September 2025

There were 1,641 posts published in September 2025 (this is page 78 of 165).

How will Mets fill righty reliever need?

Can you exhale now?

After a significant pair of wins, the Mets are in far better position, both mathematically and spiritually, to avoid an historic collapse and fall from the playoff picture.

But work remains, and one of the most significant projects is identifying a right-handed reliever who can come in from the bullpen to kill mid-inning rallies.

The Mets currently have two trusted righties in the pen — Edwin Diaz and Tyler Rogers. One is the closer and one is often needed in a setup role.

But what if it’s the fifth, sixth or seventh inning, the opposing team has runners on base, and Carlos Mendoza needs a high-leverage reliever?

Can he call on Reed Garrett? Sometimes yes, sometimes, well …

Ryne Stanek? Same answer but more so.

Ryan Helsley? Eek.

It seems that, to make the playoffs and succeed once there, the Mets will need to get creative in filling this important role. The team has not yet decided on a course of action, but is busy evaluating several options.

On Tuesday, we asked president of baseball operations David Stearns if he would consider his young pitchers (take Nolan McLean out of that mix; he looks more like a Game 1 starter). But what about Brandon Sproat? Jonah Tong?

And for that matter, veterans Kodai Senga and Clay Holmes?

May 13, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (34) waves to the crowd after getting taken out in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz – Imagn Images

“I wouldn’t take any of that off the table right now,” Stearns said. “I think we are, with 12 games left in our season, going to do what we need to do to win as many games as possible. And if that means asking pitchers to take on slightly different roles for various turns through our rotation, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Holmes was a late-inning reliever for the Yankees during that team’s World Series run last year. Wouldn’t that make him the most logical choice?

“It’s still a transition for him, Stearns said. “I mean, he has the experience from the past, but it’s still a transition for him to do that. So I think it’s as much of what the matchups say, who we’re facing, how the rest of the pitching staff as a group is performing, and then holistically, trying to make the best decisions we possibly can.”

That answer provided a subtle reminder that Stearns and his group tend to prefer high-end, swing-and-miss stuff and specific matchups to a factor like Holmes’ bullpen experience.

Sproat and Tong have those qualities, but carry risks of their own. Neither has yet proven himself to be big league ready. Sproat struggled in a brief bullpen experiment in Triple-A, though in a tiny sample size. It’s still possible that the Mets will want him to start postseason games.

Tong has one more chance to prove he belongs in the big leagues this year, period. His stuff bursts with the type of potential that the Mets love, but so far his sequencing and command appear in need of further development. The Mets knew that Tong was the least polished of the three rookie pitchers recently promoted.

Senga is such a creature of routine that he might find it difficult to come out of the pen. He is simply trying to salvage his season by working on his mechanics in Triple-A. Mets brass genuinely has no idea if or how it might be able to use Senga this year.

Holmes, for his part, thrived on Tuesday as the first pitcher in a piggyback with Sean Manaea. His next assignment will come this weekend in a similar arrangement, though he might be the one to come out of the bullpen this time.

As for the short relief, mid-inning role that the Mets need, Holmes’ sinker does present concerns because it induces contact. The Mets‘ defense is not strong enough to reliably convert contact into outs.

One other option, Triple-A reliever Dylan Ross, is a real possibility to get a tryout this month.

Justin Verlander continues ‘remarkable’ stretch in Giants’ win over Diamondbacks

Justin Verlander continues ‘remarkable’ stretch in Giants’ win over Diamondbacks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 42-year-old’s still got it.

Future Baseball Hall of Famer Justin Verlander continued his nostalgic stretch of pitching excellence and helped snap the Giants’ four-game skid in their 5-1 extra-innings win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

San Francisco’s right-handed starter tossed seven scoreless innings at Chase Field, allowing just three hits with three strikeouts and two walks over 107 pitches. Verlander favored his four-seam fastball and slider, tossing the former 49 times and the latter 28 times.

“Clearly, [I] was feeling up the zone with my slider,” Verlander told reporters postgame. “We had a long game yesterday with a lot of guys throwing in the bullpen, so I didn’t really want to mess around too much and be too out of zone. I wanted to try to get deep in the game … just get on and get out. 

“So that was kind of my game plan, to be really aggressive in the zone and try to get deep into the game.”

The Giants used five pitchers in Tuesday’s loss to the Diamondbacks. Verlander knew his team, eyeing the New York Mets and the National League’s third and final wild-card spot, needed him to deliver once again — and the 20-year veteran sure did.

Verlander has been on a tear over his last 11 games. In that span, he has posted a 2.17 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, .211 opposing batting average, 60 strikeouts and a 3-2 record.

The impressive Wednesday showing didn’t result in a win because the Giants couldn’t muster a hit until Verlander’s seventh and final inning. However, San Francisco’s extra-inning rally prevented its starter’s brilliance from going to waste.

Outfielder Jerar Encarnación hit a single off right-handed Diamondbacks reliever John Curtiss to kick off a five-run 11th inning, with second baseman Christian Koss hitting what ultimately was the game-winning two-run double three pitches later. 

Right fielder Grant McCray and first baseman Rafael Devers provided extra insurance with key knocks.

“It’s huge,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said of the win. “I mean, [we] certainly didn’t feel good there for a while … Being able to push through in the end — I mean, [there have been] times this year that’s when we’ve done our best work, late in the game off relievers; happened today, but it all started with JV again.

“It’s too bad we couldn’t get him a win. … To be pitching this well late in the season with as much under his belt, it’s pretty remarkable.”

Verlander didn’t get the victory, but the Giants and their five hits did.

San Francisco, now 76-76, trails New York (78-73) by 2.5 games for the NL’s third and final wild-card spot. The Cincinnati Reds (76-76 with the tiebreaker) and Diamondbacks (77-76) still are in the way of the Giants’ postseason hopes, too.

The Giants entered Wednesday losers of four straight and seven of their last 10. But Verlander’s electricity bought San Francisco more time — against the Diamondbacks and for the rest of the 2025 MLB season.

“He’s pitching with a lot of confidence, knowing that we need him,” Melvin said. “And guys like that step up when you need them.”

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Rankings: SF/PF draft tiers

The 2025-26 NBA season is around the corner, so in conjunction with my latest fantasy basketball points and category rankings, I’ve combined the top small forwards and power forwards into tiers to help guide draft strategy in points leagues.

[Join or create a fantasy basketball league for the 2025-26 NBA season]

As always, tiers aren’t strict rankings — they group players with similar upside and value. Drafting from tiers gives you flexibility while ensuring you don’t miss out on positional depth. And of course, there are relevant player insights for those playing in category formats.

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

  • Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis is as elite as it gets in points leagues, with his blend of scoring, rebounding and playmaking. The turnovers and free throws that sometimes ding him in category leagues don’t matter here. He should be a top-three selection.

Anthony Davis: Davis thrives in points leagues thanks to his defensive stats, rebounding and scoring. His lengthy injury history always lingers, but when healthy, he’s been a top-five fantasy player over the past three seasons, averaging over 52 FPPG. 

  • LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

  • Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

  • Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

  • Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

  • Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

LeBron James: Even at 40 years old (turning 41 in December), LeBron remains a points-league monster. Father Time apparently has no interest in coming for the King. 

Paolo Banchero: Orlando’s young cornerstone is shaping into a LeBron-like fantasy asset for his ability to stuff the stat sheet across categories. It may feel rich putting him into the second tier, but he’s increased his scoring, shooting volume and rebounding in each of his first three seasons. Buy into the upward trajectory.

Kevin Durant: Durant will be worth an early-round pick regardless of format. He’s a basketball mercenary and a new home in Houston won’t prevent him from scoring 25 points a night and over 40 FPPG. 

Jalen Johnson: A revamped Hawks squad will only increase his assist potential after already becoming one of the most versatile two-way forwards in the league. He’ll join the esteemed crew of Giannis and Nikola Jokić in the 20-10-5 crew this year.

Scottie Barnes: Barnes’ all-around game shines in points leagues, with rebounds and assists boosting his floor. As Toronto’s centerpiece, his heavy usage locks him into Tier 2 value.

Jaylen Brown: It’s bold, but Brown will likely put up the best numbers of his career. Since 2021, Brown has averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 31 games without Jayson Tatum. When factoring in Brown committing nearly four turnovers per contest, that’s still hovering around 45 FPPG. He’s better for points leagues, but he should still be off the board by Round 4 in category leagues.

  • Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

  • Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

  • Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

  • Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Jalen Williams: The third-year pro will comfortably average 20-5-5, making him reliable in points formats. He’s also among the league leaders in steals. With such a high floor, he’s a consistent, safe pick in the early rounds in all formats.

Franz Wagner: Fresh off a EuroBasket victory, Wagner is entering the season on a high note. He’s increased his scoring, rebounds and assists each year of his career, and the Magic will be one of the best teams in the East. Buy the hype.

Zion Williamson: Durability remains his biggest hurdle, but a healthy Zion could enter Tier 2 status as the focal point of the Pelicans’ offense. 

  • Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans

  • Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

  • Josh Hart, New York Knicks

  • Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

  • Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

  • DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings

  • Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Deni Avdija: In 20 games after the All-Star break, Deni averaged 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. This man is about to become a household name in fantasy basketball this season across all formats.

Josh Hart: Hart does a bit of everything, and his rebounding and assists from the wing position add sneaky value in points leagues. He’s a utility forward who rarely posts duds. Just be aware that last season was likely his peak.

Pascal Siakam: Siakam’s usage and production are pretty similar with and without Tyrese Haliburton on the floor. His early third-round ADP is a bit too high for points and category leagues, but I think he’ll be a solid, high-floor asset no matter the format. I’d rather select other Pacers later, like Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin or Jay Huff.

Cooper Flagg: The rookie enters with high expectations. His defensive instincts, athleticism and scoring ability make him an intriguing upside play in all leagues. You might have to reach into the third round if you want to get him. 

  • Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

  • Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

  • Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers

  • Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard: Assuming there’s no punishment looming from the NBA’s investigation, Leonard appears to be healthy and ready for the start of the season. He’d be at least two tiers higher if it weren’t for load management. 

Lauri Markkanen: Another player who showed out in EuroBasket was Markkanen. It was a nice reminder of how good he is after last season’s blunder. The Jazz should be more competitive this season, but I think his ADP is a bit too high at 43 right now. I’d rather select Markkanen in the fifth round in 12-team leagues.

Brandon Ingram: An ankle sprain forced Ingram to miss over 3/4 of the 2024-25 season. He also got traded midseason to the Raptors. Injuries have been a constant in BI’s career, but from a pure production standpoint, when healthy, he delivers. He joins George as a faller whose ADP is past 70 on Yahoo.

  • Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

  • Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

  • Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons

Michael Porter Jr.: I like MPJ this year because he’s poised to average the most points per game of his career. Also, 10 rebounds per game isn’t out of the question. He could be more valuable than people think, given that Brooklyn’s set to be one of the worst teams in basketball.

Matas Buzelis: The minutes should be near the 30s and the Bulls will give him more opportunities to create in Year 2. I’m anticipating he’ll produce more than the 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists he averaged as a starter last season. I prefer him for category leagues, but any bump in scoring benefits his potential in points leagues.

Ausar Thompson: The other Thompson twin is on breakout watch. If his minutes can creep into the high 20s, low 30s, we could see a jump to 13-15 PPG along with 6 boards, 3 assists and upwards of two stocks per contest. The Pistons will be good, and his ascension is key to their growth. 

  • RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

  • Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • OG Anunoby, New York Knicks

  • Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets

  • Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

  • John Collins, Los Angeles Clippers

  • Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat

RJ Barrett: I could be sleeping on a consistently undervalued points league asset, but I’m skeptical he’ll keep it up with Brandon Ingram also vying for touches. Barrett averaged 37 FPPG last year …

Julius Randle: Randle finally found his footing with the Wolves in the postseason. However, I’m concerned he won’t generate the counting stats we’re used to. For the first time in his career, he averaged fewer than eight rebounds per game. His scoring also dropped to 18.7 PPG, the lowest in four seasons. He has refined his game and is actually better for category leagues than points.

John Collins: The Clippers are stacked, removing Collins’ tank risk that impacted his fantasy value playing in Utah. He’s also an efficiency guy but still offers plenty from a scoring, rebounding and defensive standpoint.

Cameron Johnson: Like Anunoby, efficiency drives much of Johnson’s fantasy value. I prefer them both for category leagues because they’ll average between 15-18 PPG with middling rebounding and assists, but a steady starting role playing 30+ minutes per night.

  • Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies

  • Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks

  • Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

  • Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks

  • Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

  • De’Andre Hunter, Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

  • Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

  • Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons

  • Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks

Santi Aldama: We don’t know if Jaren Jackson Jr. (toe) will be ready for the start of the season, but Aldama is a sneaky option to consider for points and category leagues. His ADP is climbing over the past seven days to 119th overall, but he could outperform that ADP with Desmond Bane gone and JJJ shelved temporarily. Many wouldn’t have suspected that Aldama’s improved in almost all categories, year-over-year, except for blocks per game and FT%.

Aaron Gordon: Gordon thrives next to Jokić and will quietly contribute across scoring, rebounding and assists. He’s an underrated stat-stuffer.

Keegan Murray: He needs a change of scenery. There are too many players ahead of him in the pecking order for me to get excited in points or category leagues.

Jonathan Kuminga: I doubt he’ll get traded by the start of the season, which means he’ll be coming off the bench for the Warriors. It’s far from an ideal scenario, but Kuminga could be one of the top scoring bench options in the league. 

  • Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz

  • Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs

  • Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

  • P.J. Washington Jr., Dallas Mavericks

  • Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers

  • Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs

  • Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards

  • Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

  • Terrence Shannon, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards

  • Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks

  • Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

  • Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors

  • Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns

  • Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers

  • Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers

  • Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

  • Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

  • Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

  • Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards

Ace Bailey: Bailey is on track to start at SF this year and, despite his shortcomings as a defender, he can score with the best of them. Given the efficiency concerns, I would target him late in points leagues over category formats. 

Herbert Jones: I hope Herb can stay healthy because he’s one of the best defenders in the league. His skill set is more impactful for category leagues, but keep an eye on him if you’re looking for stocks and 3s late.

Kyshawn George:The injury to Bilal Coulibaly could pay off for the Canadian forward, as George could sneak into the starting unit. George is a budding two-way player who played extremely confidently across the Vegas Summer League and AmeriCup tournaments. He’s one of my sleepers whom I’ll be targeting late in drafts regardless of format.

Tari Eason: He’s going to have to wait, but he’ll remain an effective per-minute player, especially in category leagues. Jabari Smith Jr. is another option to consider.

Toumani Camara: Similar to Herb Jones, Camara has become one of the top defensive players in the NBA. If he can take a step forward offensively, it’d elevate him a tier or two, but there’s a lot of mouths to feed in Portland. 

  • Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs

  • Guerschon Yabusele, New York Knicks

  • Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls

  • Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Cam Whitmore, Washington Wizards

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat

  • Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics

  • Royce O’Neale, Phoenix Suns

  • Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

  • Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat

  • Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Justin Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers

  • Ronald Holland II, Detroit Pistons

  • Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz

2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Rankings: SF/PF draft tiers

The 2025-26 NBA season is around the corner, so in conjunction with my latest fantasy basketball points and category rankings, I’ve combined the top small forwards and power forwards into tiers to help guide draft strategy in points leagues.

[Join or create a fantasy basketball league for the 2025-26 NBA season]

As always, tiers aren’t strict rankings — they group players with similar upside and value. Drafting from tiers gives you flexibility while ensuring you don’t miss out on positional depth. And of course, there are relevant player insights for those playing in category formats.

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

  • Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Giannis is as elite as it gets in points leagues, with his blend of scoring, rebounding and playmaking. The turnovers and free throws that sometimes ding him in category leagues don’t matter here. He should be a top-three selection.

Anthony Davis: Davis thrives in points leagues thanks to his defensive stats, rebounding and scoring. His lengthy injury history always lingers, but when healthy, he’s been a top-five fantasy player over the past three seasons, averaging over 52 FPPG. 

  • LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

  • Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets

  • Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks

  • Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

  • Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics

LeBron James: Even at 40 years old (turning 41 in December), LeBron remains a points-league monster. Father Time apparently has no interest in coming for the King. 

Paolo Banchero: Orlando’s young cornerstone is shaping into a LeBron-like fantasy asset for his ability to stuff the stat sheet across categories. It may feel rich putting him into the second tier, but he’s increased his scoring, shooting volume and rebounding in each of his first three seasons. Buy into the upward trajectory.

Kevin Durant: Durant will be worth an early-round pick regardless of format. He’s a basketball mercenary and a new home in Houston won’t prevent him from scoring 25 points a night and over 40 FPPG. 

Jalen Johnson: A revamped Hawks squad will only increase his assist potential after already becoming one of the most versatile two-way forwards in the league. He’ll join the esteemed crew of Giannis and Nikola Jokić in the 20-10-5 crew this year.

Scottie Barnes: Barnes’ all-around game shines in points leagues, with rebounds and assists boosting his floor. As Toronto’s centerpiece, his heavy usage locks him into Tier 2 value.

Jaylen Brown: It’s bold, but Brown will likely put up the best numbers of his career. Since 2021, Brown has averaged 29.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals in 31 games without Jayson Tatum. When factoring in Brown committing nearly four turnovers per contest, that’s still hovering around 45 FPPG. He’s better for points leagues, but he should still be off the board by Round 4 in category leagues.

  • Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic

  • Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

  • Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat

  • Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Jalen Williams: The third-year pro will comfortably average 20-5-5, making him reliable in points formats. He’s also among the league leaders in steals. With such a high floor, he’s a consistent, safe pick in the early rounds in all formats.

Franz Wagner: Fresh off a EuroBasket victory, Wagner is entering the season on a high note. He’s increased his scoring, rebounds and assists each year of his career, and the Magic will be one of the best teams in the East. Buy the hype.

Zion Williamson: Durability remains his biggest hurdle, but a healthy Zion could enter Tier 2 status as the focal point of the Pelicans’ offense. 

  • Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans

  • Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets

  • Josh Hart, New York Knicks

  • Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers

  • Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors

  • DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings

  • Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks

Deni Avdija: In 20 games after the All-Star break, Deni averaged 23.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. This man is about to become a household name in fantasy basketball this season across all formats.

Josh Hart: Hart does a bit of everything, and his rebounding and assists from the wing position add sneaky value in points leagues. He’s a utility forward who rarely posts duds. Just be aware that last season was likely his peak.

Pascal Siakam: Siakam’s usage and production are pretty similar with and without Tyrese Haliburton on the floor. His early third-round ADP is a bit too high for points and category leagues, but I think he’ll be a solid, high-floor asset no matter the format. I’d rather select other Pacers later, like Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin or Jay Huff.

Cooper Flagg: The rookie enters with high expectations. His defensive instincts, athleticism and scoring ability make him an intriguing upside play in all leagues. You might have to reach into the third round if you want to get him. 

  • Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers

  • Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

  • Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers

  • Brandon Ingram, Toronto Raptors

Kawhi Leonard: Assuming there’s no punishment looming from the NBA’s investigation, Leonard appears to be healthy and ready for the start of the season. He’d be at least two tiers higher if it weren’t for load management. 

Lauri Markkanen: Another player who showed out in EuroBasket was Markkanen. It was a nice reminder of how good he is after last season’s blunder. The Jazz should be more competitive this season, but I think his ADP is a bit too high at 43 right now. I’d rather select Markkanen in the fifth round in 12-team leagues.

Brandon Ingram: An ankle sprain forced Ingram to miss over 3/4 of the 2024-25 season. He also got traded midseason to the Raptors. Injuries have been a constant in BI’s career, but from a pure production standpoint, when healthy, he delivers. He joins George as a faller whose ADP is past 70 on Yahoo.

  • Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets

  • Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls

  • Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons

Michael Porter Jr.: I like MPJ this year because he’s poised to average the most points per game of his career. Also, 10 rebounds per game isn’t out of the question. He could be more valuable than people think, given that Brooklyn’s set to be one of the worst teams in basketball.

Matas Buzelis: The minutes should be near the 30s and the Bulls will give him more opportunities to create in Year 2. I’m anticipating he’ll produce more than the 13 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists he averaged as a starter last season. I prefer him for category leagues, but any bump in scoring benefits his potential in points leagues.

Ausar Thompson: The other Thompson twin is on breakout watch. If his minutes can creep into the high 20s, low 30s, we could see a jump to 13-15 PPG along with 6 boards, 3 assists and upwards of two stocks per contest. The Pistons will be good, and his ascension is key to their growth. 

  • RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors

  • Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • OG Anunoby, New York Knicks

  • Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets

  • Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

  • John Collins, Los Angeles Clippers

  • Andrew Wiggins, Miami Heat

RJ Barrett: I could be sleeping on a consistently undervalued points league asset, but I’m skeptical he’ll keep it up with Brandon Ingram also vying for touches. Barrett averaged 37 FPPG last year …

Julius Randle: Randle finally found his footing with the Wolves in the postseason. However, I’m concerned he won’t generate the counting stats we’re used to. For the first time in his career, he averaged fewer than eight rebounds per game. His scoring also dropped to 18.7 PPG, the lowest in four seasons. He has refined his game and is actually better for category leagues than points.

John Collins: The Clippers are stacked, removing Collins’ tank risk that impacted his fantasy value playing in Utah. He’s also an efficiency guy but still offers plenty from a scoring, rebounding and defensive standpoint.

Cameron Johnson: Like Anunoby, efficiency drives much of Johnson’s fantasy value. I prefer them both for category leagues because they’ll average between 15-18 PPG with middling rebounding and assists, but a steady starting role playing 30+ minutes per night.

  • Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies

  • Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks

  • Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets

  • Kyle Kuzma, Milwaukee Bucks

  • Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

  • De’Andre Hunter, Cleveland Cavaliers

  • Keegan Murray, Sacramento Kings

  • Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors

  • Jerami Grant, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Tobias Harris, Detroit Pistons

  • Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks

Santi Aldama: We don’t know if Jaren Jackson Jr. (toe) will be ready for the start of the season, but Aldama is a sneaky option to consider for points and category leagues. His ADP is climbing over the past seven days to 119th overall, but he could outperform that ADP with Desmond Bane gone and JJJ shelved temporarily. Many wouldn’t have suspected that Aldama’s improved in almost all categories, year-over-year, except for blocks per game and FT%.

Aaron Gordon: Gordon thrives next to Jokić and will quietly contribute across scoring, rebounding and assists. He’s an underrated stat-stuffer.

Keegan Murray: He needs a change of scenery. There are too many players ahead of him in the pecking order for me to get excited in points or category leagues.

Jonathan Kuminga: I doubt he’ll get traded by the start of the season, which means he’ll be coming off the bench for the Warriors. It’s far from an ideal scenario, but Kuminga could be one of the top scoring bench options in the league. 

  • Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz

  • Jeremy Sochan, San Antonio Spurs

  • Herbert Jones, New Orleans Pelicans

  • P.J. Washington Jr., Dallas Mavericks

  • Obi Toppin, Indiana Pacers

  • Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs

  • Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards

  • Tari Eason, Houston Rockets

  • Terrence Shannon, Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards

  • Naji Marshall, Dallas Mavericks

  • Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets

  • Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Gradey Dick, Toronto Raptors

  • Grayson Allen, Phoenix Suns

  • Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers

  • Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers

  • Kelly Oubre Jr., Philadelphia 76ers

  • Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks

  • Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

  • Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets

  • Khris Middleton, Washington Wizards

Ace Bailey: Bailey is on track to start at SF this year and, despite his shortcomings as a defender, he can score with the best of them. Given the efficiency concerns, I would target him late in points leagues over category formats. 

Herbert Jones: I hope Herb can stay healthy because he’s one of the best defenders in the league. His skill set is more impactful for category leagues, but keep an eye on him if you’re looking for stocks and 3s late.

Kyshawn George:The injury to Bilal Coulibaly could pay off for the Canadian forward, as George could sneak into the starting unit. George is a budding two-way player who played extremely confidently across the Vegas Summer League and AmeriCup tournaments. He’s one of my sleepers whom I’ll be targeting late in drafts regardless of format.

Tari Eason: He’s going to have to wait, but he’ll remain an effective per-minute player, especially in category leagues. Jabari Smith Jr. is another option to consider.

Toumani Camara: Similar to Herb Jones, Camara has become one of the top defensive players in the NBA. If he can take a step forward offensively, it’d elevate him a tier or two, but there’s a lot of mouths to feed in Portland. 

  • Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs

  • Guerschon Yabusele, New York Knicks

  • Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls

  • Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Cam Whitmore, Washington Wizards

  • Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat

  • Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics

  • Royce O’Neale, Phoenix Suns

  • Vince Williams Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

  • Dalton Knecht, Los Angeles Lakers

  • Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat

  • Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder

  • Justin Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers

  • Ronald Holland II, Detroit Pistons

  • Taylor Hendricks, Utah Jazz

Brazil’s supreme court sentences former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years in prison

Monday, September 15, 2025

Bolsonaro in August 2025.
Image: Carlos Moura.
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The ruling was announced on Thursday. Brazil‘s Supreme Federal Court, formed by a panel of five justices, sentenced former president Jair Bolsonaro to 27 years and three months in prison, on five charges related to an alleged plot to overturn the result of the 2022 election.

Four out of the five justices voted to convict Bolsonaro on all charges, which include heading an armed criminal organisation, attempting to plot a coup and abolish the democratic rule of law through violent means, as well as two charges regarding the damage of property during the storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro’s supporters in Brasília on 8 January 2023. While announcing Bolsonaro’s sentence on Thursday night, Justice Alexandre de Moraes said the former president had attempted to destroy “the essential pillars of the democratic rule-of-law state”, the consequences of which would have been the return of dictatorial rule in the country, The Guardian reported. Justice Cármen Lúcia likewise labelled it an effort to “sow the malignant seed of anti-democracy”, but highlighted the continuing resilience of the democratic institutions.

According to prosecutors, part of the alleged plan involved assassinating then president-elect Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, his Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, through the use of explosives, poison or weapons of war. Justice Luiz Fux said there was “absolutely no proof” Bolsonaro was aware of or involved in such a plan.

In sharp disagreement with their colleagues, Justice Luiz Fux voted to acquit Bolsonaro on all charges on September 10, arguing there was no evidence he was aware of the supposed plot or had attempted to orchestrate a coup, and that the court lacked jurisdiction over the case.

Seven Bolsonaro co-conspirators were also convicted, namely former defence ministers Walter Braga Netto and Paulo Sérgio Nogueira de Oliveira, former aide-de-camp Mauro Cid, retired general Augusto Heleno, former justice minister Anderson Torres, former naval commander Almir Garnier Santos, and former police officer Alexandre Ramagem, Al-Jazeera reported.

Bolsonaro and the seven other defendants denied any of the allegations. Bolsonaro’s lawyers expressed their intention to appeal his conviction and sentence before the full Supreme Court, which is currently composed of eleven justices, according to AP. The AP also quoted law professor Rafael Mafei, who said it was “unlikely, but not impossible” that an appeal would reach the full court.

Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest in Brazil’s capital, is not expected to face prison until all legal avenues are exhausted.

Following the ruling, thousands of Brazilians, including members of the LGBTQ+ and Indigenous communities, gathered in the streets of Brasília, Rio de Janeiro and other cities to celebrate Bolsonaro’s conviction, as reported by The Guardian. President of Chile Gabriel Boric and President of Colombia Gustavo Petro both welcomed the ruling and highlighted it as a symbolic victory for democracy.

US President Donald Trump, who had earlier imposed 50% export tariffs on Brazilian goods because of the case, said the court’s decision was “very surprising”, though he didn’t confirm whether he would seek new sanctions on Brazil, when inquired by CNN reporters on Thursday. In a post on social media, Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the case a “witch hunt” and said the Trump administration would respond accordingly.

In a The New York Times essay published on Sunday, President Lula da Silva defended the court’s decision as a “historic decision which safeguards our institutions and the democratic rule of law”, and dismissed accusations by the US government of a “witch hunt”. He also claimed that the Trump administration was weaponising its tariff policies and the Magnitsky Act to grant Bolsonaro impunity. Lula concluded his essay by telling President Trump that Brazil remained open to negotiating “anything that can bring mutual benefits”, but warned that “Brazil’s democracy and sovereignty are not on the table”.

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Former Nuggets coach Michael Malone joining ESPN’s ‘NBA Countdown’ for 2025-26 season

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone found a home quickly following his surprising firing in the regular season. Malone joined ESPN for the playoffs, providing analysis on the biggest NBA games the rest of the season.

After not being hired for another head-coaching job over the offseason, Malone will run it back with ESPN during the 2025-26 NBA season. Malone will join “NBA Countdown” this year, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said at Front Office Sports’ Tuned In Summit, per Awful Announcing. 

Pitaro didn’t get into specifics regarding Malone’s role, merely saying the network “brought Mike Malone in, and he will join [the NBA Countdown] team.” 

Malone gained experience as an analyst with the network last season. After being fired with just three games left in the regular season, Malone joined ESPN to break down the playoffs. Malone acquitted himself well in the role, prompting ESPN to bring him back for another season.

David Adelman took over as the Nuggets’ head coach the rest of the way, leading the team to the second round, where they lost to the eventual-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. 

Despite winning a championship with the Nuggets during the 2022-23 NBA season, Malone wasn’t hired by another NBA team over the offseason. As a television analyst, Malone will remain around the game and will continue to keep himself in the public eye whenever a job opening pops up. It’s a familiar tactic employed by a number of past and current NBA head coaches, including Doc Rivers, Stan Van Gundy and JJ Redick, among many others. 

After a rocky start to his coaching career in Sacramento, Malone experienced plenty of success with the Nuggets. He spent 10 seasons with the team, piling up a .590 winning percentage and leading the team to a championship.

Given that success, Malone should be able to work his way into another head-coaching gig before long. Until then, he’ll continue to hone his skills as a broadcaster.  

Former Nuggets coach Michael Malone joining ESPN’s ‘NBA Countdown’ for 2025-26 season

Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone found a home quickly following his surprising firing in the regular season. Malone joined ESPN for the playoffs, providing analysis on the biggest NBA games the rest of the season.

After not being hired for another head-coaching job over the offseason, Malone will run it back with ESPN during the 2025-26 NBA season. Malone will join “NBA Countdown” this year, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro said at Front Office Sports’ Tuned In Summit, per Awful Announcing. 

Pitaro didn’t get into specifics regarding Malone’s role, merely saying the network “brought Mike Malone in, and he will join [the NBA Countdown] team.” 

Malone gained experience as an analyst with the network last season. After being fired with just three games left in the regular season, Malone joined ESPN to break down the playoffs. Malone acquitted himself well in the role, prompting ESPN to bring him back for another season.

David Adelman took over as the Nuggets’ head coach the rest of the way, leading the team to the second round, where they lost to the eventual-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. 

Despite winning a championship with the Nuggets during the 2022-23 NBA season, Malone wasn’t hired by another NBA team over the offseason. As a television analyst, Malone will remain around the game and will continue to keep himself in the public eye whenever a job opening pops up. It’s a familiar tactic employed by a number of past and current NBA head coaches, including Doc Rivers, Stan Van Gundy and JJ Redick, among many others. 

After a rocky start to his coaching career in Sacramento, Malone experienced plenty of success with the Nuggets. He spent 10 seasons with the team, piling up a .590 winning percentage and leading the team to a championship.

Given that success, Malone should be able to work his way into another head-coaching gig before long. Until then, he’ll continue to hone his skills as a broadcaster.  

Fantasy Baseball Streaming Starting Pitchers: Roll with Joey Cantillo and Luis Morales

We’re now into the final two weeks of the fantasy baseball season. While many managers have phoned it in for the season, a few of us are still grinding away for head-to-head titles or trying to earn a few final roto points. Streaming starting pitching properly over these final weeks is a huge component of the week-to-week mindset that is so crucial for this time of year.

To help you do that, I’m going to rank and break down my favorite streaming matchups each week from here until the end of the year. Below you’ll find multiple tables that rank streaming starting pitchers based on those I have a strong preference for, those I’m fairly confident in, those I’m hesitant about, and those I like but have questions about their usage. Within the tiers, you can make some changes based on your own needs. If you need strikeouts more than ratios, you can bump up the two-start pitchers over the pitchers with one good matchup, etc.

Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Trey Yesavage, Bryce Eldridge, and Josh Smith
Two HUGE Rookie Debuts from Monday

Starting Pitcher Strategy

At this point in the season, you also need to be adjusting your strategy for rostering and using your starting pitchers. For example, if I have two starters really close for this upcoming week, but one of them gets an elite matchup the following week and the other is in a matchup I want to avoid, then I’d prefer to add the pitcher I’ll use for two straight weeks because that makes my team better in the long run. This is the time of year when we need to be ruthless. If you’re not going to start a pitcher for two weeks, move on. If a pitcher has been great for you but now has bad matchups, move on.

Your decisions will change based on your league type and settings, but I’ll do my best here to give you the information that will help in your formats. As is usual with my articles, a streaming starter pitcher is rostered in less than 40% of Yahoo formats, so just keep that in mind as we’re going through.

Offenses to Attack

Before we get into our rankings, just a quick note about the offenses we want to attack. I used FanGraphs team stats over the last month, searching for metrics like wRC+, strikeout rate, OPS, etc., and narrowed down the list of offenses to ones that have struggled in those areas.

To stream starting pitching, we want to target pitchers going against the Guardians, Rays, Nationals, Cardinals, and Rockies/Reds on the road only. Think of these as HIGHWAY OFFENSES – not stopping at all.

I also am more than comfortable using pitchers against the Orioles, Tigers, Angels, Marlins, Giants, Rangers, Red Sox, White Sox, Pirates, Athletics on the road, and Mariners in Seattle. Think of these as GREEN LIGHT OFFENSES – you can’t open it up like you can on a highway, but you’re good to go.

IMPORTANT RANKINGS NOTE: Pitchers within the same tier can be treated almost interchangeably. If a pitcher is under 40% rostered on YAHOO and does not appear below, then I have no interest in starting him this week.

Streaming Starting Pitcher Rankings: Wednesday, September 17th to Sunday, September 21st

Weds Sept 17th to Sun Sept 21st

Strong Preference
Pitcher Roster% Opponent
Bubba Chandler 28% vs ATH
Joey Cantillo 26% at MIN
Eury Perez 40% at TEX
Brandon Sproat 22% vs WAS
Luis Morales 36% at PIT

We had Bubba Chandler in the lead spot last week, and he delivered, so we’re more than happy to go back to the well here. Same for Eury Perez, who handled the Rockies in Coors on Tuesday and now gets a banged-up Rangers offense at home. Brandon Sproat has also delivered for the Mets in two starts and gets a great matchup with the Nationals, while Joey Cantillo has been a really underrated arm all season and gets a Twins offense that is littered with left-handed hitters. Lastly, Luis Morales was about 60-70% rostered a few weeks ago, and I know the last two starts haven’t been great, but those have also been two starts at home in perhaps the most hitter-friendly park in baseball. He now gets the Pirates in Pittsburgh, so I’m more than happy to ride the talented rookie there.

Fairly Confident
Parker Messick 32% at MIN
Martin Perez 18% vs BAL
Ryan Weathers 12% at COL
Tyler Wells 26% at CWS
Justin Verlander 29% at ARI
Jameson Taillon 39% at CIN
Luis Severino 28% at PIT
Trey Yesavage 15% at KC
Jeffrey Springs 35% at PIT
Andre Pallante 5% vs CIN
Connelly Early 27% at TB

These are all pitchers that I’d roll out this week with some level of confidence. Martin Perez, Jeffrey Springs, Andre Pallante, Luis Severino, and Tyler Wells are all about the matchups here. Parker Messick is to a certain extent as well, since the Twins are so left-handed-heavy that I think he should put together a strong outing there.

Justin Verlander has been electric over his last four starts, allowing three earned runs on 17 hits in 24 innings with 25 strikeouts and 10 walks. His four-seamer hasn’t been great, so some of that is a mirage, but he also gets Arizona and St. Louis next, so we love this end-of-season run from him.

Ryan Weathers is technically in a bad spot in Coors Field, but he looked good in his return from the IL, and we just saw Eury Perez pitch well in Coors, so I’m OK using Weathers here. Same for Jameson Taillon, who gets the Reds at home, which is not an ideal pitching environment, but I don’t love this Reds offense, and I think Taillon is a good pitcher who gives you a good chance at a win.

Trey Yesavage was electric in his MLB debut, striking out nine and walking two while allowing one run on three hits in five innings. He also did it in a tough pitching environment in the minor league park in Tampa Bay. His splitter is a filthy pitch that works really well off of his four-seamer, given his super over-the-top delivery. However, splitters are notoriously inconsistent pitches, and Yesavage’s slider is just OK, and his fastball doesn’t miss many bats. This makes me a little nervous that he will live or die with that splitter, but the debut was good enough that I’ll take the gamble against the Royals.

Connelly Early also just had another really good start for Boston, and while I’m not sure he can keep up this level of production, I think he’s a solid arm. I don’t love the fact that he has to pitch his next game in a minor league park, but it’s hard to bench him after his first two MLB outings.

Some Hesitation
JT Ginn 6% at BOS
Joey Wentz 5% at DET
Colin Rea 23% at CIN
Jason Alexander 25% vs SEA
Simeon Woods-Richardson 5% vs CLE
Taijuan Walker 11% at ARI
Johan Oviedo 9% vs CHC
Cristian Javier 17% vs TEX
Adrian Houser 28% vs BOS
Randy Vasquez 5% at CWS
Ian Seymour 28% vs TOR
Patrick Corbin 13% vs MIA
Cade Cavalli 7% at NYM

These are all guys who give me a bit of pause, but I would consider them in deeper formats or if I really needed a starter.

Jason Alexander, Taijuan Walker, Adrian Houser, Patrick Corbin, Simeon Woods-Richardson, JT Ginn, and Randy Vasquez are all here strictly due to their matchup. Joey Wentz kind of is too since the Tigers are an average lineup but perform better against righties than lefties.

I like Ian Seymour and Johan Oviedo, but they both get bad matchups, so they fall from the fairly confident tier into this one. I don’t think they’ll crush you, but I don’t see tons of upside. Same for Cade Cavalli, who has strikeout upside but a bad matchup against the Mets.

Cristian Javier has been super inconsistent since coming off the IL, but we had to expect that after missing so much time following Tommy John surgery. This Texas lineup isn’t toothless, but it’s not the same without Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, so I could see Javier putting together a solid outing. I just can’t say he’ll do it with any confidence.

Desperate / Uncertain Health or Role
Tyler Mahle 30% vs MIA
Mike Burrows 9% vs ATH
Janson Junk 6% at TEX
Cade Povich 5% vs NYY
Payton Tolle 13% at TB
Yoendrys Gomez 5% vs SD
Walker Buehler 15% at ARI
Matthew Liberatore 18% vs MIL
Charlie Morton 34% vs ATL
Mitchell Parker 4% at NYM

I like Tyler Mahle, but this feels like a situation where he is going to split this game with Jacob Latz since Mahle hasn’t built up a huge pitch count while on the IL. That makes it tough for wins and tough to use him. Similar for Payton Tolle, who may start but also may just pitch 3-4 innings of relief, so it’s hard to narrow down his true value.

The others are likely guys I wouldn’t consider unless I really needed to hunt for wins or strikeouts.

Kevin Durant says he’ll play in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at age 39 ‘If I’m still me’

Kevin Durant is the greatest US Olympic men’s basketball player ever, the Olympic GOAT. He has scored more points (518) than any American playing in the Olympics, and after Paris in 2024, he has four Olympic gold medals, the most of any men’s hooper in our nation’s history.

How about making it five gold medals?

Asked about playing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Durant said he’d be up for it — but only if he’s still the player he is now, who could make an impact. Via the must-follow Swish Cultures:

The 2028 USA team will be a transition from the Durant, LeBron James, and in Paris Stephen Curry era to the next generation of American players. That likely includes Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker (all of whom picked up a gold in Paris) as well as a younger crop of players such as Cooper Flagg and Paolo Banchero, among others.

Los Angeles is also shaping up to be the USA’s toughest test to continue its Olympic dominance (five straight golds for the men). France won silver in Paris when Victor Wembanyama was too young to drink, the prime version of him in 2028 is likely the best player in the world, leading a deep team that could include Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaun, and some of the country’s young guards and wings coming up such as Bilal Coulibaly. Serbia and Nikola Jokic will still be in the mix, as will a German team that is the most recent EuroBasket and World Cup champion.

We’ll see if Durant returns as the bridge to a younger generation to help them win gold.

2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Schedule Breakdown

A frequently overlooked yet critical component of fantasy basketball strategy is the NBA schedule. While player rest, particularly on back-to-back sets, is a common point of discussion, the full extent of the season’s physical demands is often underestimated. The grueling nature of an 82-game season has a significant impact on player availability and performance.

[Join or create a fantasy basketball league for the 2025-26 NBA season]

This analysis will examine key scheduling quirks and variables to provide fantasy managers with a strategic advantage during their drafts and throughout the 2025-26 season.

Fantasy managers should note that platform-specific schedules can vary. On Yahoo, the fantasy playoffs are slated for Weeks 21, 22 and 23, running from March 16 to April 5. This schedule is advantageous as it concludes before the final week of the NBA regular season, a period often characterized by unpredictable player rotations and teams resting key assets.

Another important aspect of the Yahoo schedule is the extended Week 17, which spans from February 9 to February 22 to accommodate the All-Star break. This creates a 14-day matchup period that managers must plan for.

The NBA Cup (formerly the In-Season Tournament) has become a fixture in the league calendar. From a fantasy perspective, the primary concern is how these games are scored and integrated into the weekly schedule. The key dates for the upcoming tournament are as follows:

  • Group Play:

    • Friday, Oct. 31

    • Friday, Nov. 7

    • Friday, Nov. 14

    • Friday, Nov. 21

    • Tuesday, Nov. 25

    • Wednesday, Nov. 26

    • Friday, Nov. 28

  • Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Dec. 9 & Wednesday, Dec. 10

  • Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 13

  • Championship: Tuesday, Dec. 16

Unlike last season, when weeks were been combined at points during the tournament, that is not the case this year.

Player management during back-to-back sets is a major variable in fantasy performance. The NBA has continued its efforts to reduce these, with the league average dropping from 14.9 per team last season to 14.4 this season. However, the distribution is not even.

Below is a breakdown of the number of B2B sets for each team:

  • 16 Back-to-Backs: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

  • 15 Back-to-Backs: Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz

  • 14 Back-to-Backs: Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic

  • 13 Back-to-Backs: Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder

Strategic Implications: This data is crucial for risk assessment. Players with extensive injury histories are prime candidates for rest during one leg of a B2B set. For instance, a player like Joel Embiid, on a team with 16 B2Bs, presents a higher risk of missed games compared to a younger, more durable player on a team with 13. While not a definitive predictor — as exemplified by Kawhi Leonard playing in a B2B last season — this metric should serve as a valuable tiebreaker when evaluating similarly ranked players during a draft.

Analyzing the weekly distribution of games provides a more targeted level of strategy. While overhauling a draft strategy based solely on the schedule is not recommended, understanding the volume of games during the fantasy playoffs is critical for success.

The Yahoo fantasy playoffs run from March 16 to April 5.

  • Quarterfinals (March 16-22):

    • 5 Games: Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards

    • A five-game week for players on these rosters provides a significant advantage. However, managers must consider the potential for these teams to be in “tanking” mode, which could affect rotations.

  • Semifinals (March 23-29):

    • 2 Games: Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns

    • A two-game week for star players on these teams can be detrimental to a fantasy team’s chances, making it difficult to win a head-to-head matchup. This should be a major consideration for managers drafting players from the Timberwolves and Suns.

  • Championship (March 30-April 5):

    • 2 Games: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers

    • Reaching the championship with key players like Nikola Jokić or Jalen Brunson only playing two games would present a significant challenge.

To provide a broader perspective, the following list aggregates the total number of games each team plays during the three-week Yahoo fantasy playoff period (Weeks 21-23).

  • 12 Games: Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards

  • 11 Games: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz

  • 10 Games: Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings

  • 9 Games: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks

Teams with 10 or 11 games fall near the average. However, the outliers are significant. The nine-game schedules for the Nuggets and Knicks represent a notable disadvantage for fantasy managers rostering their players. Conversely, the 12-game schedules for the Rockets, Grizzlies, Magic, and Wizards offer a considerable boost. This information should be utilized as a key tie-breaking factor when making draft-day decisions.