Friday’s 10-game schedule boasted multiple streaming opportunities, with the Warriors and Timberwolves being two teams that went into action without multiple key contributors. And those teams boasted players who came good for fantasy managers, including a big man who’s a must-stream whenever Minnesota is down one (or more) of its big men.
Naz Reid (9%)
Karl-Anthony Towns was already out, and Rudy Gobert joined him on the injury list ahead of Friday’s game in Oklahoma City. Add in the fact that the Thunder frontcourt rotation doesn’t have a high-level center, and Reid was well-positioned for a big night. And that’s exactly what happened, as he went off for 28 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, one block, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes. The foul line wasn’t Reid’s friend, as he was 3-of-7, but the 11-of-18 night from the field more than salvaged things. Minnesota finishes its week with a home game against the Bulls on Sunday, and that’s also the first of a back-to-back (Dallas on Monday). Even if Gobert, who missed Friday’s game with a sprained ankle, can play on Sunday, it’s possible he’d get the next night off. Don’t hesitate to add Reid in the aftermath of this performance.
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Austin Rivers (1%) and Jaylen Nowell (18%)
Also playing in that game for the Timberwolves were Rivers and Nowell, with the former starting for the injured D’Angelo Russell (knee). Based on season-long production Nowell appeared to be the better streaming option, even though he remained with the bench unit. But both players stepped up, with Rivers scoring a season-high 20 points with three rebounds, one assist, five steals, and four 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Nowell added 13 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 34 minutes off the bench. Based on their respective rostered percentages, Nowell is already being streamed in deep leagues. At the same time, fantasy managers have been reluctant to trust Rivers (given how he played in Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers, who can blame them?). Keep an eye on the injury report, as both are worth streaming if Russell can’t play Sunday night.
Quentin Grimes (16%)
Despite serving as the Knicks’ starting shooting guard since November 20, Grimes is still rostered in less than 20% of Yahoo leagues. That may change due to his recent play, as he’s hit double figures in four of his last five games. Grimes put up 22 points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 29 minutes as the Knicks blew out the Bulls, and he’s providing 7th-round per-game value in 9-cat formats over the last two weeks. Grimes can offer points, 3-pointers, and defensive stats, and he does this on solid percentages. With Cam Reddish and Evan Fournier completely out of the rotation, it’s safe to add Grimes in deeper leagues.
Donte DiVincenzo (37%) (mention Kuminga at 33%)
Golden State was without three starters in Philadelphia, as Stephen Curry (shoulder) and Draymond Green (knee) joined Andrew Wiggins (groin) on the sideline. DiVincenzo and Jonathan Kuminga (33% rostered) were moved into the starting lineup, and there was a clear answer to the question of which will be a better streaming option. Playing in the city (or close to it, to be accurate) where he was a part of two national title teams at Villanova, DiVincenzo shot 5-of-6 from three in the first quarter and finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers in 35 minutes. As for Kuminga, he accounted for seven points, three assists, and one 3-pointer in 29 minutes. No rebounds and no defensive stats. DiVincenzo is the clear answer for managers with only one roster spot to spare, especially with Green being closer to a return than Curry.
Kevon Looney (29%)
Speaking of Green, his absence left the Warriors without a key frontcourt facilitator. Looney stepped into that role admirably, recording a stat line of 14 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and two blocks in just 26 minutes. Even if Green is available for Sunday’s game in Toronto, Looney is worth adding. With Curry sidelined, Looney will be in a position to do a bit more offensively than usual. Will he become a prolific scorer? No, of course not. But the nine assists without a turnover show that Looney can serve as more than a screener for a team that must exhaust all available options to make up for Curry’s absence.
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Shake Milton (22%)
With James Harden back in action, Milton largely fell off the radar as a streaming option, ranking outside the top 200 in 9-cat formats in the four games played ahead of Friday’s matchup with the Warriors. But Tobias Harris (back) was a late scratch, resulting in Matisse Thybulle starting and more minutes being available to Milton off the bench. Shake played 31 minutes, tallying 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, one block, and one 3-pointer. So, is it too late to get back onto the Milton bandwagon? Unfortunately, yes. Philadelphia won’t play again this week, with their next game scheduled for Monday against the Raptors. Harris should be back by then, and Milton’s fantasy value will take a hit.
Thomas Bryant (5%)
Bryant wasn’t on the streaming radar before Friday’s game, as Anthony Davis dominated the minutes and scoring opportunities in the frontcourt (as expected). Davis suffered a right foot injury, the severity of which won’t be known until Saturday, during the second quarter of Friday’s win over the Nuggets, and did not return after halftime. AD’s absence opened the door for Bryant, who started the second half and finished with 21 points, six rebounds, one assist, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 24 minutes. Even if Davis is given a clean bill of health ahead of Sunday’s game against the Wizards, that’s the first of a back-to-back for the Lakers (Monday at Phoenix). At a minimum, Bryant is worthy of streaming consideration, and he could be a must-add if Davis and the Lakers receive bad news on Saturday.
