Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić both recorded games with 90 or more fantasy points in Week 21.
It was an eventful time to be a fantasy general manager last week. There was a performance for the record books, teams catching fire and players rapidly rising in stock.
Excitement seemed contagious. That’s unlikely to change as the stakes only get higher in NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition entering the fourth-to-last week of the season.
Here’s what you need to know entering Week 22:
Last week’s story
Bam Adebayo became not only the talk of the league, but of the entire sports world when he scored the most points in a single game since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962. But in the background of all that chatter, the Atlanta Hawks (37-31) quietly ascended the Eastern Conference standings.
They now sit in eighth place and only 1.5 games behind fifth thanks to 10 consecutive wins — the longest streak in the Association. Jalen Johnson, of course, has been the driving force. The fifth-year forward has averaged 60.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG) across his last five games.
Don’t overlook the contributions of Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, though. The former is responsible for 41.8 FPPG in his last seven outings, while the latter produced a team-high 64 fantasy points to topple the Orlando Magic (38-29) for the Hawks’ 10th straight.
Peak performances
An all-time performance translated to big-time points for Adebayo. He had a staggering 110 in fantasy for the Miami Heat (38-30) on Tuesday in their 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards (16-51). The three-time All-Star racked up 83 points scored, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals, passing Kobe Bryant for second-most points scored in an NBA game. Adebayo has now averaged 56.1 FPPG in his last seven games.
One of the usual suspects on this shortlist — Luka Dončić — followed with 91 fantasy points Thursday for the Los Angeles Lakers (43-25) in a 142-130 defeat of the Chicago Bulls (28-40). The five-time All-NBA selection produced 51 points scored, 10 rebounds, nine assists, one block and three steals for his sixth outing this season with 80 or more fantasy points. Dončić has risen to second place with 3581 TFP despite missing 12 games in 2025-26.
Nikola Jokić also made the podium once again thanks to 90 fantasy points scored for the Denver Nuggets (41-27) in Thursday’s 136-131 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs (50-18). He dropped 31 points scored, 20 rebounds, 12 assists, two blocks and three steals, securing yet another triple-double. His league-best count is now up to 27 — more than double Johnson’s next-closest 13. Jokić’s 69.2 TFP and 3601 TFP both top all other players.
Transaction tips
The Magic have surged forward in the Eastern Conference and Tristan Da Silva has emerged with them. In his last nine games, the second-year forward has averaged 31.8 FPPG, performing well above his average of 20.1 on the season as a whole. That stretch includes his personal best of 55 fantasy points Thursday against the Wizards. Da Silva’s $5.6M salary makes him an easy roster addition, and he could provide a valuable points boost down the stretch.
Kyle Filipowski’s services are also worthy of consideration. He has submitted 41.8 FPPG across his last seven appearances while getting busy on both ends of the court for the Utah Jazz (20-48). It’s a much different story than the beginning of this season, when he put up 17.3 FPPG through his first eight games. As it stands, the $8.6M center is rostered by just 1.9% of fantasy general managers, but that number should increase in the near future.
This is a five-game week for the Phoenix Suns (39-29). Picking up a player or two of theirs would be wise. The Suns faced the Boston Celtics (45-23) on Monday and will face the Minnesota Timberwolves (41-27) on Tuesday, Spurs on Thursday, Milwaukee Bucks (28-39) on Saturday and Toronto Raptors (38-29) on Sunday. Devin Booker (45.1 FPPG at $15.5M) offers the most production, while Collin Gillespie (31.2 FPPG at $5.6M) provides the best value.
