Reflecting on the Fantasy Basketball Season
As the calendar shifts from 2025 to 2026, fantasy basketball enthusiasts are reflecting on the season so far while strategizing for the upcoming weeks. The start of the new year presents an opportunity to reassess rosters and fine-tune strategies in pursuit of league dominance. This is especially pertinent in light of the recent performance highlights from December, capturing the top six scoring players who have shined in Yahoo’s High Score league.
Top Performers of December
Luka Dončić
Among the most notable is Luka Dončić of the Los Angeles Lakers. Demonstrating remarkable adaptability, Dončić has managed to deliver exceptional performances even amid injuries that sidetracked him for three games in December. Despite these setbacks, he recorded impressive scores, including a staggering 99-point fantasy outing against the Jazz on December 18. Dončić finished the month averaging 31 points, accompanied by 7.9 assists and 7.2 rebounds, but his overall shooting percentages reflected room for improvement, particularly from beyond the arc.
Cade Cunningham
Next, we have Cade Cunningham, a standout guard for the Detroit Pistons, who currently finds himself in the MVP conversation as his team leads the Eastern Conference entering 2026. Although he boasts a commendable shooting percentage of 48.7% this month, his scoring volumes have room to grow, with an average of just 17.2 attempts per game. Cunningham is challenged to become a more aggressive scorer, although he remains a valuable asset through his playmaking, exemplified by a season-equalling 17 assists against Utah on December 26, helping him secure 80 fantasy points.
Nikola Jokić
This month has been bittersweet for Nikola Jokić. The Denver Nuggets star hyperextended his left knee shortly before the transition to the new year, forcing him to the sidelines for an expected four-week recovery. However, his magnificent Christmas Day performance against the Timberwolves, which saw him rack up a record 108 fantasy points with 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, will be long remembered by his managers, as it marked his eighth game this season surpassing 80 fantasy points.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard‘s return to the court has been a significant highlight for enthusiasts. After missing early season games due to injuries, Leonard has recaptured his form, averaging impressive stats of 29.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and defensive versatility as represented by his stocks. His remarkable showing on December 28, with a career-high 55 points, bolstered by significant contributions in other statistical categories, demonstrated that he could potentially be one of the best value picks from this season’s draft.
Alperen Şengün
Another player to watch is Alperen Şengün from the Houston Rockets, who, despite nursing a calf injury, has maintained an impressive average of 53.2 fantasy points per game this season. As a versatile player reminiscent of Jokić’s style, Şengün struggles with scoring backlogs often influenced by team dynamics, especially with heavy hitters like Kevin Durant in the lineup. He recorded a high fantasy score of 88 against the Jazz on December 1, showcasing his all-around capabilities including notable defensive contributions.
Scottie Barnes
Lastly, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors delivered a remarkable performance late in December that pushed him onto the list of top scorers. Contributing a career-best 25 rebounds along with 23 points and 10 assists, Barnes achieved his first triple-double of the season, showcasing his potential for high-level play given his multifaceted skillset. However, with scoring inconsistencies, he represents a paradox in fantasy basketball performance where his ceiling is high, but his floor can be concerning.
Conclusion
Overall, these players illustrate the dynamic nature of fantasy basketball as managers gear up for a fresh start in the new year, armed with insights and new strategies from December’s evaluated performances.
