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
February 20, 2026
Miami Heat guard/forward
Norman Powell (back) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks. Powell missed the final two games before the All-Star break. He has received plenty of rest and is ready to go for the first game out of the break. There is no word on Powell being limited, so fantasy managers should expect him to have his full workload. Powell is averaging 23.0 points, 2.6 assists, and 3.6 rebounds in 30.6 minutes per game this season. Fantasy managers should make sure to double-check their lineups and get Powell active.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Claxton will miss both games in the back-to-back set, and this marks his third absence in a row. The Nets haven't given a timetable for his return, but his next chance to play will come Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.
Day'Ron Sharpe should continue seeing an increased role in the rotation while Claxton is out. Sharpe has been inconsistent at times, but is a more appealing streaming option with Claxton unavailable.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (toe) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers. George suited up for Thursday's contest, but he appears to have suffered a toe sprain in the process. He finished with six points, three rebounds, and one assist in 19 minutes during Thursday's win. The Wizards have decided to play it safe during the second leg of the back-to-back set and hold out George on Friday. His absence should mean increased playing time for
Justin Champagnie and
Will Riley. Between the two, Champagnie is the better streaming option for Friday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Nembhard will officially miss the second leg of this back-to-back set due to a back issue. He finished with five points, four assists, and had six turnovers across 22 minutes on Thursday. His minutes will likely be split up between
T.J. McConnell and
Kam Jones. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Dallas Mavericks. McConnell is the better streaming option between the two guards with Jones sidelined.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is available to play ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. McConnell is back in the mix after sitting out Thursday's game due to a lingering hamstring injury. The veteran guard could be asked to play a larger role on Friday with
Andrew Nembhard (back) listed as doubtful. Normally, McConnell only plays minutes in the teens, but he'd be a more attractive streaming option if Nembhard is unable to play. Fantasy managers should check back for an update on Nembhard ahead of tip-off.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (illness) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Markkanen has gone from questionable to being completely ruled out due to an illness. The Jazz are tanking, so it's not shocking to see them sit Markkanen even for something that's probably minor. When healthy, Markkanen has been solid, averaging 26.7 points, 2.1 assists, and 7.0 rebounds across 34.4 minutes per game. His absence should mean an increased workload for
Brice Sensabaugh in the rotation. Sensabaugh is coming off a 28-point performance before the All-Star break. His fantasy value will likely rise in the second half with the Jazz resting their veterans more frequently.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
February 20, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward/center
Pascal Siakam (personal) will miss Friday's rematch with Washington after sitting out Thursday's contest as well. His next opportunity to return comes Sunday against Dallas. With Siakam sidelined and
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) also out, Indiana has leaned heavily on
Jarace Walker, who logged 30 minutes and delivered 19 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in the first meeting with Washington.
Micah Potter added 14 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes. Walker is a must-stream in all formats, while Potter profiles as a viable deep-league add until Siakam returns.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
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