The best fantasy basketball managers make a habit of looking at the NBA schedule, examining box scores and scouring the news for any tidbit that can help give them the edge in their leagues.
Luckily, Eric Moody does all that work for you each and every Thursday with the Fantasy 30, helping answer the tough questions such as whom to start, who are the best fantasy basketball sleepers out there and what's the latest injury news with key players around the league.
Here's the latest fantasy news from each of the 30 teams around the league.
Atlanta Hawks: Over the course of his career, Trae Young has scored at least 30 points and dished out at least 10 assists in 55 games. Since he entered the league in 2018-2019, this is by far the most. In other Hawks news, De'Andre Hunter left Wednesday's game against the Magic with right thigh soreness and John Collins with a left ankle sprain. Jarrett Culver would benefit if Hunter and Collins missed time. On Wednesday, the former first-rounder scored 27 fantasy points against the Magic. In deeper formats, Culver may be worth a preemptive pickup by fantasy managers.
Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum is averaging 31.6 PPG, which is a big deal when you consider that no other player in Celtics franchise history has averaged 30 PPG for an entire season. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that the Celtics and Al Horford have agreed on a two-year extension worth $20 million. The veteran big man has averaged 29.7 fantasy points per game and is only rostered in 53.8% of ESPN leagues.
Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant provided fantasy managers with an 83-point performance against the Magic on Monday night. He's averaging 30.4 points while shooting 55% from the field this season. The only players to average 30 points on 55% shooting in a season are Karl Malone, Adrian Dantley and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Durant is one of seven players averaging 30 or more PPG.
Charlotte Hornets: With LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier out with their respective injuries and Gordon Hayward looking at an extended absence due to a shoulder injury, Kelly Oubre Jr. will continue to see significant usage. He's scored 38 or more fantasy points in four of his last five games. Jalen McDaniels is also another very good fantasy option. He's only rostered in 4.9% of ESPN leagues but over the past four games he's averaged 25.7 minutes and 20 fantasy points per game.
Chicago Bulls: Over the past eight games, Alex Caruso has put together some solid performances for fantasy managers in both category and points formats. Five of his last eight games have seen him score 18 or more fantasy points. A player like Caruso can contribute to nearly every statistical category, yet he is only rostered in 10.1% of ESPN leagues.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Mamadi Diakite made his first start of the season on Wednesday night against the 76ers with Jarrett Allen and Lamar Stevens out due to their respective injuries. Diakite finished with 15 fantasy points in 23 minutes. If you are in a deep league and need a streamer, the Virginia product could be a solid option against the Magic on Friday depending on the status of Allen and Stevens. Orlando ranks 25th in points allowed per 100 possessions.
Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic is one of seven players averaging 30 or more PPG so far this season. Additionally, he averages 8.8 RPG and 8.6 APG. Only Russell Westbrook, Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson have averaged 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in a season. Doncic has averaged a whopping 61.3 fantasy points per game this season.
Denver Nuggets: It's no secret that Michael Porter Jr. has missed four consecutive games due to a left heel contusion. Strangely, there is no timetable for his return. It's also surprising that Bruce Brown is only rostered in 21.2% of leagues despite doing an excellent job filling the void. He's scored 30 or more fantasy points in three out of his last four games. With the Nuggets being tight-lipped about Porter, Brown is a great pickup.
Detroit Pistons: Isaiah Stewart's return has come at a perfect time for the short-handed Pistons. On Tuesday against the Knicks, he scored 30 fantasy points against the Knicks. Stewart is only rostered in 23.8% of ESPN leagues. Cade Cunningham is still uncertain whether he will rest his injured shin or undergo surgery. Since the Pistons are 5-18 and among the worst teams in the league, it would be a bit surprising if Cunningham plays again this season but that's something to continue to watch closely.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry is having his best season ever. So far, he has averaged 31.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 7.0 APG and 1.1 SPG. This translates to 56.8 fantasy points per game. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga's minutes have fluctuated this season, but he has been playing well of late. Four of Kuminga's last five games have seen him score 19 or more fantasy points. He's only rostered in 5.4% of ESPN leagues.
Houston Rockets: The Rockets have been a disaster so far this season, ranking 27th in points scored per 100 possessions and 28th in points allowed per 100 possessions. However, one bright spot on the team has been Kevin Porter Jr. In the last six games, he's scored 37 or more fantasy points four times, including one game in which he scored 60 points. Talented rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. is also trending up with 31 or more fantasy points in three of his last five games. He's only rostered in 39.6% of ESPN leagues.
Indiana Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin has scored 20 or more points 11 times this season. This is the most by a Pacers rookie since Rik Smits, who also had 11 in 1988-1989. Mathurin is rostered in 57.6% of ESPN leagues and has averaged 24.3 fantasy points per game. In category formats, the rookie is a good option for those in need of points.
LA Clippers: The Clippers' injury woes make John Wall a viable streamer when he's active. He is only rostered in 47.6% of ESPN leagues and has scored 21 or more fantasy points in three consecutive games.
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis has seven straight games with at least 25 points and 10 rebounds. This matches Charles Barkley in 1990 for the longest streak in league history. Austin Reaves has shined recently with Lonnie Walker IV and Troy Brown Jr. out with their respective injuries. Reaves has scored 24 or more fantasy points in seven of his last nine games, including two with 40 or more. He is only rostered in 3.8% of ESPN leagues.
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant has had 10 games this season with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists. He scored 42 or more fantasy points in three out of his last four games. Fantasy managers in category formats continue to benefit from Steven Adams' rebounds. Five consecutive games have seen him grab 10 or more rebounds. In four of those five games, Adams has scored 28 or more fantasy points. He is only rostered in 46.9% of ESPN leagues.
Miami Heat: You can't go wrong with Max Strus if you need triples. Three consecutive games have seen him make four triples, and Strus has scored at least 20 fantasy points in two of those three games. He is only rostered in 14.5% of ESPN leagues. Strus should still be able to play an active role as a shooter, even with Jimmy Butler returning.
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 31.3 PPG, 11.5 RPG and 5.5 APG while shooting 53% from the field. Wilt Chamberlain is the only other player who has accomplished this feat over the course of a full season. Khris Middleton is very close to making his season debut after left wrist surgery and could be back on Friday. Jevon Carter's tenure as a starter is nearing an end. The fantasy value of Grayson Allen will also suffer.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Jaylen Nowell has played very well over the last three games and fantasy managers should take notice. He has scored 31 or more fantasy points in three consecutive games including two with 40 or more points. In those games, Nowell also played at least 24 minutes. Incredibly, he is only rostered in 2.5% of ESPN leagues.
New Orleans Pelicans: In his career, Zion Williamson has scored at least 30 points six times while shooting 80% from the field. In franchise history, there have only been four other games like this. So far this season, Williamson is proving his worth to fantasy managers who took a chance on him, putting up 40.9 fantasy points per game.
New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson has looked great since returning from a sprained knee. During the last four games, he has played 20 or more minutes and scored 29 or more fantasy points, including two with 40 or more. Robinson is only rostered in 56.6% of ESPN leagues. You should pick him up if you need rebounds and/or blocks.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Fantasy managers continue to be impressed with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's performances. Averaging 31.1 points on 51% shooting from the field, he has also made 92% of his free throws. This 30+ PPG, 50+ FG%, 90+ FT% feat was last accomplished by Stephen Curry during the 2015-2016 season, and both Curry and Durant are on pace to accomplish it this season. It is a great time to listen to trade offers regarding Gilgeous-Alexander, whose fantasy value may never be higher this season.
Orlando Magic: Paolo Banchero has become the eighth player in league history to score 15 or more points in each of his first 14 career games and the first since Michael Jordan in 1984-1985. This season, the Rookie of the Year frontrunner has averaged 33.6 fantasy points per game.
Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid averages 31.1 PPG this season, and has a chance to become the first center to average 30 points in consecutive seasons since Bob McAdoo. Meanwhile, James Harden is expected to return to action in Houston on Monday from his right foot tendon strain. Shake Milton has performed very well for fantasy managers while Harden has been out, scoring 27 or more fantasy points in seven consecutive games, including three games with 49 or more points.
Phoenix Suns: According to Suns general manager James Jones, Chris Paul is very close to returning from a sore right heel. With Paul out, Devin Booker has been sensational. In his last nine games, he has scored 50 or more fantasy points five times, including three games with at least 79 points.
Portland Trail Blazers: Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT reported that Damian Lillard is expected to return on December 4 when the Trail Blazers play the Pacers. Anfernee Simons has stepped up in Lillard's absence; over the last six games, he's averaged 43.6 fantasy points per game. With Lillard back, Simons and Jerami Grant's scoring should drop slightly.
Sacramento Kings: Malik Monk has provided fantasy managers with very good production over the last two weeks. It's a surprise that he's only rostered in 11.7% of ESPN leagues. As the Kings' sixth man, Monk is seeing steady minutes, and in the last eight games he has averaged 33.2 fantasy points.
San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league with a 6-16 record. San Antonio ranks 28th in points scored per 100 possessions and 30th in points allowed per 100 possessions. One bright spot? Romeo Langford. who should be on the radar of fantasy managers in deeper formats. Although he has missed time due to the league's health and safety protocols, he has scored 25 or more fantasy points in two of his last three games. In each of those games, Langford played at least 21 minutes.
Toronto Raptors: Gary Trent Jr. became the fourth player in Raptors history to score 35 points off the bench against the Pelicans on Wednesday night. He joined Donyell Marshall in 2005, Lou Williams in 2014 and Alan Anderson in 2013. Trent (rostered in 64.4% of ESPN leagues) continues to play a significant role off the bench for the Raptors and has averaged 26.3 fantasy points per game.
Utah Jazz: Those in category formats looking for rebounds, field goal percentage and steals should not overlook Jarred Vanderbilt, who is only rostered in 25.9% of ESPN leagues. He has scored 21 or more fantasy points in six straight games.
Washington Wizards: Kristaps Porzingis has been playing some of his best basketball of the season lately. In the last five games, he has averaged 44.2 fantasy points, including two games of 53 or more. Also, Rui Hachimura is dealing with a bone bruise, so Deni Avdija should get a lot of minutes while he's out. Don't overlook him if you're in a deeper league. Avdija is only rostered in 5.1% of ESPN leagues and has scored 23 or more fantasy points in five of his last six games.