March 1, 2026
Houston Rockets forward
Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) remains out on Monday versus Washington. He tweaked his ankle during the 113-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday and didn't suit up on Saturday in Miami.
Reed Sheppard took his spot in the starting lineup, amassing 14 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Fantasy managers might see more production out of Sheppard against the Wizards, a team that has struggled defensively all year.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jalen Johnson (hip) will play on Sunday versus Portland. He suffered a left hip injury during Tuesday's 119-98 win over the Washington Wizards, keeping him off the floor for the rematch on Thursday evening.
Jonathan Kuminga got the start in that one, ending with 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block. While Kuminga may head back to the bench, he still offers plenty of upside for fantasy managers due to the favorable matchup on the horizon.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Deni Avdija (back) won't suit up on Sunday against Atlanta. He's been dealing with the lower back injury for a while. Although the 25-year-old has played sparingly since the injury was first announced, the latest setback will now cost him a fourth-straight contest. Avdija has had a wonderful campaign, averaging a career-high 24.4 points with 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. His next chance to get on the floor will be on Wednesday in Memphis. With
Shaedon Sharpe (leg) also sidelined, the Blazers should get extra production from
Jerami Grant,
Jrue Holiday, and
Donovan Clingan.
Kris Murray, who has amassed 7.8 points, 4.8 boards, and 1.1 steals in 14 starts this season, is expected to stay with the first-five until Avdija is back in the mix.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Sunday that center
Zach Edey (ankle) will undergo another surgery to address "ongoing discomfort" in his left ankle. He is anticipated to recover fully, with "a timeline" regarding his recovery to be provided after the procedure. The 23-year-old appeared in 66 games as a rookie, averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks. He underwent surgery on his left ankle back on June 10. Unfortunately, Edey logged only 13 games throughout the 2025-26 campaign before he went back on the shelf. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect to see him on the floor for the remainder of the season. There is also reason to believe he may miss at least the start of training camp, although it's too early to speculate. While Edey is sidelined,
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, coming off a 16-point, 10-rebound performance, should see the most minutes at the five, even if he's not starting. That should remain the case until
Santi Aldama (knee) is cleared to suit up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Grizzlies PR
March 1, 2026
Sacramento Kings guard
Russell Westbrook (thigh) is off the injury report and expected to play Sunday against the Lakers. He sat out Thursday's win over Dallas due to a thigh contusion but is ready to return. Over his last five appearances, the veteran has averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 three-pointers. His return likely sends
Devin Carter back to the bench after Carter posted 15 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals in 32 minutes in the last game. Westbrook remains a viable source of points and assists, though his shooting efficiency and fluctuating role can make him a bit unpredictable from night to night.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) is off the injury report and expected to play Sunday against New Orleans. He sat out Thursday with left ankle soreness and missed practice due to illness, but he is ready to return. Leonard has been rolling, averaging 28.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers across 32.1 minutes in his last five games. His return pushes
Bennedict Mathurin back into a secondary role and trims
Kris Dunn's usage. Leonard remains a must-start in all formats, with his recent workload easing concerns about durability.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (groin) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with Brooklyn, marking his third straight absence. The team does not anticipate a long-term issue, though he remains day-to-day heading into Tuesday. If
James Harden (thumb) is unable to play, Cleveland would have even more offensive workload and minutes to spread around the rotation.
Jaylon Tyson started the last game and logged 41 minutes, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals, and four three-pointers.
Sam Merrill added 20 points in 36 minutes, while
Craig Porter Jr. recorded 12 assists in 32 minutes. Tyson profiles as the top short-term add, and Merrill remains a viable scoring streamer.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (oblique) will sit out the next three games after imaging confirmed a strain. The former MVP experienced right-side discomfort following Thursday's win and is targeting a potential return on March 7. With Embiid sidelined,
Andre Drummond is expected to step into the starting role. In his last start on Feb. 22, Drummond logged 22 minutes and produced six points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Second-year big man
Adem Bona added eight points and five rebounds in 20 minutes that night. Drummond profiles as a short-term rebounding streamer, while
Tyrese Maxey should shoulder even heavier offensive usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony Jones
March 1, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with Oklahoma City, stretching his absence to seven games because of a midfoot sprain. He is trending toward missing Tuesday as well. With
P.J. Washington (ankle) doubtful and
Naji Marshall (finger) carrying a questionable tag, Dallas may be forced to lean heavily on
Brandon Williams, who owns a 26.3 percent usage rate in a reserve role.
Max Christie,
Khris Middleton, and
Klay Thompson should also see added scoring responsibility.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
March 1, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers guard
Darius Garland (toe) is expected to make his team debut Monday against Golden State after being sidelined since Jan. 14. The All-Star guard, acquired at the trade deadline, is returning from toe issues that kept him out for several weeks. In 26 games prior to the move, he averaged 18.0 points, 6.9 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 30.5 minutes. Garland's return should give the offense a steady playmaker next to
Kawhi Leonard and likely trim
Kris Dunn's role while reducing
Bennedict Mathurin's on-ball opportunities. Garland profiles as a must-start in standard leagues if his minutes are not heavily restricted.
--Brian DailisanSource: Chris Haynes
March 1, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
Zion Williamson (ankle) will not return to Saturday's game against Utah after exiting in the second quarter. He finished with four points, two assists, and one rebound in 11 minutes before being shut down. If he misses time, New Orleans could lean more heavily on
Karlo Matkovic and
Derik Queen. Matkovic delivered eight points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks in 25 minutes, profiling mainly as a blocks streamer. Queen added seven points, nine rebounds, and three assists in 19 minutes and offers the more intriguing upside in deeper formats if the role expands.
--Brian DailisanSource: New Orleans Pelicans
February 28, 2026
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (ankle) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. It has been a tough month for George, who has only appeared in one contest during February. He has missed six straight games before getting cleared ahead of Saturday's contest. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Jazz have George under a minutes limit. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get George active in their lineups. The third-year guard won't be an ideal DFS choice, given his workload is unknown.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 28, 2026
Golden State Warriors guard
De'Anthony Melton (knee) has been cleared to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Melton is back in the mix after sitting out Wednesday's win due to left knee injury management. Given he has only missed one game, Melton should have his normal workload on Saturday. Over the last seven games, Melton is averaging 16.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 25.3 minutes per game. He's worth a look as a streaming option given his recent play.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 28, 2026
Golden State Warriors forward
Draymond Green (back) is available to play ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Green is returning after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies due to lower back injury management. The expectation is that Green will have his full workload on Saturday. His return to the lineup should push
Al Horford back to the bench. Horford won't be as appealing as a streaming option playing with the second unit. Fantasy managers can get Green active in their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 28, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward
Deni Avdija (back) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game against the Hornets and is tracking toward a third straight absence. His 29.0 usage rate leaves a sizable offensive gap. In Thursday's win over Chicago,
Kris Murray started and logged 28 minutes with 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while
Jerami Grant posted 27 points with three triples in 35 minutes. Murray is a viable short-term streamer for minutes and modest across-the-board production, while Grant carries a higher scoring ceiling if Avdija remains sidelined.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
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