ESPN's fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night's games. Here you'll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Wednesday
The first hump day of 2026 features a jam-packed 12 game slate. With 24 of the 30 teams in action, there will be interesting matchups and opportunities all over the place. In San Antonio, the second and third seeds in the Western Conference will face off as the San Antonio Spurs host the Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN. Both are in the second half of back-to-backs where they had to travel between games, so it will be interesting to see if the older (like LeBron James) or recovering (like Victor Wembanyama) players will be available.
The Eastern Conference's second-seeded Boston Celtics will host the Western Conference's fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets won on Monday despite sitting most of their starters for maintenance. It is assumed that they will return today, but Jamal Murray is listed as questionable with an ankle issue, so keep an eye out for his availability.
According to DraftKings, the game with by-far the highest total for the night is the New Orleans Pelicans at the Atlanta Hawks. The Pelicans are on the second half of a back-to-back after a close loss to the Lakers last night. The Hawks come in more rested, but it isn't clear whether they will get Trae Young (questionable) back after a five-game absence.
These, and many other storylines will be on display tonight. As always, let's dig deeper into the matchups to identify some fantasy streamers, betting angles and DFS plays of interest on this packed out slate.
Wednesday's fantasy stream team
Julian Champagnie, SF, San Antonio Spurs (rostered in 8.6% of ESPN leagues): Champagnie continues to scorch from the field, averaging 22.0 PPG on 50.9 FG% and 5.5 3PG in his past four games, all starts. But keep an eye on Devin Vassell's status tonight. Champagnie has been starting in Vassell's place, but Vassell is questionable to return tonight.
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz (29.7%): On Monday, Nurkic returned from a two-game absence without missing a beat. He dropped a 21-point/12-rebound double-double with five assists and two steals in 31 minutes, number very similar to his average from the previous four games (18,8 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 6.3 APG).
Quentin Grimes, SG, Philadelphia 76ers (39.7%): Grimes is consistent in his role as instant offense off the bench. He has scored in double-digits in five straight games, averaging 34.4 MPG off the bench while filling the stat sheet. He's a mid-teens scorer that'll give a handfull of rebounds and a few assists, but his true value comes in how he fills the hard-to-fill categories. In that five-game stretch, Grimes has averaged 3.0 3PG, 1.4 SPG and 1.2 BPG.
Isaiah Collier, PG, Utah Jazz (19.3%): Collier is a great floor general off the bench. He has dished at least seven assists in four straight games, and at least eight assists in 10 of his past 12. Collier is also a low-double-digit scorer that can get a handful of rebounds and generate defensive stats as well.
Dre's bets for Wednesday
Celtics -9.5 vs. Nuggets (-105)
The Celtics have won eight of their past nine games, and seven of those eight wins came by double figures. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are struggling and without their MVP Nikola Jokic until at least the end of the month. They have lost four of their past six games, including a 12-point loss to the Brooklyn Nets and a 24-point loss to the Miami Heat. The Nuggets are also on the seventh game of an extended road trip. Per ESPN BPI, the Celtics are favored to win by 10.8 points, more than the spread.
Alex Sarr over 2.5 total blocks + steals (-154)
Sarr has become consistent as an elite defender. He has at least three combined steals and blocks in seven of his last eight games. If you're looking for more juice, Sarr over 2.5 blocks is getting plus money (+141) despite him having at least three blocks in six of his past eight.
Jalen Johnson over 19.5 assists + rebounds (-130)
Johnson is a walking triple-double whether Trae Young plays or not. In his past 14 games, including five next to Young, Johnson is averaging 10.9 RPG and 10.1 APG (21.0 A+R). He notched over 19.5 A+R in nine of those 14 games, and with the game projecting to be the highest scoring of the night (per DraftKings totals) Johnson should have plenty of opportunity to generate statistics.
Victor Wembanyama over 20.5 points (-106)
The only question in my mind is whether Wemby (knee) plays tonight after having returned from injury last night. If he doesn't play, the bet should be voided. But if he does play, Wembanyama has been in his scoring zone of late. He returned last night with 30 points in 21 minutes, giving him an average of 29.8 PPG in 25.0 MPG in his past four outings with at least 26 in each game.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
$8,100+ salaries
Jalen Johnson, PF, Atlanta Hawks ($10,600)
Johnson's nightly triple-double potential has allowed him to score 50 or more fantasy points in 15 of his last 17 games, with seven games over 60 fantasy points in that span.
Tyrese Maxey, PG, Philadelphia 76ers ($9,900)
Maxey entered the New Year on a role that has continued; he has scored between 58 and 69 fantasy points in four straight games.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Anthony Black, PG, Orlando Magic ($7,700)
Black had a down game on Tuesday, but had previously averaged just over 50 FP/G in the previous four games he had played without Jalen Suggs in the lineup; Suggs is out tonight.
Alex Sarr, C, Washington Wizards ($7,200)
Sarr has scored between 39 and 49 fantasy points in four of his last six games, fueled by his 18 blocked shots in those four games.
Jusuf Nurkic, C, Utah Jazz ($6,800)
Nurkic has notched more than 43 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including the 49.5 FP he dropped in his last outing against the Portland Trail Blazers.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Isaiah Collier, PG, Utah Jazz ($5,700)
Collier is a double-double threat every night despite coming off the bench. In his past three games, including one where he notched a points-rebounds double-double, Collier has averaged more than 33 fantasy points per game.
Julian Champagnie, SF, San Antonio Spurs ($5,300)
Champagnie has notched between 41 and 51 fantasy points in three of his past four games, but beware if Vassell (questionable) returns tonight.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Toronto Raptors at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors -1.5 (-112) | Hornets +1.5 (-108)
Money line: Raptors -122 | Hornets +102
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 1.7, straight up 55%, 228.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (OUT - Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Back)
Hornets: Brandon Miller, (GTD - Knee); Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Wrist); Tidjane Salaun, (GTD - Ankle); Ryan Kalkbrenner, (OUT - Elbow); Grant Williams, (OUT - Knee); Mason Plumlee, (OUT - Groin)
Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls +11.5 (-118) | Pistons -11.5 (-102)
Money line: Bulls +370 | Pistons -485
Total: 231.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 8.8, straight up 73%, 235.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Coby White, (GTD - Calf); Zach Collins, (OUT - Toe); Josh Giddey, (OUT - Hamstring); Noa Essengue, (OFS - Shoulder)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Wrist); Caris LeVert, (GTD - Knee); Duncan Robinson, (GTD - Calf); Isaac Jones, (GTD - Knee); Wendell Moore Jr., (GTD - Hamstring); Jalen Duren, (OUT - Ankle); Tobias Harris, (OUT - Hip)
Washington Wizards at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Wizards +13.5 (-105) | 76ers -13.5 (-115)
Money line: Wizards +470 | 76ers -650
Total: 234.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 15.1, straight up 87%, 240.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Wizards: Corey Kispert, (GTD - Hamstring); Khris Middleton, (GTD - Knee); Kyshawn George, (OUT - Hip); Cam Whitmore, (OUT - Shoulder)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Kelly Oubre Jr., (GTD - Knee); Trendon Watford, (GTD - Thigh)
Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics
7 p.m. ET
Line: Nuggets +9.5 (-110) | Celtics -9.5 (-110)
Money line: Nuggets +300 | Celtics -380
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 10.8, straight up 78%, 232.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, (GTD - Hamstring); Christian Braun, (GTD - Ankle); Jamal Murray, (GTD - Ankle); Tim Hardaway Jr., (GTD - Illness); Cameron Johnson, (OUT - Knee); Jonas Valanciunas, (OUT - Calf); Nikola Jokic, (OUT - Knee); Tamar Bates, (OUT - Foot)
Celtics: Ron Harper Jr., (OUT - Back); Josh Minott, (OUT - Ankle); Jayson Tatum, (OUT - Achilles)
New Orleans Pelicans at Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +10.5 (-110) | Hawks -10.5 (-110)
Money line: Pelicans +360 | Hawks -470
Total: 247.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 10.3, straight up 77%, 245.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Herbert Jones, (GTD - Ankle); Saddiq Bey, (GTD - Hip); Dejounte Murray, (OUT - Achilles)
Hawks: Trae Young, (GTD - Quadriceps); N'Faly Dante, (OFS - Knee)
Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -1.5 (-118) | Nets +1.5 (-102)
Money line: Magic -125 | Nets +105
Total: 222.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 2.8, straight up 58%, 220.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Colin Castleton, (OUT - Thumb); Franz Wagner, (OUT - Ankle); Jalen Suggs, (OUT - Knee); Moritz Wagner, (OUT - Knee)
Nets: Ben Saraf, (OUT - Knee); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee)
LA Clippers at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Clippers +4.5 (-102) | Knicks -4.5 (-118)
Money line: Clippers +160 | Knicks -192
Total: 221.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 6.8, straight up 69%, 226.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD - Shoulder); Bogdan Bogdanovic, (OUT - Hamstring); Derrick Jones Jr., (OUT - Knee); Bradley Beal, (OFS - Hip)
Knicks: Landry Shamet, (OUT - Shoulder); Josh Hart, (OUT - Ankle)
Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Suns -4.5 (-112) | Grizzlies +4.5 (-108)
Money line: Suns -198 | Grizzlies +164
Total: 233.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Suns by 1.4, straight up 54%, 231.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Suns: Jalen Green, (OUT - Hamstring); Jamaree Bouyea, (OUT - Concussion)
Grizzlies: Cedric Coward, (GTD - Ankle); Ja Morant, (GTD - Calf); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle); John Konchar, (OUT - Thumb); , (OUT - Calf); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Calf)
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +17.5 (-110) | Thunder -17.5 (-110)
Money line: Jazz +675 | Thunder -1050
Total: 240.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 20.7, straight up 96%, 242.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Ace Bailey, (GTD - Hip); Georges Niang, (OUT - Foot); Walker Kessler, (OFS - Shoulder)
Thunder: Brooks Barnhizer, (GTD - Ankle); Alex Caruso, (OUT - Back); Isaiah Hartenstein, (OUT - Calf); Jaylin Williams, (OUT - Heel); Ousmane Dieng, (OUT - Calf); Nikola Topic, (OUT - Groin); Thomas Sorber, (OFS - Knee)
Los Angeles Lakers at San Antonio Spurs
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +8.5 (-118) | Spurs -8.5 (-102)
Money line: Lakers +225 | Spurs -278
Total: 237.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Spurs by 5.1, straight up 65%, 234.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Gabe Vincent, (GTD - Back); Rui Hachimura, (OUT - Calf); Austin Reaves, (OUT - Calf); Adou Thiero, (OUT - Knee)
Spurs: Devin Vassell, (GTD - Thigh); Harrison Ingram, (OUT - Illness)
Milwaukee Bucks at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Bucks +5.5 (-105) | Warriors -5.5 (-115)
Money line: Bucks +190 | Warriors -230
Total: 230.5 (-108 O, -112 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 4.5, straight up 63%, 228.8 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Taurean Prince, (OUT - Neck)
Warriors: Draymond Green, (GTD - Ankle); Gary Payton II, (GTD - Ankle); Seth Curry, (OUT - Back)
Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET
Line: Rockets -6.5 (-112) | Blazers +6.5 (-108)
Money line: Rockets -265 | Blazers +215
Total: 222.5 (-110 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 7.4, straight up 70%, 232.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Rockets: Isaiah Crawford, (OUT - Illness); Alperen Sengun, (OUT - Ankle); Fred VanVleet, (OUT - Knee)
Blazers: Kris Murray, (GTD - Back); Jerami Grant, (OUT - Achilles); Jrue Holiday, (OUT - Calf); Matisse Thybulle, (OUT - Thumb); Scoot Henderson, (OUT - Hamstring); Blake Wesley, (OUT - Foot); Damian Lillard, (OFS - Achilles)