For a lot of normal leagues, Week 22 is semifinal week within the fantasy playoffs. Groups with little to no probability of reaching the NBA’s postseason have begun to make the most of unusual rotations, and a few groups with postseason ambitions are scuffling with accidents. One group that qualifies for the latter is Cleveland, which has been with out three starters (Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Evan Mobley) because it seems to be to carry onto third place within the Jap Convention. And that’s the place this week’s fantasy basketball schedule breakdown will start.
Week 22 Video games Performed
4 Video games: ATL, BKN, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAC, LAL, NYK, OKC, PHI, SAC, SAS, UTA, WAS
3 Video games: BOS, DET, IND, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOR, ORL, PHO, POR, TOR
Week 22 Storylines
– When will the injured Cavaliers starters return?
The Cavaliers had one of many higher schedules for fantasy leagues that run their playoffs between Weeks 21 and 23. Cleveland was one in every of 4 groups taking part in 4 video games in these three weeks, however that does not do a lot good if the group is not wholesome. Donovan Mitchell (nostril), Max Strus (knee), and Evan Mobley (ankle) have all been sidelined, and the previous can be coping with a lingering knee challenge. Not solely has that not accomplished the Cavs any good concerning their place within the East, but it surely has additionally been a adverse in fantasy basketball.
Mobley is listed as questionable for the Cavaliers’ March 24 sport towards Miami; if cleared to return, this might be his first motion since March 5. Mitchell and Strus have already been dominated out for Cleveland’s ultimate sport of Week 21, as has reserve Dean Wade (knee). Cleveland performs 4 video games in Week 22, starting with Monday’s sport towards Charlotte, and the schedule will hold gamers like Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Isaac Okoro, and even Sam Merrill on the fantasy radar.
– Pistons, Pacers, Suns, and Path Blazers lose worth after Friday
Detroit, Indiana, Phoenix, and Portland all have three-game weeks that conclude on Friday, in order that they’ll be of little use to managers needing manufacturing on the finish of Week 22. Nevertheless, within the case of Detroit and Portland, these rosters have gamers who should be well worth the threat attributable to accidents. James Wiseman, Duop Reath, and Jabari Walker are three gamers broadly accessible in fantasy leagues who could possibly be well worth the threat regardless of the sport schedules not being one of the best.
Accidents suffered by Jalen Duren (Detroit) and Deandre Ayton (Portland) have freed up minutes and alternatives, and neither group has a lot incentive to hurry their extra established gamers again into sport motion. One thing else to look at forward of Week 22 would be the standing of Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, who injured his knee throughout a March 22 loss to the Clippers. The outcomes of his MRI are anticipated to be revealed by the beginning of Week 22, and a protracted absence would increase the values of Scoot Henderson and Dalano Banton, though the previous has struggled with inefficiency for many of his rookie marketing campaign.
– Nineteen groups finish Week 22 with video games on Friday and Sunday
Add in Orlando, which has a Friday/Saturday back-to-back, and two-thirds of the NBA will play two video games over the ultimate three days of Week 22. San Antonio, Utah, and Washington are three groups taking part in on Friday and Sunday that haven’t any hope of reaching the postseason, presumably leading to “damage administration” days for a number of the groups’ extra established gamers. Will Washington proceed to make Kyle Kuzma accessible for each sport? As for Utah, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins have already sat out video games for damage administration causes, and it is truthful to marvel if Victor Wembanyama may meet an identical destiny in San Antonio. Many of the 20 groups that may play two in three days to finish Week 22 have 4 video games on their schedule, so fantasy managers could possibly get three video games out of gamers with “relaxation day” issues.
– Is Mitchell Robinson really near a return to motion?
The Knicks heart has been cleared for full-contact practices, however his final sport motion was on December 8. Robinson was dominated out for the Knicks’ win over Brooklyn on March 23, they usually open a four-game Week 22 with a house sport towards the Pistons on Monday. The excellent news is that there are not any back-to-backs for the group to cope with, and three of the video games are towards groups that won’t make the postseason (Detroit, Toronto, and San Antonio).
If Robinson returns, how a lot will he play? Given the ability set, he might not want greater than 18-20 minutes per sport to affect fantasy, particularly in class leagues. Isaiah Hartenstein’s fantasy worth shouldn’t take too large of a success, as there was a necessity to chop his minutes for well being causes (Achilles). As for Treasured Achiuwa, he’s just about off the fantasy radar in most leagues attributable to Tom Thibodeau deciding to go small and begin Miles McBride. Robinson seems to be the Knicks starter closest to a return, as Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow) are nonetheless restricted in what they will do in apply.
– How shorthanded will Miami be throughout Week 22?
Amongst playoff contenders, the Warmth are one of many groups hit exhausting by accidents in latest weeks. Whereas Jimmy Butler (foot) and Bam Adebayo (again) are again on the courtroom, the group remains to be awaiting the return of Tyler Herro (foot), who might not be again in time to assist fantasy managers. Three gamers who stood to profit from his absence (Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin, and Jaime Jaquez Jr.) are additionally coping with accidents. Robinson just lately visited with a again specialist and is taken into account day-to-day. In distinction, Martin and Jaquez are deemed questionable for Miami’s March 24 matchup with Cleveland attributable to knee and ankle accidents. Past Martin and Jaquez, there haven’t been dependable streaming choices on the roster in latest weeks, and people two have not precisely stood out. Miami solely performs three video games in Week 22, however two are scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
– Will some managers want Jake LaRavia or Scotty Pippen Jr. to make them Championship Week?
Given how banged up the Grizzlies are, why not? Each are ranked outdoors the highest 100 in 9-cat per-game worth over the previous two weeks, however LaRavia has performed constant rotation minutes. As for Pippen, he has solely appeared in two video games over the previous two weeks attributable to a leg damage. Santi Aldama and GG Jackson are essentially the most reliable gamers on the roster concerning these accessible in a minimum of 50% of Yahoo leagues. Nevertheless, LaRavia, Pippen, and John Konchar ought to all have elevated worth for a group taking part in out the string. Additionally, will Jaren Jackson Jr. be accessible for every of Memphis’ remaining video games? There is not a lot incentive to not give him the occasional night time off, particularly if doing so would enhance Memphis’ lottery odds.
Mild Recreation Days
Tuesday: 4 Video games
GSW vs. MIA
LAL vs. MIL
OKC vs. NOR
DAL vs. SAC
Thursday: 2 Video games
BOS vs. ATL
MIL vs. NOR
Saturday: 3 Video games
BOS vs. NOR
MEM vs. ORL
MIL vs. ATL
Week 22 Again-to-backs
Sunday (Week 21)-Monday: CLE, DET, IND, LAC, PHI
Monday-Tuesday: DAL, SAC
Tuesday-Wednesday: GSW, LAL, OKC
Wednesday-Thursday: ATL
Thursday-Friday: None
Friday-Saturday: ORL
Saturday-Sunday: None
Sunday-Monday (Week 23): BKN, CHA, CHI
