, while
Brandon Williams and
Max Christie should continue seeing expanded roles. Irving remains a stash only in dynasty formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Dallas Mavericks
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Obi Toppin (foot) will remain out on Thursday against the Washington Wizards, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports. Toppin was at Tuesday's practice, but only as a limited participant. According to Pacers head coach, the former dunk champion is making progress in his recovery from right-foot surgery, but it's going to be "a while" before Toppin is ready to play. Toppin enjoyed a strong start to the campaign before landing on the shelf. He averaged 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds across the first three games. As long as he's out,
Jarace Walker and
Micah Potter will benefit from extra minutes in the frontcourt.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dustin Dopirak
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers center
Ivica Zubac (ankle) isn't ready to make his team debut when the season resumes on Thursday, Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports. The Croatian big man was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, and Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the session that it will be "a while" before Zubac is ready to play. The Pacers have the fourth-worst record in the league and aren't in a rush to get Zubac back into the lineup. With him out,
Jay Huff,
Micah Potter, and
Kobe Brown share minutes at center.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dustin Dopirak
February 18, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward/center
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) practiced on Tuesday, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. He is also scheduled to take part in a team scrimmage on Wednesday. This suggests Porzingis could be ready to make his team debut on Thursday against his former squad, the Boston Celtics. The Latvian veteran hasn't played since Jan. 7 due to an Achilles issue. He had a decent start to the campaign with the Atlanta Hawks, recording 17.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game.
Gui Santos may find himself on the bench when Porzingis returns, significantly lowering his fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
February 18, 2026
Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry (knee) is expected to participate in a team scrimmage on Wednesday, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. The team will then determine his status for Thursday's matchup with the Boston Celtics. Curry has been dealing with runner's knee and sat out the final five games before the All-Star break. Due to the issue, the two-time MVP was also unable to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday.
Pat Spencer has been starting at point guard during Curry's absence, averaging 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 1.2 steals over the last five games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Anthony Slater
February 18, 2026
Utah Jazz forward/center
Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove a growth in his left knee. The team plans to re-evaluate him in four weeks to determine his recovery status. Last week, it was reported that Jackson Jr. will miss the rest of the season. After arriving from Memphis in an eight-player trade on Feb. 3, Jackson Jr. suited up for just three games for the Jazz. He averaged 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals. With Jackson Jr. sidelined,
Kyle Filipowski,
Brice Sensabaugh, and
John Konchar are expected to see increased playing time.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
February 18, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (foot) was spotted wearing a walking boot during the All-Star break, but he has avoided a serious injury. The rookie phenom sustained a left midfoot sprain before the break. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks are "relieved" that Flagg's injury isn't more serious. "Cooper Flagg was indeed spotted with a boot on his left foot Saturday at Duke's home game against Clemson, but league sources tell The Stein Line that Dallas feels fortunate that last week's MRI results on Flagg only revealed a left midfoot sprain," Stein reported. "It is still not known precisely how long the 19-year-old will be sidelined, but the Mavericks appear relieved that the injury was not more serious." While it's an encouraging update, Flagg might still miss some action when play resumes. Dallas will return to the court on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
--Taavi PailkSource: Marc Stein
February 17, 2026
Free-agent guard/forward
Alex Morales has signed a two-way contract with the Orlando Magic, while two-way center
Orlando Robinson has been waived. The 28-year-old has averaged 19.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.4 steals in 35.6 minutes across 18 G League appearances. Morales replaces Orlando Robinson on the two-way slot and provides wing depth behind
Jalen Suggs,
Desmond Bane, and
Franz Wagner. With Orlando's wing rotation already full, Morales looks more like depth for now than someone to target in standard leagues, unless injuries start opening minutes on the perimeter.
--Brian DailisanSource: Orlando Magic
February 17, 2026
The Orlando Magic released center
Orlando Robinson from his two-way contract to create space for wing
Alex Morales. Robinson, 25, played in four games this season and averaged 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds in 6.2 minutes. With
Moritz Wagner healthy and
Wendell Carter Jr. entrenched as the starter, Robinson faced a limited path to rotation minutes. He is not expected to hold value in standard leagues and will likely return to the G League to continue his development.
--Brian DailisanSource: Orlando Magic
February 17, 2026
Minnesota Timberwolves guard
Mike Conley finalized a deal with the team Tuesday, according to Michael Scotto of USA Today. The 38-year-old has averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 three, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 18.5 minutes over 44 games this season. He is expected to slot into a reserve role behind
Donte DiVincenzo, while
Ayo Dosunmu continues to handle second-unit playmaking duties. That role caps Conley's fantasy ceiling to deeper formats, with
Anthony Edwards and
Julius Randle driving the offense.
--Brian DailisanSource: Michael Scotto
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