Table of Contents
Welcome to The Playlist: my weekly column that lets you know who and what to play (when it comes to music or other things in my rotation) for the upcoming week in fantasy basketball.
Each week, you’ll see a compilation of the picks you need to make, a quick look at the schedule, and lineup notes (who’s coming in and out of rotations).
Press play and stream the latest fantasy basketball information.
Week 5 summary:
-
LaMelo Ball threw a 50 to the Bucks
-
Franz Wagner achieved a winning plus and was the second highest scorer in points leagues
-
Brandon Miller averaged 33.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals on 56/56/100 shooting splits, finishing second in 9-cat leagues.
-
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) He exceeded his schedule to return and is likely tonight!
-
The Terror Twins (Tari Eason and Amen Thompson) have arrived
Best artists:
Who’s in my rotation: waiver picks
Note: I would add pretty much every player currently in the top 40-50% of Yahoo leagues except Mike Conley.
Rui Hachimura – PF, Los Angeles Lakers (46% on roster)
The Lakers play five games over the next eight days, so check their waiver pool to see if Hachimura landed there after missing four games due to an ankle injury. He returned Saturday and had fewer minutes than the popular Dalton Knecht in a blowout loss to the Nuggets. However, Hachimura was a starter and played 33 minutes a night when healthy, so I expect him to step back into that role this week.
Hachimura is not a must-have roster, but given Los Angeles’ Week 6-7 schedule, fantasy managers could use his points, 3-pointers and rebounds. Naturally, this assumes that Knecht hasn’t passed him on the depth chart.
TJ McConnell – PG, Indiana Pacers (23% on roster)
He should have been more bullish on McConnell last week, but he’s still a passable asset with Andrew Nembhard out and Tyrese Haliburton struggling. McConnell delivers whether you’re looking for assists or steals from the guard spot.
In his previous five games, he is averaging 12.2 points, 5.6 assists and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 57% from the field. It’s working in just 20 minutes a night.
Malcolm Brogdon – PG/SG, Washington Wizards (28% on roster)
For some reason, the Wizards benched Bub Carrington in favor of Brogdon, a nine-year veteran despite being in the middle of a rebuild. Brogdon is at significant injury risk, but when he is active, he is also productive. In his last three games, he is efficiently averaging 13 points, four rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes.
This is a short-term play, as Washington is likely auditioning Brogdon (along with Kyle Kuzma) as a potential trade piece. The Wizards play four games, two of which are on lighter slates, so Brogdon has some broadcast appeal in Week 6.
This embedded content is not available in your region.
Nick Richards – C, Charlotte Hornets (27% on roster)
Ok, I might get caught because the Hornets’ injury report is very suspicious, but Richards (ribs) was cleared for contact and has been participating in practice. He’s already been ruled out for Monday, but one would assume he’s close to returning to the lineup. Moussa Diabaté (17%) has been a reliable rebounder and blocker in Richards’ absence, but he doesn’t match Richards’ offensive production when healthy. For those who forgot, Richards averaged over 31 fantasy points per game before hitting the IL. Grant Williams (knee) is out for the season so we could see Richards back in action this week. If you pick up Richards now, he will automatically go to any open spot in IL. The Hornets play four games this week and I have more confidence in Richards suiting up than Mark Williams.
Royce O’Neale – SF/PF, Phoenix Suns (15% of roster)
The Suns have one of the best schedules in Week 6 after playing just two games in Week 5. O’Neale’s roster is down 10% since Sunday, but fantasy managers will want to use him with the Suns playing four games this week, including a Tuesday. -Consecutive Wednesdays where we will probably see one of its stars rest. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal (calves) are trending up for Tuesday. However, O’Neale will still be a factor in the rotation. He is averaging 23 fantasy points per game this season and, although he is an inefficient shooter, he makes three-pointers, rebounds well for his position and can create actions. He’s a boy I picked up just for this week.
Featured schedules:
-
No games on Thursday (Thanksgiving)
-
Best streaming days: Tuesday (5 games) and Saturday (5 games)
-
Teams that play Tuesday and Saturday:
-
Four games: Blazers, Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks, Heat, Hornets, Jazz, Kings, Knicks, Lakers, Magic, Mavericks, Nets, Pacers, Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors, Thunder
-
Three games: Bulls, Cavaliers, Celtics, Nuggets, Rockets, Spurs, Suns, Timberwolves, Warriors, Wizards
-
Two games: 76ers, dollars
-
Notable consecutive results:
Injury news:
Notable injuries from week 4
-
Pistons G Cade Cunningham (sacroiliac joint sprain) is day to day
-
Sixers C Joel Embiid (knee) is day to day
-
Pelicans F Zion Williamson (hamstring) out indefinitely
-
Blazers C Donovan Clingan (knee) is day to day
-
Hornets F/C Grant Williams (knee) out for season
-
Warriors G De’Anthony Melton (knee) out for season
Latest injury reports for all NBA teams
NBA Injury Report: Monday, November 25
Rotation Notes:
Cleveland Knights: The work: Ty Jerome (20%) has been one of the league’s most efficient impact bench players through the first month of the season. His resurgence is absolutely shocking. He has the highest true shooting percentage in the NBA and has 21% usage in his reserve role. Week 6 isn’t great scheduling-wise because the Cavs are off until Wednesday and play bigger slates all week (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). However, if you can afford to pick it up, do so because it is in the area.
Detroit Pistons: The work: Add Isaiah Stewart (21%) if you need a big man who can rebound and block shots efficiently. He has been the Pistons’ best defensive player and is on timeshare with Jalen Duren. In addition, it hides Ausar Thompson (46%). He registered a DNP-CD on Saturday, but will soon get minutes. He’s a defensive threat and his refined jump shot should help him stay on the court once he returns to the rotation.
Los Angeles Clippers: The work: Clippers leading scorer Norman Powell (hamstring) is traveling with the team on its five-game road trip, and although he didn’t suit up Sunday, there’s a chance he could play at some point in Week 6. Until That happens, Derrick Jones Jr. (12%) is worth passing on. In his last four games with Powell out, DJJ averaged 12.5 points, four rebounds and 1.8 steals on 56/37/92 shooting splits.
Portland Trail Blazers: The work: Donovan Clingan (knee) is out and Deandre Ayton (finger) is unlikely to play on Monday, meaning Robert Williams III (27%) has a (potentially) big game ahead of him with no competition for center minutes. Williams rested on Sunday, so he looks like a great streaming option in points or 9-cat leagues.
Kings of Sacramento: The work: The Kings aren’t getting consistent play from Kevin Huerter or Keon Ellis, so if Malik Monk (29%) is available, now might be the time to sign him. His injury designation changed a couple of times on Sunday, but he’s getting closer to returning, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back in Week 6. He’s a bucket and will be a much-needed offensive spark for the Kings and fantasy. managers.
Utah Jazz: The work: I love this week’s Jazz show. The problem is that its transmission options are not ideal. Check to see if anyone panicked Keyonte George and if not, Johnny Juzang and Jordan Clarkson are guys who can be streamed because they play on all the lighter days of Week 6.