Week 6 Fantasy Basketball Overview
As Week 6 of the fantasy basketball season unfolds, players and managers are navigating an unusual schedule largely influenced by the Thanksgiving holiday, which has once again seen the NBA yield its Thursday slots to the NFL. This week, no games are scheduled for Thursday, and only three matchups are set for Tuesday, while the remaining days host a heavier lineup of 8 to 11 games each. Monday and Friday are poised to attract the most attention, with a critical player, Kawhi Leonard, expected to make a comeback, albeit with uncertainties about his total appearances this week. Here’s a detailed rundown of the Week 6 matchups and key narratives.
Game Schedule for Week 6
- Teams Playing Four Games: Detroit, Indiana, Memphis, Milwaukee, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, Toronto.
- Teams Playing Three Games: Atlanta, Brooklyn, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Portland, San Antonio, Utah.
- Teams Playing Two Games: Orlando, Washington.
Back-to-Back Games This Week
- Sunday-Monday: Brooklyn, Cleveland, Miami, Phoenix, Portland, Toronto.
- Friday-Saturday: Brooklyn, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indiana, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee, Phoenix.
- Saturday-Sunday: Boston, Cleveland, Minnesota, New Orleans, Toronto.
- Sunday-Monday (Week 7): Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah.
Notable Storylines for the Week
Kawhi Leonard’s Return: After missing ten consecutive games due to ankle and foot issues, Leonard is anticipated to rejoin the Clippers for their Sunday game against the Cavaliers. His presence is crucial for a team that has faced difficulties, only managing a 2-8 record without him, despite the efforts of new acquisition James Harden and Ivica Zubac. If Leonard plays on Sunday, he will not have a back-to-back scenario looming at the start of the week since the Clippers face off against the Lakers on Tuesday. However, they do conclude the week with back-to-back games against the Grizzlies and Mavericks, leaving Leonard’s potential appearances limited to perhaps two games maximum, factoring in any restrictions after his long absence.
Evaluation of Magic and Wizards Players: Typically, fantasy managers shy away from players of teams with only a pair of games on the schedule. This week, that advice holds particularly true for Orlando and Washington. However, in daily lineup formats, players like Wendell Carter Jr. (owned in 37% of Yahoo! leagues), Anthony Black (16%), and Tristan da Silva (19%) for Orlando could provide opportunities in their Tuesday matchups. For the Wizards, keep an eye on Bilal Coulibaly (26%), who might have more immediate value before playing the Hawks on Tuesday.
Back-to-Backs and Fantasy Strategy: A total of 19 teams will experience back-to-backs between Friday and Monday, raising concerns about player management, particularly for teams like the Lakers, who are gradually reintegrating LeBron James back into rotation, and the Charlotte Hornets, who are dealing with LaMelo Ball’s ongoing ankle issues. Teams like Boston, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Toronto will face Saturday-Sunday back-to-backs, with Zion Williamson’s health being a critical factor for the Pelicans due to his injury history.
Capitalize on Tuesday: With only three games scheduled, this day presents a prime chance to get ahead in your league. While all teams in action will have a relatively light schedule throughout the week—averaging three games—teams like the Hawks, Lakers, and 76ers face favorable matchups, allowing players such as Kristaps Porziņģis, LeBron James, and Paul George to possibly shine through the week. Meanwhile, Joel Embiid remains an uncertainty as he continues to manage a right knee injury, having missed the past six games.
Conclusion
In summary, as managers set their fantasy lineups for Week 6, they should wisely navigate back-to-back situations, player injuries, and notice trends that could help build a competitive edge throughout the week. The upcoming games will certainly shape the fantasy landscape moving forward.
