February 26, 2026
Dallas Mavericks forward
Khris Middleton (shoulder) will play Thursday against Sacramento after entering the night with a shoulder stinger. The veteran wing has averaged 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers in 23.0 minutes across his last five games, but he remains a volatile fantasy option given fluctuating minutes and workload management risk. With Dallas shorthanded in the frontcourt, Middleton should see steady involvement, though his availability could trim opportunities for
Klay Thompson and
Caleb Martin on the wing. Middleton is more of a matchup-based play in standard leagues, while deeper formats can justify holding for scoring and triples.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ron Harrod Jr.
February 26, 2026
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Cody Ponce made his Grapefruit League debut on Wednesday and threw a clean inning with no walks, no hits, and two strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. Ponce is an interesting arm going into the 2026 season in the middle of Toronto's starting rotation. The Jays signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract in December after he was named the MVP of the Korean League last year with the Hanwha Eagles, where he had an impressive 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 252:41 K:BB in 180 2/3 innings pitched. Ponce won't have it easy as he returns to the majors in the tough American League East and in a hitter-friendly home ballpark, but he's returning with a better splitter and the addition of a kick-change. The 31-year-old had a 5.86 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and 48:17 K:BB in 20 outings (five starts) in 2020 and 2021 with the Pirates. Ponce will be one to watch in deep-mixed leagues and a sleeper for those in AL-only leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
February 26, 2026
Dallas Mavericks center
Daniel Gafford (ankle) will sit out Thursday's game against Sacramento due to right ankle injury management. With
P.J. Washington (ankle) also sidelined, Dallas is thin up front.
Marvin Bagley III is the clear streaming target after posting 22 points, five rebounds, and one assist in 20 minutes off the bench in the last win. He should approach 24 to 28 minutes if inserted into the starting group.
Naji Marshall and
Khris Middleton could see added frontcourt usage, while Bagley profiles as a short-term points and rebounds boost.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ron Harrod Jr.
February 26, 2026
Miami Heat forward/center
Nikola Jovic (back) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. This marks the third straight game that Jovic has missed due to a lingering back issue. His next chance to play will come on Saturday versus the Houston Rockets. The absence of Jovic should mean increased playing time for Simone Fontechhio and
Pelle Larsson. Neither player offers great fantasy value at the moment. Larsson has been consistent with 10 or more points in each of the last three games. He's worth a look as a low-end streaming option while Jovic is out.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
San Antonio Spurs guard
Stephon Castle (hip) is available for Thursday's game against Brooklyn after being listed as questionable with left hip tightness. The second-year guard has averaged 15.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.0 three-pointers across 25.0 minutes over his last five outings and logged 28 minutes in Wednesday's win, signaling no workload restriction. Castle's 27.7 percent usage keeps him rostered in standard formats, especially with
Keldon Johnson (shoulder) questionable. He offers points and assists with manageable risk, while
De'Aaron Fox and
Victor Wembanyama continue to command primary touches.
--Brian DailisanSource: Paul Garcia
February 26, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Davion Mitchell (illness) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Mitchell will shed the questionable tag and suit up despite dealing with an illness. There is no indication that Mitchell is going to be limited after having a full workload on Tuesday. This season, Mitchell is averaging 9.0 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.6 rebounds across 28.8 minutes per game. With Mitchell active,
Kasparas Jakucionis will remain on the bench, which will limit his fantasy upside.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee, shin) is available ahead of Thursday's game against the Miami Heat. As expected, Embiid is ready to go after being listed as probable on the injury report. Before Tuesday's contest, Embiid missed five straight games due to knee and shin issues. On Tuesday, Embiid finished with 27 points, five assists, and six rebounds in 26 minutes of action. The expectation is that Embiid will have a similar workload until he's fully healthy again. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can feel safe getting Embiid into their lineups on Thursday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Oklahoma City Thunder guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (abdomen) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Friday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. He has been sidelined since suffering an abdominal injury, keeping him off the floor for OKC's previous nine contests. While SGA may be limited for at least a few contests, he should be plugged right back into all fantasy lineups.
Chet Holmgren (back) and
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) are also off the injury report, meaning lower ceilings for
Cason Wallace,
Jaylin Williams, and
Aaron Wiggins.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
According to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (groin) will suit up against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Powell was a late addition to his team's injury report on Thursday afternoon due to groin soreness, but he's since been cleared to play. The 32-year-old has made three appearances since the break and collected 26 points in Tuesday's loss to the Bucks. If Powell has any setbacks, backcourt minutes could be available for
Kasparas Jakucionis,
Pelle Larsson, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. alongside
Tyler Herro, who is still playing limited minutes after his recent return.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Anthony Chiang
February 26, 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a formal meeting with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (ankle) at the NFL scouting combine, a source told Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com. Allar suffered a season-ending left-ankle injury last year that caused him to miss the entire All-Star game circuit, but he plans to throw at the combine in Indianapolis this weekend. Pittsburgh's interview with Allar is their first-known QB meeting at the combine as they make plans at the position going into the 2026 season. He played in only six games last year, throwing for eight touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 64% of his passes. He was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions and had 61 total touchdowns at Penn State. Allar has a strong arm, but there are plenty of concerns about his overall game and lack of experience as he heads to the next level, most likely making him a mid-round target in this year's NFL draft. The Steelers are unsure if future Hall of Fame QB
Aaron Rodgers will return in 2026, but they're also high on
Will Howard.
--Keith HernandezSource: PennLive.com - Nick Farabaugh
February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Zaccharie Risacher (hip) will play on Thursday versus Washington. He was listed on the injury report because of a hip contusion after amassing nine points and nine boards when these clubs met on Tuesday night. With
Jalen Johnson (hip) and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) both ruled out, Risacher has an excellent opportunity to get more involved against one of the worst defensive squads in the National Basketball Association. Still, his volatility throughout the campaign makes him hard to trust.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 26, 2026
Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star reports that Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) will suit up against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Nembhard previously carried a questionable tag, but he is now good to go. In his last outing, he collected 23 points and three assists in 28 minutes during Tuesday's loss to the Sixers. The 26-year-old should continue to see minutes in the high-20s, and he remains a viable streaming option going into tonight's tilt.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Dustin Dopirak
February 26, 2026
Atlanta Hawks guard
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) won't play in Thursday's rematch with Washington. The Hawks are also down
Jalen Johnson (hip), meaning there will be plenty of shots up for grabs. There are several directions head coach Quin Snyder can go regarding the starting lineup. However,
CJ McCollum,
Onyeka Okongwu, and
Jonathan Kuminga may be the most productive from a fantasy standpoint no matter who gets the start. Kuminga looked fantastic in his first game in Atlanta, amassing 27 points, seven boards, and two steals in 24 minutes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Atlanta Hawks
February 26, 2026
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session this spring on Thursday since undergoing thoracic outlet surgery on Sept. 23 of last year, which involved the removal of a rib, according to Corey Seidman of Sports Illustrated. Wheeler felt great after throwing 21 fastballs on Thursday. When asked if Wheeler could be ready to pitch in a big-league game six weeks from Thursday, manager Rob Thomson said, "Possibly." It's also possible that he could pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but it's still unclear. Barring soreness or a setback, Wheeler should be expected to throw another bullpen on Sunday. Wheeler will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, but if he continues to progress at this pace, it's possible he could make his season debut in April. Still, the 35-year-old veteran isn't a lock to return to his ace form, which is why he's dropped in the starting pitching rankings to No. 48 overall at RotoBaller.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Corey Seidman
February 26, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Obi Toppin (foot) will suit up on Thursday versus Charlotte. He had played in only three games this season before suffering a stress fracture in his right foot. Prior to the injury, the 2020 No. 8 overall pick appeared to be well on his way to having the best year of his career, averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. With that said, Toppin will be on a minutes restriction for the remainder of the season, likely making him irrelevant for fantasy purposes.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Dustin Dopirak
February 26, 2026
Tyler Smith of IndySportsLegends.com reports that Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam (wrist) is unavailable for Thursday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Siakam was considered doubtful previously, but he's since been ruled out due to a left wrist sprain and will miss his second game in a row. The Pacers will be provided with some relief as
Obi Toppin (foot) is set to suit up. However, his minutes will likely be limited, giving
Ben Sheppard and
Micah Potter plenty of frontcourt scoring opportunities.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Tyler Smith
February 26, 2026
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Nolan McLean was dominant in his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday against the Houston Astros, allowing no runs on one hit, one walk, and six strikeouts in four innings pitched, according to MLB Pipeline. The No. 6 overall prospect in all of baseball picked up where he left off after posting a 2.06 ERA in eight starts for the Mets last year in his MLB debut. McLean retired 12 of the 14 batters he faced on the day and topped out at 97.9 mph on the radar gun with his fastball. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of Oklahoma State University should be considered a top-100 overall fantasy player going into his first full year in the big leagues. In addition to his 2.06 ERA in New York in 2025, McLean had a 1.04 WHIP, 57 strikeouts, 16 walks, and a 61.1% ground-ball rate in 48 innings. McLean already has an advanced arsenal with multiple offspeed pitches that can also generate swings and misses. He's one of the most attractive young arms in the game.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB Pipeline
February 26, 2026
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway (ankle) will return to work on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. He has missed 23 of the last 24 games due to a right high ankle sprain. The injury has been one of many challenges for Holloway during a testing campaign. A year after a 63-point season, he has contributed just eight goals and nine assists in 34 games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect an improvement from Holloway, as the Blues are bound to finish among the worst teams in the league. For Thursday's game, Holloway is expected to be paired with Pius Suter and Jonatan Berggren on the third line. He will also have a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) is poised to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators after being activated from Injured Reserve. A lower-body injury kept him out of action for seven games before the Olympic break. Edvinsson has drawn praise for his steady play this season, recording 17 points (six goals, 11 assists), 57 shots, 104 blocks, 63 hits, and a plus-six rating in 48 games. The Swedish blue-liner will rejoin his usual partner, Moritz Seider, on the first defensive pairing and will grab a spot on the second power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox (lower body) will play on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers. Before the Olympic break, Fox missed 13 consecutive games and has been available for just three of the last 30 games. When in the lineup, Fox has been top-class, recording 28 points (four goals, 24 assists), 56 shots, and 45 blocks in 30 appearances. The Flyers allow over three goals per game (3.16) and have a .884 save percentage this season, making it a favorable fantasy matchup for Fox and the Rangers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin (lower body) will be back in the net on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Russian netminder hasn't played since Jan. 5 due to a lower-body injury. Although the Rangers sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Shesterkin has had a fine campaign. He has posted a 17-12-4 record across 34 starts, with a 2.45 goals-against average, a .913 save percentage, and one shutout. On Thursday, Shesterkin will go up against the league's 22nd-ranked offense, which has produced 2.86 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang (foot) will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. While Pittsburgh has just lost Sidney Crosby (lower body), the team will get a big defensive piece back. Letang missed the final four games before the Olympic break with a fractured foot. The 38-year-old has recorded 25 points (three goals, 22 assists), 196 shots, 64 blocks, and 67 hits in 50 outings this season. Letang will be part of the second power-play unit and will have a new partner on the second defensive pairing, with the recently acquired Samuel Girard expected to skate with him.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
February 26, 2026
Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is projected to be a potential top-five pick this April, believes he's the best defender in this year's draft class, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. "I feel confident every time I stepped on the field," Downs said. "If I would say I walked on the field and thought anybody was better than me, yeah, that's not true." He was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year in 2025 and also won the Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the country's top defensive back. If Downs is taken in the first five picks, he'll be the first defensive back to do that since Eric Berry was taken fifth overall in 2010. Downs was at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national championship in 2024. In 14 games in his junior season in 2025, Downs had 68 tackles (45 solo), one sack, two interceptions, and five tackles for loss.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
February 26, 2026
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle (illness) is a game-time decision for Thursday's tilt against the Detroit Red Wings. The German star is dealing with an illness and missed the morning skate. Stutzle entered the Olympic break with a five-game goal streak and has totaled 61 points (28 goals, 33 assists) in 57 games this season. Shane Pinto and Lars Eller will likely have larger roles in Thursday's game if Stutzle doesn't play. Pinto is the more attractive fantasy option, though he has been inconsistent since his hot start to the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
February 26, 2026
Carolina Panthers general manager and president of football operations Dan Morgan said on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that he hasn't talked to any teams "about a trade, but if the possibility did come up, I would talk to Andy." ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this week that the Panthers have been getting calls on the availability of veteran quarterback
Andy Dalton. While the Panthers may not be looking to trade Dalton at this moment, it sounds like Morgan isn't opposed to it, especially after telling McAfee that the organization wants to "get a little younger and more athletic" at the backup QB position. The 38-year-old is going into the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract he signed with Carolina in February of 2025. At best, Dalton could be a veteran bridge QB for a team that loses out in free agency and is desperate at the position.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pat McAfee Show
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
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (not injury-related) will return to action on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild, Dylan Loucks of The Hockey News reports. MacKinnon didn't play in Wednesday's 4-2 road victory over Utah, taking a bit of extra rest after the Olympic tournament. The Avalanche leader sits third in scoring in the NHL, recording 40 goals and 53 assists in 55 appearances. He's had multiple points in 10 of his last 19 outings. MacKinnon's return will bump Brock Nelson to the second line, but he will continue to be heavily involved in the offense.
--Taavi PailkSource: Dylan Loucks
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
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