March 19, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward/center
Jalen Smith (calf) is out for Thursday's game against the Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Monday against Houston. His absence should mean more run for
Nick Richards, who finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 30 minutes in a recent start, putting him on the radar as a deep-league streamer for boards and defensive stats during the fantasy playoffs.
Guerschon Yabusele could also see a larger role after producing five rebounds and two steals in a prior start.
Matas Buzelis may also absorb extra frontcourt usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: K.C. Johnson
March 19, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Collin Sexton (leg) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton made his return after a four-game absence on Wednesday. He finished with 14 points, five assists, and one steal across 18 minutes of action. There was some speculation that Sexton would sit out the second leg of the back-to-back set. That won't be the case as Sexton is available and should see a slightly heavier workload. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Sexton active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: Will Gottlieb
March 19, 2026
Phoenix Suns forward
Royce O'Neale (knee) is out for Thursday's game against the Spurs, marking his first absence of the season and an unfortunate development during fantasy playoff week with Phoenix scheduled for five games. Rookie forward
Rasheer Fleming could draw a spot start after posting nine points with two three-pointers in 15 minutes last game, while
Ryan Dunn added seven points, four rebounds, and one block in 17 minutes. Both are only on the radar in deeper leagues for managers needing short-term help.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers guard
Darius Garland (foot) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Unsurprisingly, the Clippers have decided to rest Garland in the second leg of this back-to-back set. He finished with 13 points with six assists across 29 minutes of action on Wednesday. He figures to be back in the mix for Saturday's game. The expectation is that
Kobe Sanders will likely move into the starting five, while
Kris Dunn sees an increased workload as well. Dunn is the more consistent fantasy option between the two, even with Sanders likely starting.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Malik Monk (ankle) is slated to suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He will return to action after missing four straight games due to a right ankle sprain. Monk is expected to be assigned a heavy workload in his return, with
Nique Clifford (hamstring) sidelined. The 28-year-old is averaging 12.6 points, 2.7 assists and 2.0 three-pointers per contest across 53 outings this campaign.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (oblique) has been downgraded to unavailable for Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings. Embiid was previously listed as doubtful and will now miss his 11th consecutive contest due to a right oblique strain. His next opportunity to return will be Saturday against the Utah Jazz.
Adem Bona and
Andre Drummond should continue to see increased frontcourt minutes in his absence. Drummond has been the more reliable fantasy option of late, even in a reserve role.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports that Miami Heat guard
Terry Rozier is expected to be released in the near future. Chiang adds that Rozier will not be part of the team's playoff roster, with a formal release anticipated in the coming weeks. The 32-year-old veteran has been away from the team since October following his arrest as part of a federal investigation tied to sports gambling.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Anthony Chiang
March 19, 2026
Miami Heat forward/center
Nikola Jovic (back) is slated to suit up Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jovic was available during Tuesday's matchup with Charlotte, but he didn't see any playing time. Jovic has been out of action for nearly a month due to a back issue. His minutes will likely be limited with
Bam Adebayo (calf) back in action after a one-game absence due to right calf tightness.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Jaime Jaquez Jr. (hip) is unavailable for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 25-year-old will be held out of action during tonight's contest due to hip tightness. With Jaquez Jr. out,
Simone Fontecchio and
Keshad Johnson will likely be assigned expanded roles. Both turned in impressive outings off the bench in Tuesday's loss to the Hornets, combining for 25 points. Johnson also logged three steals and one blocked shot.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Orlando Magic center
Wendell Carter Jr. (rib) will not play on Thursday due to a rib contusion. Even though he wasn't on the team's initial injury report, they downgraded him straight to out on Thursday afternoon. Carter had been playing well with double-digit points in four straight and six of his last seven, and without him in the middle, the Magic could go with some smaller lineups with
Paolo Banchero at center or give
Moritz Wagner or
Goga Bitadze a much bigger role against the Hornets. Carter's next chance to return will be Saturday against the Lakers.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward/center
Jalen Smith (calf) is listed as questionable for the team's home game on Thursday night against Cleveland. Since returning from a multi-game absence with a calf injury, Smith has started four of the last five games, sitting out the second night of a back-to-back. While he only played 17 minutes in the team's loss on Wednesday, the Bulls could still choose to be cautious with their best big man, who has stepped up since joining the starting lineup. If Smith is out,
Nick Richards will likely move into the starting five as he did for the last game without Smith. Richards had 10 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes in that game, while
Guerschon Yabusele played 20 minutes off the bench. Both players would get an upgrade if Smith is out on Thursday, although the matchup is a tough one against Cleveland's
Evan Mobley.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Miami Heat forward/center
Bam Adebayo (calf) is available for Thursday's matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Adebayo was previously listed as probable after sitting out Tuesday's contest due to calf tightness. The 28-year-old big man has been dominant of late, averaging 34.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.6 three-pointers, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks across 37.6 minutes per game over his last five outings. He should remain locked into fantasy lineups during the playoffs. Kel'el Ware is expected to see a reduced role with Adebayo back in action, while
Tyler Herro and
Norman Powell should continue to provide fantasy managers with consistent offensive production.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (eye) was added to the team's injury report for Thursday against the Bulls as questionable due to a left eye contusion. Late additions to the injury report often lead to absences, and if Mitchell is unable to play this game in Chicago, it will be a great spot for
Dennis Schroder,
Keon Ellis, and
Max Strus next to
James Harden.
Evan Mobley could also get even more work in a great matchup, so check back on Spida's status to see if the rest of the Cavs get an upgrade from Mitchell missing.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Bilal Coulibaly (heel) will miss Thursday's rematch with the Pistons, which will be his second straight absence. With
Trae Young (quad),
Kyshawn George (elbow), and Coulibaly all sidelined, there should be plenty of work for rookies
Tre Johnson and
Will Riley, along with
Bub Carrington and
Jaden Hardy, who chipped in 16 points in 32 minutes on Tuesday in the team's first game against Detroit. Riley and Hardy are both strong enough plays to consider as DFS bargains or streaming options this Thursday against Detroit, which is also dealing with injury issues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (toe) was upgraded from questionable to available for his team's home game against
Jalen Duren and the Pistons on Thursday night. Sarr has a very high ceiling when he's at full strength and is averaging 16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 28 minutes per game on the season. He missed a month before returning last Sunday, but in his four games since then, he has played 23 minutes or less. He can still post excellent numbers in short bursts, but his workload for this game and for the rest of the season is very uncertain, with the Wizards well out of playoff contention.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
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