by As with the two weeks surrounding the NBA All-Star break, Week 7 will be longer than usual in Yahoo leagues. Due to the Emirates NBA Cup, whose group matches conclude on Tuesday evening, Week 7 will consist of two matches. All 30 teams will play two games in the second half of Week 7 that will count for official standings, stats and fantasy leagues. As for the first half, most teams will play with four players, seven of which will play three times. Combined with more injury-related information, Fantasy managers will have a lot to navigate when setting their rosters and navigating the waiver wire. Let’s look at Week 7 of fantasy basketball.
Week 7 Games played
6 games: ATL, BOS, CHA, CHI, CLE, DEN, GSW, IND, LAL, MEM, MIA, MIL, MIN, NOR, NYK, ENT, PHI, PHO, SAC, SAS TOR, WAS
5 games: BKN, DAL, DET, HOU, LAC, OKC, POR, UTA
Week 7 Scenarios
– Schedules for the second half of Week 7 will not be known until after the conclusion of the NBA Cup group matches on December 3.
The group stage of the Emirates NBA Cup ends on Tuesday, with 11 matches on the schedule. Some of the biggest matchups include Magic/Knicks (first place in East Group A), Bucks/Pistons (first place in East Group B), and Spurs/Suns (teams tied with Oklahoma City for first place in West Group B). All 30 teams are guaranteed two games in the second half of Week 7; we need Tuesday’s results to determine the four quarterfinal matches. The 22 non-qualified teams represent a “pool” from which their two matches will come, with the four quarter-final losers representing another. The four quarterfinal winners will meet in Las Vegas on December 14 in the semifinals, and the championship game will not count in official statistics or fantasy leagues.
– The Hornets will be without LaMelo Ball (calf) for at least two weeks
Already light in the frontcourt, the Hornets lost their best player late in Week 6 when LaMelo Ball suffered a calf strain that will sideline him for at least two weeks. With Tre Mann (back) also sidelined, Vasilije Micic assumes the role of starting playmaker. Although he is not a great scorer, Micic can provide streaming value to managers in need of help. Also worth keeping an eye on are KJ Simpson and Nick Smith Jr., who both received additional rotation minutes. Finally, Brandon Miller will be the undisputed best offensive option. While efficiency may suffer, look for an increase in its overall value.
– Will Luka Doncic (wrist) return in week 7?
With Doncic ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Jazz, Sunday’s game against Portland will be his last opportunity to play in Week 6. If he doesn’t play, the Mavericks will have three games in the first half of Week 7, starting with an NBA game. Cup game with the Grizzlies on Tuesday. His availability impacts the entire Mavericks rotation. Kyrie Irving figures even more prominently in the offense, while Quentin Grimes (when healthy) has been the backup in the starting lineup. Naji Marshall, who has scored 20 or more points in four straight games on Sunday, benefits more than Grimes as a streaming option.
– The Celtics will have two consecutive games to deal with in the first part of Week 7
Boston is the only team scheduled to play back-to-back games in the first part of Week 7, starting with its matchup at Cleveland on Sunday. That game is followed by a matchup with the Heat on Monday, and the champs then have a back-to-back Friday/Saturday home game against the Bucks and Grizzlies. Al Horford, who doesn’t typically play back-to-back ends, and Kristaps Porzingis are the hottest names to watch here. However, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are also questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cavaliers. Don’t be surprised if some of these players get an off night, with Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta and Luke Kornet all set to see their minutes increase.
– How many games (if any) will the Clippers get against Norman Powell (hamstring)?
Before Sunday’s game against the Nuggets, Powell missed the Clippers’ last six games. Amir Coffey has been the backup in the starting lineup, but he has failed to provide top 200 per game in 9-cat formats over the past two weeks. Listed in 2% of Yahoo leagues, Coffey hasn’t done enough to maintain streaming value after reaching double figures in his first two starts. While Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, Terance Mann and Kevin Porter Jr. have also been able to take on expanded roles in Powell’s absence, none have parted ways either. The Clippers will play three games in the first split of Week 7, starting with back-to-back Tuesday/Wednesday home games against Portland and Minnesota.
– What’s going on with Paul George (knee) and Joel Embiid (knee)?
The good news for Fantasy managers is that George returned Saturday night against the Pistons. However, Embiid remains out and Detroit’s center rotation has become a little murkier. Andre Drummond sprained his right ankle during the first quarter and did not return, leaving Guerschon Yabusele (who is worth more of a four than a five) and rookie Adem Bona. Yabusele’s fantasy value improved even before Drummond’s injury, so he’s the one to target if Embiid isn’t available for the start of Week 7. As for Bona and KJ Martin, managers fantasy players can “waitlist” them to see how Nick Nurse handles his rotation if Drummond can’t play. Philadelphia plays four games in the first half of Week 7, including a Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back against the Hornets (away) and Magic (home).
– How available will Portland’s Jerami Grant (knee)/Robert Williams (concussion)/Scoot Henderson (quad) be in Week 7?
Portland is another team that has been hit hard by injuries recently, particularly in the frontcourt. Clingan is out for at least another week, while Grant and Williams have missed Portland’s last two games. The return of Deandre Ayton has certainly helped, especially with his ability to push the 30-minute mark in minutes played. Another player who has played a bigger role is Deni Avdija, whose versatility makes him a solid option in standard leagues. In addition to those frontcourt players, the Blazers were without Scoot Henderson (quad) for Friday’s win against the Kings. Dalano Banton has been the biggest beneficiary on nights when Scoot discusses the value of streaming.
– How long will DeMar DeRozan (back) be out of the lineup?
The Kings winger missed the last two games with a back injury, but was able to participate in Saturday’s practice. This bodes well for DeRozan’s availability for Sunday’s game against San Antonio, with the Kings listing him as probable on the initial injury report. Jae Crowder filled the void in the starting lineup, but didn’t offer much beyond league value for managers needing 3-pointers. However, DeRozan’s absence also increased Malik Monk’s value due to Sacramento’s need for his scoring. Heading into the final game of Week 6, Monk has provided 3rd round value over the past two weeks. Monk is registered in 45% of Yahoo leagues. Even when DeRozan returns, he will have value in standard leagues.
Light play days
Monday December 2 (4 games)
NOR vs. ATL
MIA vs. BOS
BKN vs. CHI
LAL versus MIN
Monday December 9 (1 set)
NYK vs. TOR
Tuesday December 10 (2 games)
Emirates NBA Cup Quarter-Finals
Wednesday December 11 (2 games)
Emirates NBA Cup Quarter-Finals
Saturday December 14 (2 games)
Emirates NBA Cup Semi-Finals (in Las Vegas)
Week 7 back to back
Sunday (week 6)-Monday: BKN, BOS, LAL, MIA, NOR
Monday-Tuesday: None
Tuesday-Wednesday: DET, IND, LAC, MIL, ENT, PHI
Wednesday-Thursday: None
Thursday-Friday: CHI, GSW, SAC, SAS
Friday-Saturday: BOS
Saturday-Sunday: CHA, KEY, DEN, MEM, MIA, NOR, PHO, WAS
Sunday-Monday: None
