The second week of the NBA season is behind us, and a few fascinating statistical tendencies have already jumped out. It’s price paying shut consideration, as a result of what’s occurring now might form the early-season panorama.
That’s what this column is about. We’ll begin with a high-altitude view of the league after which zoom in on the main points that matter.
We’ve got to speak about Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s off to a historic begin this season. Monday marked his sixth straight sport with not less than 25 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, the second-longest streak to begin a season in league historical past. He’s averaged 34.0 factors per sport on 68.1% capturing via six contests. How has that translated to fantasy? Antetokounmpo has averaged 67.1 FPPG per sport over that stretch.
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham continues to place himself within the firm of NBA greats. Over his previous three video games, he’s been excellent as a top-three fantasy producer, averaging 28.0 factors, 12.0 assists and a pair of.0 steals per sport. His efficiency in opposition to Orlando on Oct. 29 was his most spectacular but, as he grew to become the primary participant in Pistons historical past to file not less than 30 factors, 10 assists, three steals and three blocks in a sport. Over the previous 10 seasons, solely Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and James Harden have reached these thresholds.
Lastly, let’s not overlook the new begin of Luka Doncic, whose triple-double on Sunday was his third since becoming a member of the Lakers final season and the 83rd of his profession, rating seventh all time. Doncic grew to become the primary participant in NBA historical past to common not less than 40.0 factors, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists via his first 4 video games of a season. He’s put up 70.3 fantasy factors per sport up to now.
It’s been a wild begin to the season, and it’s solely simply starting. Listed here are 5 issues you must know transferring ahead.
Morant has a popularity for attacking the basket with electrical velocity, creativity and physique management, utilizing hesitations and crossovers to glide previous defenders. This space of his sport has been missing up to now in 2025-26; Morant is at present on tempo for profession lows in direct drives per 100 possessions, factors per sport on drives, discipline purpose share (39.3%) and minutes (28.5 MPG).
That decline mirrors the rising pressure between Morant and the Grizzlies. After a one-game suspension for conduct deemed detrimental to the workforce, he returned Monday with 18 factors and 10 assists in a loss to Detroit however provided little emotion or perception postgame. When requested if he nonetheless felt pleasure taking part in basketball, his curt reply, “No,” mentioned the whole lot.
As soon as recognized for his fearless rim assaults and swagger, Morant has seemed hesitant and indifferent, settling for jumpers somewhat than dominating the paint. For a participant whose sport was constructed on aggression and creativity, the numbers and the physique language inform a narrative of a famous person looking for his spark once more.
The Wizards’ rebuild has discovered its centerpiece in Sarr. After an up and down rookie season, the No. 2 total decide from 2024 has averaged 17.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG and a pair of.1 BPG up to now this season, and doing it effectively, capturing 52.7% from the sphere and 81.0% from the free throw line. The 20-year-old is producing 41.0 fantasy factors in simply 27.3 MPG, and at present ranks within the prime 15 on ESPN’s Participant Rater.
What stands out most is how full his sport has develop into. Sarr’s improved decision-making and passing have turned him right into a reputable facilitator and elite rim safety makes him a top-25 fantasy worth. He’s now ending effectively and controlling the paint.
For a franchise that has spent years looking for course, Sarr represents tangible progress. He’s a 7-footer with guard expertise who’s residing as much as his draft hype in season two. If Sarr retains bettering, the Wizards might have discovered their long-term cornerstone and fantasy managers a breakout star.
Rollins has gone from an afterthought in fantasy drafts to arguably the highest waiver-wire pickup of the season. After starting the 12 months unrostered in most leagues, he’s exploded since taking on because the Bucks’ place to begin guard for the injured Porter. Over his previous three video games, Rollins has averaged 43.5 fantasy factors whereas capturing an unbelievable 62.3% from the sphere and 61.1% from deep. Whereas these numbers aren’t sustainable, they’re encouraging.
What makes Rollins so beneficial isn’t simply his scoring, it’s his match. Enjoying with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rollins pushes the tempo, defends and strikes the ball rapidly, preserving Milwaukee’s offense flowing whereas including a defensive edge the Bucks lacked. Even with Porter anticipated to return in in a month, Rollins’ manufacturing, poise and chemistry with Giannis make it laborious to think about him leaving the beginning lineup. For fantasy managers, this isn’t a short-term add, it’s a possible league-winning pickup that’s helped remodel Milwaukee’s rotation and fantasy rosters.
Vacation has been one of many greatest surprises of the early season. After being an afterthought in drafts and left on the waiver wire on many leagues on account of age and lowered utilization in Boston, the 35-year-old seems to be rejuvenated in Portland. He’s placing up 40.0 fantasy factors per sport in 32.6 MPG, contributing throughout each class with factors, assists, rebounds, steals and threes whereas capturing 46.9% from the sphere.
Vacation additionally has put up career-high 8.3 APG, reestablishing himself as a real lead guard. Vacation’s management and management have stabilized a Path Blazers offense that ranked close to the underside of the league final 12 months and now sits fifteenth in offensive ranking. As soon as thought-about a depth flier or bench stash, he’s develop into a nightly stat-stuffing producer. It’s price watching how a lot Scoot Henderson (hamstring) cuts into Vacation’s minutes and total manufacturing as soon as he returns within the subsequent month or so, however till then it’s price using Vacation’s scorching begin to the season.
Kuminga has lastly arrived. After years of flashes and frustration, the fifth-year ahead has earned a everlasting beginning function for the Warriors, and this time, it appears to be like prefer it’s right here to remain. He’s averaged 31.1 fantasy factors and a career-high 31.0 MPG up to now this season, whereas his 53.5% 3-point capturing additionally marks a profession finest. Kuminga’s improved rebounding, shot choice and playmaking have supplied regular boosts to his fantasy worth, however his greatest influence isn’t quantifiable. His match throughout the Warriors’ rotation is invaluable, particularly given the age and mileage of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Inexperienced. It is a participant who was as soon as looking for a spot in Steve Kerr’s rotation, and now he has it.
His protection in opposition to elite scorers has develop into a serious asset, and the Warriors’ spacing issues from final season have vanished due to his maturity and smarter shot profile. Nonetheless simply 23, Kuminga’s mix of athleticism, protection and creating perimeter sport suggests he might lastly be delivering the breakout season fantasy managers have lengthy hoped to see.
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