For many standard leagues, Week 22 is the semifinal week of the fantasy playoffs. Teams with little chance of making it to the NBA postseason are starting to utilize unusual rotations, and some teams with postseason aspirations are struggling with injuries. One team that qualifies for the latter is Cleveland, which is without three starters (Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus and Evan Mobley) as it looks to maintain third place in the Eastern Conference. And that's where the breakdown of this week's fantasy basketball schedule begins.
Games played in week 22
4 games: ATL, BKN, CHA, CHI, CLE, DAL, DEN, GSW, HOU, LAC, LAL, NYK, OKC, PHI, SAC, SAS, UTA, WAS
3 games: BOS, DET, IND, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOR, ORL, PHO, POR, TOR
Week 22 Storyline
– When will the Cavaliers' injured starter return?
The Cavaliers had one of the best schedules in fantasy leagues with the playoffs taking place between Weeks 21 and 23. Cleveland was one of four teams to play four games in those three weeks, which isn't much of a good thing if your team isn't healthy. . Donovan Mitchell (nose), Max Strus (knee) and Evan Mobley (ankle) are all out, with the former also dealing with a lingering knee issue. Not only did it not help the Cavs in terms of their standing in the East, but it also hurt them in fantasy basketball.
Mobley is listed as questionable for the Cavaliers' March 24 game against Miami. If he is cleared to return, this will be his first action since March 5th. Mitchell and Strus have already been ruled out of Cleveland's final game in Week 21, as has backup Dean Wade (knee). Cleveland plays four games in Week 22, starting with Monday's game against Charlotte, a schedule that will feature players like Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Isaac Okoro and even Sam Merrill.
– Pistons, Pacers, Suns, Trail Blazers are worth less after Friday
Detroit, Indiana, Phoenix, and Portland all have three-game weeks that end on Friday, which doesn't help much for managers needing production at the end of Week 22. However, in the case of Detroit and Portland, those rosters still have players worth the risk due to injuries. James Wiseman, Duop Reese, and Jabari Walker are three players who can play extensively in fantasy leagues and could be worth the risk despite a less-than-optimal schedule.
With injuries to Jalen Duren (Detroit) and Deandre Ayton (Portland) leaving playing time and opportunities open, neither team has much incentive to rush proven players back into the game. Another thing to keep an eye on heading into Week 22 will be the status of Blazers guard Anfernee Simons, who suffered a knee injury against the Clippers on March 22. MRI results are expected by the beginning of Week 22. Extended absences will increase the value of Scoot Henderson and Dalano Banton, who have struggled with inefficiency for most of their rookie campaigns. That's going to happen.
– 19 teams complete Week 22 with games on Friday and Sunday
Add in Orlando, which plays back-to-back Friday and Saturday games, and two-thirds of the NBA will play two games in the final three days of Week 22. San Antonio, Utah and Washington will play on Friday and Saturday. Any hope of making the postseason ends Sunday, and some of the team's proven players could have an “injury management” day. Will Washington continue to have Kyle Kuzma in every game? As for Utah, Lauri Markkanen and John Collins have already missed games due to injury management reasons, leading to questions about whether Victor Wembaneyama could suffer a similar fate in San Antonio. Of course you think so. Most of the 20 teams playing two games in three days until the end of Week 22 have four games on their schedules, so fantasy managers may be able to pick up three games from players concerned about “rest days.”
– Is Mitchell Robinson really close to returning to active duty?
The Knicks center was cleared for full-contact practice, but Robinson last appeared in a game on Dec. 8. Robinson will be ruled out of the Knicks' win over Brooklyn on March 23 and will begin Week 22 with four home games. Monday's game against the Pistons. The good news is the team doesn't have back-to-back games to deal with, and three of those games are against teams that won't make the postseason (Detroit, Toronto, San Antonio).
If Robinson returns, how much will he play? Considering his skill set, he may not need more than 18-20 minutes per game to make an impact in fantasy, especially in category leagues. Isaiah Hartenstein's fantasy value shouldn't take a huge hit (Achilles) as he has to reduce his playing time for health reasons. As for Precious Achiuwa, he's been largely off the radar in most leagues since Tom Thibodeau decided to go small and start Miles McBride. Robinson appears to be the Knicks starter closest to returning, as Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow) are still limited in what they can do in practice.
– How thin will Miami be in Week 22?
Among the playoff contenders, the Heat are one of the teams that has been hit hardest by injuries in recent weeks. Jimmy Butler (foot) and Bam Adebayo (back) are back on the court, while the team is still waiting on the return of Tyler Herro (foot), who may not arrive in time to help fantasy managers. do not have. Three players who would have benefited from his absence (Duncan Robinson, Caleb Martin and Jaime Jaques Jr.) have also suffered injuries. Robinson has recently been seen by a back specialist and is expected to be living a normal life. In contrast, Martin and Jaquez are considered questionable for Miami's March 24 game against Cleveland due to knee and ankle injuries. Other than Martin and Jaquez, the roster hasn't had any reliable streaming options in recent weeks, and those two haven't really stood out. Miami will only play three games in Week 22, but two are scheduled for Friday and Sunday.
– Will some managers need Jake LaRabia or Scottie Pippen Jr. to lead them into championship week?
Given how strong the Grizzlies are, why wouldn't they? They both rank outside the top 100 in terms of nine cats per game value over the past two weeks, but LaRavia is solid. The rotation minutes played are recorded. As for Pippen, he has played in just two games over the past two weeks due to a foot injury. Santi Aldama and GG Jackson are the most reliable players on the roster in terms of players available in at least 50% of Yahoo leagues. But LaRabia, Pippen and John Conchar should all add value to the team's strings. Also, will Jaren Jackson Jr. be available for each of Memphis' remaining games? There's not much incentive not to give him the occasional night off, especially if doing so increases Memphis' lottery odds.
light game day
Tuesday: 4 games
GSW vs. MIA
LAL vs. MIL
OKC vs. NOR
DAL vs. SAC
Thursday: 2 games
BOS vs. ATL
MIL vs. NOR
Saturday: 3 games
BOS vs. NOR
MEM vs. ORL
MIL vs. ATL
Week 22 consecutive games
Sunday (21st week) to Monday: CLE, DET, IND, LAC, PHI
Monday Tuesday: Dal, SAC
Tuesday Wednesday: GSW, LAL, OKC
Wednesday Thursday: ATL
Thursday Friday: none
Friday Saturday: Oral
Saturday and Sunday: none
Sunday to Monday (23rd week):BKN, Cha, Chi
