Kyle

Filipowski

For the first time in his career, Filipowski has hit double digits in rebounds in four consecutive games. On Monday, he extended his double-double streak to three, and it was also the fourth time in his career that the second-year center had tallied at least 15 points and 15 rebounds in the same game. Given the injuries that have sapped Utah’s interior depth, Filipowski is a must-roster player for the rest of the season.

While he didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, Filipowski’s overall stat line is what fantasy managers will be looking for during the silly season. The double-double was his second in as many games, with the Jazz center reaching double digits in rebounds in three straight. Filipowski played 34 minutes on Saturday, and he’s logged at least 29 in four of his last five appearances. Make sure he isn’t sitting on your league’s waiver wire.

Filipowski has long been considered an elite stash candidate, and managers are finally getting to cash in. He has been a starter for most of the past month, and this was arguably one of his best performances of the season. Filipowski has provided fifth-round value in nine-category leagues over the past two weeks, and with Jusuf Nurkic (nose) done for the season, Filipowski should continue to shine.

Filipowski landed in early foul trouble in Philadelphia, which limited his scoring output and playing time. However, the third-year center managed to grab 11 rebounds in 22 minutes, and his defensive contributions were solid. Filipowski will look to rebound with a better effort when the Jazz visit the Wizards on Thursday.

Love will be available for the first game of Utah’s road trip after sitting out Monday’s loss to the Nuggets. The veteran forward/center’s return likely knocks Oscar Tshiebwe down a spot in the Jazz rotation, while Kyle Filipowski should play plenty.

Filipowski recorded a solid stat line against the Nuggets, but Denver’s lineup change may have protected him defensively. With Jonas Valančiūnas starting for the injured Cameron Johnson, the Jazz were able to place Filipowski on him while EJ Harkless defended Nikola Jokić. While it may not result in increased production in the steal and blocked shot categories, the Jazz will hope to see Filipowski make some strides defensively over the final month of the regular season.

With Jusuf Nurkić out for the season and Lauri Markkanen down for at least another week, the Jazz will rely on Kyle Filipowski and Oscar Tshiebwe to handle the frontcourt responsibilities now that Love is also out for Monday’s game. Filipowski offers a far higher fantasy ceiling.

In a move that should shock nobody, another member of the Jazz has been shut down for the season. Nurkić’s absence should free up plenty of playing time for Kyle Filipowski, but Utah’s rotations have no rhyme or reason as the team looks to win as few games as possible down the stretch.

Due to nose injury management, Nurkić will miss a second consecutive game. Kyle Filipowski started Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies, playing 28 minutes. In theory, he should remain in the starting lineup, but Utah’s handling of Filipowski’s workload has been a bit puzzling at times. Fantasy managers should operate under the assumption that Filipowski will get another start.

Filipowski was inserted into the starting lineup for Friday’s game, as the Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen and Jusuf Nurkić. Unfortunately, he wasn’t on the floor for long before a bloody nose sent the second-year center/forward to the locker room early in the first quarter. Filipowski returned and went on to play 28 minutes, and the stat line was good. Friday’s effort was a reminder of why he has value during the silly season, even if it can be difficult to figure out how much Filipowski will play on any given night.