February 26, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (back) will return from his three-game absence on Thursday versus Houston.
Tristan da Silva had been starting while Suggs was on the shelf, most recently amassing 13 points, six rebounds, and two steals in Tuesday's 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Although it's realistic to assume Suggs might see less work than usual in his first game back, his presence should eliminate nearly all of da Silva's streaming appeal. The same can be said for
Jett Howard and
Jevon Carter, who were sporadically productive while Suggs was out of commission.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Jason Beede
February 26, 2026
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, Los Angeles Lakers forward
Rui Hachimura (illness) won't suit up against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday due to an illness. The 28-year-old is averaging 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per contest across 47 outings this season. With Hachimura on the shelf, a sizable amount of minutes could be available for players like
Luke Kennard or Jack LaRavia. Luke Kennard has had most success recently draining at least one three-pointer in eight of his last nine appearances.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dave McMenamin
February 26, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (quad) was downgraded from doubtful to out for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers. Williams will join
Jalen Smith (calf) on the sidelines, leaving lots of playing time and usage for
Guerschon Yabusele,
Nick Richards, and
Leonard Miller. Yabusele and Richards each have double-double potential in the favorable matchup. Yabusele will likely start in place of Smith, giving him and especially high ceiling due to his multi-category upside against Portland, and without Williams, Miller may have to step more into the mix off the bench.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Malik Monk (ankle) is dealing with ankle soreness and may not be available when his team finishes their back-to-back in Texas with a game against the Mavericks. Monk only had seven points in 19 minutes on Wednesday, but had double-digit points in five straight before that.
Russell Westbrook (thigh) and
Keegan Murray (ankle) are already out, so if Monk joins them on the sidelines,
Devin Carter and
Killian Hayes will get plenty of run in the backcourt, while
Nique Clifford,
Precious Achiuwa, and
Maxime Raynaud will have to carry more of the scoring load in the offense.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Russell Westbrook (thigh) was listed as out for the second night of his team's back-to-back due to a bruised right thigh. He played 25 minutes on Wednesday against the Rockets and had 22 points against his former team. Without him on Thursday against the Mavericks, more time and opportunities will be available for
Devin Carter, especially if
Malik Monk (ankle) does not play through his questionable tag. Recent addition
Killian Hayes could also get more playing time without Russ on Thursday night.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (ankle) will not play on Thursday after aggravating his sprained ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets. Murray missed 20 games with an injury to the same ankle from Jan. 6 to Feb. 11, but the team hasn't given an update on any timetable for him to return this time. Without him on Thursday,
Nique Clifford will likely play a more active role, while
Daeqwon Plowden and Patrick Baldwin will also have more work coming off the bench. The Kings are already short-handed, so without Murray, even more value will be available to those fringe contributors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
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
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