Last week was an eventful one for elite performances, as some of the NBA’s top players did what fantasy managers expect stars to do. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped two 40-point stat lines on the Cavaliers in consecutive games, while San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama recorded a stat line in a win over Dallas that only Wilt Chamberlain and Bob McAdoo had before.
But if one player has truly been on fire, it’s Lakers point guard Luka Dončić. He’s recorded at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists in each of his last seven appearances. Dončić has scored at least 40 points in four straight games, including a 53-point effort against the Trail Blazers on November 6. His averages during that four-game run: 45.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 7.3 three-pointers per game while shooting 52.4 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from three and 87.0 percent from the foul line.
Thanks to this run, Dončić belongs in the conversation with Gilgeous-Alexander, Wembanyama, and Denver’s Nikola Jokić for the most valuable player in fantasy basketball this season, regardless of league format. He did not play in the Lakers’ November 8 win over the Pistons, and availability can be a concern for a player who last exceeded 65 games in 2023-24. However, that can’t be used as an excuse not to acknowledge Dončić’s production.
Raphielle Johnson▶ WHO’S HOT
G Darius Acuff Jr., Sacramento Kings: Over his last four games, Acuff averaged 25.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.8 three-pointers while shooting 44.2 percent from the field and 82.4 percent from the foul line. In Sunday’s loss to the Heat, he recorded his second 30-point double-double, finishing with 32 points and 10 assists.
C Brook Lopez, LA Clippers: Lopez has started the Clippers’ last three games, scoring 20 points in each of the last two. The days of him being an elite fantasy center may be in the rearview mirror, but the 7-footer has proven more valuable than many managers expected before the season began.
G/F Klay Thompson, Miami Heat: Sometimes getting away from home can help a player lock in. Thompson scored at least 19 points in three of the first four games of Miami’s five-game road trip, including a 30-point effort in a November 4 win over the Clippers that he capped with a buzzer-beating three. Also, Thompson has made at least seven three-pointers in two of his last three games.
▶ WHO’S NOT
G Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics: Over the last week, he’s shot 33.3 percent from the field while averaging 9.5 points per game. He did finish the week with three straight games in double figures, but fantasy managers expect more from the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
G/F Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets: In Charlotte’s three games last week, Miller averaged 11.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 three-pointers per game while shooting 27.9 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three. With Kon Knueppel out for at least four weeks and Dennis Schröder (hamstring) out for at least two weeks, the Hornets need more from Miller. Unfortunately, he’s dealing with an adductor injury and is day-to-day.
C Kel’el Ware, Milwaukee Bucks: Ware’s inconsistency remains an issue, and he struggled throughout Milwaukee’s four-game week. The 7-footer averaged 2.0 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 13.6 minutes per game, shooting 19.0 percent from the field. So much for Ware’s ability to provide reliable fantasy value despite coming off the bench.
|
Rank |
Position(s) |
Name |
Team |
|
1 |
G |
Luka Dončić |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
2 |
C |
Victor Wembanyama |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
3 |
C |
Nikola Jokić |
Denver Nuggets |
|
4 |
G |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
5 |
F |
Giannis Antetokounmpo |
Miami Heat |
|
6 |
F |
Jayson Tatum |
Boston Celtics |
|
7 |
F |
Cooper Flagg |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
8 |
G |
Tyrese Maxey |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
9 |
G |
Anthony Edwards |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
10 |
G |
Cade Cunningham |
Detroit Pistons |
|
11 |
G |
Stephen Curry |
Golden State Warriors |
|
12 |
G |
Tyrese Haliburton |
Indiana Pacers |
|
13 |
G |
Jamal Murray |
Denver Nuggets |
|
14 |
F/C |
Scottie Barnes |
Toronto Raptors |
|
15 |
G |
Donovan Mitchell |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
16 |
C |
Karl-Anthony Towns |
New York Knicks |
|
17 |
G |
Austin Reaves |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
18 |
F |
Jalen Johnson |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
19 |
C |
Domantas Sabonis |
Sacramento Kings |
|
20 |
F |
Paul George |
Boston Celtics |
|
21 |
C |
Alperen Şengün |
Houston Rockets |
|
22 |
G |
Devin Booker |
Phoenix Suns |
|
23 |
G |
Trae Young |
Washington Wizards |
|
24 |
G/F |
Amen Thompson |
Houston Rockets |
|
25 |
F/C |
Evan Mobley |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
26 |
G/F |
Kevin Durant |
Houston Rockets |
|
27 |
G |
Kyrie Irving |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
28 |
C |
Walker Kessler |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
29 |
G |
Ty Jerome |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
30 |
F/C |
Anthony Davis |
Washington Wizards |
|
31 |
F |
Yaxel Lendeborg |
Golden State Warriors |
|
32 |
F |
Paolo Banchero |
Orlando Magic |
|
33 |
G |
Jalen Brunson |
New York Knicks |
|
34 |
F |
Cameron Boozer |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
35 |
F |
LeBron James |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
36 |
G |
James Harden |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
37 |
F |
Kawhi Leonard |
Toronto Raptors |
|
38 |
G |
Dejounte Murray |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
39 |
C |
Jalen Duren |
Detroit Pistons |
|
40 |
C |
Joel Embiid |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
41 |
F/C |
Jaren Jackson Jr. |
Utah Jazz |
|
42 |
G/F |
Brandon Miller |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
43 |
G |
Darius Acuff Jr. |
Sacramento Kings |
|
44 |
G |
LaMelo Ball |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
45 |
F |
Zion Williamson |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
46 |
F |
Franz Wagner |
Orlando Magic |
|
47 |
F |
Jaden McDaniels |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
48 |
G/F |
Jaylen Brown |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
49 |
G/F |
Deni Avdija |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
50 |
G |
De’Aaron Fox |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
51 |
F |
Michael Porter Jr. |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
52 |
F |
Pascal Siakam |
Indiana Pacers |
|
53 |
G/F |
Trey Murphy |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
54 |
G |
Nickeil Alexander-Walker |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
55 |
F/C |
Jabari Smith Jr. |
Houston Rockets |
|
56 |
F |
OG Anunoby |
New York Knicks |
|
57 |
F |
Lauri Markkanen |
Utah Jazz |
|
58 |
G/F |
Desmond Bane |
Orlando Magic |
|
59 |
G/F |
Dyson Daniels |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
60 |
G |
Brandin Podziemski |
Golden State Warriors |
|
61 |
F/C |
Chet Holmgren |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
62 |
G |
Dylan Harper |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
63 |
F |
Julius Randle |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
64 |
G |
Darius Garland |
LA Clippers |
|
65 |
G |
Tyler Herro |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
66 |
G/F |
Cedric Coward |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
67 |
F |
Caleb Wilson |
Chicago Bulls |
|
68 |
G |
Keyonte George |
Utah Jazz |
|
69 |
G/F |
Kyshawn George |
Washington Wizards |
|
70 |
C |
Jarrett Allen |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
71 |
G |
Ajay Mitchell |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
72 |
G |
Josh Giddey |
Chicago Bulls |
|
73 |
F |
Miles Bridges |
Phoenix Suns |
|
74 |
C |
Donovan Clingan |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
75 |
G |
Derrick White |
Boston Celtics |
|
76 |
G |
VJ Edgecombe |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
77 |
G |
Immanuel Quickley |
Toronto Raptors |
|
78 |
G |
Fred VanVleet |
Houston Rockets |
|
79 |
C |
Onyeka Okongwu |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
80 |
G |
Davion Mitchell |
Miami Heat |
|
81 |
G/F |
Zach LaVine |
Sacramento Kings |
|
82 |
G |
Ayo Dosunmu |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
83 |
G |
Anthony Black |
Orlando Magic |
|
84 |
C |
Zach Edey |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
85 |
G |
Damian Lillard |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
86 |
F/C |
Naz Reid |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
87 |
G/F |
Ausar Thompson |
Detroit Pistons |
|
88 |
G |
Stephon Castle |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
89 |
C |
Isaiah Hartenstein |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
90 |
G/F |
Josh Hart |
New York Knicks |
|
91 |
C |
Alex Sarr |
Washington Wizards |
|
92 |
G/F |
Kon Knueppel |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
93 |
C |
Moussa Diabaté |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
94 |
G/F |
RJ Barrett |
Toronto Raptors |
|
95 |
G |
Ja Morant |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
96 |
F |
AJ Dybantsa |
Washington Wizards |
|
97 |
C |
Paul Reed |
Detroit Pistons |
|
98 |
G |
Jeremiah Fears |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
99 |
G/F |
Norman Powell |
Chicago Bulls |
|
100 |
C |
Ivica Zubac |
Indiana Pacers |
|
101 |
G |
Payton Pritchard |
Boston Celtics |
|
102 |
G/F |
Christian Braun |
Denver Nuggets |
|
103 |
C |
Wendell Carter Jr. |
Orlando Magic |
|
104 |
F |
Brandon Ingram |
LA Clippers |
|
105 |
G/F |
Devin Vassell |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
106 |
C |
Daniel Gafford |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
107 |
F/C |
Derik Queen |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
108 |
G/F |
Mikal Bridges |
New York Knicks |
|
109 |
F/C |
PJ Washington |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
110 |
F |
Peyton Watson |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
111 |
G/F |
Grayson Allen |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
112 |
C |
Nic Claxton |
Chicago Bulls |
|
113 |
F |
Matas Buzelis |
Chicago Bulls |
|
114 |
G |
Andrew Nembhard |
Indiana Pacers |
|
115 |
G/F |
Duncan Robinson |
Detroit Pistons |
|
116 |
C |
Day’Ron Sharpe |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
117 |
F/C |
Draymond Green |
Golden State Warriors |
|
118 |
F/C |
Jalen Smith |
Chicago Bulls |
|
119 |
C |
Yves Missi |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
120 |
G |
Coby White |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
121 |
F |
Tari Eason |
Houston Rockets |
|
122 |
G |
Jrue Holiday |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
123 |
F |
Jonathan Kuminga |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
124 |
C |
Rudy Gobert |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
125 |
G |
Jalen Suggs |
Orlando Magic |
|
126 |
G |
CJ McCollum |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
127 |
G |
Darryn Peterson |
Utah Jazz |
|
128 |
G |
De’Anthony Melton |
Golden State Warriors |
|
129 |
C |
Brook Lopez |
LA Clippers |
|
130 |
F |
Dillon Brooks |
Phoenix Suns |
|
131 |
F |
Keegan Murray |
Sacramento Kings |
|
132 |
F/C |
Collin Murray-Boyles |
Toronto Raptors |
|
133 |
G/F |
Jaime Jaquez Jr. |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
134 |
G/F |
Alex Caruso |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
135 |
F |
Ace Bailey |
Utah Jazz |
|
136 |
G/F |
Aaron Wiggins |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
137 |
C |
Isaiah Jackson |
LA Clippers |
|
138 |
F |
Aaron Gordon |
Denver Nuggets |
|
139 |
F |
Saddiq Bey |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
140 |
G |
Collin Gillespie |
Phoenix Suns |
|
141 |
G |
Kris Dunn |
LA Clippers |
|
142 |
C |
Myles Turner |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
143 |
G/F |
Naji Marshall |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
144 |
F |
Tobias Harris |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
145 |
G/F |
Klay Thompson |
Miami Heat |
|
146 |
F |
Tristan da Silva |
Orlando Magic |
|
147 |
C |
Robert Williams III |
Portland Trail Blazers |
|
148 |
G |
Nolan Traoré |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
149 |
F |
Derrick Jones Jr. |
LA Clippers |
|
150 |
C |
Kel’el Ware |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
151 |
C |
Neemias Queta |
Boston Celtics |
|
152 |
F/C |
Isaiah Stewart |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
153 |
F |
Rui Hachimura |
LA Clippers |
|
154 |
F/C |
Bobby Portis |
Miami Heat |
|
155 |
F |
Kyle Kuzma |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
156 |
G |
Cam Spencer |
Memphis Grizzlies |
|
157 |
G |
Kingston Flemings |
Atlanta Hawks |
|
158 |
C |
Khaman Maluach |
Phoenix Suns |
|
159 |
F |
Julian Champagnie |
San Antonio Spurs |
|
160 |
F |
Obi Toppin |
Indiana Pacers |
|
161 |
G |
Keaton Wagler |
LA Clippers |
|
162 |
F |
Pelle Larsson |
Miami Heat |
|
163 |
G |
Ryan Rollins |
Milwaukee Bucks |
|
164 |
F |
Santi Aldama |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
165 |
G |
Ja’Kobe Walter |
Toronto Raptors |
|
166 |
G/F |
Cameron Johnson |
Denver Nuggets |
|
167 |
G |
Reed Sheppard |
Houston Rockets |
|
168 |
F/C |
John Collins |
Detroit Pistons |
|
169 |
F |
Jake LaRavia |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
170 |
F/C |
Karlo Matković |
New Orleans Pelicans |
|
171 |
F/C |
Precious Achiuwa |
Sacramento Kings |
|
172 |
C |
Ryan Kalkbrenner |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
173 |
F |
Zaccharie Risacher |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
174 |
F |
Jimmy Butler |
Golden State Warriors |
|
175 |
G |
Marcus Smart |
Houston Rockets |
|
176 |
G |
Daniss Jenkins |
Detroit Pistons |
|
177 |
C |
Jusuf Nurkić |
Utah Jazz |
|
178 |
G |
Tre Jones |
Chicago Bulls |
|
179 |
G |
Brandon Williams |
Golden State Warriors |
|
180 |
C |
Aday Mara |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
181 |
G/F |
Jalen Green |
Phoenix Suns |
|
182 |
G |
Meleek Thomas |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
183 |
F |
Max Strus |
LA Clippers |
|
184 |
F/C |
Sandro Mamukelashvili |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
185 |
C |
Mitchell Robinson |
Boston Celtics |
|
186 |
G |
Jamal Shead |
Toronto Raptors |
|
187 |
F |
Trevon Brazile |
Denver Nuggets |
|
188 |
G/F |
Aaron Nesmith |
Indiana Pacers |
|
189 |
G |
Dennis Schröder |
Charlotte Hornets |
|
190 |
G/F |
Matisse Thybulle |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
191 |
G |
Mikel Brown Jr. |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
192 |
F |
DeMar DeRozan |
Denver Nuggets |
|
193 |
C |
Jakob Poeltl |
Toronto Raptors |
|
194 |
G/F |
Bilal Coulibaly |
Washington Wizards |
|
195 |
G/F |
Kobe Sanders |
LA Clippers |
|
196 |
F |
Jarace Walker |
Indiana Pacers |
|
197 |
F |
Mario Hezonja |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
198 |
G/F |
Ziaire Williams |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
199 |
G |
Jared McCain |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
200 |
G/F |
De’Andre Hunter |
Sacramento Kings |
