During this momentous offensive surge, we find current NBA stars regularly connecting with the stars of the past with newfound statistical bonds.
For instance, Joel Embiid produced 41 points and 13 rebounds in a win over Boban Marjanovic and the Clippers on Thursday night, marking his sixth 30-point, 10-rebound game of the season, the most such performances through a team's first nine games of the regular season since Karl Malone had six to start the 1988-89 season (six years before Embiid was born). Embiid is also the first Sixers player with six 30-point games in team's first nine games since Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-66.
No longer are back-to-backs feared, nor is handling a heavy workload; only Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zach LaVine, Devin Booker, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Kemba Walker have higher usage rates than Embiid's robust 30.8 percent clip. The Cameroonian center is consuming a higher usage rate than LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, to name a few.
Just this week, Embiid joined Tim Duncan, Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson as the only players in NBA history with at least 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 200 blocks (blocks weren't recorded until the 1973-74 season) through 100 career regular-season games. Embiid's dominant showing against the Clippers marked the team's 14th straight home win -- the longest home winning streak since a 24-game stretch during the 1982-83 championship season. The Process is fully upon us.
Since Embiid is universally rostered and already leads the league in retweets, the more relevant fantasy story from South Philly last night was Danilo Gallinari delivering yet another awesome scoring performance. The gifted Italian scorer is averaging career bests in points, shots and rebounds while shooting a career-best clip from the field, 3-point range and the stripe. Galli is available in nearly 30 percent of ESPN leagues and is a must-start stretch forward until further notice.
Just a few weeks ago, Gallinari was widely available in ESPN leagues, likely due to playing just 21 games last season. The market finally realized the legitimacy of his scoring prowess. This part of the season can serve as a "second draft" of sorts for managers willing to prove proactive in free agency and via trades. Gallinari, for instance, likely wouldn't cost much in trade talks, but could be en route to a career scoring campaign.
With an eye on meaningful fantasy performances and relevant statistical trends, let's dive into the night that was in the NBA.
Thursday recap
Highlights
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: 33 points (13-22 FG), 11 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 TO
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers: 41 points (16-32), 13 rebounds, 3 blocks, 4 TO
De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings: 31 points (9-13 FG), 10 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 TO
Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics: 28 points (10-20 FG), 7 assists, 2 blocks, 2 TO
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder: 29 points (12-24 FG), 8 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 2 TO
Lowlights
Patrick Beverley, LA Clippers: 4 points (1-7 FG), 4 assists, 2 TO
Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder: 11 points (4-20 FG), 10 rebounds, 4 steals
Rodney Hood, Cleveland Cavaliers: 8 points (1-9 FG), 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers: 5 points (1-9 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 TO
Thursday takeaways
I've endorsed Sacramento's Nemanja Bjelica multiple times already this week, but now it's De'Aaron Fox enjoying breakout showings in the box score. Fox produced his first career triple-double and became the youngest player in last 35 seasons with at least 30 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, surpassing Michael Jordan in 1985. The Kings have won five straight and are off to their best start to a season through nine games since 2002-03, when Chris Webber and Peja Stojaković were doing damage. Fox is making a meaningful leap as a fantasy performer without a marked improvement as a 3-point shooter, with a valuable spike in assists and nearly triple the free throw attempts per game compared to his rookie campaign.
Buddy Hield's breakout also appears legitimate. With 27 points last night in Atlanta, he became the first Kings player not named DeMarcus Cousins with at least 20 points in five straight games since Rudy Gay in 2015.
Another hot Western team is the Denver Nuggets, at 7-1 this season, marking the second-best start since the franchise went 8-0 in 1976-77. It's not just Nikola Jokic and the young backcourt scorers doing the work, either, as those in deeper leagues or dabbling in DFS will want to know Juan Hernangomez, fresh from 23 points last night. The best advice when approaching Denver's deep roster might be to scoop up Will Barton off waivers or in free agency if you have an IR spot. I was stashing Kristaps Porzingis in many leagues, but pivoted to Barton, since there is a concrete return point in mind. It's a bit about your philosophy with regards to managing injuries, weighing the value of utility versus upside.
It appears Boston's veteran stars are rounding into form after giving the Bucks their first loss last night. Irving has consecutive games with at least 25 points after not posting any such outings in his first six appearances. Gordon Hayward, meanwhile, produced an efficient 18 points on 11 shots and could be an interesting buy-low candidate on the trade market.
Injuries of note
Anthony Davis sat out last night's game in Portland with an elbow injury that has now sidelined him in three of the past four games. Julius Randle, battling plantar fasciitis, enjoyed more offensive responsibility with Davis out last night, chipping in 29 points in 26 minutes. Fading Jahlil Okafor continues to make sense, since he's only a starter by formality, with no more than 18 minutes in a game this season. The Pelicans visit the Spurs on Saturday night, while Davis' managers will want to have alternatives in place.
Utah's Donovan Mitchell has been ruled out for tonight's matchup with Memphis with a hamstring tweak incurred in a recent loss to Minnesota. We can expect Ricky Rubio to consume more touches and shots, with Dante Exum and even Grayson Allen earning slight upticks in usage.
Interim Suns GM James Jones mentioned on a local radio broadcast (98.7 FM) that Devin Booker is likely to return to action tonight after missing multiple games with a hamstring injury. Booker is listed as questionable, but given he went through a full practice, this is a positive direction for the talented combo guard.
Analytics advantage for Friday
You don't find many must-win moments in the NBA in early November, but with the Wizards reeling at 1-6, it's suddenly a pivotal prime-time moment for the franchise. The Thunder are also clawing their way back into a contentious conference of their own.
In his career against the Thunder, John Wall hasn't fared so well, recording at least five turnovers in three of his last four games against Oklahoma City. In fact, Russell Westbrook has often gotten the better of his matchups against Wall and the Wizards. Westbrook has averaged 26.2 PPG, 8.1 APG and 7.4 RPG on 45 percent from the field going 10-2 in 12 career meetings with Wall. Conversely, Wall has averaged 15.8 PPG, 10.2 APG, 4.5 RPG on 33 percent shooting with just two wins.
A key analytics angle here is the healthy projected total of 231 points, currently the second-highest projected total of the eight-game Friday slate. Lots of points are, well, quite good for fantasy production. With Dwight Howard making his Washington debut, I'll be tuned in to ESPN tonight at 8 p.m. ET to watch the drama unfold.
Top players to watch tonight
The 8-1 Warriors host the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are entering Friday with a 4-4 record and coming off Derrick Rose's first career 50-point game on Wednesday. Along with Rose, this game features Curry and Klay Thompson, meaning three of the four players to score at least 50 points this season will play in the same game. The only team with three different 50-point scorers in a single season are the 1961-62 Lakers.
Jimmy Butler is expected to return to the Timberwolves for their game against the Warriors. He missed the team's game against Utah for "rest." In the two games Butler has missed this season, Karl-Anthony Towns' production has increased compared to when Butler plays.
It's isn't just Derrick Rose who thrives sans Butler, the former Chicago standout has scored 78 points in two games without his mercurial teammate this season. Towns has averaged just 15.3 PPG and 10.7 RPG on 39 percent from the field with Butler in the lineup, while he leaps to 29.5 PPG and 10.5 RPG on 55 percent shooting in two games without Butler. I'll be watching Towns' production closely to see how these Butler splits play out.
