New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray (Achilles) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. The Pelicans are going to play it safe and rest Murray during the first game of this back-to-back set. The expectation is that Murray will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. Murray made his season debut versus the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. He missed the first 58 games of the season while recovering from a torn Achilles. He finished with 17 points, nine assists, and four steals during Thursday's game. Murray should offer strong upside once he's back to full speed. Bryce McGowens, Jordan Poole, and Jeremiah Fears should all see increased playing time with Murray out on Saturday.

New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Trey Murphy III (shoulder) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz. This will mark the fifth game in a row that Murphy has missed due to a right shoulder contusion. He is being ruled out a full day in advance, so he's probably not close to returning. The Pelicans haven't given a clear timetable on his return yet. His absence should mean Bryce McGowens and Jordan Poole continue to see increased run. Poole is inconsistent at times, but his scoring upside makes him worth rostering in most fantasy formats.

Dallas Mavericks guard/forward Caleb Martin (back) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. This sounds like a minor issue, so hopefully Martin will return for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs are banged up with P.J. Washington (ankle), Cooper Flagg (foot), and Klay Thompson (rest) all absent on Friday. That means Khris Middleton, Brandon Williams, and Max Christie should all see increased playing time. Honestly, all three of them are suitable streaming options with the Mavs thin on depth right now.

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (rest) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Unsurprisingly, the Mavs have decided to rest the veteran guard in the second leg of the back-to-back set. The expectation is that Thompson will be back in the mix for Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The absence of Thompson should mean an uptick in fantasy value for Brandon Williams, Max Christie, and Miles Kelly. Among the three, Williams is the most consistent streaming option ahead of Friday's slate.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center P.J. Washington (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. He was tagged as questionable, but has now been downgraded to out due to a left ankle sprain. Washington will sit out both games of the back-to-back set after sustaining an ankle injury on Tuesday. His next chance to play will come on Sunday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder, so fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of that game. Khris Middleton figures to see an expanded role in the rotation once again with Washington out on Friday. He finished with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists in 33 minutes of action on Thursday. Middleton is worth a look as a streaming option while Washington is sidelined.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, forward/center Taj Gibson has agreed to a deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his return to the NBA for a 17th season at age 40. With Memphis lacking healthy frontcourt players, Gibson could step into legitimate rotation minutes behind Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Prosper has averaged 25 minutes recently, and Gibson's presence may cap his upside slightly. Still, Gibson looks more like a steady veteran presence and insurance big for Memphis rather than someone fantasy managers need to target, except maybe in the deepest of leagues.

Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward Cedric Coward (knee) will remain sidelined for Friday's matchup against Dallas due to a sprained knee. The rookie wing is set to miss his sixth straight game, and Memphis has shown little urgency in rushing him back. Jaylen Wells should continue to see steady minutes after logging eight points, two rebounds, three assists, and two triples in 27 minutes last game. Walter Clayton Jr. should see minutes as well, but he is only a fringe streamer in deeper formats.

Free agent forward Kyle Anderson has agreed to a contract buyout with Memphis and is expected to sign with Minnesota once he clears waivers. The 32-year-old veteran is unlikely to command enough minutes in the Timberwolves' rotation to hold standard-league value, projecting more as frontcourt depth. His departure opens the door for Olivier-Maxence Prosper to continue starting in Memphis. Prosper logged three points, two rebounds, and one block in 20 minutes last game after posting 17 points in 25 minutes previously, making him a volatile deep-league streamer.

Miami Heat guard/forward Norman Powell (groin) did not return to Thursday's game against Philadelphia after sustaining a setback with his right groin in the second quarter. He finished with three points, three rebounds, and two assists in 10 minutes before being ruled out. Powell had been averaging 22.5 points in 30.0 minutes, so his absence would open up significant usage. Jaime Jaquez Jr. posted 19 points, four rebounds, and two steals in 30 minutes off the bench and is a viable short-term add. Pelle Larsson and Tyler Herro should also see expanded roles.

Houston Rockets forward/center Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle) did not return to Thursday's 113-108 win over Orlando after rolling his right ankle late in the fourth quarter. He finished with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting with one rebound and one assist across 29 minutes before exiting. Further evaluation is pending, and his status for Saturday is uncertain. Reed Sheppard would be the top fantasy beneficiary after posting 20 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and five triples in 31 minutes. Josh Okogie and Dorian Finney-Smith are deeper-league streamers if Smith sits.

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (hip) will miss at least two weeks after imaging confirmed a hip impingement with inflammation and a bone bruise suffered in practice. The 28-year-old had been averaging 23.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.0 minutes, leaving a sizable frontcourt void. Kyle Filipowski is the priority add after posting 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two triples in 18 minutes as a starter last game. Brice Sensabaugh and John Konchar should see added run, while Ace Bailey and Isaiah Collier could absorb more usage.

Pelicans' F Saddiq Bey scored 42 points on 14-of-20 shooting in a 129-118 win over Utah on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Lakers' G Luka Doncic scored 41 points on 12-of-21 shooting in a 110-113 loss to Phoenix on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Hawks' F Corey Kispert scored 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting in a 126-96 win over the Wizards on Thursday, Feb. 26. Kispert is owned in very few, if any leagues.

Rockets' F Kevin Durant scored 40 points on 14-of-28 shooting in a 113-108 win over Orlando on Thursday, Feb. 26.

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (ankle) has been upgraded to available for Thursday's game against Phoenix after previously carrying a probable tag. Hayes is averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 17.3 minutes this season and should slot back into his usual reserve role behind Deandre Ayton. His availability likely trims frontcourt minutes for Maxi Kleber and Jarred Vanderbilt, limiting their deep-league appeal. Hayes remains a fringe option outside of very deep formats, offering modest rebounding and field-goal percentage support without consistent volume.

Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (illness) is out, while centers Robert Williams III (foot) and Yang Hansen (back) are available for Thursday's game against Chicago. Clingan's absence opens frontcourt minutes, giving Williams per-minute upside appeal. Over his last five games, Williams has averaged 6.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 14.6 minutes, positioning him as a viable blocks streamer who can deliver efficient production even in a limited role. Hansen profiles as a deeper, riskier option. Jerami Grant and Toumani Camara should also see slight rebounding boosts with Clingan sidelined.

Chicago Bulls center Jalen Smith (calf) and forward Patrick Williams (quad) are expected to miss at least one week due to right leg strains. The timeline likely sidelines both for multiple games, thinning Chicago's frontcourt rotation. Guerschon Yabusele started the last contest and logged 27 minutes, producing 11 points, four rebounds, three three-pointers, one assist, and two steals, while Nick Richards added six points and five rebounds in 22 minutes. Yabusele profiles as a short-term streamer for threes and steals, and Richards offers deep-league rebounding value. Matas Buzelis should continue to see a steady run in the frontcourt.

Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton (shoulder) will play Thursday against Sacramento after entering the night with a shoulder stinger. The veteran wing has averaged 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 three-pointers in 23.0 minutes across his last five games, but he remains a volatile fantasy option given fluctuating minutes and workload management risk. With Dallas shorthanded in the frontcourt, Middleton should see steady involvement, though his availability could trim opportunities for Klay Thompson and Caleb Martin on the wing. Middleton is more of a matchup-based play in standard leagues, while deeper formats can justify holding for scoring and triples.

San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (shoulder) is available to play ahead of Thursday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Johnson was a late addition to the injury report, but he does shed the questionable tag. He figures to have his normal workload after only playing 14 minutes during Wednesday's contest. Johnson has been struggling lately; he has only scored over 10 points in two of his last seven games. The hope is that he is able to bounce out of this rough patch soon. Fantasy managers should continue to ride with him and should get him active ahead of tip-off on Thursday.