Fantasy Basketball Top Performers: Week 1
Fantasy Basketball Top Performers Week 1
The ball has been tipped, and the 2022-23 NBA season has begun. The return of the NBA means that fantasy basketball is back as well.
Even though the season has just begun, we have already seen some magnificent fantasy performances from the likes of Ja Morant, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Jokić and Dejounte Murray.
Let’s dive into these impressive fantasy performances.
Ja Morant, PG, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Houston Rockets
The former second-overall pick had his first massive game of the season as he tore up the Houston Rockets.
Morant scored 49 points, shooting 17-for-26 from the field, including 5-for-6 from behind the three-point line. He also went 10-for-13 from the free-throw line. Morant supplemented that by dishing out eight assists and grabbing four rebounds. On the defensive end, Morant picked up a steal as well as two blocks.
This absurd statistical output was good enough to give Morant an insane 85 fantasy points in ESPN standard scoring leagues — the highest total for any player so far this season.
DeMar DeRozan, SG/SF, Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat
The five-time All-Star had an excellent start to his 2022-23 campaign as he extinguished the Miami Heat.
DeRozan dropped 37 points, shooting 14-for-22 from the field, including 2-for-3 from behind the arc. He managed to go 7-for-11 from the free-throw line as well. DeRozan also pulled in six rebounds and distributed nine assists. Defensively, DeRozan collected two steals and made a block.
This solid all-around performance from DeRozan netted him a 75-point fantasy performance that certainly pleased fantasy managers.
Nikola Jokić, C, Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors
The two-time defending NBA MVP showed why he was going at the top of all fantasy drafts in a matchup against the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
Jokić put up his first triple-double of the season as he scored 26 points while grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.
This remarkable performance was good enough to get Jokić 50 fantasy points, a number that certainly pleased those who spent high draft capital to acquire the Joker.
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks vs. Houston Rockets
The Hawks’ significant offseason acquisition appears to be fitting in quite nicely with his new squad.
In Murray’s debut, he dropped 20 points, shooting 8-for-19 from the field and 1-for-5 from deep. He also made all three of his free throw attempts. However, where Murray shined was with his passing. Murray totaled 11 assists and supplemented that total with five rebounds and five steals.
The impressive all-around performance netted Murray a 69 fantasy point performance. Fantasy managers will hope his rapport with star point guard Trae Young will continue to build and result in more high fantasy production.
Ben Palillo is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email bgp5079@psu.edu.
