March 19, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Nique Clifford (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Clifford was tagged as questionable coming into this game due to left hamstring soreness. It'll ultimately force him to miss his first game since October. Fantasy managers should view him as day-to-day ahead of Sunday's game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Malik Monk figures to move into the starting five and have an increased role.
Killian Hayes and
Daeqwon Plowden could also see more run, but Monk is the best fantasy option out of the three.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will sit out Thursday's game against the Pelicans on the second night of a back-to-back, though he is expected to return Saturday against Dallas. His absence should push
Kris Dunn back into a larger role after he posted nine points, two three-pointers, and one steal in 23 minutes in a recent start.
Jordan Miller could also see a few extra minutes after putting up 13 points and two steals last game, which puts him on the radar in deeper leagues.
Derrick Jones Jr. and
John Collins may also see slight bumps, while Leonard remains a must-start when active.
--Brian DailisanSource: Justin Russo
March 19, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Grayson Allen (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Thursday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. This marks the second game in a row that Allen will miss due to left knee soreness. Fantasy managers should consider him questionable ahead of Saturday's contest versus the Milwaukee Bucks. The absence of Allen should mean possibly larger roles for
Collin Gillespie and
Jordan Goodwin, while
Ryan Dunn should stay in the rotation. Gillespie is the best fantasy option out of the bunch, with Goodwin and Dunn offering deep league value.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
March 19, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard
Luka Doncic (hip) will play Thursday against the Heat despite dealing with minor soreness, keeping the superstar active during a critical stretch of the fantasy playoffs. Doncic is coming off a dominant 40-point performance with nine rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes against Houston, reinforcing his elite first-round fantasy value. Managers should continue to treat him as a locked-in lineup cornerstone.
LeBron James should continue sharing high usage, while
Austin Reaves (forearm) could see fewer playmaking chances if his injury allows him to suit up.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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
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