February 21, 2026
Chicago Bulls center
Zach Collins (toe) will undergo surgery to repair a sprained right toe and miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season. The veteran big man has been sidelined since late December and was limited to 10 games, averaging 9.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.9 three-pointers in 18.4 minutes. With Collins out,
Jalen Smith is the clear fantasy winner and projects as a long-term hold if he stays healthy after posting nine points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block in 24 minutes in his return.
--Brian DailisanSource: Chicago Bulls
February 21, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
De'Andre Hunter (eye) will undergo surgery to repair a detached retina, ending his 2025-26 campaign. The veteran wing played just two games for Sacramento after the trade before being sidelined. He finishes the season averaging 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.7 three-pointers in 26.1 minutes across 45 appearances. With Hunter out and both
Zach LaVine (finger) and
Domantas Sabonis (knee) already sidelined, minutes are available.
Nique Clifford and
Daeqwon Plowden are fringe fantasy options for now, though the path to larger roles exists.
Precious Achiuwa also stands to benefit after a 14-point, 10-rebound, four-steal, two-block outing in 34 minutes.
--Brian DailisanSource: Chris Haynes
February 21, 2026
Washington Wizards forward/center
Tristan Vukcevic (hand) did not return to Friday's game against Indiana after sustaining a hand contusion. He recorded 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting with eight rebounds, one assist, and one block in 20 minutes as a starter before exiting. His status for Sunday against Charlotte is uncertain. It's a tough stretch for Washington, which is already dealing with several injuries to key pieces. If Vukcevic is sidelined,
Anthony Gill becomes a deep-league streaming option after posting 11 points, six assists, and three blocks in 23 minutes in the last outing.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
February 21, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward/center
John Collins (head) left Friday's game against the Lakers after taking a hard fall in the second quarter and did not return. He was ruled questionable to come back but remained sidelined for the rest of the contest, placing his status for Sunday's matchup against Orlando in doubt. If Collins misses time,
Bennedict Mathurin stands to gain the most after posting 26 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
Nicolas Batum could see a modest minutes bump, while
Kobe Sanders may re-enter the rotation. Mathurin profiles as the priority add.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 21, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers forward
Kawhi Leonard (ankle) did not return to Friday's game against the Lakers after leaving in the fourth quarter due to left-ankle soreness. Before exiting, he delivered 31 points on 11-of-19 shooting with four threes and five assists in 31 minutes. If he misses additional time,
Bennedict Mathurin becomes the primary scoring option after posting 26 points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench.
Kris Dunn added eight assists in 35 minutes and would handle more playmaking, while
Derrick Jones Jr. could see elevated usage. Leonard's status warrants close monitoring.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 21, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Devin Booker (hip) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against Orlando after aggravating a right hip strain. His absence again funnels usage to
Jalen Green and
Collin Gillespie. In the last game, Green posted 26 points with four threes and three steals in 26 minutes, while Gillespie handed out eight assists across 30 minutes.
Jordan Goodwin added 10 points in 27 minutes. Green profiles as a potential long-term hold if he stays healthy. Gillespie offers assists value in deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 21, 2026
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) will not play Saturday in New Orleans, marking his fourth straight absence. With the All-Star big man sidelined,
Tyrese Maxey remains the primary usage driver, while the frontcourt minutes continue to split between
Andre Drummond and
Adem Bona. In the last game, Drummond logged 28 minutes and posted 10 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists, while Bona added nine points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes. Both remain volatile options, though Drummond profiles as the stronger rebound streamer. Embiid's absence boosts Maxey and
Kelly Oubre Jr. in scoring formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers guard/forward
Austin Reaves (calf) will start Friday against the Clippers after working his way back from a strained right calf that sidelined him for 19 games. The 27-year-old has appeared in five of the last six contests and is averaging 20.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.6 threes in 25.4 minutes over his last five outings. With the Lakers at full strength alongside
Luka Doncic,
LeBron James, and
Deandre Ayton, Reaves profiles as a strong hold in standard formats, though usage may fluctuate in a balanced offense.
Marcus Smart shifts back to a secondary role.
--Brian DailisanSource: Dan Woike
February 20, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers forwards
Kris Murray (back) and
Matisse Thybulle (knee) are available for Friday's matchup against Denver. Murray returns from a prolonged absence due to a lumbar strain and has averaged 6.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.7 minutes across 34 games this season, though a full workload is unlikely with the rotation near full strength. Thybulle, who has logged 12.2 minutes over four outings, is averaging 5.0 points and 2.5 steals, giving him deep-league appeal as a defensive streamer.
Vit Krejci could see a slight minute reduction.
--Brian DailisanSource: Danny Marang
February 20, 2026
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Scoot Henderson (hamstring) will no longer face a minutes restriction after returning from a torn left hamstring. The third-year guard has averaged 20.0 minutes, 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.8 threes on 51.7 percent shooting across four appearances, though 4.5 turnovers per game remain a concern. An expanded workload should push him into standard-league relevance as a points and assists source.
Jrue Holiday and
Deni Avdija may see slight usage dips, while
Shaedon Sharpe's (calf) role could fluctuate once healthy. Henderson profiles as a viable add with upside.
--Brian DailisanSource: Sean Highkin
February 20, 2026
Denver Nuggets guard
Jamal Murray (hamstring) and guard
Jalen Pickett (knee) are available for Friday's game against Portland. Murray was initially listed with right hamstring tightness on the second night of a back-to-back but will handle his usual workload. Over his last 10 games, he has produced 24.2 points, 8.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 threes in 36.3 minutes, reinforcing his must-start status in all formats. His return keeps
Christian Braun and
Cameron Johnson in complementary roles alongside
Nikola Jokic. Pickett is available despite the knee soreness, though his 15 minutes per game keep him off the radar outside of deeper formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers forward
LeBron James (knee) will play Friday against the Clippers after being added to the injury report earlier in the day. The 41-year-old remains a high-end fantasy anchor, producing 21.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 6.8 rebounds across 35.8 minutes per game in his last four outings, with one triple-double and three double-doubles in that span. With
Luka Doncic and
Deandre Ayton also active, usage should remain balanced, but James' 28.5 percent role keeps him locked into elite territory.
Austin Reaves can settle back into his usual secondary playmaking role, while
Rui Hachimura's upside remains limited with the starters healthy.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard
Max Christie (ankle) has been downgraded to out ahead of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was initially listed as questionable, but will ultimately take a seat due to a lingering ankle injury. The expectation is that his playing time will be split up between
Klay Thompson and
Tyus Jones during Friday's game. Neither guard has been a consistent contributor lately, but Thompson has the higher update between the two of them. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley (calf) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. Mobley made his return to the court on Thursday after missing seven games due to a calf strain. The Cavs have decided to take the cautious approach and rest Mobley in the second leg of the back-to-back set. The absence of Mobley will likely free up playing time for multiple players in the rotation.
Jaylon Tyson,
Dean Wade, and
Sam Merrill figure to all see increased run on Friday. Among the three players, Tyson is the best streaming choice for Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (ribs) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. As expected, Herro will suit up after missing the last 15 games due to a right rib injury. He hasn't suited up for a game since mid-January, so fantasy managers should expect Herro to have a minutes limit. There is no word on how many minutes he'll play, so DFS players should be cautious. Fantasy managers in season-long formats can go ahead and get Herro active on Friday. It'll be interesting to see if he plays during the second leg of the back-to-back set on Saturday. For now, Herro is safe for Friday's slate, but fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for another update.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
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