The Los Angeles Lakers' duo of Kyle Kuzma and Talen Horton-Tucker helped deliver a close win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday evening. Kuzma produced a full line and flirted with a triple-double, while Horton-Tucker has produced at least 10 assists in consecutive games for the first in his career.
We've known about Kuzma's offensive chops for some time now, but Horton-Tucker's surge as a creator for others is a key element when considering his value as a fantasy prospect.
Horton-Tucker's assist percentage, which is an estimate of the number of his team's field goals he assists while on the court, has leapt to 29.8% during his past 17 games. Compare this to his 17% assist clip in 46 prior games, and we've seen the second-year wing emerge as a legitimate playmaker with LeBron James and Dennis Schroder ailing in recent weeks.
As an impending restricted free agent in a relatively weak overall free-agent class this summer, it will be riveting to see if the Lakers can retain Horton-Tucker and continue his growth as a complementary playmaker, or if he lands in a new spot, with likely greater responsibilities.
Tuesday recap
Highlights
Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers: 19 points (8-12 FG), 10 rebounds, 7 assists
Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers: 30 points (10-16 FG), 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Lowlights
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs: 7 points (3-9 FG), 1 rebound, 1 assist
Lou Williams, Atlanta Hawks: 4 points (1-5 FG), 2 rebounds, 5 assists
Tuesday takeaways
• James Harden came off the bench for the first time since April of 2012 with the Thunder. The bearded one returned to the floor for the Nets after an extended absence due to a hamstring injury. Harden was relatively dominant with 18 points and 11 dimes off the pine for Brooklyn in a win over the Spurs. The Nets finish the season with a series of back-to-back games, suggesting Harden might play only one of them.
• The Pelicans were officially eliminated from playoff contention. Could Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram get shut down? A few games featuring Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kira Lewis Jr. and Jaxson Hayes could be fun for fantasy managers to get a look at the future of this rotation.
• For the ninth consecutive season, the league record for 3-pointers made per game has been broken. Even if zero 3-pointers are made in the final four days of a regular season that ends Sunday, the league's average in 2020-21 will be higher than any other season. The record was clinched when Washington's Davis Bertans made the NBA's 26,375th 3-pointer of the season Wednesday night. As fantasy managers know, the demand for shooting volume from all positions has increased on par with the league's love for the deep ball. Some players vaulted into fantasy stardom this season thanks to a sizable uptick in 3-point production, namely Terry Rozier and Jordan Clarkson, who rate fifth and eighth, respectively, in 3-point value added this season on the Player Rater.
Injuries of note
• The Pacers won't have Malcolm Brogdon, Edmond Sumner or Myles Turner this evening. T.J. McConnell is a strong streaming option, though Oshae Brissett has cooled off in the frontcourt.
• Joel Embiid reportedly didn't travel with the 76ers to Miami, which, well, limits his availability. Dwight Howard likely won't get the start but will be the team's primary rebounder and post scorer against the Heat.
• The Kings list De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton as out for tonight's matchup with the Grizzlies. Both Harrison Barnes and Marvin Bagley III are doubtful. Delon Wright and Terence Davis make for strong plug-and-play options this evening.
Analytics advantage for Thursday
The Toronto Raptors have ruled out a wave of players for tonight, including Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher and Fred VanVleet, among others. Malachi Flynn and Khem Birch are both expected to serve large roles for the Raptors.
There is some fantasy fun to be had with each, as Flynn leads the team in assist percentage with Lowry and VanVleet off the floor this season, and Birch has compiled six blocks across his past three games as the team's primary frontcourt force.
Top players to watch on Thursday
Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo has opted to have season-ending surgery on his right quadriceps tendon, the team announced Wednesday. The fantasy fallout of Oladipo's absence leads to increased interest in combo guards Kendrick Nunn and Goran Dragic. Both should play pivotal roles for the Heat in facing a Philadelphia team deep in perimeter defenders.