Fantasy Midseason Update: Maxey’s Historic Pace, Watson’s Surge Highlight Shifting NBA Landscape
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The NBA season has crossed the halfway mark, and injuries are rapidly altering both on-court rotations and fantasy basketball lineups.
Jimmy Butler III’s ACL tear shakes up Golden State
The Golden State Warriors lost forward Jimmy Butler III to a season-ending torn ACL just as the club had won 12 of its previous 16 games. Butler’s absence immediately boosts rookie guard Brandin Podziemski’s workload, while De’Anthony Melton and Moses Moody are positioned for steadier minutes and additional shot attempts. Center Quinten Post could also see deeper-league relevance as the coaching staff experiments with new frontcourt combinations. Jonathan Kuminga’s role remains uncertain, contingent on whether he stays with the team through the trade deadline.
Tyrese Maxey joins rare company in Philadelphia
Tyrese Maxey recorded a career-high eight steals against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, becoming the first Philadelphia 76ers player since Allen Iverson on Nov. 7, 2003, to post at least 25 points, eight assists and eight steals in a single game. The newly named All-Star starter is averaging 30.2 points, 6.7 assists and 3.6 three-pointers while shooting 47.5% from the field. Only Nikola Jokic (2,235) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2,347) have totaled more fantasy points this season.
Peyton Watson parlaying defense into January breakout
Denver Nuggets wing Peyton Watson is averaging 22.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 35.8 minutes per game this month, powered by 2.3 combined steals and blocks (“stocks”). The 21-year-old is shooting 50.6% overall and 43.8% from three, lifting him into the top-15 fantasy ranks for January. Watson is rostered in only 55.8% of leagues and is expected to retain an expanded role even after Nikola Jokic returns from injury.
Tyler Herro out; Jaime Jaquez Jr. steps up for Miami
The Miami Heat ruled guard Tyler Herro out of the team’s five-game West Coast trip because of a right rib contusion. Herro has now missed more than 135 regular-season games since entering the league in 2019-20. Rookie forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. benefits most, having already produced career highs of 15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists across 28.7 minutes per contest.
Kon Knueppel separates himself among rookies
Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel has drained multiple three-pointers in 18 of his past 19 outings, averaging 20.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 52.5% from the floor and 46.9% from deep. The lottery pick has 143 made threes through 42 games—on pace to threaten the rookie record—while maintaining a 61.3% effective field-goal percentage. Although defensive stats are scarce, his durability and shooting volume give him one of the steadiest rookie fantasy floors.
Thunder thriving without Jalen Williams
The Oklahoma City Thunder are 19-1 in games Jalen Williams has missed this season, compared with 17-7 when he plays. Williams, who averages 35.1 fantasy points and carries a 26.1% usage rate, is sidelined by a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. During his absence, guard Ajay Mitchell and wing Aaron Wiggins gain larger roles, Isaiah Joe receives additional perimeter looks, and Chet Holmgren assumes more offensive responsibility.
The coming weeks will determine how long these injury-driven opportunities last, but fantasy managers already have a fresh set of midseason priorities.
Source: ESPN
