Fantasy Basketball Weekend Must-Haves: Peyton Watson Shines With Multiple Nuggets Injured

In head-to-head fantasy basketball leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in several categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can come away with a loss.

Nine teams are playing just once this weekend, including the Celtics, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Clippers, 76ers, Raptors and Jazz. Avoid these teams if you are simply looking to maximize your games played.

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That’s often what it comes down to in standard points and category leagues, but that’s not always the case. Leagues with some sort of cap on games or top ball formats like Yahoo! High Score leagues aren’t just looking for volume, although having two chances on a big night is a good strategy in better ball leagues.

Absolute must-have: Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets

The Nuggets have been decimated by injuries this season. Nikola Jokić’s recent injury is the headliner, but Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson are all currently sidelined with lingering injuries (although Gordon and Braun are expected to return soon), and Jonas Valančiūnas suffered a calf injury in his first start in place of Jokić.

Those injuries opened up a ton of usage for Watson, who had 24 points and eight rebounds in Denver’s last game. The Nuggets will likely turn to DaRon Holmes II to fill the starting center spot, meaning they’ll need Watson to step up on the glass and as a scorer. The matchups with the Cavaliers and Nets aren’t easy, but the lack of other healthy options propels Watson into this weekend’s absolute must-play player.

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Guards

Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls

Jones is expected to be listed throughout with Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Coby White (calf) both sidelined. Jones was excellent as a starter earlier this season when White was sidelined, and in his first game back in the starting unit, he had 20 points and 12 assists without missing a single shot. The Bulls will face the Magic and the Hornets this weekend. Charlotte has been a bad defensive team all season, but Orlando hasn’t been as strong a unit over the last 10 games.

Miles McBride, New York Knicks

McBride didn’t make the starting lineup with Josh Hart (ankle) sidelined, but he played more than Mohamed Diawara, who replaced Hart as the starter. McBride played 26 minutes off the bench and scored 21 points after putting up 14 points in 19 minutes in his first game back after missing eight games with an ankle injury. The Knicks face the Hawks and 76ers this weekend, and while Philadelphia has been good defensively, Atlanta has been a disaster recently.

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Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks

Milwaukee faces the Hornets and Kings this weekend, with both teams ranking in the bottom five in defensive rating over their last 10 games. This should be a good weekend for the Bucks, which usually means a good weekend for Rollins. He’s back in the starting unit, and even though he’s had two poor shooting nights recently, this is a great opportunity for him to get back on track. Plus, he does enough in the other categories to make up for it.

Attackers

Anthony Black, Orlando Magic

Black has been on an unreal heater, and until he cools down, he will be a priority option. Matchups with the Bulls and Pacers, two bottom-10 defenses in their last 10 games, only make it more appealing. Black saw a drop in usage with Jalen Suggs back in the lineup instead of Tyus Jones, but Black was still productive and will continue to start until Franz Wagner returns.

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Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets

Miller is coming off back-to-back 30-point games, his first two of the season. Now he can face the Bucks, who have allowed the sixth-most 3-pointers over their last 10 games, and the Bulls, who have a bottom-10 defensive rating over their last 10. Miller’s third season in the league has been rough overall, but he’s heating up at just the right time.

Jake LaRavia, Los Angeles Lakers

With Rui Hachimura (calf) out for a few games, LaRavia replaced him as the starter. His first start was productive, even if the score was disappointing. However, in 10 starts this season, LaRavia is averaging 10.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game. They’ll face the Grizzlies at home twice this weekend, and LaRavia should be able to get some revenge on the team that drafted him.

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Centers

Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets

Clowney has had a good season, although he has been limited recently. However, matchups with the Wizards and Nuggets, plus the absences of Nic Claxton (personal), Michael Porter Jr. (illness) and Cam Thomas (hamstring) on ​​Friday, should give him at least one big night. Washington has been better recently, but over the course of the full season, they have been one of the worst rebounding teams in the league. Denver would normally be a tough matchup, but without Jokić and Valančiūnas, Clowney should feast on the glass.

Luke Kornett, San Antonio Spurs

Victor Wembanyama (knee) may have avoided a major injury, but he has already been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Pacers and could remain that way Saturday against the Trail Blazers. Kornet wasn’t great as a starter in Wemby’s spot before, but the Pacers’ matchup is favorable, even if the Blazers’ matchup isn’t.

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Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers

Clingan could find himself facing two backup centers this weekend. Derik Queen (quad) is questionable for Friday’s game and Wemby could sit out Saturday. Clingan struggled in his last outing, which was a blowout loss to the Thunder that was tough on the entire team. This weekend is an opportunity for him to get back on track.