NBA Cheat Sheet: Fantasy Streamers, Best Bets, and DFS Picks – February 23, 2026

With 22 teams in action on Sunday, February 23, 2026, fantasy managers and sports bettors have a uniquely busy slate to navigate. Injury reports are extensive, impacting player availability and creating opportunities for value. Here’s a breakdown of top streamers, best bets, and daily fantasy sports (DFS) picks to aid you maximize your lineups and wagers.

Key Injuries Impacting Sunday’s Games

Several star players are expected to be sidelined, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Stephen Curry. Scottie Barnes and Cooper Flagg are also unavailable for their respective teams. These absences create openings for other players to step up and contribute.

Fantasy Streamers

Identifying players with increased opportunity due to injuries is crucial for fantasy success. Here are some top streamer options:

• Jarace Walker, PF, Indiana Pacers (17.9% rostered): Walker’s recent surge in minutes and production makes him a valuable pickup, particularly against a vulnerable Dallas Mavericks defense. His defensive contributions and playmaking ability add to his appeal.
• Christian Braun, SG/SF, Denver Nuggets (48.8% rostered): Braun is regaining form on both ends of the floor, and his fantasy market hasn’t fully caught up. A matchup against the Golden State Warriors presents a favorable opportunity.
• Brook Lopez, C, LA Clippers (14.4% rostered): Lopez is enjoying a renaissance, excelling in rim protection, scoring, and shooting. Facing the Orlando Magic on the second night of a back-to-back could lead to a high block and three-pointer total.
• Jalen Smith, PF/C, Chicago Bulls (14.7% rostered): Smith has momentum as a strong post-break performer, with limited competition for minutes as the team’s top rebounder and rim protector. The matchup against the New York Knicks could increase his playing time.

Best Bets

• P.J. Washington OVER 7.5 rebounds (-122): Washington surpassed this number on Friday, and his role in the paint is expected to grow with the Mavericks thin on healthy bodies. He has averaged 8.3 rebounds in four games without Flagg.
• Jalen Smith OVER 7.5 rebounds (-123): Similar to Washington, Smith is afforded numerous rebounding chances in a thin frontcourt for the Bulls.

Top Daily Fantasy Values

Here are some DFS values to consider for Sunday’s slate:

• Anthony Edwards, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves ($9,200): The Timberwolves are increasingly relying on Edwards, leading to stellar fantasy results. The Philadelphia 76ers are on the second leg of a back-to-back and lack rebounding size and wing depth.
• Josh Giddey, PG, Chicago Bulls ($7,600): Giddey is regaining his form as the Bulls’ primary creator, with a busy workload expected against the Knicks.
• Nikola Vucevic, C, Boston Celtics ($7,000): Even in a reduced role for the Celtics, Vucevic could thrive against the Los Angeles Lakers’ slow-footed frontcourt.
• Dominick Barlow, PF/C, Philadelphia 76ers ($4,200): If Joel Embiid is out, Barlow could see a significant role against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even with Embiid active, Barlow should see minutes in second units.

Sunday’s NBA Schedule & Projections (as of February 23, 2026)

Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder (1 p.m. ET on ABC)

Line: Cavaliers -4.5 (-108) | Thunder +4.5 (-112) | Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)

BPI Projection: Thunder by 0.9, straight up 53%, 234.5 total points.

Injury Report: Cavaliers – Max Strus (OUT – Foot). Thunder – Alex Caruso (OUT – Ankle); Ajay Mitchell (OUT – Ankle); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OUT – Abdomen); Jalen Williams (OUT – Hamstring); Thomas Sorber (OFS – Knee)

Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks (3:30 p.m. ET)

Line: Nets +9.5 (-108) | Hawks -9.5 (-112) | Total: 227.5 (-115 O, -105 U)

BPI Projection: Hawks by 9, straight up 75%, 226.1 total points.

Injury Report: Nets – Ziaire Williams (OUT – Personal). Hawks – Jonathan Kuminga (OUT – Knee)

Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks (3:30 p.m. ET)

Line: Raptors -2.5 (-118) | Bucks +2.5 (-102) | Total: 219.5 (-110 O, -110 U)

BPI Projection: Raptors by 2.5, straight up 58%, 221.7 total points.

Injury Report: Raptors – Chucky Hepburn (OUT – Knee); Scottie Barnes (OUT – Personal). Bucks – Myles Turner (GTD – Calf); Giannis Antetokounmpo (OUT – Calf); Taurean Prince (OUT – Neck)

Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC)

Line: Nuggets -6.5 (-105) | Warriors +6.5 (-115) | Total: 229.5 (-105 O, -105 U)

BPI Projection: Nuggets by 3.1, straight up 59%, 236.7 total points.

Injury Report: Nuggets – Jamal Murray (GTD – Hamstring); Jalen Pickett (OUT – Knee); Aaron Gordon (OUT – Hamstring); Peyton Watson (OUT – Hamstring); Tamar Bates (OUT – Foot). Warriors – Kristaps Porzingis (GTD – Achilles); Stephen Curry (OUT – Knee); Seth Curry (OUT – Back); Jimmy Butler III (OFS – Knee)

Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers (5 p.m. ET)

Line: Mavericks -2.5 (-102) | Pacers +2.5 (-118) | Total: 233.5 (-110 O, -110 U)

BPI Projection: Mavericks by 3.8, straight up 62%, 235.8 total points.

Injury Report: Mavericks – Caleb Martin (GTD – Ankle); Daniel Gafford (GTD – Ankle); Kyrie Irving (OFS – Knee). Pacers – Johnny Furphy (OFS – Knee); Andrew Nembhard (GTD – Back); Kam Jones (GTD – Back); Micah Potter (GTD – Ankle); Pascal Siakam (GTD – Hamstring); T.J. McConnell (GTD – Hamstring); Aaron Nesmith (OUT – Ankle); Ivica Zubac (OUT – Ankle); Obi Toppin (OUT – Foot); Tyrese Haliburton (OFS – Achilles)

Charlotte Hornets at Washington Wizards (6 p.m. ET)

Line: Hornets -11.5 (-115) | Wizards +11.5 (-105) | Total: 226.5 (-110 O, -110 U)

BPI Projection: Hornets by 14, straight up 85%, 227.3 total points.

Injury Report: Hornets – Coby White (OUT – Calf); Liam McNeeley (OUT – Ankle); Miles Bridges (OUT – Suspension); Moussa Diabate (OUT – Suspension). Wizards – Justin Champagnie (GTD – Knee); Kyshawn George (GTD – Toe); Tristan Vukcevic (GTD – Hand); Alex Sarr (OUT – Hamstring); D’Angelo Russell (OUT – Not Injury Related); Trae Young (OUT – Knee); Anthony Davis (OFS – Finger); Cam Whitmore (OFS – Shoulder)

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers (6:30 p.m. ET on NBC)

Line: Celtics -1.5 (-115) | Lakers +1.5 (-105) | Total: 228.5 (-115 O, -105 U)

BPI Projection: Celtics by 2.8, straight up 59%, 227.7 total points.

Injury Report: Celtics – Jayson Tatum (OUT – Achilles). Lakers – None reported

Philadelphia 76ers at Minnesota Timberwolves (7 p.m. ET)

Line: 76ers +8.5 (-105) | Timberwolves -8.5 (-115) | Total: 238.5 (-112 O, -108 U)

BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 7.8, straight up 72%, 236.2 total points.

Injury Report: 76ers – Joel Embiid (GTD – Lower Leg); Paul George (OUT – Suspension). Timberwolves – Rudy Gobert (OUT – Suspension)

New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. ET)

Line: Knicks -10.5 (-108) | Bulls +10.5 (-112) | Total: 231.5 (-110 O, -110 U)

BPI Projection: Knicks by 9.4, straight up 76%, 235.5 total points.

Injury Report: Knicks – Miles McBride (OUT – Pelvis). Bulls – Anfernee Simons (GTD – Wrist); Jaden Ivey (OUT – Knee); Noa Essengue (OFS – Shoulder); Zach Collins (OFS – Toe)

Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns (8 p.m. ET)

Line: Blazers -3.5 (-112) | Suns +3.5 (-108) | Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -110 U)

BPI Projection: Suns by 2.3, straight up 57%, 229.2 total points.

Injury Report: Blazers – Deni Avdija (GTD – Back); Shaedon Sharpe (OUT – Calf); Damian Lillard (OFS – Achilles). Suns – Cole Anthony (GTD – Not Injury Related); Jordan Goodwin (GTD – Calf); Devin Booker (OUT – Hip); Haywood Highsmith (OUT – Knee); Dillon Brooks (OUT – Hand)

Orlando Magic at LA Clippers (9 p.m. ET on NBA TV)

Line: Magic +2.5 (-108) | Clippers -2.5 (-112) | Total: 215.5 (-112 O, -108 U)

BPI Projection: Clippers by 2.8, straight up 59%, 220.4 total points.

Injury Report: Magic – Jalen Suggs (GTD – Back); Franz Wagner (OUT – Ankle). Clippers – Kawhi Leonard (GTD – Ankle); John Collins (OUT – Head); Darius Garland (OUT – Toe); Bradley Beal (OFS – Hip)