Three weeks into the 2025-26 NBA campaign, several fantasy storylines have already separated themselves from the pack. From record-setting box scores to unexpected breakouts, managers have plenty to monitor as lineups take shape.
Clutch shots dominate a wild Monday slate
Monday night produced 15 game-tying or go-ahead buckets in the final 75 seconds of regulation or overtime. According to league play-by-play data dating back to 1997-98, only two nights have featured more last-minute daggers, and both had fuller schedules; this eruption came from just nine games.
Cade Cunningham delivers a historic triple-double
Detroit guard Cade Cunningham erupted for 46 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, becoming only the second Piston to post a 40-point triple-double, joining Isiah Thomas (1983). He added five steals, making him the first player on record with at least 45 points, 10 boards, 10 dimes and five thefts in a single contest. Cunningham hoisted 45 shots—an all-time franchise high—and his 31 misses set an NBA single-game mark.
Domantas Sabonis’ usage slips in Sacramento
Domantas Sabonis is no longer the Kings’ offensive centerpiece. His usage rate has fallen to 21.1% after sitting at 22.6% last year and 24.0% in 2023-24. The center still pulls down 13.3 rebounds per game, yet his 15.8 points and 3.9 assists are his lowest averages since 2018-19. A 47.7% field-goal clip—his worst since his rookie season—underscores the slide. Frequent appearances on the injury report have pushed Sabonis outside the top 35 in fantasy points per outing, creating a potential buy-low window.
Derik Queen worth a speculative roster spot
Rookie big man Derik Queen, rostered in only 7.8% of ESPN leagues, is quietly stuffing stat sheets for New Orleans. Over his past four games, he has logged 30.7 fantasy points in just 23.5 minutes, contributing scoring, boards, dimes, steals and blocks. The Pelicans continue to start Kevon Looney, but if their slide continues, Queen’s role could expand.
Jalen Duren makes a Year-4 jump
At 22, Jalen Duren is emerging as one of the league’s most productive centers. He enters Wednesday averaging 19.4 points and 12.0 rebounds, trailing only Nikola Jokić and Giannis Antetokounmpo for 20-point, 10-rebound outings (six each). Detroit leans on Duren in crunch time for pick-and-roll finishes, offensive boards and interior passing. He also supplies 2.6 combined steals and blocks per game after an offseason spent refining his post game with Rasheed Wallace.
Norman Powell thriving with the Heat
Norman Powell’s offseason move to Miami via a three-team trade with the Clippers and Jazz is paying immediate dividends. The veteran wing is averaging a career-best 24.5 points while shooting 46.0% overall and 45.8% from deep. He is drawing frequent trips to the foul line, meshing with the Heat’s up-tempo, movement-heavy system and earning praise for locker-room leadership. Los Angeles, which dealt Powell expecting Bradley Beal to replace his production, has seen Beal stumble to 8.2 points per game on sub-par efficiency.
Isaiah Hartenstein anchors Oklahoma City’s frontcourt
Isaiah Hartenstein has provided steady interior play for the Thunder, averaging 12.9 points and 11.4 rebounds while hitting 69.1% of his shots—each a personal high. His screening and roll timing have been crucial with Jalen Williams sidelined, and six double-doubles have helped stabilize Oklahoma City’s half-court sets.
With the season still young, early trends can shift quickly, but the performances above are already shaping fantasy basketball landscapes.
Source: ESPN
