NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
The conclusion of the regular season approaches as the final days of competition in this last week are about to unfold.
For those engaged in NBA Fantasy Salary Game, the upcoming days present a crucial opportunity to enhance their standing among rivals, offering a last shot to gain a competitive edge.
Here’s a round-up of important updates as we reach the midpoint of Week 25:
The dismissals of coaches Michael Malone on Tuesday and Taylor Jenkins on March 28 have shifted focus to their teams as the playoffs draw near. The Denver Nuggets (48-32) are currently positioned fourth in the Western Conference, with four teams closely trailing within 1.5 games. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies (47-32) are right behind them in sixth place, also within striking distance with two teams just 1.0 game back.
In a sprint towards the end of the season, contributions from Nikola Jokić and Jaren Jackson Jr. will be critical for their respective teams, aiming for optimal playoff placement. Both players lead their teams in total fantasy points (TFP) and rank among the top 25 across the league in that metric.
Jokić may not be on track to surpass his 4610.4 TFP from last season, but his current tally of 4390.8 for 2024-25, averaging 64.6 fantasy points per game (FPPG), keeps him significantly ahead of the majority. Jackson Jr. has accumulated 2767.5 TFP, averaging 38.4 across 72 games, establishing himself as a reliable scorer, whether or not Ja Morant (39.8 FPPG) is participating.
As he concludes his 10th regular season in the NBA, Jokić has consistently scored 60.0 or more fantasy points in his last seven games. He is on the verge of becoming just the third player in history, following Russell Westbrook (four times) and Oscar Robertson, to average a triple-double over an entire season.
Josh Giddey was the star early in the week, delivering an impressive performance as he led the Chicago Bulls (37-43) to a 119-111 victory over the Miami Heat (36-44). He scored 74.7 fantasy points, solidifying a crucial 1.0-game advantage for ninth place as the regular season winds down. His 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists marked his fifth triple-double in his last 12 games and narrowly surpassed his previous season-high of 74.5 achieved on March 22. The fourth-year guard has also notched at least 45.0 fantasy points in 11 of his last 13 outings, despite averaging 37.7 FPPG.
After much anticipation, Luka Dončić returned to the court for the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday following a significant trade in February. He made a strong statement, scoring 45 points, alongside eight rebounds and six assists, even as the Los Angeles Lakers (49-31) triumphed over the Mavericks (38-42) with a score of 112-97. This game marked Dončić’s highest fantasy points total as a Laker at 72.6 and the first time he surpassed 60.0 points since mid-March. Even with 34 games missed this season, he currently ranks 37th in TFP.
Kyle Filipowski also shone on Wednesday, scoring 30 points along with 18 rebounds and five assists for the Utah Jazz (17-63) in a hard-fought overtime win against the Portland Trail Blazers (35-45), finishing with 69.1 fantasy points—his best performance of the 2024-25 season after previously not exceeding 50.0. This scoring outburst marked a significant upswing from his 21.0 FPPG average, indicating potential for his sophomore season.
With only four GameDays remaining in the regular season, it’s crucial to focus on high-value players from teams with multiple games in the latter half of the week. Ten teams fit this criterion, with eight already secured a playoff spot.
Take note of the Cleveland Cavaliers (63-16) and Detroit Pistons (43-36). The Cavaliers are set to face the Indiana Pacers (48-31) on Thursday and Sunday, in addition to the New York Knicks (50-29) on Friday. Meanwhile, Detroit will compete against the Knicks on Thursday, followed by games against the Milwaukee Bucks (45-34) on both Friday and Sunday.
Cleveland has secured the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, so expect coach Kenny Atkinson to give his bench players ample opportunity in the remaining games. Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter are worth monitoring as contenders for NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Jerome has amassed 1555.7 TFP with a salary of $5.7M, while Hunter leads him with 1597.4 TFP, albeit at a steeper cost of $9.4M.
The Pistons, on the other hand, still have incentives to compete, trailing the Bucks by 2.0 games for the fifth seed and 3.0 behind the Pacers for fourth. Even with Cade Cunningham (47.7 FPPG) and Jalen Duren (32.1) asserting their influence on the game, Malik Beasley is emerging as a substantial force off the bench, collecting 1887.9 TFP at a reasonable price of $8.0M.
