Already down three starters (OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson) because of damage, the very last thing the Knicks wanted on Sunday was to lose one other marquee participant. Certain sufficient, Jalen Brunson banged knees with Isaac Okoro through the first minute of the Knicks’ sport in Cleveland and didn’t return. That damage freed up extra rotation minutes for Miles McBride (2% rostered, Yahoo), who subbed into the sport … and by no means left.
McBride performed 47 minutes within the Knicks’ 107-98 win, accounting for 16 factors, one rebound, 5 assists, and 4 3-pointers. Whereas his 6-of-15 evening from the sector wasn’t spectacular, Deuce didn’t commit a turnover, and solely Jericho Sims (+17) and Josh Hart (+16) boasted larger plus/minus scores. Given his manufacturing in prior begins this season, McBride stepping up shouldn’t be shocking. In 4 begins, he averaged 17.5 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, and three.0 3-pointers in 40.0 minutes, taking pictures 45.0% from the sector and 80.0% from the foul line. McBride has additionally taken care of the basketball as a spot starter, averaging 1.5 turnovers per sport.
Following Sunday’s win, it was reported that X-rays on Brunson’s knee had been adverse, and he has been identified with a left knee contusion. McBride wasn’t on many fantasy managers’ radars earlier than Sunday, however he ought to be now. New York begins a three-game Week 19 slate on Tuesday once they host Atlanta. If Brunson’s damage results in McBride shifting into the beginning lineup, he shall be value streaming. Let’s take a look at just a few extra of Sunday’s high pickups:
Norman Powell (43%)
Sunday’s matchup with the Timberwolves was the primary sport for the Clippers since Russell Westbrook suffered a fractured left hand on Friday. Whereas Bones Hyland dealt with the backup level guard tasks, he solely performed 14 minutes off the bench. Powell stays a superior streaming choice regardless of not being some extent guard, and he’ll be value holding onto for the foreseeable future primarily based on his efficiency in Minneapolis. He scored 24 factors off the bench, taking pictures 9-of-13 from the sector whereas contributing three rebounds, one steal, and 6 3-pointers in 27 minutes. The Clippers play 4 video games in Week 19, starting with the Bucks on Monday.
Kelly Olynyk (49%)
A stylish title within the instant aftermath of the Raptors shedding Scottie Barnes to a damaged finger, Olynyk did not supply a lot offense in Sunday’s win over the Hornets. He missed all 4 of his field-goal makes an attempt and scored 4 factors to associate with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, two steals, and two blocks in 26 minutes. Ochai Agbaji was the selection to switch Barnes within the beginning lineup, however Olynyk stays the superior fantasy choice. Additionally, beginning middle Jakob Poeltl exited Sunday’s sport earlier than halftime with a dislocated finger. Ought to he additionally miss time, that enhances Olynyk’s fantasy worth much more. Toronto performs three video games in Week 19, starting with the Pelicans on Tuesday.
Grant Williams (26%)
With Nick Richards (foot) dominated out, the Hornets went small in Toronto as Williams slid into the beginning lineup. He performed fairly effectively, ending the defeat with 18 factors, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in 40 minutes. Probably the most vital concern for Williams was the turnover rely, as he racked up six. Whereas his fantasy worth hasn’t improved a lot since being traded to Charlotte, Williams has a extra simple path to fantasy relevance now than with the Mavericks. Williams might be in for one more begin if Richards cannot play in Tuesday’s sport in opposition to the Magic.
Simone Fontecchio (19%)
Offering Eleventh-round worth in 9-cat codecs over the previous two weeks, Fontecchio has reached double figures in seven of the 9 video games he is performed since being traded to the Pistons. He performed 33 minutes in Sunday’s loss to Orlando, ending with 15 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, two steals, and two 3-pointers. Quentin Grimes (knee) being sidelined freed up extra minutes for Fontecchio, as did the starters have a tough evening on the workplace. That stated, Fontecchio’s taking pictures skill supplies the Pistons with a useful spacer, which might help clear up driving lanes for Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
T.J. McConnell (14%)
Every now and then, McConnell is nice for an evening just like the one he had in San Antonio on Sunday, even when Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard are each out there. Making 13 of his 15 photographs from the sector, McConnell scored 26 factors with two rebounds, 5 assists, and three steals within the Pacers’ 12-point loss to the Spurs. If you have already got him, McConnell is value holding onto, however he is not value speeding out so as to add until Haliburton or Nembhard had been to be sidelined with an damage.
Isaac Okoro (9%) and Sam Merrill (1%)
Whereas the Knicks had been nowhere close to full energy on Sunday, their opposition was additionally down just a few key items. Donovan Mitchell (knee) and Caris LeVert (elbow) had been sidelined, which resulted in Okoro shifting into the beginning lineup and Merrill logging extra rotation minutes off the bench. Okoro recorded a full stat line, ending with 17 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, two steals, one block, and three 3-pointers. As for Merrill, he shot 7-of-13 from three and tallied 21 factors, three rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes. Their respective values shifting ahead rely upon the supply of Mitchell and LeVert, however Okoro and Merrill performed effectively sufficient to land on extra managers’ radars within the brief time period.
Malaki Branham (2%)
Even together with his transfer into the beginning lineup, Branham wasn’t a participant that fantasy managers wanted so as to add forward of the Spurs’ matchup with the Pacers. However he is value including to observe lists forward of “foolish season,” particularly if Gregg Popovich retains him within the beginning lineup. Branham accounted for 18 factors, 4 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 31 minutes, taking pictures 7-of-13 from the sector and 2-of-2 from the foul line. San Antonio performs three video games in Week 19, so the schedule is not nice for Branham. However regulate his minutes and manufacturing, because the Spurs play 4 video games in Week 20.
