February 21, 2026
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (foot) remains out for Sunday's matchup with Indiana. The rookie has already missed two games because of a left midfoot sprain. He was spotted wearing a walking boot during the All-Star break, so he'll likely miss extended time moving ahead. Truth be told, with the Mavs not expected to make the postseason, Flagg probably won't be rushed back. Without Flagg on the court,
Naji Marshall and
Khris Middleton are favorites to roll with the first-five. Both men may end up getting the start on Sunday, depending on the status of
Max Christie (ankle), who currently holds a questionable tag. If Christie is also sidelined, Middleton and Marshall should be classified as starting fantasy options for the favorable outing on the horizon.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 21, 2026
Toronto Raptors forward
Scottie Barnes (personal) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's meeting with Milwaukee. He's out with a personal issue, so his next opportunity to return will be on Tuesday against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder. Without Barnes on the court,
Jakob Poeltl may move back into the starting lineup, with
Collin Murray-Boyles sliding over to the four. Poeltl has been limited since returning from his lengthy stint on the shelf because of a back injury, logging 20 minutes or less in the last two games, meaning his fantasy upside should remain capped even if he is back with the first-five. There's also a chance
Sandro Mamukelashvili gets the start, with the 26-year-old averaging 16.0 points, 6.6 boards, and 2.9 assists in 11 starts during the campaign.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 21, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard/forward
Grayson Allen (ankle) will return on Saturday versus Orlando after missing the last four games. The 30-year-old is having a fantastic campaign, averaging 17.0 points, a career-high, with 3.0 boards, 4.0 assists, and 1.4 steals. He will come off the bench, with
Jalen Green entering the starting lineup. However, despite the demotion, Allen should remain heavily involved, especially with
Devin Booker (hip) sidelined for this one.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Duane Rankin
February 21, 2026
Orlando Magic guard
Jalen Suggs (back) won't play on Saturday against Phoenix. The 24-year-old has been sidelined multiple times this season. However, since returning from an eight-game absence due to a knee injury, he's appeared in Orlando's previous 11 contests. Only time will tell if the back spasms will keep Suggs out beyond Saturday's contest, including for Sunday's meeting versus the Clippers. In the meantime,
Jevon Carter, most recently amassing 14 points, four assists, and three rebounds in Thursday's blowout win over the Sacramento Kings, might enter the starting lineup, with
Jett Howard in line for more minutes from off the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 21, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Jaden Ivey (knee) will miss time. The former Piston is experiencing soreness in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. He was acquired from Detroit ahead of the deadline. In Ivey's four games with the Bulls, he's averaged 11.5 points, 4.8 boards, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 steals. Considering his injury history, which includes a fractured left leg and right-knee surgery, fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked to see his absence extend beyond the two-week window. Fortunately, Chicago's backcourt is loaded, so
Collin Sexton and
Tre Jones should both gain extra minutes behind
Anfernee Simons and
Josh Giddey moving forward.
Rob Dillingham, most recently amassing four points in 10 minutes in Thursday's loss to Toronto, might also see additional action, although not enough to earn him a starting spot in most fantasy setups.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Chicago Bulls
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
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