Before we get into the pickups, can we just take a moment to appreciate greatness?
Nikola Jokić finished with yet another triple-double Sunday against Orlando and nailed the game-winner with this step-back three over Franz Wagner. Yeesh
EVERY ANGLE OF NIKOLA JOKIC'S STEPBACK GAME-WINNER 🎬 pic.twitter.com/007JQYDLas
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023
LeBron James finished with 35 points and became just the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387). James is likely a dozen or fewer games away from breaking Kareem’s all-time scoring record.
LeBron James is the second player in NBA history to score 38,000 career points.
— NBA (@NBA) January 16, 2023
Greatness. pic.twitter.com/XgvALhcuON
Terance Mann (14%): Mann came through in a big way Sunday, delivering the second 30-point game of his career and first one in the regular season. He hit 12-of-16 shots and nailed five triples in this one, adding six rebounds and four assists on the career night.
Terance Mann dropped a regular season career-high tonight in the Clippers win:
— NBA (@NBA) January 15, 2023
31 PTS (career-high)
6 REB
4 AST
5 3PM pic.twitter.com/TOTDIiEpui
Paul George has missed five straight games, and Mann has seen a dramatic uptick in playing time. Over those five contests, Mann has logged 34.8 minutes while averaging 15.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.0 triples. It’s unclear how long George’s hamstring injury will keep him sidelined, but Mann figures to be a viable option for the duration of his absence. Mann ranks just outside the top-100 in per-game fantasy value over the last two weeks and deserves to be added in 12-team leagues.
Norman Powell (52%) is right behind Mann in fantasy value over the last 14 days, so give him a look, too. Here are some other notable names to consider when scanning the waiver wire...
Isaiah Jackson (41%): We mentioned him in Saturday’s article, but his name bears repeating. I-Jax should be the Pacers’ starting center for as long as Myles Turner is out, making him a must-roster player. He’s swatted 11 shots over his last two starts.
T.J. McConnell (43%): Ditto T.J. McConnell. We’ll continue to feature him until his roster percentage climbs appropriately. Over his last three games, McConnell has averaged 13.3 points, 7.7 boards, 8.3 dimes and 2.0 steals.
Gabe Vincent (21%): Injuries abound in Miami, and Vincent has the inside track to plenty of playing time while his teammates are sidelined. Over his last two games, GV has averaged 27.5 points, 5.0 triples, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 dimes and 3.5 swipes.
Alex Caruso (38%): Caruso made his third straight start Sunday and delivered 12 points, nine boards, seven dimes and two swipes. In his three starts, he’s averaged 9.7 points, 5.7 boards, 4.7 dimes and 2.7 swipes. He’s worth adding and streaming at least until DeMar DeRozan returns.
Royce O’Neale (52%): O’Neale has seemingly been the biggest beneficiary of Kevin Durant‘s injury from a fantasy perspective, but he started to get back on track even while KD was healthy. O’Neale posted 13 points, 11 assists, eight boards, two steals and a triple Sunday, and he’s been a top-90 fantasy option over the last two weeks.