Fantasy Basketball: Amen Thompson has a great season

In their second consecutive game within a 24-hour span, the Rockets faced a challenge with two starters missing in Sunday’s matchup against the Celtics. Fred VanVleet was unable to play due to a back injury, and Jabari Smith Jr. was sidelined after spraining his ankle in the final minute of Saturday’s overtime victory against Utah. Consequently, two rookie players were inserted into the starting lineup, with one delivering his most impressive performance in his early NBA career.

Catch every play – Basketball Live score, schedule, and results!

Amen Thompson (14% rostered, Yahoo) and Cam Whitmore were chosen to start against Boston. While Whitmore faced difficulties, Thompson thrived in the Rockets’ nine-point loss. Thompson displayed an impressive performance, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line, accumulating 15 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two turnovers in 32 minutes. This marked his second double-double, setting career highs in points and rebounds. On the other hand, Whitmore struggled, shooting 2-of-7 and finishing with five points, four rebounds, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 27 minutes. Despite this, it’s acknowledged that Whitmore has had better nights and will likely have stronger performances in the future.

The fantasy value of both players hinges on the availability of established starters ahead of them in the team’s hierarchy. However, as the season progresses, there might be a point when Houston decides to grant Thompson and Whitmore more opportunities to showcase their abilities. Therefore, Sunday’s performance, especially for Thompson, serves as noteworthy for fantasy managers, providing insights to consider as the season unfolds.

Let’s explore some notable pickups from Sunday’s NBA games:

Dillon Brooks (38%): Brooks, not just the mentioned rookies, saw an increase in usage for the Rockets. Despite attempting a season-high 22 shots against Boston, he managed to contribute 25 points, five rebounds, one assist, four steals, and five 3-pointers in 40 minutes. Brooks maintained efficiency by avoiding turnovers, and although his 9-cat per-game value still ranks outside the top 150, it surpasses that of fellow starter Jalen Green.

Norman Powell (42%): Despite Kawhi Leonard and Paul George being available, Powell was a reasonable addition due to the limited number of games on Sunday. Known for his 3-point shooting, Powell made two more triples in the Clippers’ comeback win, finishing with 12 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes. Powell might not be a strong “add” on busier game nights, but Sunday provided an opportunity to boost 3-pointers by rostering him.

Bilal Coulibaly (8%): The Wizards rookie is a work in progress offensively, but his defensive contributions are noteworthy. Coulibaly secured four blocks and one steal in the Wizards’ loss to the Nuggets, adding nine points, three rebounds, one assist, and one 3-pointer. While he may not be an immediate fantasy asset, he could become more impactful during the “silly season” as the Wizards are unlikely to contend for a Play-In Tournament spot.

Sam Hauser (4%): In the absence of Jrue Holiday and Al Horford, Hauser earned a spot start for the Celtics in their game against the Rockets. Despite a subpar shooting night, going 3-of-12 from three, he posted nine points, seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, one block, and three 3-pointers in 31 minutes. Depending on player availability, Hauser could offer modest streaming value, especially considering Boston’s back-to-back schedule.

Alec Burks (31%): With Cade Cunningham doubtful for Monday’s Pistons game against Milwaukee, Burks could have another favorable opportunity. Burks recently scored 33 points in a game against the Bucks, marking the second time he exceeded 30 points in his last three games. Despite coming off the bench, Burks has been consistent, averaging 21.5 points per game in the six games Cunningham has missed. Trade rumors surround Burks, indicating potential interest from playoff-bound teams.

Patrick Williams (27%): Probable for Monday’s game against the Suns despite a right ankle strain, Williams is expected to start in the absence of Zach LaVine (ankle). In the 19 games Williams played this season without LaVine, he averaged 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 1.7 3-pointers, shooting efficiently from the field and the foul line.