February 18, 2026
Golden State Warriors center
Kristaps Porzingis (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Boston Celtics, but he told reporters he plans to make his debut with the team. Porzingis was traded to the Warriors from the Atlanta Hawks at this season's trade deadline after playing just 17 games with them. Many expect Porzingis to be the perfect fit with the Warriors, barring health. The former fourth-overall pick has averaged 19.6 points per game in his career, shooting over 36% from three in each of the last four seasons. With Porzingis expected to play, centers
Al Horford and
Quinten Post should see fewer minutes moving forward, while Porzingis should be more of a factor from a fantasy perspective.
--Nathan HarveySource: Anthony Slater - ESPN
February 18, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Thursday's contest against the Toronto Raptors but practiced in full on Wednesday and expects to play. Giddey has missed the previous eight games with a strained left hamstring, and the team has struggled, losing seven of its last eight games without him. The former sixth-overall pick has had a career year in his fifth season, averaging 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists in 32 minutes per game. With Giddey expected to return on Thursday, expect guards
Collin Sexton,
Jaden Ivey, and
Rob Dillingham to see fewer minutes and less offensive production moving forward.
--Nathan HarveySource: K.C. Johnson
February 18, 2026
New York Knicks forward
OG Anunoby (toe) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Detroit Pistons. Anunoby has missed the previous four games after having his toenail removed, but practiced in full on Wednesday, opening the door for a potential return on Thursday. In 41 games this season, Anunoby has averaged 16.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 33 minutes per game. A return seems likely, but Anunoby could face a minutes restriction despite facing the current first seed in the Eastern Conference. If he does, in fact, play on Thursday, look for
Mohamed Diawara to see a reduced workload.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Begley
February 18, 2026
Charlotte Hornets guard
Coby White (calf) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets, and head coach Charles Lee said there's no clear timeline for his return. White was acquired by the Hornets from the Chicago Bulls at this season's trade deadline but has yet to suit up for them. In 29 games this season with Chicago, White has averaged 18.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in just over 29 minutes per game. With the newly acquired guard not ready to return from his calf injury, guards
Sion James and
Grant Williams should benefit from his absence. Fantasy managers should expect White to return in the coming weeks, as the Hornets enter playoff contention and no shutdown is expected.
--Nathan HarveySource: DaShawn Brown
February 18, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (ribs) is expected to practice Thursday as he works toward a return from a right costochondral injury that has sidelined him for 15 straight games. He is averaging 25.3 usage in 32.0 minutes this season and could be listed as questionable for Friday's matchup in Atlanta depending on how he responds. Until he is cleared,
Kasparas Jakucionis,
Myron Gardner, and
Simone Fontecchio should continue seeing added run, though all remain fringe fantasy options. Herro's return would tighten the rotation and restore primary scoring duties alongside
Bam Adebayo and
Norman Powell.
--Brian DailisanSource: Anthony Chiang
February 18, 2026
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jonathan Kuminga (knee) will be re-evaluated in approximately one week as he continues rehabbing a left knee bone bruise, the team announced Wednesday. The injury occurred Jan. 22, and Kuminga will miss at least the next stretch of games before another update. His delayed debut keeps minutes open on the wing.
Corey Kispert has averaged 12.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 threes in 25.4 minutes over his last eight games, while
Zaccharie Risacher is posting 10.5 points and 1.5 threes in 24.2 minutes across 42 contests. Both are viable deeper-league streamers but remain fringe options until Kuminga is cleared.
--Brian DailisanSource: Atlanta Hawks
February 18, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers forward/center
Evan Mobley (calf) will make his first appearance since straining his left calf during a Jan. 26 win over Orlando when Cleveland faces Brooklyn on Thursday. He has missed seven straight games and may not immediately resume a full workload, with a potential minutes restriction in play. Mobley is averaging 17.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks in 33.4 minutes this season and remains a must-start in all formats. His return should cut into the roles of
Jaylon Tyson and
Sam Merrill, both of whom saw expanded minutes during his absence.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (ankle) said he is ready to return for Thursday's game against Orlando, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento. Murray has been out since early January but recently resumed full basketball activities. In 19 appearances this season, he is averaging 14.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 threes in 35.9 minutes. With
Zach LaVine (hand) and
Domantas Sabonis (knee) out for the year, Murray should absorb more offensive responsibility alongside
DeMar DeRozan. The Kings could ease him back, but he's worth holding as his workload builds.
--Brian DailisanSource: James Ham
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
Andrew Nembhard (back) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Thursday's game against Washington. He's battled nagging injuries throughout the campaign, so he got the night off versus the Nets in Indiana's final contest leading up to the All-Star break. With
Pascal Siakam (personal) and
Ivica Zubac (ankle) ruled out, and
Aaron Nesmith (back) and
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) questionable, Nembhard should receive plenty of chances to produce in a meeting with one of the worst defensive squads in the National Basketball Association.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard
T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is questionable for Thursday's game against Washington. He wasn't available versus the Nets in the Pacers' final contest before the All-Star break. Hopefully, the time off did him some good, although it's possible he may need another night off to recover from nagging hamstring soreness. With
Pascal Siakam (personal) and
Ivica Zubac (ankle) ruled out, and
Aaron Nesmith (back) listed as questionable, McConnell might work his way into the starting lineup, assuming he gets the green light to play. At the same time, even if the 33-year-old comes off the bench, he'll be worth streaming in most fantasy setups.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Washington Wizards guard
Trae Young (knee) has not been cleared for contact and did not practice Wednesday, coach Brian Keefe said, via The Athletic. There is no timetable for his debut, and he can be considered week-to-week as he works back from a right knee MCL sprain and quad contusion. His absence keeps
Bub Carrington in the starting role. Carrington is averaging 10.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 threes in 28.0 minutes across 53 games, though on 40.2 percent shooting.
Tre Johnson remains a viable streamer after posting 12.9 points and 2.1 threes in 25.0 minutes over 40 games.
--Brian DailisanSource: Josh Robbins
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Aaron Nesmith (back) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with the Wizards. He didn't suit up for the meeting with the Nets ahead of the All-Star break because of a lumbar strain. While Nesmith has a shot at playing on Thursday, it's also realistic to assume he won't be back on the court until Friday when these clubs meet again. With
Pascal Siakam (personal) sidelined,
Andrew Nembhard and
Jarace Walker have the best chance of leading the way offensively if Nesmith doesn't suit up.
Jay Huff could also be more involved on both ends of the floor, especially with
Ivica Zubac (ankle) still on the shelf.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Indiana Pacers forward
Pascal Siakam (personal) won't play on Thursday against Washington. These clubs will meet again on Friday, so fantasy managers will need to wait and see if he'll be back for that one. The Pacers have a number of players listed on the injury report, specifically,
T.J. McConnell (hamstring),
Aaron Nesmith (back),
Micah Potter (ankle), and
Ivica Zubac (ankle). As a result,
Kam Jones and
Ben Sheppard could see more work. That may also apply to
Quenton Jackson and
Ethan Thompson, depending on if they get the bump from the G League. With that said, there's a chance McConnell, Nesmith, and Potter will play, so there are a lot of moving parts in this scenario.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
February 18, 2026
Los Angeles Clippers guard
Darius Garland (toe) is considered week-to-week and continues practicing on a limited basis while managing his surgically repaired left foot, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. The team expects him to return this season, but a debut is unlikely before March. Garland carries a 28.6 usage rate when active, so his absence keeps
Kris Dunn entrenched as the starting point guard while
Kawhi Leonard maintains primary offensive control with a 34.8 usage rate.
Bennedict Mathurin and
Kobe Sanders carry value in deeper formats, though both profile as fringe options. Garland remains a firm hold in all competitive leagues.
--Brian DailisanSource: Law Murray
February 18, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (ankle) won't play on Thursday versus Cleveland. He tweaked his ankle during practice on Wednesday, so it appears his absence might extend beyond Thursday's contest. While Claxton is sidelined,
Day'Ron Sharpe will likely replace him in the starting lineup. Sharpe has averaged 13.8 points, 8.5 boards, 2.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks in four starts this season, meaning he needs to be featured in all fantasy lineups as long as Claxton remains on the shelf.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
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