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The conclusion of the regular season is just around the corner. With the All-Star break behind us, both contending teams and those in pursuit are gearing up for the title race, and significant shifts in the fantasy landscape could lie ahead.
Participants in NBA Fantasy Salary Games will need to adopt a discerning and analytical approach to maximize their points as the playoffs approach.
Here’s everything you need to know for Week 18:
**Grizzlies (36-18) vs. Pacers (30-23)**: Thursday (7 p.m. ET, League Pass)
Both teams are hitting their stride at an opportune moment. Memphis boasts an impressive record of 11 wins in their last 14 games since January 15, while Indiana has significantly improved this year, sporting a 14-5 record in 2025 after finishing 2024 at 16-18.
Ja Morant, who has struggled with injuries, appears to be on the upswing, posting 37 or more fantasy points in four straight games from February 3 to 11, marking a season high. Tyrese Haliburton is leading the Pacers with a total of 2023 fantasy points, while Pascal Siakam has eclipsed 35 fantasy points in eight of his last nine contests, energizing the squad.
**Knicks (36-18) vs. Cavaliers (44-10)**: Friday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
The Knicks are closely chasing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, only 2.5 games behind the Boston Celtics (39-16), and they haven’t faced the Cavaliers since October 28. They will have three opportunities to take on the top team in the East as the season comes to a close, beginning with Friday’s matchup.
Karl-Anthony Towns powered into the All-Star break, accumulating 128.4 combined fantasy points over his last two games, marking his first consecutive outings with over 40 points this season. In Cleveland, Evan Mobley has made a name for himself, reaching over 60 fantasy points on three occasions this season, particularly on February 5 and 10.
**Lakers (32-21) vs. Nuggets (36-19)**: Saturday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
The Nuggets are riding the league’s longest winning streak, having secured eight victories in a row. They will face a Lakers team that has claimed 10 of its last 13 games, although they recently endured back-to-back defeats against the Utah Jazz (13-41) and the Charlotte Hornets (14-39).
Austin Reaves showcased remarkable performance from February 1 to 10, scoring over 40 fantasy points in five consecutive games, but his role may have diminished with Luka Dončić joining the team. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. rank second and third among Nuggets players, with total fantasy points of 1861.5 and 1666.5, respectively, although both are listed on Thursday’s injury report.
Despite the Lakers’ loss of 100-97 to the Hornets, LeBron James stood out with a game-high 57.9 fantasy points. He has now surpassed 50 points in four of his last six games, reaching that mark 21 times this season.
Miles Bridges shone in Wednesday’s intra-conference upset, tallying 52.2 fantasy points for one of his top performances of the year. Previously, he had only exceeded the 50-point threshold three times, but now has done so on four occasions since Week 10.
LaMelo Ball deserves significant credit for Charlotte’s victory—his late game basket and pair of free throws secured a crucial three-point lead, concluding the night with 42.0 fantasy points. He has consistently scored 40 or more in 76.4% of his appearances this season.
In Week 18, no single team has more games than another, so focus on acquiring the best value for the weeks ahead. Keep an eye on Quentin Grimes, who is quickly finding his footing in a new environment.
The fourth-year guard has seen his fantasy points rise from 21.4 to 27.9, then to 33.4 and finally to 53.8 over his first four games with the Philadelphia 76ers (20-34). His recent 30-point performance on February 12 marked a seasonal peak, and he can be added for just $5.1M.
Karlo Matković, having been among the top four value performers in GameDay during Week 17, is also emerging. Though he recorded only 67.5 total fantasy points throughout the Pelicans’ (13-42) first 48 games, he has now achieved 25 or more in four of his last seven.
His low salary of $4.3M makes him an easy addition, offering a solid option off the bench for those seeking a boost in points.
