The best fantasy basketball managers make a habit of looking at the NBA schedule, examining box scores and scouring the news for any tidbit that can help give them the edge in their leagues.
Luckily, Eric Moody does all that work for you each and every Thursday with the Fantasy 30, helping answer the tough questions such as whom to start, who are the best fantasy basketball sleepers out there and what's the latest injury news with key players around the league.
Here's the latest fantasy news from each of the 30 teams around the league.
Atlanta Hawks: Since entering the league in 2018, Trae Young has had 19 career games with 15 or more assists, trailing only Russell Westbrook (29). Fantasy managers have been frustrated by Young's inconsistent statistical production, but it's important to be patient considering his track record. Meanwhile, Clint Capela suffered a calf injury on Wednesday. Onyeka Okongwu is also a very good streamer if he misses time.
Boston Celtics: It appears Robert Williams III will return to action soon, but he has missed three straight games since being labeled day-to-day. Considering how long the Time Lord has been out, he's likely to be eased back into action when he returns. Williams is rostered in 63.4% of ESPN leagues and averaged 10.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG and 2.2 BPG last season. There is a strong chance that Williams will be able to replicate those numbers.
Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant has had 33 games with at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists as a member of the Nets. In franchise history, only Vince Carter has more. Durant has averaged 53.8 fantasy points per game this season, and over the last 30 days he's ranked No. 2 in ESPN's Player Rater.
Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball returned to action on Wednesday against the Pistons after missing 11 games with an ankle sprain. He finished the game with 49 fantasy points. It was Ball's fourth career game with 20 points, 10 assists and five 3s, passing Terry Rozier for the most in franchise history. Kelly Oubre Jr. extended his streak of games with 20 or more points to nine consecutive games. Nine consecutive games of 20 or more points hadn't been reached by a Hornets player since Kemba Walker during the 2016-2017 season.
Chicago Bulls: DeMar DeRozan became the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1991 to record 30 points and 15 free throw attempts in consecutive games. It was DeRozan;s 10th game with 30 or more points this season. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski also reported on NBA Countdown that there are "no guarantees" that Lonzo Ball plays this season. Ayo Dosunmu will continue to have a role in the Bulls' backcourt while Ball is out; Dosunmu's a well-rounded contributor who is only rostered in 14.7% of ESPN leagues. With Dosunmu currently recovering from an abdominal injury, Alex Caruso is on the streaming radar.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell has averaged 29.2 PPG this season. This is the fourth most PPG in a player's first 25 games with a team in NBA history. This season, Mitchell has averaged 47 fantasy points per game and ranks ninth in ESPN's Player Rater as of Thursday.
Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic has amassed at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in 20 consecutive games, tied for the longest streak in his career. It's also tied for the third-longest streak in league history. In other Mavericks' news, Christian Wood continues to struggle in his first season with Dallas. His points, rebounds, steals and blocks are significantly lower than they have been over the last three seasons.
Denver Nuggets: On Wednesday, Nikola Jokic had his eighth career game with 40 points and 10 rebounds, passing Alex English for the most such games in franchise history. He's averaged an astounding 57.8 fantasy points per game this season. Head coach Mike Malone said Michael Porter Jr.'s recovery from a strained left heel is progressing, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back soon. Bruce Brown, who is only rostered in 21.9% of ESPN, is firmly on the streaming radar while Porter Jr. is out. He's scored at least 20 fantasy points in four of his last five games.
Detroit Pistons: Earlier this week, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Cade Cunningham plans to have season-ending surgery on his left shin. That means that Killian Hayes, who is only rostered in 25% of ESPN leagues, should continue to see significant usage for the remainder of the season. Hayes has scored 25 or more fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games, including five over 40 points
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry's left shoulder injury will keep him out for "several week" and now things get interesting for the Warriors. He is expected to miss some time with the injury. Donte DiVincenzo is someone fantasy managers should prioriritze. He is only rostered in 2.3% of ESPN leagues and should play additional minutes until Curry returns. DiVenzenzo has scored 27 or more in four of his last five games.
Houston Rockets: Although the Rockets are not a fantasy basketball bonanza this season, Jalen Green is performing well. He has scored 25 or more points in consecutive games for the third time this season. Green has averaged 29.6 fantasy points per game. In category formats, Green is a reliable source of points, but his assists and rebounds have also increased recently. You should trade for him now.
Indiana Pacers: Andrew Nembhard is another productive player who is only rostered in 9.8% of ESPN leagues. Over the last 10 games, he's averaged 11.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.2 SPG in 32.8 MPG. He is the only rookie this season to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game.
LA Clippers: In Wednesday night's game against the Timberwolves, Kawhi Leonard played nearly 31 minutes, his most in a game this season. In addition, he scored 19 points, 13 of which came on contested shots. All of 19 of his points were unassisted. Due to injury management, fantasy managers should still expect Leonard to be inactive in some games. When those scenarios come to pass Luke Kennard is a solid streamer. He has scored 23 or more fantasy points three times in the last four games. Kennard is only rostered in 1.4% of ESPN leagues.
Los Angeles Lakers: Lonnie Walker IV continues to be the Lakers' third scoring option, which has contributed to his fantasy success. He's a solid source of points and triples for fantasy managers in category formats. Walker has averaged 24.6 fantasy points per game and is only rostered in 25.9% of ESPN leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies: For fantasy managers in category formats, Steven Adams (rostered in 47.1% of ESPN leagues) continues to be an excellent source of rebounds. This season, he has averaged 10.5 RPG. That's the highest per-game average in his 10-year NBA career.
Miami Heat: Tyler Herro reminded fantasy managers Wednesday how lethal of a scorer he can be, especially when Jimmy Butler is out. He scored 35 points and made nine 3s against the Thunder. Herro has now scored at least 30 points in three games this season. For those in category formats, he continues to be a solid source of points and triples. Herro has averaged 36.1 fantasy points per game this season.
Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday will not play on Thursday night due to a non-COVID illness. As a result, Jevon Carter is on the streaming radar. He's a solid source of rebounds, assists and steals for fantasy managers in category formats. Carter has scored 20 or more fantasy points and two straight games and is only rostered in 5.1% of ESPN leagues.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Josh Minott was recalled from the G League's Iowa Wolves to the Timberwolves earlier this week. Currently, Minnesota is 11th in the West, and injuries are piling up. In deeper formats, Minott should be kept on your watch list as a player who could possibly enter the Timberwolves rotation. In 11 G League games, he averaged 17.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 blocks.
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson is in the midst of a masterful season. Over the last seven games, he's averaged 30.4 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.9 APG and 1.7 SPG. Williamson has scored 50 or more fantasy points in five of his last seven games, including two with 70 or more. Those who took a calculated risk drafting him before the season are reaping the rewards. Williamson has had 11 games this season with 20 points in the paint, which is the most in the league.
New York Knicks: Quentin Grimes continues to be provided consistent minutes for the Knicks. Over the last 12 games, the 2021 first-rounder out of Houston has averaged 10.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG and 1.0 SPG in 32.7 MPG. He is only rostered in 1.6% of ESPN leagues. Grimes is worth considering for deeper formats.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Josh Giddey's statistical production has trended up over the last six games. During that time frame, he's averaged 16.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.0 SPG. In three of his last six games, Giddey has scored 40 or more fantasy points. Recently, he's been able to shine alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero has had five games this season with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. This ties Victor Oladipo for the second most by a Magic rookie in franchise history. During his rookie season from 1993 to 1994, Anfernee Hardaway accomplished this feat 17 times. On another note, Franz Wagner has now scored 30 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games, including one with 60.
Philadelphia 76ers: 76ers head coach Doc Rivers said that he believes Tyrese Maxey will be out "a few more weeks." De'Anthony Melton remains a very good streaming option for fantasy managers even with James Harden back in the fold. He is only rostered in 36.3% of ESPN leagues. Melton has averaged 15.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.4 APG and 2.9 SPG during the past 10 games.
Phoenix Suns: Deandre Ayton suffered an ankle injury on Tuesday against the Rockets. In case Ayton misses time, Bismack Biyombo is on the streaming radar. He averages 10.5 points and 11.1 rebounds per 40 minutes. Biyombo is only rostered in 0.7% of ESPN leagues.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard has scored 35 or more points in four straight games. It is the second longest streak in Trail Blazers history. Lillard has the longest streak at six, which occurred in 2020. For the fourth time in his career, he has made 30 triples over the last four games. In Trail Blazers history, no other player has done this.
Sacramento Kings: Domantas Sabonis became the second Kings player to record at least 20 points, 20 rebounds and five assists in multiple games in a season since the franchise moved to Sacramento. The same feat was accomplished by DeMarcus Cousins in 2014-2015. About a month ago, I recommended trading for Sabonis. The window has been closed.
San Antonio Spurs: There were high expectations for Keldon Johnson entering the season, but he hasn't lived up to them. There's no guarantee this trend will last. Johnson has scored 35 or more fantasy points in three of the last five games and if he improves his field goal percentage, he'll be more reliable in category formats.
Toronto Raptors: Fred VanVleet scored 39 points on Wednesday against the Kings. It was the second most in his career. That said, VanVleet is still having his worst fantasy season since becoming a starter. One of the reasons is his 37.2% field goal percentage, which would be the lowest since his rookie season of 2016-17.
Utah Jazz: Walker Kessler is only rostered in 12.8% of ESPN leagues. To be candid, his roster percentage should be higher. Over the last four games, Kessler has averaged 9.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG and 2.8 BPG in 22.7 MPG. Three of his last four games have resulted in 31 or more fantasy points. Imagine the possibilities if Kessler were to receive additional playing time in the rotation.
Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal has missed five consecutive games with a hamstring injury. Jordan Goodwin is a solid streamer while he's out. This season, Goodwin has averaged 10.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.9 APG and 2.1 SPG in games without Beal. He is only rostered in 6.6% of ESPN leagues and should be considered by fantasy managers in deeper formats.