NBA Weekly Recap: Unpredictable Matchups and Waiver Wire Gems

Wednesday’s Thrillers and Disappointments

Wednesday’s NBA slate featured eight games, but only one, a nail-biter in Houston, went down to the wire. Jerami Grant’s incredible buzzer-beating three sent the game into overtime, eventually leading to a Portland victory. In other rivalry week matchups, the Suns dominated the Mavs, while the Thunder, despite Victor Wembanyama’s impressive showing against Chet Holmgren, outclassed the Spurs.

Managing Rosters Amid Shifting Schedules

As the NBA season progresses, keeping track of the upcoming schedule is crucial for optimizing team performance. This weekend’s schedule holds variations that fantasy managers should consider when making roster moves. Thursday will see seven games, Friday eight, Saturday a whopping ten, and Sunday only five. Adjusting lineups accordingly will maximize player contributions and team success.

Potential Waiver Wire Additions

With injuries and roster changes affecting team dynamics, the waiver wire can provide valuable additions to fantasy teams. Here are some players worth considering:

1. Marvin Bagley (49% rostered in Yahoo leagues): Despite coming off the bench with Daniel Gafford’s return, Bagley continues to make an impact. His recent double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds, aided by Gafford’s foul trouble, showcases his consistent contributions, making him a valuable addition.
2. Blake Wesley (less than 1% rostered): With Tre Jones sidelined due to an ankle injury, Wesley stepped into the starting lineup on Wednesday. If Jones remains out, Wesley could extend his opportunity to produce. In his second career start, he impressed with 12 points, four rebounds, six assists, one block, and one 3-pointer, shooting an efficient 5-of-5. Keep an eye on his status for Friday and Saturday’s games.
3. Jacob Gilyard (1% rostered): Gilyard returned to the starting lineup due to Luke Kennard’s hamstring issue. If Kennard remains out on Friday, Gilyard should get another start. While his contributions in other categories are limited, Gilyard can provide solid assist numbers, often a scarce commodity on the waiver wire. In his 24 minutes as a starter, he recorded six points, seven assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers.
4. T.J. McConnell (28% rostered): With Tyrese Haliburton set to miss at least two more games, McConnell becomes a valuable pickup for Thursday’s game against the 76ers. The Pacers also play on Friday and Sunday, and while Haliburton might return for the final game of the week, fantasy managers can expect at least two more games of production from McConnell.
5. Royce O’Neale (5% rostered): If Cameron Johnson is unable to play on Thursday due to a left shoulder contusion, O’Neale will likely slide into the starting lineup. In six games as a starter this season, he has averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 triples. Although he can be inconsistent, O’Neale should see significant minutes if Johnson is out.
6. Nicolas Batum (8% rostered): With Tobias Harris questionable to play on Thursday due to an illness, Batum is expected to start regardless. He has been providing fifth-round value over the past two weeks, contributing in most categories except for points. Batum’s versatile contributions make him a solid pickup.
7. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (3% rostered): NAW once again started in place of the injured Mike Conley on Wednesday. He recorded a modest stat line of 6/5/5/1 in 31 minutes, following an 18-point performance with four 3-pointers as a starter on Monday. If Conley remains out on Thursday, NAW could be worth streaming, even if his Wednesday performance wasn’t exceptional.

Silly Season Hero Watch

Two players who have shown promise off the bench for the Grizzlies are GG Jackson and Scotty Pippen Jr. While they may not be worth adding to standard leagues at this point, they could be stashed for the next month if you have the roster flexibility.

1. GG Jackson (11% rostered): In 26 minutes of play, Jackson contributed 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, and four 3-pointers.
2. Scotty Pippen Jr. (1% rostered): Pippen Jr. recorded 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one 3-pointer in 24 minutes.

Conclusion: Stay Informed and Make Strategic Moves

The NBA season is full of surprises, and staying informed about injuries, roster changes, and schedule variations is key to maximizing fantasy team success. Keep an eye on the waiver wire for potential pickups, and don’t hesitate to make strategic moves to optimize your team’s performance.