NBA News

Nickeil Alexander-Walker • SG • Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Won't Play on Thursday

Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (foot) won't play in Thursday's rematch with Washington. The Hawks are also down Jalen Johnson (hip), meaning there will be plenty of shots up for grabs. There are several directions head coach Quin Snyder can go regarding the starting lineup. However, CJ McCollum, Onyeka Okongwu, and Jonathan Kuminga may be the most productive from a fantasy standpoint no matter who gets the start. Kuminga looked fantastic in his first game in Atlanta, amassing 27 points, seven boards, and two steals in 24 minutes.

Feb 26

Obi Toppin • PF • Pacers

Obi Toppin Cleared to Play Thursday

Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (foot) will suit up on Thursday versus Charlotte. He had played in only three games this season before suffering a stress fracture in his right foot. Prior to the injury, the 2020 No. 8 overall pick appeared to be well on his way to having the best year of his career, averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. With that said, Toppin will be on a minutes restriction for the remainder of the season, likely making him irrelevant for fantasy purposes.

Feb 26

Pascal Siakam • PF • Pacers

Pascal Siakam Unavailable Again on Thursday

Tyler Smith of IndySportsLegends.com reports that Indiana Pacers forward/center Pascal Siakam (wrist) is unavailable for Thursday's matchup with the Charlotte Hornets. Siakam was considered doubtful previously, but he's since been ruled out due to a left wrist sprain and will miss his second game in a row. The Pacers will be provided with some relief as Obi Toppin (foot) is set to suit up. However, his minutes will likely be limited, giving Ben Sheppard and Micah Potter plenty of frontcourt scoring opportunities.

Feb 26

Jalen Suggs • SG • Magic

Jalen Suggs Returning on Thursday Night

Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (back) will return from his three-game absence on Thursday versus Houston. Tristan da Silva had been starting while Suggs was on the shelf, most recently amassing 13 points, six rebounds, and two steals in Tuesday's 110-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Although it's realistic to assume Suggs might see less work than usual in his first game back, his presence should eliminate nearly all of da Silva's streaming appeal. The same can be said for Jett Howard and Jevon Carter, who were sporadically productive while Suggs was out of commission.

Feb 26

Rui Hachimura • PF • Lakers

Rui Hachimura Ruled Out Thursday

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (illness) won't suit up against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday due to an illness. The 28-year-old is averaging 11.7 points and 3.4 rebounds in 29.5 minutes per contest across 47 outings this season. With Hachimura on the shelf, a sizable amount of minutes could be available for players like Luke Kennard or Jack LaRavia. Luke Kennard has had most success recently draining at least one three-pointer in eight of his last nine appearances.

Feb 26

Patrick Williams • PF • Bulls

Patrick Williams Will Not Be Available on Thursday

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (quad) was downgraded from doubtful to out for Thursday's game against the Trail Blazers. Williams will join Jalen Smith (calf) on the sidelines, leaving lots of playing time and usage for Guerschon Yabusele, Nick Richards, and Leonard Miller. Yabusele and Richards each have double-double potential in the favorable matchup. Yabusele will likely start in place of Smith, giving him and especially high ceiling due to his multi-category upside against Portland, and without Williams, Miller may have to step more into the mix off the bench.

Feb 26

Malik Monk • SG • Kings

Malik Monk Uncertain for Thursday Against Dallas

Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (ankle) is dealing with ankle soreness and may not be available when his team finishes their back-to-back in Texas with a game against the Mavericks. Monk only had seven points in 19 minutes on Wednesday, but had double-digit points in five straight before that. Russell Westbrook (thigh) and Keegan Murray (ankle) are already out, so if Monk joins them on the sidelines, Devin Carter and Killian Hayes will get plenty of run in the backcourt, while Nique Clifford, Precious Achiuwa, and Maxime Raynaud will have to carry more of the scoring load in the offense.

Feb 26

Russell Westbrook • PG • Kings

Russell Westbrook Will Not Play Thursday

Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (thigh) was listed as out for the second night of his team's back-to-back due to a bruised right thigh. He played 25 minutes on Wednesday against the Rockets and had 22 points against his former team. Without him on Thursday against the Mavericks, more time and opportunities will be available for Devin Carter, especially if Malik Monk (ankle) does not play through his questionable tag. Recent addition Killian Hayes could also get more playing time without Russ on Thursday night.

Feb 26

Keegan Murray • PF • Kings

Keegan Murray Will Not Play on Thursday in Dallas

Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray (ankle) will not play on Thursday after aggravating his sprained ankle in Wednesday's loss to the Rockets. Murray missed 20 games with an injury to the same ankle from Jan. 6 to Feb. 11, but the team hasn't given an update on any timetable for him to return this time. Without him on Thursday, Nique Clifford will likely play a more active role, while Daeqwon Plowden and Patrick Baldwin will also have more work coming off the bench. The Kings are already short-handed, so without Murray, even more value will be available to those fringe contributors.

Feb 26

Kawhi Leonard • SF • Clippers

Kawhi Leonard Ruled Out on Thursday Against the Timberwolves

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (ankle) will not play Thursday night in the late game against Minnesota. He is dealing with soreness in his left ankle and will remain day-to-day going forward. He played 33 minutes in Sunday's loss to Orlando, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, but he'll miss Thursday's game, leaving more time and usage for the rest of the rotation. The main players who will need to step up are Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller, who are each interesting options for DFS and streaming purposes in expanded roles against Minnesota.

Feb 26

Amen Thompson • SG • Rockets

Amen Thompson Not on the Injury Report for Thursday

Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson (quad) missed Wednesday night's matchup with the Kings due to left quadriceps tendinitis, but he is not on the injury report and should be ready to return on Thursday against the Magic. Thompson will continue to play through the issue as he has for at least a few weeks. It seems to be slowing him down a little on offense, but he's still playing huge minutes and contributing on the defensive end. He did show a little offensive spark with 20 points on Monday against the Jazz, though, and he always brings a high ceiling with his multi-category potential. He can be used in your fantasy lineups as you normally would for Thursday's contest, while Reed Sheppard will return to his normal role after getting extra work on Wednesday and dropping 28 points in 32 minutes against Sacramento.

Feb 26

Jalen Johnson • PF • Hawks

Jalen Johnson Listed as Out on Thursday

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (hip) was initially questionable for Thursday's game against the Wizards, but has been downgraded to out. He tweaked his hip in Tuesday's win over Washington and will miss the rematch Thursday. Without him, new Hawks addition Jonathan Kuminga will carry a large workload. In his Hawks' debut on Tuesday, Kuminga impressed with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three three-pointers in 25 minutes. In the same matchup on Thursday, Kuminga has a very high ceiling. Zaccharie Risacher (hip) could also get extra work if he plays through his own questionable tag in this favorable spot

Feb 26

Tristan Vukcevic • PF • Wizards

Tristan Vukcevic Will be Available on Thursday

Washington Wizards center Tristan Vukcevic (hip) was questionable with a hip impingement, but he'll be able to play on Thursday against Atlanta. Vukcevic has been dealing with a hand injury in addition to his hip issue, but he should be ready to roll on Thursday. He had five points, six rebounds, and one assist in 22 minutes on Tuesday in the first game of this two-game series in Atlanta. He and Anthony Gill have been sharing the minutes at center with Alex Sarr (hamstring) sidelined. If Vukcevic is limited at all, Gill could get more run, but for now, it looks like each will limit the upside of the other.

Feb 26

Kyshawn George • SF • Wizards

Kyshawn George Ruled Out Against Atlanta

Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George (knee) was downgraded from questionable to out for Thursday night's matchup against the Hawks. George has been effective when available but has been in and out of the lineup with a variety of injuries. Now he's dealing with a left knee contusion, possibly suffered on Tuesday in a loss to the Hawks in the first game of this two-game set in Atlanta. Without him on Thursday, the Wizards will likely give more playing time to Justin Champagnie, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins, who has his two-way contract converted to a standard deal earlier in the day.

Feb 26

Lauri Markkanen • PF • Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Will Not Play Thursday

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (ankle, hip) will not play Thursday after spraining his right ankle and suffering a right hip impingement during Wednesday's practice. His status is not surprising since the Jazz are being so cautious with their best players, and Markkanen could be headed for an extended absence, depending on the results of the MRI he had on Wednesday. Without him against the Pelicans on Thursday, other Jazz forwards like John Konchar, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski will pick up more work and could have fantasy value in a favorable matchup.

Feb 26

Norman Powell • SG • Heat

Norman Powell Downgraded to Questionable Thursday Against the 76ers

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) was a late addition to his team's injury report on Thursday afternoon and is questionable for the team's game in Philadelphia due to right groin soreness. He missed time just before the All-Star break due to an illness, but he has played three games since the break and scored 26 points in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. With Davion Mitchell (illness) also questionable, there could be lots of work in Miami's backcourt for Kasparas Jakucionis, Pelle Larsson, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. alongside Tyler Herro, who is still playing limited minutes after his recent return.

Feb 26

Jamir Watkins • SG • Wizards

Jamir Watkins Signs a Two-Year Deal with Washington

Washington Wizards forward Jamir Watkins has been getting good playing time lately, and the two-way player has played his way into a standard contract. The 24-year-old has played seven of the Wizards' last eight games, averaging 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 steals in 28 minutes per game. Watkins should continue to get good playing time now that the team doesn't have to manage his days with the NBA team. He's a bargain DFS option or a deep league streamer to consider when the Wizards are short-handed, as they will be on Thursday against the Hawks.

Feb 26

Daniel Gafford • C • Mavericks

Daniel Gafford Doubtful Versus Kings

Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford (ankle) is doubtful for Thursday's matchup against Sacramento as he manages a right ankle injury. With Dallas on a back-to-back, the expectation is that Gafford could return Friday against Memphis, but he is unlikely to suit up in this opener. Marvin Bagley III is positioned to start after producing 22 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes last game. Bagley becomes a short-term streaming option, while Naji Marshall and Max Christie could absorb added rebounding chances if Gafford sits.

Feb 26

Lauri Markkanen • PF • Jazz

Lauri Markkanen Questionable Against Pelicans

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (ankle/hip) is questionable for Thursday's matchup against New Orleans after picking up right ankle and hip issues during practice. Markkanen is one of Utah's go-to scorers and key floor spacers, so if he sits, the Jazz will have to spread those shots around and lean more on their other scoring options. John Konchar could slide into the starting group after logging 24 minutes with five points and three steals last game, but Brice Sensabaugh carries the higher ceiling after erupting for 26 points and four three-pointers in 32 minutes.

Feb 26

P.J. Washington • PF • Mavericks

P.J. Washington Won't Play Thursday Against Kings

Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington (ankle) will sit out Thursday against Sacramento after spraining his left ankle late in Tuesday's win over Brooklyn. Washington usually soaks up around 28 minutes a night, so there are real minutes to fill, especially with Daniel Gafford (ankle) also banged up. Klay Thompson stepped into a larger scoring role last game with 17 points in 23 minutes, while Caleb Martin chipped in five rebounds across the same workload. Thompson carries scoring upside but remains streaky, and Martin is more of a deep-league filler. Naji Marshall should see the most stable bump in usage.

Feb 26

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