Week 21 marks the beginning of the fantasy playoffs in most standard leagues. Simply put, with money (and bragging rights) at stake, scheduling games is even more important. Two teams will only play two games in Week 21, but most teams in the NBA are scheduled to play three games, and some teams playing four games have some solid “stupid season” options. It will be prepared. Let's take a look at the schedule breakdown for week 21.
Games played in week 21
4 games: BOS, CLE, DET, GSW, IND, MIA, MIN, NOR, PHI, POR, SAC, UTA
3 games: ATL, BKN, CHI, DEN, HOU, LAC, LAL, MEM, MIL, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHO, SAS, TOR, WAS
2 games: Cha, Dal
Week 21 Storyline
– Lakers lose Anthony Davis to left eye injury
Davis suffered a corneal abrasion during the first quarter of a home loss to the Warriors, ending his game Saturday night prematurely. Davis' eyes were swollen to the point that his vision was impaired, according to the report. The player will be closely monitored before determining his availability for Monday's game against Atlanta. This is the first of three games the Lakers will play in Week 21, with the second game not being played until Friday (vs. Philadelphia). Even if his eye recovers enough to play on Monday, this schedule could be used to rest Davis. If the AD sits, Jackson Hayes will likely be in the starting lineup, while Rui Hachimura's role as a starter could be strengthened. Also, expect LeBron James and D'Angelo Russell to show more strength on the offensive end.
– How many games can a manager get from Stephen Curry?
Curry missed three games with a sprained ankle prior to Saturday's game against the Lakers, and his presence impacts the Warriors' entire rotation. Manager Steve Kerr was stripped of his best offensive weapons, starting Chris Paul and Klay Thompson at guard spots and relegating Brandin Podzemski to the bench. Curry's return also returns Podzemski to the starting lineup, increasing the rookie's fantasy ceiling. The good news for fantasy managers is that the Warriors don't have back-to-back games in Week 21, so Curry shouldn't have to have an “injury management” night. Draymond Green's return from a back injury also left Trayce Jackson-Davis on the bench and Kevon Looney completely out of the rotation. Jackson-Davis has had periods as a spot starter, but a bench role may not be enough to sustain him in the deep leagues.
– Is it possible that fringe Hornets and Mavericks players are on the “chopping board”?
This is not the case with Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Miles Bridges, to name a few. But in leagues that set their weekly lineups on Mondays, there are other options on these rosters whose fantasy value will take a hit. For the Mavericks, the final game is scheduled for Thursday (against Utah), which will impact the availability of Daniel Gafford and Tim Hardaway Jr. in a league where lineups change daily heading into the weekend.
As for Charlotte, the impact of fantasy will be most felt midweek during the three-day period between road games against the Magic (Tuesday) and road games against the Hawks (Saturday). Vasilije Micic, Grant Williams, and Tre Mann have been prominent in the Hornets' rotation lately, with the former providing top-100 value in the eight-cat format over the past two weeks. With the Hornets (and Mavericks) playing four games in Week 22, will the coaches pull the plug without hesitation, or will they wait for things to happen?
– Heat expected to be without Tyler Herro for at least another week or two
On Saturday, it was reported that Herro received a PRP injection in his injured leg and will be re-examined in one to two weeks. That timeline could make it difficult for fantasy managers to rely on him in the playoffs. One would imagine he would have a period of development no matter when he is cleared to play. As a result, Duncan Robinson will remain in the starting lineup and will likely continue to play an active role in Standard League. Miami will play four games in Week 21, starting with Monday's game against the 76ers. In addition to Robinson, Caleb Martin should also provide additional value despite coming off the bench. He's been playing 30 minutes per game the past two weeks, and rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. has also stepped into an stepped-up role in recent weeks.
– Week 21 could be a difficult game for a manager who relies on Celtics players.
Boston's recent schedule has been played back-to-back, with the second of two weeks running from the last day of Week 20 to the first day of Week 21. The third was a road trip to Detroit and Chicago on Friday and Saturday, capping off a four-game Week 21 with an NBA-best record. Al Horford has yet to play in either back-to-back this season, so a four-game week could turn into two as he could be available for Sunday's game against the Wizards (Boston hosts Detroit on Monday). . Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are questionable for that matchup, and Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White have been ruled out. As a result, Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard could end up Boston's Week 21 schedule with one (or both) of the games as deep league streamers.
– How long will the Clippers be without James Harden?
Harden has missed two games with a left shoulder injury and was considered questionable for the Clippers' March 17 game against the Hawks at press time. If he can return to that game, fantasy managers won't have to worry too much heading into Week 21. What if it isn't? That way, Vaughn's Hyland will get some attention in deep leagues, even if the Clippers only play three games. It's worth noting that the first two games are road matchups against the Blazers, who are a string team.
The third and final game of Week 21 is a home game against the 76ers, with the Pacers visiting the following night to begin Week 22. In addition to Harden, Norman Powell, who injured his left shin during Friday's loss, was also on the injury report. To the Pelicans. Terrence Mann and Amir Coffey could also be in the conversation in deep leagues in Week 21. Still, none of the potential streamers have been able to deliver consistent performance when asked to take on expanded roles.
– How many games can the manager get from Coby White?
The Bulls, who played three games in Week 21, were without starting point guard Coby White for the last two games due to a hip injury. Torrey Craig moved into the starting lineup and Ayo Dosunmu shifted to the point guard role. Dosunmu is not alone in that responsibility, as DeMar DeRozan also has the ability to be the starting point of the offense. However, his role change has increased his value, with Ayo providing top-75 value per game in the 9-cat format over the past week. The Bulls open Week 21 with a home game against Portland on Monday, but the Bulls close out the week against the Rockets on Thursday, so this could also be seen as an opportunity to give White more days to get closer to full strength. Dew. ) and the Celtics (Saturday).
light game day
Tuesday: 5 games
CHA vs. ORL
HOU vs. WAS
NOR vs. BKN
DAL vs. SAS
Den vs. Min
Week 21 consecutive games
Sunday (20th week) to Monday: ATL, BOS, DET, MIA
Monday Tuesday: minutes
Tuesday Wednesday: none
Wednesday Thursday: MIL, PHO, SAC, UTA
Thursday Friday: or
Friday Saturday: BOS, POR, SAS, TOR
Saturday and Sunday: none
Sunday to Monday (22nd week): CLE, DET, IND, LAC, PHI
