The Box Score: NBA Numbers that Stood Out on Thursday | Isaiah Hartenstein, Josh Giddey, Bradley Beal and More

The best reason to watch sports is that you may see something you've never seen before. Think about how big Victor Wembanyama is: Could he take one step and elevate from the free throw line to dunk? Maybe, but you'll never know unless you watch the games! (Or have any form of internet or social media, but that's beside the point). Every day of NBA basketball shows us something, whether it's new or not.

Here are four numbers (or sets of numbers) that stood out Thursday night and the fantasy basketball impact or lesson we can take away.

Advanced stats are from NBA.com. Defensive rankings against positions are from FantasySP and Fantasy Pros.

 

Isaiah Hartenstein – 15 Rebounds

Through Dec. 5, Hartenstein played at least 20 minutes in only four of his 20 games. Starting Knicks center Mitchell Robinson was injured during the next game, and Hartenstein has played at least 25 minutes in all 18 games since, with 14 of those over 30 minutes.

He has recorded double-digit rebounds in nine of those 18 games and racked up 30 blocks over that time. On Jan. 3, he had 10 points, 20 rebounds and five blocks.

Fantasy Impact

This one is two-fold, with a note about each team. Hartenstein looks like he’s here to stay as a fantasy center. The latest report on Robinson is that he “could return this season.” That’s not a real promising statement, is it? Hartenstein is a player to grab if he’s free (which he is in at least 20% of both ESPN and Yahoo leagues).

Dallas allows the fourth-most rebounds per game and seventh-most points per game to centers. They also play at the league’s eighth-fastest pace. Not only do the Mavs let big men dictate the game, but they give them extra opportunities to do so. Target Dallas with your fantasy centers.

 

Josh Giddey – 13 Points, 10 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 23 Minutes

This was Giddey’s first triple-double of the season; he has only had three double-doubles. This isn’t meant to pick on Giddey for not being prime Jason Kidd, but it’s more about the number minutes he has been on the court.

This was an uber-efficient day, as he notched these stats in less than a full half of basketball. Giddey is averaging just 25 minutes per game for the season, though, and hasn’t played 30 minutes in any game since Nov. 12.

Fantasy Impact

Giddey makes an overall impact on the game that directly contributes to winning. I would love to play with Josh Giddey. For fantasy purposes, he is down in essentially every major stat this season from last. (His 3-point percentage and free-throw percentage are both up, but he’s averaging career-low attempts in both.)

The Thunder look like a real contender and are loaded with talent. It’s good that Giddey isn’t stretched by playing 34 minutes per game as lead dog. He is in a position now as a third-year player to grow into his game and contribute to winning.

Giddey’s ceiling is currently as a good fantasy option with a low floor in tough matchups. There have been some single-digit scoring performances and anonymous stat lines. You’ll never drop Giddey, but he is a step below your everyday players unless an injury opens more time.

 

Kevin Durant – 18 Points; Devin Booker – 31 Points; Bradley Beal - 37 Points

The most exciting thing about this stat line for Phoenix fans is that all three players were on the court at the same time, and each played at least 32 minutes. The shot distribution matches the point totals: Beal and Booker took 21 and 22 shots, respectively, and Durant was down at 12.

Beal attempted 10 3-pointers and made eight of them. If that’s unlocked, everyone had better watch out; a player as talented as Beal getting open looks from long range is going to make for some long playoff series. 

If the Suns can get these guys on the court together, we will finally see what they are as a trio.

Fantasy Impact

But that’s the thing, they have barely played together. The numbers right now are such a small sample that it will be until at least the All-Star break (if they all stay healthy) before we have a real picture of what to expect.

On Sunday against the Grizzlies, Durant took 23 shots while Booker was at 17 and Beal 12. Monday against Clippers was the same story, with Durant leading the team at 17 field goal attempts and Beal and Booker at 15 and 14, respectively.

It adds up to a big question mark right now; every game will be different. Durant is likely to take the most shots because of his unique combination of size and scoring ability. There has never been a player like him. The guards will get their share as well, but I predict Durant as the big dog come crunch time.

Over the course of the season, all three have great fantasy value if they are healthy. Injuries will be the biggest impediment to Phoenix making a big impact in both real and fantasy basketball.

 

Payton Pritchard – 21 Points

Pritchard tied his season high in scoring while taking his second-most shot attempts of the season (13). It was also just the third time all year he played at least 30 minutes.

Part of this was the game script; Milwaukee got up big early on, and no one else on either team played even 30 minutes. Backups were in the game, and Pritchard was given a chance to rack up stats. It’s pretty clear-cut.

Fantasy Impact

Let’s focus on Milwaukee for a minute. The Bucks play at the fourth-fastest pace in the league and just recently got above the bottom 10 in defensive rating. They have been a feeding ground for fantasy production.

Milwaukee is especially weak at the point of attack, allowing the most points per game to guards and sixth-most to point guards. Pritchard was the perfect streaming option for Thursday: A marginal player with a great matchup. Keep an eye on guards facing the Bucks if you need a fill-in starter.