On Tuesday, the Kings impressively improved to 3-1 by downing the Nuggets for the second time this season. Sacramento is now tied for the franchise's best four-game start since opening 4-0 in 2001-02, during the heyday of the Chris Webber era. The rising Kings have scored 455 points through four games this season, the team's second most in franchise history, behind only their 486 points in 1960-61, during Oscar Robertson's rookie season for the Cincinnati Royals.
Speaking of impressive rookie efforts, Sacramento's Tyrese Haliburton continues to provide helpful playmaking, as the rookie is tied for 36th in the NBA with 5.3 APG while averaging just 0.8 turnovers per game. With at least a dozen points in three of four appearances and at least four dimes in each outing this season, Haliburton is already proving to be an important part of coach Luke Walton's rotation.
Haliburton is rostered in roughly 61% of ESPN leagues as of Wednesday morning and could immediately help fantasy teams in need of efficient assist production.
Tuesday recap
Highlights
Michael Porter Jr., Denver Nuggets: 30 points (12-18 FG), 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 TO
Julius Randle, New York Knicks: 28 points (9-16 FG), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 9 TO
Lowlights
Jarrett Culver, Minnesota Timberwolves: 0 points (0-10 FG), 10 rebounds, 1 TO
Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets: 5 points (1-4 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 TO
Tuesday takeaways
The Knicks' Randle impressively notched his seventh career triple-double and delivered the most points in a triple-double in his career in what was the first 25-point triple-double by a Knicks player since Carmelo Anthony back in 2012. Randle made all four of his 3-pointers, marking the most made 3s without a miss in NBA history in a triple-double performance. For some actionable fantasy intel, the Knicks' Elfrid Payton regained a sizable role in the offense on Tuesday and tallied 14 points, 8 boards, and 7 assists in the win. It's unclear if Payton will play such a big role once Alec Burks and Austin Rivers are healthy, but it's worth streaming the point guard until then.
In the loss to New York, the Cavs' Darius Garland still provided fantasy utility last night, even when his shot wasn't falling, something rarely said during his rookie season. Garland missed a dozen of his 18 shots on Tuesday but was able to tally six dimes and two steals in the game. You can find Garland in free agency in roughly 30% of ESPN leagues.
One of my favorite sleeper candidates is found on the Toronto Raptors, as defensive wing OG Anunoby is finally starting to warm up on offense. He tallied a season-high 20 points last night in a loss to the 76ers and also produced a game-high five steals. The defensive dynamo is averaging an awesome 3.3 SPG and 1.3 BPG with improving offensive results, making him a premier acquisition in fantasy free agency (rostered in just 38% of ESPN leagues).
Detroit's Jerami Grant turned down what was reported to be a nearly identical contract from Denver this past offseason in order to earn a larger role for the Pistons. The bet on himself is paying off thus far, as Grant has produced at least 27 points in three straight games after having produced just three games with at least 25 points in any other season of his career. With strong defensive rates and such a sizable leap as a scorer, Grant is emerging as one of the true steals of fantasy drafts.
The Bulls secured a win over the Wizards last night, moving Washington to 0-4 on the season. The Wizards are winless, even as Russell Westbrook produced his third triple-double of the season in as many appearances, joining Robertson in 1961 as the only players to begin a season with as many as three triple-doubles.
For Chicago, emergent young center Wendell Carter Jr. tallied another double-double and was a team-high plus-14 in net rating, evidence he's an important part of the Bulls' rotation. Carter Jr. is still available in way too many leagues.
The Thunder have a fun rotation for fantasy purposes in that plenty of young and exciting players are seeing heavy minutes, as Isaiah Roby flashed a strong line last night in a loss to the Magic. Roby produced 19 points and seven boards and played 28 minutes as part of the starting lineup. With Darius Bazley, Luguentz Dort, and Roby all earning starts last night, the Thunder offer a bevy of intriguing 3-and-D wings who are widely available in free agency in most fantasy leagues.
Injuries of note
Detroit's Blake Griffin left last night's loss to Golden State in the second quarter due to concussion protocol and did not return. Josh Jackson and Grant will see more touches and shots if Griffin misses any time.
The Clippers' Kawhi Leonard missed last night's game against the Timberwolves with a mouth laceration. Given that Leonard practiced in full on Monday afternoon, it's possible we see him active tonight against the Trail Blazers. If not, Luke Kennard is likely to see another start.
Analytics advantage for Wednesday
The Grizzlies will be without Ja Morant and De'Anthony Melton for tonight's matchup with the Celtics. This means that point guard Tyus Jones will assume lead distribution duties for Memphis, which proves relevant given the Duke product produced 14.1 PPG, 8.3 APG, and 1.4 3PG and 1.7 SPG on a per 36 minutes basis last season. With an expected uptick in workload given the team's depleted backcourt, Jones makes for an awesome plug-and-play addition ahead of tonight's slate.
Morant's ankle injury is expected to sideline him for the next 3-5 weeks.
Top players to watch on Wednesday
Atlanta's Clint Capela is considered probable for tonight's meeting with the Nets, and scoring forward Danilo Gallinari is listed as questionable. If both are active, it will be a revealing litmus test for just how John Collins produces with so much competition for frontcourt minutes, post touches and rebounding opportunities.
Collins and Atlanta were unable to agree to an extension to his rookie contract recently, which proves relevant to his fantasy value in that his future with the team is a bit in doubt. I'll be watching how Collins produces with increased competition for opportunities against Brooklyn tonight.
