Risers and fallers: Luka is performing well, but should Giannis be considered for a drop?

Luka Doncic is excelling, Daniss Jenkins has a significant opportunity, and Ayo Dosunmu is performing well for the Minnesota Timberwolves. In contrast, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have differing perspectives, Aaron Gordon is preparing for the playoffs, and Mikal Bridges is currently underperforming.

With just three weeks remaining in the NBA’s regular season, enjoy the final edition of the Risers and Fallers column for this season. It has been a pleasure!

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Risers

Luka Doncic, PG, Los Angeles Lakers (100% rostered in ESPN leagues)

Doncic is on a remarkable eight-game streak, culminating in a 60-point performance during a victory against Miami on Thursday night, marking the Lakers’ 11th win in their last 12 contests. He has averaged 50 points over the last two days/games and has scored at least 30 points in eight consecutive games, all of which resulted in Lakers victories.

Averaging 50 points in a back-to-back scenario in March is astonishing, and he had been averaging 34.9 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 5.0 three-pointers for the month leading up to Thursday’s game. He also made nine three-pointers and recorded five steals in that match, significantly benefiting fantasy teams at present.

He is the first Laker to score 60 points since Kobe Bryant did so in the “Mamba Out” game, and his fantasy managers have been enjoying a smooth ride during this stretch. The only lingering question in fantasy is whether he peaked too soon. Unfortunately, the likely answer is ‘yes,’ as the fantasy playoffs are just beginning for many. The positive aspect is that the Lakers will continue to strive for third place in the West, so Doncic should maintain impressive statistics until the season concludes. If he continues this level of play, he may secure some MVP accolades, while his fantasy managers could also achieve success.

Daniss Jenkins, PG, Detroit Pistons (21.0% rostered)

Cade Cunningham exited Tuesday’s game after only five minutes due to what was initially reported as back spasms, but it was later revealed to be a serious injury involving a collapsed lung. He will be re-evaluated in two weeks, which is among the most unfortunate fantasy news this season.

Jenkins stepped in for Cunningham on Tuesday, finishing with 15 points and seven assists in 21 minutes, and then started on Thursday. Unfortunately, he made only 3-of-16 shots, concluding with nine points and five assists in a win over Washington. However, the positive news is that he started, played 34 minutes, took more shots than anyone else on his team, and even recorded a block.

Jenkins, who has performed well when given chances this season, was likely picked up in 12-team leagues immediately after the Cunningham news broke due to his potential to contribute across various categories, including steals, blocks, and three-pointers. Regardless of your league size, check to ensure he isn’t still available. He is poised for a productive stretch over the next two weeks, if not longer.

Ayo Dosunmu, SG, Minnesota Timberwolves (33.0% rostered)

Dosunmu is set to receive a significant opportunity due to Anthony Edwards’ right knee inflammation, which will sideline him for one to two weeks. Dosunmu has already played two games without Edwards and has excelled, averaging 21 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers in two victories for the Wolves.

Dosunmu often receives criticism in fantasy circles due to a lack of steals, blocks, and three-pointers, much of which is warranted, but he did record three steals on Thursday night and is expected to average around 34 minutes per game for the next two weeks.

It may be a toss-up as to whether he or Jenkins is the superior pickup at this moment.

Fallers

play1:32Shams reveals latest on Giannis’ back-and-forth with Bucks

The ‘Get Up’ crew discusses the tension between Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks over shutting him down for the rest of the season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks (98.3% rostered)

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Thursday that there is a disagreement between the Bucks and Antetokounmpo regarding his potential return this season. Notably, Antetokounmpo wishes to play, despite currently dealing with a hyperextended knee. The reality is that while the Bucks have not yet been mathematically eliminated, they are unlikely to make the playoffs, and Antetokounmpo is not in good health.

Even if he returns to play this season, how many minutes will the Bucks be willing to allocate to their franchise player in games that hold little significance? Additionally, what impact will this disagreement have on his relationship and future with the franchise? It seems likely that the team will ultimately prevail in this situation, and I would set Antetokounmpo’s over/under for games played this season at 2.5.

Given those odds, he may belong on the waiver wire, assuming there isn’t an injured reserve spot available on your roster. Retain Antetokounmpo for as long as possible, but if you need to release him to secure a playoff spot or succeed in the playoffs, it is a reasonable decision.

Bobby Portis (55.9% rostered) has been performing well for the Bucks recently, while Ousmane Dieng (1.8% rostered) should be widely accessible and has a significant opportunity in the final weeks of the season.

Mikal Bridges, SG/SF, New York Knicks (96.0% rostered)

The Knicks are comfortably positioned in third place in the East and have a record of 7-3 over their last 10 games. Although they haven’t faced much competition, they did secure a notable victory against Denver on March 6. However, the Knicks’ player who is not receiving much attention on SportsCenter or elsewhere at the moment is Bridges.

In his last seven games, Bridges is averaging only 7.0 points, 1.0 three-pointers, 0.7 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting a poor 32% from the field. Much of his fantasy value stems from his efficiency and ability to generate steals, blocks, and three-pointers, but he is currently not delivering. With Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns handling the bulk of the workload for the Knicks, it is unlikely that this will change soon.

Bridges still holds some fantasy value, but as the fantasy season reaches its critical phase, tough choices must be made. If your team featuring Bridges is struggling, or if you are in a field goal percentage battle, releasing Bridges is a reasonable consideration. He will eventually break out of this slump, but it is important to note that he is likely to be the fifth offensive option in New York for the remainder of the season.

Aaron Gordon, PF, Denver Nuggets (71.1% rostered)

Gordon has returned to play for the Nuggets following a hamstring injury, but Peyton Watson (hamstring) is expected to return soon. This will create a crowded frontcourt for the Nuggets, with Gordon, Watson, and Spencer Jones all vying for minutes, in addition to Christian Braun, Bruce Brown, and Tim Hardaway Jr. The primary concern for the Nuggets should be ensuring Gordon’s health for the playoffs.

Gordon has struggled in his last five games, averaging only 13 points and 5.4 rebounds on 42% shooting. Meanwhile, Watson was performing at a high level prior to his injury. I anticipate that Gordon and Watson will share minutes, at best, in the final weeks of the season, and I foresee Gordon’s playing time being closely monitored to ensure he is fully fit for the start of the playoffs.

Gordon is more crucial to the Nuggets than he is to your fantasy team, making it sensible for managers to seek out a potential “silly-season” player with upside for their playoff run. For instance, I would consider dropping Gordon to acquire Jenkins.