The Pistons’ Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren have combined to average 96.1 fantasy points per game this season.
The final full month of the fantasy season has arrived.
As the race to the playoffs intensifies, it’s crucial for general managers in NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition to make adjustments to their roster. There are plenty of points to be had.
Here’s what you need to know entering Week 20:
Last week’s story
Wednesday marked a major moment for the Detroit Pistons (45-14). It’s already been a triumphant season for the East’s first-place team, but their contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder (47-15) was an opportunity to certify their modern identity as a title contender.
And that, they did. The Pistons knocked off the defending champions, 124-116. Both Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren contributed double-doubles en route to 77 and 51 fantasy points, respectively. Together, they’ve averaged 96.1 fantasy points per game (FPPG) this season.
Key contributions also came from Ausar Thompson, who had 44 fantasy points on 11 points scored, four rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals. Duncan Robinson, too, was useful with 28 fantasy points on 16 points scored, three rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Peak performances
Topping the podium this past week was Cunningham with 77 fantasy points Wednesday in that big-time victory for the Pistons over the Thunder. The two-time All-Star pitched in 29 points scored, four rebounds, 13 assists, three blocks and three steals en route to his fourth consecutive double-double. Few players in fantasy are better than him — he now sits third in the league with 58.2 FPPG and 3086 total fantasy points (TFP).
Alperen Sengun was right on Cunningham’s tail that night. He racked up 76 fantasy points of his own for the Houston Rockets (37-22) in a commanding 128-97 win over the Sacramento Kings (14-48). The fifth-year center delivered 26 points scored, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, three blocks and two steals, earning his third triple-double of the campaign. He hasn’t been one of the most dominant forces in fantasy, but still ranks 13th in the Association with 49.3 FPPG.
Then there was a usual suspect — Nikola Jokić. The three-time MVP tallied 75 fantasy points Sunday despite a 117-108 loss for the Denver Nuggets (37-24) to the Minnesota Timberwolves (38-23). He did it by way of 35 points scored, 13 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and one steal. Jokić is on the cusp of re-taking the league lead for TFP, as his 3094 aren’t far behind Tyrese Maxey’s 3208. The eight-time All-Star’s 68.7 FPPG, though, remains untouched.
Global leaderboard
There are six weeks to go until the 2025-26 fantasy season comes to a close. For fantasy general managers who are looking for an edge on their competition down the stretch, lessons can be taken from the global leaders. Melvin Schneider’s ‘GriddyGang’ sits first with 24554 TFP, followed by Tilo Gust’s ‘Blue_Arrow_27’ with 24174 and Adam Boustani’s ‘Dima Maghreb’ with 24128. Those three hail from Germany, Germany and the United Kingdom, respectively.
Several trends exist between these squads. First and foremost, all of them roster the Milwaukee Bucks (26-33) duo of Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins. The two talents have stepped up offensively during Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 15-game absence, averaging a combined 90.8 FPPG without him. Porter Jr., in particular, has been big with 49.5 FPPG in that span. Their production will decrease once Antetokounmpo is back in action, so don’t wait to invest in them.
These global leaders also feature Donovan Clingan and Stephon Castle, who have produced 33.6 FPPG for $8.8M and 39.9 FPPG for $10.2M, respectively. Clingan — a second-year center — has dropped 40 or more fantasy points in four of his last six games, and has put up point-rebound double-doubles on an almost-nightly basis. Castle, meanwhile, continues to shine in his sophomore season and has averaged 35.8 FPPG in his last six outings.
