March 19, 2026
Detroit Pistons guard
Daniss Jenkins will move into the starting five ahead of Thursday's game against the Washington Wizards. Jenkins should get a heavier look down the stretch of the season with
Cade Cunningham (lung) set to miss an extended period of time. The second-year guard finished with 15 points and seven assists across 21 minutes of action during Tuesday's game. As a starter, Jenkins is averaging 14.8 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 31.4 minutes per game across eight starts. The 24-year-old should be a popular pickup with Cunningham unlikely to play again this season. Jenkins has enough upside to warrant snagging off the waivers for fantasy managers in the middle of the playoffs.
--Andy WebbSource: Omari Sankofa II
March 19, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (foot) is available for Thursday's game against the Heat after being listed as questionable on the second night of a back-to-back. The 41-year-old continues to produce at an elite level, finishing with 30 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes in Wednesday's win over Houston. He remains a must-start fantasy anchor during the playoffs given his workload and all-around production.
Luka Doncic should continue sharing primary usage, while
Austin Reaves (forearm) could see slightly fewer on-ball reps with James active.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Isaiah Collier (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. He'll sit out the second leg of this back-to-back set due to left hamstring soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day ahead of Saturday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Without Collier available,
Bez Mbeng and
Elijah Harkless should split up the starting point guard role. Between the two, Harkless is the better streaming option, but remains a deep league choice.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
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
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