In Week 20, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama recorded his best fantasy game since Nov. 10.
It’s not just stars who shine at this time of year. With the playoff push in full force, some of the league’s injury-riddled or struggling teams have allowed less-established players to rise.
That constitutes another critical week for general managers in NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition as we inch closer to the final month of the season.
Here’s what you need to know entering Week 21:
Last Week’s Story
He’s back. Less than 10 months after suffering a torn right Achilles, Jayson Tatum returned Friday as the Boston Celtics (43-21) rolled past the Dallas Mavericks (21-43). The 2024 NBA champion and six-time All-Star posted 44 fantasy points in the 120-100 victory.
That effort featured 15 points scored, 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal. He followed it with 27 fantasy points Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers (40-25), and as his usage increases in the coming weeks, bigger numbers are inevitable from the bona fide superstar.
Last season, Tatum averaged 48.0 fantasy points per game (FPPG), which tied for seventh-most in the league. His 3459.1 total fantasy points (TFP) ranked even better — fifth among all players. He likely won’t end 2025-26 with similar numbers, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be impactful.
Peak Performances
As he has several times before, Luka Dončić won the week with 78 fantasy points scored Friday in a 128-117 victory for the Los Angeles Lakers (39-25) over the Indiana Pacers (15-49). The six-time All-Star produced 44 points scored, nine rebounds, five assists, two blocks and three steals, earning his 16th game this season with 70 or more in fantasy. His 63.1 FPPG and 3282 TFP rank top-three in both regards.
Second place on the podium belonged to Victor Wembanyama. The third-year forward/center racked up 75 fantasy points for the San Antonio Spurs (47-17) on Thursday in a 121-106 triumph over the Detroit Pistons (45-18). He pitched in 38 points scored, 16 rebounds, three assists and five blocks en route to his best fantasy showing since Nov. 10. Wembanyama averages 52.8 FPPG — good for eighth-most — but has put up 57.3 across his last nine games.
And sure enough, Nikola Jokić got busy once again on the hardwood, posting 72 fantasy points Thursday as the Denver Nuggets (39-26) defeated the Lakers by a 120-113 score. The three-time MVP tallied 28 points scored, 12 rebounds, 13 assists, one block and one steal, ultimately recording his 23rd triple-double of the season. Jokić has proved untouchable in fantasy with 68.4 FPPG, and just tied Tyrese Maxey for the league lead with 3353 TFP.
Transaction Tips
Times are tough for the last-place Sacramento Kings (15-50), but Precious Achiuwa represents a glimmer of hope. The sixth-year forward has boosted his production to 38 FPPG in his last nine outings following a six-game span of just 14.1 FPPG. He even scored 60 or more on March 5 and Feb. 26 with double-doubles on both occasions. Achiuwa is a relatively cheap addition at $7.9M and, for now, offers plenty of value with five of his teammates on the injury report.
Reed Sheppard has also impressed in recent weeks. With the Houston Rockets (39-24), the second-year guard has been responsible for 43.8 FPPG in the team’s last seven games. He submitted a season-high 70 fantasy points March 2 featuring 19 points scored, seven rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and six steals. He’s priced slightly higher than Achiuwa at $8.5M, but should he maintain his level of play, he’ll be well worth the investment.
Additionally, consider rostering multiple players from the Philadelphia 76ers (34-30) this week. They’re the only team in the league with five games — Monday at the Cavaliers, Tuesday versus the Memphis Grizzlies (23-40), Thursday at the Pistons, Saturday versus the Brooklyn Nets (17-47) and Sunday versus the Portland Trail Blazers (31-34). VJ Edgecombe and Dominick Barlow are the 76ers’ highest-value players, though Edgecombe is nursing a back injury.
