Fantasy Basketball Playoffs: Start/Sit Guide for Week of March 9, 2026

With the fantasy postseason approaching, weekly lineup decisions become increasingly important in season-long fantasy basketball leagues. Monitoring the NBA injury report, projected NBA starting lineups, and shifting NBA depth charts can support managers identify players poised for expanded roles before they climb the latest fantasy basketball rankings. Staying on top of fantasy basketball news, NBA player stats, and updated NBA player projections is also critical when deciding who to start or sit during uneven weekly schedules. This guide highlights several under-the-radar options worth considering, along with a few notable players who may be better left on the bench.

Team Schedules

• TEAMS WITH FIVE GAMES: Philadelphia 76ers
• TEAMS WITH FOUR GAMES: Brooklyn Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
• TEAMS WITH THREE GAMES: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Washington Wizards
• TEAMS WITH TWO GAMES: New Orleans Pelicans

Fantasy Basketball Start/Sit Guide

Guards

Start: Brandin Podziemski, Warriors

16% start rate

Stephen Curry is set to have his knee injury reevaluated in the first half of the coming week, but that obviously doesn’t afford any guarantees with respect to the star guard’s availability.

Podziemski has been doing a solid job in Curry’s stead as the starting point guard, averaging 16.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.0 steals across 34.0 minutes per contest over the last 11 games. With four games on his ledger this week and Curry potentially sidelined for all of them, Podziemski has a bright outlook.

Start: Andrew Nembhard, Pacers

44% start rate

Nembhard was averaging 16.4 points, 6.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds in the previous nine contests. He continued his well-rounded contributions with 14 points, nine assists, two rebounds and two steals across 28 minutes.

ALSO CONSIDER: Quentin Grimes, 76ers (10% start rate)

Sit: Trey Murphy, Pelicans

90% start rate

As is often the case with star players over the course of the season, Murphy’s inclusion as a Sit candidate this week is purely a circumstantial phenomenon.

Murphy will have just two opportunities to seize the floor this week, and while he has upside, a similarly talented option with more games could deliver stronger returns.

Forwards

Start: Kelly Oubre, 76ers

11% start rate

Oubre returned from a two-game absence due to illness and was impressive, furnishing 24 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals across 36 minutes. He is set to begin the 76ers’ five-game week set to play at least two games without Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

Start: GG Jackson, Grizzlies

10% start rate

Jackson is primed to benefit from multiple absences on his team, as the Grizzlies are set to open the week without Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen, Cedric Coward and Santi Aldama. He has averaged 17.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 blocks across 25.7 minutes in his last 10 contests.

ALSO CONSIDER: Noah Clowney, Nets (18% roster rate)

Sit: Jalen Williams, Thunder

48% start rate

Williams continues to sit on the bench due to a hamstring injury, having already missed 10 consecutive games. He remains without a clear timetable for return and is guaranteed to miss Monday’s game against Denver, making him an unnecessary risk this week.

Centers

Start: Maxime Raynaud, Kings

34% start rate

Raynaud continues to acquire valuable rookie reps, averaging 14.1 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 29.9 minutes over the last 15 games. He set together a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Start: Kyle Filipowski, Jazz

18% start rate

Filipowski is likely to play another week’s worth of games without Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkic. He is averaging 13.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.7 steals across 25.1 minutes in his last 14 contests.

Sit: Joel Embiid, 76ers

51% start rate

Embiid continues to be sidelined by his oblique injury and is not in line to return until later in the week. He carries too much uncertainty at this key time of the fantasy calendar.