Last Updated on February 25, 2026 1:28 pm by Mike Passador | Published: February 25, 2026

Tuesday brought a full slate and while there were plenty of things to keep tabs on, including Dejounte Murray’s season debut, Jonathan Kuminga’s brilliant first game for Atlanta and Coby White’s first game with the Hornets, perhaps the most notable story was one that feels like old news: Joel Embiid returned from a multi-game absence.

He had been sidelined by right shin soreness and for right knee injury management, missing games on either side of the All-Star break. He played just 26 minutes against the tanking Pacers and lit them up for 27 points, six rebounds, five assists, a block and a 3-pointer but the biggest development came courtesy of the Philly Inquirer.

Embiid found it painful to walk over the All-Star break, with him feeling a sensation down his right leg that he compared to an electric shock. The Sixers called it right shin soreness but Embiid referred to it as a stress reaction.

That… does not sound good. Embiid has remained mostly healthy to this point in the season and is on track to play more than he has since 2022-23, even though he’s only at 32 games on the year. The Sixers just can’t seem to outrun his health issues and while Embiid did play on Tuesday, it sounds like he’s one bad step away from a longer absence.

Onto the rest.

Top Pickups

This is the “general must-add” section regardless of the slate. If these players are being overlooked and remain chilling on the waiver wire, consider adding them to your squad.

Cason Wallace (28%)

Wallace matched his career-high with 27 points on Tuesday night. Who needs Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, anyway? He added eight rebounds, seven assists, a steal and four 3-pointers while shooting 11-of-16 from the field (1-of-2 at the line) in 35 minutes. SGA is due to be evaluated next week but Wallace should continue to start until then, making him an easy short-term fantasy option who will provide elite value in steals at the minimum and lines like last night’s when he’s at his very best.

Brandin Podziemski (39%)

Want full access to our Daily Fantasy Basketball Cheat Sheet with Pickups, Slate Notes & Streamers? You’ll need to have an Ethos 360, All-Sport or NBA FantasyPass membership. Click here to learn more and sign up! Premium Access Required  

Join the SportsEthos team! Fill out an application by clicking here!