NBA Player News

Gilgeous-Alexander is one step closer, having scored at least 20 points in 125 consecutive games. That’s one away from Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA record, and SGA can match the all-time great on Monday against the Nuggets. As for his performance against the Warriors, Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t have the best night shooting from the field, but a near-perfect night at the foul line boosted the points tally. Monday’s matchup with the Nuggets is the first of three games for the Thunder in Week 20.

Before the game, it was reported that Porziņǵis would be limited to 10-15 minutes. He must have felt pretty good, as the Warriors were able to get 22 minutes out of The Unicorn. The percentages weren’t great, but the fact that Porziņǵis exceeded his reported limit is the biggest takeaway. With the Warriors beginning Week 20 with a back-to-back, fantasy managers should plan for Porziņǵis to sit on either Monday or Tuesday.

Podziemski finished a blocked shot shy of a complete stat line on Saturday, which should help compensate for the low field-goal percentage. Since the All-Star break, he has been close to a top-50 player in eight-cat formats. And over his last five games, which have coincided with a return to the starting lineup, Podziemski has averaged 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.8 three-pointers while shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from the foul line.

Not relied on much for his scoring ability, Green has surpassed 15 points on two occasions since the beginning of February. Fantasy managers who roster the veteran forward for rebounds, assists and defensive stats aren’t complaining, with Draymond’s four three-pointers being one shy of his season-high. The Warriors open Week 20 with games against the Jazz and Bulls on Monday and Tuesday, spots where the team could look to lighten Green’s workload if possible.

Due to Moses Moody’s wrist injury, Santos has returned to the Warriors’ starting lineup after coming off the bench in Monday’s loss to the Clippers. Not only were the 22 points he scored against the Thunder a career-high, but this was Santos’s first 20-point game as an NBA player. At a minimum, he should remain in the starting lineup as long as Moody is out. The Warriors open a four-game Week 20 with a back-to-back on Monday and Tuesday.

Williams moved into the starting lineup on Saturday, as a calf injury sidelined Isaiah Hartenstein. JayWill shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and provided excellent value in the rebound and assist categories while playing 32 minutes. His productivity is no surprise to experienced fantasy managers, as Williams has put up some big lines in the past when allowed to start. The Thunder’s three-game Week 20 does not include a back-to-back, so Williams’ value could be limited if Hartenstein returns.

The Thunder did not have Chet Holmgren or Isaiah Hartenstein for Saturday’s game, with the former’s absence opening a spot in the starting lineup for Joe. While he did not provide any defensive stats, the percentages were solid for the Thunder wing. His fantasy value moving forward depends on the availability of players ahead of him in the rotation, but Joe is worth streaming on nights when he’s allowed to start.

Rostered in 32 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Jackson has been close to a top-75 player in eight-cat format since the All-Star break, according to Basketball Monster. However, while the final stat line on Saturday was solid, he was limited to 22 minutes despite not being in foul trouble. Fantasy managers don’t have too much to worry about regarding Jackson’s workload, especially with the Grizzlies’ four-game Week 20 consisting of two back-to-backs. He’ll have a higher ceiling in games where Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. aren’t available.

Since the All-Star break, Hendricks has been close to a top-100 player in eight-cat formats. He recorded an excellent stat line on Saturday, doing his damage in 26 minutes off the bench. Given the defensive ability, Hendricks should not have any issues getting minutes the rest of the season. GG Jackson remains the superior option among Grizzlies’ forwards, but managers in deep leagues should not sleep on Hendricks.

Back in the lineup after missing Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Jerome provided solid value in points, assists and steals. Rostered in 27 percent of Yahoo! leagues, he has been a top-50 player since making his season debut last month. However, the Week 20 schedule is a bad one for Jerome, as Memphis has two back-to-backs. Instead of four games, he may be available for two. The same goes for Scotty Pippen Jr., who finished Saturday’s defeat with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, one steal and one three-pointer.

With Yanic Konan-Niederhäuser (foot) done for the season, Jackson has moved into the backup center role. The former first-round pick had his best game as a Clipper on Saturday, recording a double-double along with three steals. Jackson played 24 minutes and even started the second half in place of starter Brook Lopez (four points, one rebound). The veteran center only played 12 minutes, and Saturday’s game, being the Clippers’ second in as many nights, may have been a factor. Consistency has been an issue for Jackson throughout his career, but he doesn’t need to play starters’ minutes to provide value. Keep an eye on him during the first two games of the Clippers’ four-game Week 20.