by Unlike recent weeks, where we saw a number of injured players, Week 6 seemed to welcome the return to action of a number of key players. The week also featured some unexpected and stunning performances and, of course, a few injuries of note. In this article, we will highlight some of the most important cases.
Back in action
After taking a few games to get back into rhythm after a three-week absence, Scottie Barnes took his game up a notch by averaging 23.8 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists in four outings. last week, including four straight double-doubles (one triple-double) and a 31-point, 14-rebound, seven-assist performance last Monday. Barnes looks poised to remain one of the best young players in the league and should continue to put up points as he fulfills his leadership role for the young Raptors team.
Ja Morant played in three of the Grizzlies’ four games last week while recovering from a knee injury. Morant averaged 22.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.3 steals in the three outings, including a double-double with 22 points and 11 assists on Monday. Morant has been very unfortunate injury-wise over the past two seasons, but if he can stay healthy, he’s clearly not far from reestablishing a consistently dominant rhythm for himself.
Wednesday marked the return of Deandre Ayton after a seven-game absence, and the big man wasted no time racking up 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks in his first action in more than two weeks. He followed that up with a game-high 26 points on Friday, and he averaged 20.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks through his first three games. Despite an unimpressive start to the season for the Trail Blazers, having their early season injury issues behind them could allow the team to find a better rhythm.
Isaiah Hartenstein has recorded five straight double-doubles since his season debut on November 20. Four of those double-doubles came last week, where he averaged 15.8 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. The big man should continue to thrive with a well-rounded Thunder team.
Malcolm Brogdon was quick to establish an impressive pace after making his season debut on November 17. He’s averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists over his last five games, including a superb 29-point, 11-rebound performance in his career-highs. recent release. Brogdon appears to have a good handle on the starting point guard position for the Wizards and has a great opportunity to continue to fill up the stat sheet while helping keep the struggling team going.
Highlights of the week
The Knicks went 3-1 this week thanks to incredible performances from their best players. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson highlighted the team’s play, as Brunson reached the 30-point mark twice, while Towns recorded four straight double-doubles, bringing his current streak to 10 straight games. OG Anunoby dropped 40 points on 16-of-23 shooting in a win over the Nuggets on Monday, and Mikal Bridges made a career-high seven threes in a win over the Pelicans on Sunday.
The Mavs have won four in a row, thanks in large part to the improved play of their supporting cast. PJ Washington saw a streak of five straight double-doubles end Sunday, but he averaged 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks over four games last week, which stood out as one of his best sequences. this season. Naji Marshall also had a remarkable week, starting with consecutive games with at least 22 points, which brought his streak to a total of four consecutive games reaching the 20-point mark. Unfortunately, he left Saturday’s game early due to illness, missed Sunday’s action and remains doubtful for Tuesday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had a great start to the season, but due to so many huge performances last year in recent memory, it almost felt like he was coming in relatively calm. However, he turned up the pressure last week and scored at least 30 points in four consecutive games for the first time this season, averaging 35.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 7.5 assists , 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks over this period. Gilgeous-Alexander has quickly become one of the league’s top producers and is in an ideal environment to continue to thrive as the Thunder’s leader.
Damian Lillard posted huge back-to-back double-doubles, including a 37-point, 12-assist performance to lead the Bucks to a three-point victory, despite the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, in Miami on Tuesday. Lillard now has five double-doubles with points and assists in six games since returning from a three-game absence on November 18, while his impressive play has helped lead the Bucks to a 6-0 record in the during this period.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker had his first three-game stretch of the season where he finished with double-digit scoring in each outing. He finished the week with his first double-double of the campaign, tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds in a win over the Clippers on Friday. If Alexander-Walker can keep his game strong, he could help turn the tide for the Timberwolves, who are off to a shaky start to the season.
James Harden has had a respectable start to the season, although he lacks the major scoring explosions that have become an expectation of his game. However, the veteran superstar took things up a notch with some important performances this week last, including a season-high 43 points in a win over the Wizards on Wednesday, and a 39-point, nine-rebound, 11-assist showing on Sunday. Harden averaged 30.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 2.3 steals in four games this week.
Where does this come from?
Elfrid Payton started the season in the G League, but worked his way into a spot on the Pelicans roster, signing a one-year deal the week before last. Payton was thrust straight into action as a starter for the injury-riddled team and turned in a stellar 14-point, 21-assist performance on Monday. He was relegated to the bench for the next two outings, where he finished with modest results. Looking ahead, he could carve out a stable role for himself with a few more solid games on the books.
Tyrese Martin hasn’t had many chances with the Nets this season, but on Wednesday in an away game against the Suns, he took full advantage of his minutes and made eight threes, while racking up 30 points in 28 minutes of action coming off the bench. . His outstanding performance earned him a start in the next game, where he finished with eight points on 3-for-6 shooting in 24 minutes. Martin then played just seven minutes of action and finished scoreless on Sunday.
Injury problem
LaMelo Ball started the week with some big performances, but unfortunately he suffered a calf injury late in Wednesday’s game. He missed the next two games and is expected to be out for at least two weeks. With Tre Mann also sidelined, the Hornets will look to Vasilije Micic and Nick Smith to take on significant responsibilities in the backcourt.
Cam Thomas left Monday’s game early with a hamstring injury and was later diagnosed with a strain that will keep him sidelined for at least two weeks. Without their top scorer, Dennis Schroder and Cameron Johnson will have to step in to help carry the Nets. Tyrese Martin, Shake Milton and Keon Johnson could also be in line for additional opportunities.
