The High Score 100: The highest and lowest rankings since the All-Star break in fantasy basketball

The High Score 100, the top 100 players in Yahoo’s new fantasy basketball format, consistently reflects year-to-date performance and production trends. Each weekly update notes who is actually delivering value and who is slipping away.

Here’s a recap of the biggest wins and drops in the first half of Week 17 of fantasy basketball, after the All-Star break, with the full top 100 rating at the bottom of the article. I will update my rankings every Tuesday throughout the fantasy basketball season.

Announcement

📈 Riser: post-All-Star surges

Jalen Suggs — G, Orlando Magic: 74th overall (⬆️ 14)

Suggs has been on a wild ride on defense over the last two weeks. Actions are the main reason he was a top 10 player in High Score over that span. In those five games, his numbers rose to 14.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 3.4 steals and 2.0 blocks per game, for a total of 52.4 fantasy points. This is elite two-way guard play, just what the Magic will need as they try to climb up from seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. I would look to acquire Suggs while his season rankings still look underrated.

Kevin Porter Jr. – G, Milwaukee Bucks: 43rd overall (⬆️ 9)

KPJ was only available for 28 of the Bucks’ 53 games. However, when he plays, he has been a top 30 player in High Score. The move to 44th might seem low, but I can’t ignore the injury factor. That said, he scored 57 fantasy points in Week 16 and has already recorded a 56-point fantasy game for Week 17. Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to return after the All-Star break, but the Bucks are also 12th in the East, about 1.5 games out of the 10th seed. Whether Giannis returns or not, KPJ could end up being the Bucks’ best fantasy asset during the final stretch of the season.

Announcement

Jamal Murray – G, Denver Nuggets: 16th overall (⬆️ 3)

Not a huge leap for Murray, but he’s been the ninth-best player in High Score over the past two weeks, averaging 52.6 fantasy points per game. Murray has typically started slowly in recent years, but has been a rock for the Nuggets and fantasy managers throughout the year. With career-bests in points, rebounds and assists, Murray is on pace to finish in the top 20 in High Scoring this season.

📉 Fallers — The tank is on

Dyson Daniels—G/FC, Atlanta Hawks: 60th overall (⬇️ 11)

While Daniels remains one of the Association’s best defenders, his fantasy production has not kept pace. In four games in February, Daniels posted 11-4-4 with less than one steal per game on 49/25/57 shooting times. His shot volume is down from last season, and if he can’t get to the line more than 1.5 times per game, it will be a challenge to get his mark after the All-Star break. The rebounds and assists are bolstering his value, but I would have some concerns about the rest of the season if he didn’t impact Atlanta’s offensive scheme as much.

Announcement

Russell Westbrook – G, Sacramento Kings: 54th overall (⬇️ 7)

Zach LaVine is out for the season. Domantas Sabonis is slowly recovering from a back injury. DeMar DeRozan throws water bottles to the ground. Reading through the tea leaves, the vets on the Kings will be phased out as the season matures. We’re already seeing more of Devin Carter, Max Raynaud, and Nique Clifford than we’ve seen all season. I’m not convinced Russ is safe. He’s dealing with an ankle injury, plus he’s only played at least 30 minutes in one of the last four games. Most of Sacramento’s veterans are in trouble fantasy-wise.

Ivica Zubac — FC, Indiana Pacers: 97th overall (⬇️ 5)

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle told Indy radio station 93.5/103.5 The Fan last week, “I don’t think he’ll play for a while.” Zu had lingering ankle problems since his time with the Clippers. As the Pacers are vying for one of the worst records in the league, Indy will be patient with Zubac and make sure he is 100% before returning to the court. Obviously, we want Zu healthy, but with little urgency to get him back, his fantasy value will continue to suffer.

Announcement

Complete the High Score 100 leaderboard

The maximum score of 100 consistently reflects year-to-date performance and production trends.

Note: Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) and Zach LaVine (hand) have been removed from the High Score 100 because they have been ruled out for the season.