The second week of the NBA season is behind us, and a few fascinating statistical tendencies have already jumped out. It is value paying shut consideration, as a result of what’s occurring now might form the early-season panorama.
That is what this column is about. We’ll begin with a high-altitude view of the league after which zoom in on the main points that matter.
Now we have to speak about Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s off to a historic begin this season. Monday marked his sixth straight sport with no less than 25 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, the second-longest streak to start out a season in league historical past. He is averaged 34.0 factors per sport on 68.1% capturing by way of six contests. How has that translated to fantasy? Antetokounmpo has averaged 67.1 FPPG per sport over that stretch.
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham continues to place himself within the firm of NBA greats. Over his previous three video games, he is been excellent as a top-three fantasy producer, averaging 28.0 factors, 12.0 assists and a couple of.0 steals per sport. His efficiency towards Orlando on Oct. 29 was his most spectacular but, as he turned the primary participant in Pistons historical past to report no less than 30 factors, 10 assists, three steals and three blocks in a sport. Over the previous 10 seasons, solely Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and James Harden have reached these thresholds.
Lastly, let’s not overlook the new begin of Luka Doncic, whose triple-double on Sunday was his third since becoming a member of the Lakers final season and the 83rd of his profession, rating seventh all time. Doncic turned the primary participant in NBA historical past to common no less than 40.0 factors, 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists by way of his first 4 video games of a season. He is put up 70.3 fantasy factors per sport thus far.
It has been a wild begin to the season, and it is solely simply starting. Listed here are 5 issues you need to know transferring ahead.
Ja Morant’s aggressiveness and effectivity are lacking
Morant has a fame for attacking the basket with electrical velocity, creativity and physique management, utilizing hesitations and crossovers to glide previous defenders. This space of his sport has been missing thus far in 2025-26; Morant is presently on tempo for profession lows in direct drives per 100 possessions, factors per sport on drives, discipline purpose share (39.3%) and minutes (28.5 MPG).
That decline mirrors the rising pressure between Morant and the Grizzlies. After a one-game suspension for conduct deemed detrimental to the staff, he returned Monday with 18 factors and 10 assists in a loss to Detroit however provided little emotion or perception postgame. When requested if he nonetheless felt pleasure enjoying basketball, his curt reply, “No,” stated every thing.
As soon as identified for his fearless rim assaults and swagger, Morant has regarded hesitant and indifferent, settling for jumpers moderately than dominating the paint. For a participant whose sport was constructed on aggression and creativity, the numbers and the physique language inform a narrative of a famous person looking for his spark once more.
Alex Sarr is enjoying like a top-25 fantasy possibility
The Wizards’ rebuild has discovered its centerpiece in Sarr. After an up and down rookie season, the No. 2 total decide from 2024 has averaged 17.3 PPG, 8.4 RPG and a couple of.1 BPG thus far this season, and doing it effectively, capturing 52.7% from the sphere and 81.0% from the free throw line. The 20-year-old is producing 41.0 fantasy factors in simply 27.3 MPG, and presently ranks within the high 15 on ESPN’s Participant Rater.
What stands out most is how full his sport has change into. Sarr’s improved decision-making and passing have turned him right into a reputable facilitator and elite rim safety makes him a top-25 fantasy worth. He is now ending effectively and controlling the paint.
For a franchise that has spent years looking for course, Sarr represents tangible progress. He is a 7-footer with guard abilities who’s dwelling as much as his draft hype in season two. If Sarr retains bettering, the Wizards could have discovered their long-term cornerstone and fantasy managers a breakout star.
Ryan Rollins is doing what we anticipated from Kevin Porter Jr.
Rollins has gone from an afterthought in fantasy drafts to arguably the highest waiver-wire pickup of the season. After starting the yr unrostered in most leagues, he is exploded since taking up because the Bucks’ start line guard for the injured Porter. Over his previous three video games, Rollins has averaged 43.5 fantasy factors whereas capturing an unimaginable 62.3% from the sphere and 61.1% from deep. Whereas these numbers aren’t sustainable, they’re encouraging.
What makes Rollins so helpful is not simply his scoring, it is his match. Enjoying with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rollins pushes the tempo, defends and strikes the ball shortly, holding Milwaukee’s offense flowing whereas including a defensive edge the Bucks lacked. Even with Porter anticipated to return in in a month, Rollins’ manufacturing, poise and chemistry with Giannis make it arduous to think about him leaving the beginning lineup. For fantasy managers, this is not a short-term add, it is a potential league-winning pickup that is helped remodel Milwaukee’s rotation and fantasy rosters.
Jrue Vacation is popping again the clock in Portland
Vacation has been one of many greatest surprises of the early season. After being an afterthought in drafts and left on the waiver wire on many leagues on account of age and diminished utilization in Boston, the 35-year-old seems to be rejuvenated in Portland. He is placing up 40.0 fantasy factors per sport in 32.6 MPG, contributing throughout each class with factors, assists, rebounds, steals and threes whereas capturing 46.9% from the sphere.
Vacation additionally has put up career-high 8.3 APG, reestablishing himself as a real lead guard. Vacation’s management and management have stabilized a Path Blazers offense that ranked close to the underside of the league final yr and now sits fifteenth in offensive score. As soon as thought-about a depth flier or bench stash, he is change into a nightly stat-stuffing producer. It is value watching how a lot Scoot Henderson (hamstring) cuts into Vacation’s minutes and total manufacturing as soon as he returns within the subsequent month or so, however till then it is value driving Vacation’s scorching begin to the season.
Jonathan Kuminga’s breakout seems to be sustainable
Kuminga has lastly arrived. After years of flashes and frustration, the fifth-year ahead has earned a everlasting beginning function for the Warriors, and this time, it seems to be prefer it’s right here to remain. He is averaged 31.1 fantasy factors and a career-high 31.0 MPG thus far this season, whereas his 53.5% 3-point capturing additionally marks a profession greatest. Kuminga’s improved rebounding, shot choice and playmaking have offered regular boosts to his fantasy worth, however his greatest affect is not quantifiable. His match throughout the Warriors’ rotation is invaluable, particularly given the age and mileage of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Inexperienced. This can be a participant who was as soon as looking for a spot in Steve Kerr’s rotation, and now he has it.
His protection towards elite scorers has change into a serious asset, and the Warriors’ spacing issues from final season have vanished because of his maturity and smarter shot profile. Nonetheless simply 23, Kuminga’s mix of athleticism, protection and growing perimeter sport suggests he could lastly be delivering the breakout season fantasy managers have lengthy hoped to see.