James Harden averaged a vintage 34.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.0 blocks over 39.5 minutes per game in Week 4.
Week 4 extended the season-opening trend of eye-popping numbers at both a team and individual level, much to the delight of fantasy managers. Many of the biggest stars shined brightest this week, so let’s dive in to the top five most rewarding fantasy assets of the last seven days.
The following players averaged the most fantasy points per game last week (two-game minimum):
#1. Nikola Jokić, Nuggets
Last Week: 75.2 FP/G Season Rank: 1 (71.3 FP/G)
It was just another week for The Joker, who shook off a wrist issue to still produce a pair of triple-doubles and a season-best 55-point showing in another game. Jokić led the Nuggets to a 4-0 week and was an integral part of Denver extending its winning streak to seven contests overall, vaulting to the top of the fantasy mountain with averages of 37.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.5 steals per contest during the period.
#2. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
Last Week: 68.4 FP/G Season Rank: 4 (61.2 FP/G)
After what might be considered a “down” week by his standards in Week 3, Wemby roared back with an impressive three-game sample before sitting out the Spurs’ win over the Kings on Sunday due to a calf injury. The big man rattled off a pair of double-doubles and one triple-double, and he enjoyed a resurgence defensively by posting five- and three-block efforts within his trio of contests. The 2023 first overall pick was particularly efficient on the offensive end as well, contributing 31.7 points per contest on 51.6% shooting, including 50% from 3-point range.
#3. James Harden, Clippers
Last Week: 65.9 FP/G Season Rank: 11 (54.2 FP/G)
Harden played the entirety of the Clippers’ four-game week without Kawhi Leonard (ankle), which unsurprisingly helped lead to some eye-popping numbers for The Beard. With his usage rate north of 30%, Harden averaged a vintage 34.0 points, 9.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.0 blocks over 39.5 minutes per game. The Houston-Rockets-heyday-like sample also saw Harden locked in from behind the arc in the form of a 41.9% success rate from 3-point range, and he also made good on 90.5% of his average of 10.5 visits to the free-throw line.
#4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Last Week: 64.8 FP/G Season Rank: 3 (64.7 FP/G)
Antetokounmpo played in three of the Bucks’ four games last week and continued putting up MVP-caliber numbers. He averaged 29.0 points, 9.7 assists, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals in his 36.3 minutes per game. His best performance came during a win over the Hornets in which he posted 25 points, 18 assists, seven rebounds, two steals and one block. Antetokounmpo is leading the NBA in made field goals per game (12.5) and has taken the most total free throws (129).
#5. Jalen Johnson, Hawks
Last Week: 63.0 FP/G Season Rank: 14 (50.3 FP/G)
Another talented player benefitting from the absence of a star on his squad is Johnson, who’s unsurprisingly taken on a much bigger role with Trae Young (knee) sidelined. In Week 4, that equated to Johnson averaging 24.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 2.5 steals across 34.8 minutes per contest, a sample where he found the net on a blistering 60.3% of his 14.5 shot attempts per contest. That included an elite 57.1% success rate from deep and helped lead to three double-doubles and one triple-double, the latter featuring a season-high 14 assists.
Week 5 preview:
The following players are top fantasy point producers and play at least three games next week with fewer than two matchups against top-10 defenses:
Nikola Jokić, Nuggets (65.1 FP/G) – CHI, @NOP, @HOU, SAC
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (56.1 FP/G) – @NOP, SAC, @UTA, POR
Tyrese Maxey, 76ers (54.1 FP/G) – LAC, TOR, @MIL, MIA
Cade Cunningham, Pistons (51.7 FP/G) – IND, @ATL, @MIL
Scottie Barnes, Raptors (44.7 FP/G) – CHA, @PHI, WAS, BKN
