Week 23 Schedule: Games Played
4 Games: BKN, CHA, CHI, DAL, DET, GSW, HOU, MIA, MIN, NOR, NYK, PHI, POR, UTA, WAS
3 Games: ATL, BOS, CLE, DEN, IND, LAL, MEM, MIL, OKC, ORL, PHX, TOR
2 Games: LAC, SAC, SAS
Week 23 Back-to-Backs:
Sunday (Mar. 20th)-Monday: BOS, HOU, NOR, OKC, PHI, POR, TOR, UTA
Monday-Tuesday: CHI
Tuesday-Wednesday: ATL, GSW, NYK, ORL
Wednesday-Thursday: IND, MEM, PHX
Thursday-Friday: WAS
Friday-Saturday: HOU, MIA, POR
Saturday-Sunday: BKN, NOR
Waiver Wire Pickups:
*To qualify for this list, players have to be available in over 60% of Yahoo Leagues.
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Aleksej Pokusevski (27%) The legend of Poku continues to grow in OKC and I’m here for it. He’s coming off two of his best games of the season, averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.0 dimes and 1.5 triples. Coach Mark Daigneault said Poku was “outstanding” vs. the Spurs, and it’s obvious that he wants to get him as many reps as possible down the stretch. “The game has slowed down for him offensively, he has made quicker and simpler decisions.” His steal and block numbers have come down recently, but if we see some positive regression there we could be in store for a monster finish.
Jarred Vanderbilt (32%)- It’s no secret that Vanderbilt has had a rough few weeks, but he’s had a couple injuries and that may have been a factor. But with Jaden McDaniels out several weeks with a high ankle sprain, he has a massive opportunity and he’s widely available after so many gave up on him. Vandy had four points (2-of-4 FGs) with nine rebounds, one assist and two steals in 25 minutes, and he’ll be a terrific contributor to rebounds, steals and FG% when the minutes are there.
Jonathan Kuminga (35%) You’re probably wondering why I included Kuminga on here after one of his worst performances of the season. With Stephen Curry (foot) likely out for the regular season, I’m expecting Draymond Green to operate as the PG (who else do they have?) which will result in bigger lineups. That would be ideal for Kuminga who averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 dimes and 1.4 triples in his last seven games despite the dud on Wednesday.
Bones Hyland (11%)- It’s sad that it took coach Malone this long to give Bones the minutes he deserves. Will Barton hasn’t hit a shot since December and it sounds like Jamal Murray is iffy to return before the playoffs, so Bones has a massive opportunity in the final few weeks. He’s thriving as the backup PG and microwave scorer off the bench, averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 3.0 triples in 24.2 minutes over his last four games.
Jaxson Hayes (25%)- The Pelicans are very thin these days at every position, so Hayes has finally seen his workload ramp up to the 30s. In his last three outings, Hayes has showcased his upside with 8th-round numbers of 16.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 0.7 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 triples on 64% from the field.
Patrick Beverley (29%)- This number is lower than it should be because Beverley missed three of the last seven games due to injury. In his last two, Beverley showcased why he’s so valuable in category leagues with 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.5 dimes, 1.0 steals, 2.0 blocks and 2.5 triples.
Goga Bitadze (8%)- Goga has missed the past two games for Indiana and is currently questionable for Friday’s game vs. Houston. But with Isaiah Jackson in the concussion protocol, I have my finger on the add button if Goga gets the green light. Goga has his flaws and the Pacers are higher on Isaiah for a reason, but he gets the job done in fantasy when the minutes are there. In his last three games, Goga ranked inside the top-50 with 15.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 dimes, 1.7 blocks and 1.7 triples.
Nic Claxton (15%)- Whenever Claxton got hot in the past, an injury robbed him from really breaking out. Let’s hope that isn’t the case this time around. The Nets have given Claxton more responsibility and recent games and we’re starting to see the dividends in fantasy. In his last four games, Claxton put up late-round value in only 23 minutes, averaging 11.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 blocks.
Drew Eubanks (32%)- The Blazers have turned into the Bad News Bears but it’s all by design, as they are doing everything they can to improve their lottery odds. Trendon Watford is the ultimate silly season hero but is long gone in competitive leagues, so Eubanks is the consolation prize. In his last three games, Eubanks cleared 30 minutes in each and averaged 15.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.3 dimes and 0.7 blocks.
Tre Mann (18%)- The Thunder have already shut down a few players which has gutted their backcourt depth, and now Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is talking about sitting some games for his ankle (he means the tank). Mann put up 12.3 points, 5.0 dimes, 4.7 boards and 2.3 triples in his last three games, but if you take SGA out of the equation he could have a ton of shots/usage coming his way.
Donte DiVincenzo (12%)- Over his last eight games, only De’Aaron Fox is ranked higher than Donte for the Kings. He was a 9th-rounder in that stretch, averaging 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 dimes, 1.5 steals and 2.1 triples. The Kings play two more times this week, but Donte is only a hold in very deep leagues in Week 23 with just two games on the schedule. Bummer.
Davion Mitchell (14%)- It’s such a bummer that the Kings only play twice next week. Davion averaged 16.3 points, 2.7 assists, 2.3 rebounds, 2.3 triples and 1.0 steals in his previous three games, and now De’Aaron Fox is dealing with a hand injury. There are two more games to close out this week though, so adding Davion still makes a lot of sense.
Deni Avdija (8%)- The Wizards play two more times this week and then have three straight weeks of four games each. Deni hasn’t been consistent by any stretch of the imagination, but he has been heating up with 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 dimes and 1.0 triples in his last two games.
Lonnie Walker (26%)- Doug McDermott is out for the season and Lonnie continues to make the most of his minutes lately. Lonnie has scored at least 20 points in three straight games with a total of 11 triples in that span, but San Antonio only having two games relegates him to streamer status.
Brandon Williams (21%) and Justise Winslow (20%)- It’s fitting to put these two guys together. Both can put up some head-turning counting stats when the minutes are there, but they are prone to heavy turnovers and some percentages that could drag your team down in category leagues.
Moe Wagner (25%)- Wendell Carter Jr. (left ankle sprain) is banged up and the Magic will be tempted to milk this injury for the good of the tank. WCJ sat vs. the Pistons and now the Magic will face another tank competitor in OKC. Wagner has been amazing in limited minutes off the bench and was rewarded with a start on Thursday, scoring 16 points with five rebounds, three assists, one steal and a triple in 29 minutes.
Trey Murphy (6%)- The Pelicans are incredibly thin these days and Murphy is one of their few scoring options. His last three games have been very encouraging with 17.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 dimes and 3.3 triples. He could be relevant for as long as Brandon Ingram is out.