Fantasy basketball playoffs have started in many leagues, putting extra weight on every roster decision as the NBA schedule approaches its final weeks. Injuries are piling up, and managers looking for immediate help can find several lightly rostered players producing starter-level numbers, according to ESPN senior fantasy writer Dr. André Snellings.
Point Guards
Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz (50.4% rostered) — The rookie has averaged 17.8 points, 9.0 assists and 2.0 steals over his last 14 outings, a span that includes 10 starts. He missed Saturday’s contest for personal reasons but is expected back on Monday.
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls (22.6%) — With Josh Giddey and Anfernee Simons sidelined, Jones has opened Chicago’s past five games, logging 16.0 points and 4.4 assists in 28.4 minutes per night.
Shooting Guards
Collin Sexton, Chicago Bulls (31.1%) — Before a lower-leg contusion forced him out of Sunday’s game, Sexton had averaged 25.0 points across four contests and had already scored 28 points in 22 minutes when the injury occurred. Should he sit, rookie Rob Dillingham (1.6%) could inherit the instant-offense role.
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors (48.3%) — Inserted into the starting lineup five games ago, the rookie guard is delivering 18.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.4 three-pointers over his last seven appearances while logging 35.1 minutes per game.
Small Forwards
Tristan da Silva, Orlando Magic (8.7%) — The stretch forward has hit at least one three-pointer in 13 straight games. During his past eight outings (six starts), he is producing 12.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.4 triples.
Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers (50.3%) — Returning from a two-game absence, Oubre tallied 24 points, five boards and four assists in 36 minutes. With Tyrese Maxey joining Joel Embiid on the injury list and VJ Edgecombe questionable, Oubre and Quentin Grimes (27.9%) are poised to handle the bulk of Philadelphia’s offense.
Power Forwards
Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz (30.8%) — Now a fixture in Utah’s starting five, the rookie has reached double-figure scoring in nine straight, averaging 14.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 27.2 minutes. He has collected 36 total rebounds over his past three games.
Precious Achiuwa, Sacramento Kings (37.3%) — Since moving into the starting lineup, Achiuwa owns three 20-point, 10-rebound performances in his last nine outings and is posting 17.0 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 combined steals and blocks. His workload has climbed to nearly 40 minutes in each of the past three games.
Centers
Al Horford, Golden State Warriors (10.2%) — The veteran is rested periodically, including Monday, but in his previous six games he has three outings of at least 17 points, three with six or more rebounds and three with four or more assists, while compiling 15 three-pointers and 13 combined steals and blocks.
Robert Williams III, Portland Trail Blazers (5.2%) — Although he typically misses about one game per week, “The Timelord” is averaging 11.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.0 combined steals and blocks in only 21.2 minutes off the bench over his last five appearances.
With playoff matchups underway, all nine players remain available in at least half of ESPN fantasy leagues, offering managers immediate production at minimal acquisition cost.
Source: ESPN
