February 26, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will not play Thursday night in the late game against Minnesota. He is dealing with soreness in his left ankle and will remain day-to-day going forward. He played 33 minutes in Sunday's loss to Orlando, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, but he'll miss Thursday's game, leaving more time and usage for the rest of the rotation. The main players who will need to step up are
Kobe Sanders and
Jordan Miller, who are each interesting options for DFS and streaming purposes in expanded roles against Minnesota.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Houston Rockets guard
Amen Thompson (quad) missed Wednesday night's matchup with the Kings due to left quadriceps tendinitis, but he is not on the injury report and should be ready to return on Thursday against the Magic. Thompson will continue to play through the issue as he has for at least a few weeks. It seems to be slowing him down a little on offense, but he's still playing huge minutes and contributing on the defensive end. He did show a little offensive spark with 20 points on Monday against the Jazz, though, and he always brings a high ceiling with his multi-category potential. He can be used in your fantasy lineups as you normally would for Thursday's contest, while
Reed Sheppard will return to his normal role after getting extra work on Wednesday and dropping 28 points in 32 minutes against Sacramento.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (hip) was initially questionable for Thursday's game against the Wizards, but has been downgraded to out. He tweaked his hip in Tuesday's win over Washington and will miss the rematch Thursday. Without him, new Hawks addition
Jonathan Kuminga will carry a large workload. In his Hawks' debut on Tuesday, Kuminga impressed with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three three-pointers in 25 minutes. In the same matchup on Thursday, Kuminga has a very high ceiling.
Zaccharie Risacher (hip) could also get extra work if he plays through his own questionable tag in this favorable spot
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Tristan Vukcevic (hip) was questionable with a hip impingement, but he'll be able to play on Thursday against Atlanta. Vukcevic has been dealing with a hand injury in addition to his hip issue, but he should be ready to roll on Thursday. He had five points, six rebounds, and one assist in 22 minutes on Tuesday in the first game of this two-game series in Atlanta. He and
Anthony Gill have been sharing the minutes at center with Alex Sarr (hamstring) sidelined. If Vukcevic is limited at all, Gill could get more run, but for now, it looks like each will limit the upside of the other.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (knee) was downgraded from questionable to out for Thursday night's matchup against the Hawks. George has been effective when available but has been in and out of the lineup with a variety of injuries. Now he's dealing with a left knee contusion, possibly suffered on Tuesday in a loss to the Hawks in the first game of this two-game set in Atlanta. Without him on Thursday, the Wizards will likely give more playing time to
Justin Champagnie,
Will Riley, and
Jamir Watkins, who has his two-way contract converted to a standard deal earlier in the day.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (ankle, hip) will not play Thursday after spraining his right ankle and suffering a right hip impingement during Wednesday's practice. His status is not surprising since the Jazz are being so cautious with their best players, and Markkanen could be headed for an extended absence, depending on the results of the MRI he had on Wednesday. Without him against the Pelicans on Thursday, other Jazz forwards like
John Konchar,
Brice Sensabaugh, and
Kyle Filipowski will pick up more work and could have fantasy value in a favorable matchup.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (groin) was a late addition to his team's injury report on Thursday afternoon and is questionable for the team's game in Philadelphia due to right groin soreness. He missed time just before the All-Star break due to an illness, but he has played three games since the break and scored 26 points in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. With
Davion Mitchell (illness) also questionable, there could be lots of work in Miami's backcourt for
Kasparas Jakucionis,
Pelle Larsson, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. alongside
Tyler Herro, who is still playing limited minutes after his recent return.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report.
February 26, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Jamir Watkins has been getting good playing time lately, and the two-way player has played his way into a standard contract. The 24-year-old has played seven of the Wizards' last eight games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28 minutes per game. Watkins should continue to get good playing time now that the team doesn't have to manage his days with the NBA team. He's a bargain DFS option or a deep league streamer to consider when the Wizards are short-handed, as they will be on Thursday against the Hawks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
February 26, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against Sacramento as he manages a right ankle injury. With Dallas on a back-to-back, the expectation is that Gafford could return Friday against Memphis, but he is unlikely to suit up in this opener.
Marvin Bagley III is positioned to start after producing 22 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes last game. Bagley becomes a short-term streaming option, while
Naji Marshall and
Max Christie could absorb added rebounding chances if Gafford sits.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (ankle/hip) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against New Orleans after picking up right ankle and hip issues during practice. Markkanen is one of Utah's go-to scorers and key floor spacers, so if he sits, the Jazz will have to spread those shots around and lean more on their other scoring options.
John Konchar could slide into the starting group after logging 24 minutes with five points and three steals last game, but
Brice Sensabaugh carries the higher ceiling after erupting for 26 points and four three-pointers in 32 minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ben Anderson
February 26, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward/center
P.J. Washington (ankle) will sit out Thursday against Sacramento after spraining his left ankle late in Tuesday's win over Brooklyn. Washington usually soaks up around 28 minutes a night, so there are real minutes to fill, especially with
Daniel Gafford (ankle) also banged up.
Klay Thompson stepped into a larger scoring role last game with 17 points in 23 minutes, while
Caleb Martin chipped in five rebounds across the same workload. Thompson carries scoring upside but remains streaky, and Martin is more of a deep-league filler.
Naji Marshall should see the most stable bump in usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder center
Branden Carlson (back) will not return Wednesday against Detroit after experiencing low back soreness in the opening quarter. The two-way big man logged four minutes and finished with four points, four rebounds, and two assists before exiting. Carlson averages just 11 minutes and typically sees run only when
Chet Holmgren (back) or
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) rests, limiting his fantasy relevance. If Holmgren and Hartenstein remain sidelined on Friday,
Jaylin Williams becomes the priority add after erupting for 30 points, 11 rebounds, and five three-pointers in 36 minutes last game.
--Brian DailisanSource: Nick Crain
February 26, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Isaiah Joe (glute) was ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against Detroit after suffering a left glute contusion in the first half. He logged 14 minutes and finished with three points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal before being sidelined. The injury halts his recent surge, as he had delivered back-to-back 22-point outings with six three-pointers in each. Should he miss Friday,
Jared McCain becomes a viable streaming target after posting 20 points and four three pointers in 30 minutes last game.
--Brian DailisanSource: Nick Crain
February 26, 2026
Toronto Raptors forward/center
Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) will not return Wednesday against San Antonio after aggravating a left thumb contusion in the second half. The rookie logged 15 minutes and produced four points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal before being shut down. Murray-Boyles has averaged 22 minutes this season, but any absence should push
Jakob Poeltl into a heavier run after he posted 15 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 28 minutes off the bench last game.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is a deeper-league flier.
--Brian DailisanSource: Kayla Grey
February 26, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (illness) exited Wednesday's game against Boston and will not return after logging just eight minutes. He finished with two points on 1-of-3 shooting and one assist before being shut down. Murray entered the night averaging 34.8 minutes and a 28.4 percent usage rate, so any absence would shift ballhandling toward
Nikola Jokic and
Christian Braun.
Bruce Brown, who posted four points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 28 minutes last game, becomes a fringe streamer if Murray sits Friday.
--Brian DailisanSource: Denver Nuggets
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