Dec. 29-31 Fantasy Basketball Takeaways: Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Luka Doncic, Tyrese Maxey, Terry Rozier and More

NFL action dominated the weekend, but there were several strong outings on NBA courts.

Let’s take a look at some of the best performances from Dec. 29-31.

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Sunday’s Best Outings

Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Young led the NBA in scoring on Sunday with a 40-point outing. He made 11-of-19 shots overall, four 3-pointers and 14-of-19 from the free throw line.

Young also had 13 assists and three steals and rebounds in the contest. The guard now has 21 double-doubles, and is averaging a double-double for the season. He’s up to eighth on the FantasySP trade value charts, a decent way above his average draft position.

In the same game, Washington Wizards’ Kyle Kuzma finished with 38 points. He also posted eight rebounds and five assists..

Kuzma had topped 30 points on six occasions this season - he’s only failed to score in double figures once. 

LeBron James finished with 34 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. 

James has at least six assists in 13 straight games played. He’s hit at least 30 points in five of his past 11 games.

Atlanta’s Dejounte Murray went for 32 points, six rebounds and three assists in the team’s win. 

It was the fourth time this season Murray has gone above 30 points. He’s made at least three 3-pointers in six of his past seven games.

Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant totaled 31 points, five rebounds and assists and three steals in the team’s win over the Orlando Magic.

Durant has gone for over 30 points in 14 contests now this season. In 12 December games, Durant averaged 27.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals. He’s still one of the best fantasy players in the league, and that’s confirmed by his No. 10 spot on the trade value charts.

Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis tallied 13 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists to power his team past the Memphis Grizzlies. 

Sabonis now has six triple-doubles this season, along with 27 double-doubles. He’s up to seventh on the trade value charts.

Lakers’ Anthony Davis stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and three assists in the team’s losing effort. Atlanta’s Clint Capela had 11 points, 17 boards and three assists in the team’s win. Brooklyn Nets’ Nicolas Claxton ended the night with 15 points, 16 rebounds and five assists in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Saturday’s Top Performances

Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic led the NBA with 39 points on Saturday night during a win over the Golden State Warriors. Doncic also had 10 assists and eight rebounds.

Doncic is second on the trade value charts and is going to be one of the best fantasy options this season. He’s scored at least 39 points in each of his past four games.

New York Knicks’ Donte DiVincenzo made seven 3-pointers on his way to a 38-point outburst in the team’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. DiVincenzo also had six rebounds, four steals and two assists.

DiVincenzo took advantage of extra playing time after the team made a trade over the weekend. He’s owned in less than 50% of leagues, so his next few games are worth tracking to see if he can excel with some new players around him.

Toronto Raptors’ Pascal Siakam posted 35 points, five rebounds and four assists in the team’s loss to the Detroit Pistons - yes, they finally won! Siakam went over 30 points for the seventh time this season. 

It remains to be seen what the trade means for Siakam’s fantasy value, but he’s capable of these kinds of outings, so he should remain a good fantasy asset.

Toronto’s Dennis Schroder finished with 30 points and nine assists in the setback.

Davis went for 33 points, 17 rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks in the Lakers’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He currently sits fifth on the trade value charts.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota to victory after recording 31 points and three rebounds, assists and blocks. Edwards has now topped 30 points in 11 contests.

Cade Cunningham powered the Pistons to their first win in 63 days. Cunningham totaled 30 points, 12 assists and three rebounds.

Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton finished with 22 points, 23 assists and five rebounds in the team’s win over the Knicks. It was his second straight 20-20 game.

Chicago Bulls’ Andre Drummond had 15 points, 23 rebounds and three blocks in the team’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Drummond needs to be added to fantasy teams, at least until Nikola Vucevic returns from injury.

Friday’s Standouts

Tyrese Maxey and Terry Rozier each scored 42 points on Friday night.

Maxey also tallied four assists and rebounds during the 76ers’ win over the Houston Rockets. It was the second time Maxey has topped 40 points and the 10th time he’s gone over 30 points.

Rozier finished with eight assists and four boards. It was his first game over 40 points this season, and fourth time he’s topped 30 points.

OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 40 points, four rebounds and three assists in the team’s win over the Denver Nuggets. SGA reached the 40-point mark for the fifth time already.

New York’s Julius Randle posted 38 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a loss to the Magic. Orlando’s Franz Wagner had 32 points, nine rebounds and four steals in the winning effort.

Devin Booker made five triples on his way to a 35-point showing in the Suns’ win over the Charlotte Hornets. He also had seven assists and four boards in the contest.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell finished with 34 points, nine assists and six boards in the team’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Jarrett Allen added 30 points, 12 boards and six assists. Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Bucks with 34 points, 16 boards and five assists, while Damian Lillard added 31 points and four assists.

Houston’s Fred VanVleet went for 33 points and 10 assists in the loss to Philly. Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown had 31 points, 10 boards and six assists in a win over the Raptors, while Scottie Barnes led Toronto with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Los Angeles Clippers’ Ivica Zubac totaled 15 points and 20 boards in the team’s win over the Grizzlies. Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.

VanVleet, Rozier and Sacramento’s De'Aaron Fox all made eight 3-pointers on the night. Fox finished with 31 points, eight assists, five rebounds and four steals.

Top Rookies

OKC’s Chet Holmgren recorded 24 points, six rebounds and three assists in a win over the Nuggets on Friday night. Scoot Henderson had 22 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds for the Portland Trail Blazers in their win over the San Antonio Spurs. Teammate Toumani Camara tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds and three steals. Charlotte’s Brandon Miller made six triples and finished with 20 points and three assists in a loss to the Suns.

Utah Jazz rookie Keyonte George totaled 21 points and six boards in the team’s win over the Miami Heat on Saturday. Golden State Warriors’ Trayce Jackson-Davis had 17 points and six boards in the team’s loss to the Mavericks, while teammate Brandin Podziemski had 13 points, nine boards and four assists. Mavericks’ Dereck Lively II went for 12 points and 14 boards.

Holmgren recorded 18 points, 10 boards and three assists in the Thunder’s win over the Nets on Sunday. San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama had 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a loss to the Celtics.