Unraveling the Week 8 NBA Schedule and Its Implications
Week 8 Games Played
SAC plays 4 games, with teams like BKN, CHA, CHI, CLE, DEN, DET, LAC, MIA, MIL, NOR, OKC, PHI, TOR, and UTA each having 3 games. ATL, BOS, DAL, GSW, HOU, IND, LAL, MEM, MIN, NOR, ORL, PHO, POR, SAS, and WAS play 2 games.
This diverse distribution of games showcases the variety and intensity of Week 8. Each team's game count affects their fantasy implications and overall performance.
Week 8 Storylines
– Is Philadelphia's Embiid facing another extended absence? After a solid return last Sunday, Embiid landed back on the shelf during Friday's loss to the Pacers. He suffered a sinus fracture when inadvertently hit in the face by Bennedict Mathurin. The extent of his absence remains uncertain, leaving fantasy managers in a familiar predicament. While C Andre Drummond (14%) is set to return to the starting lineup, PF/C Guerschon Yabusele (14%) has been a better streaming option. SG/SF Kelly Oubre Jr. (28%) also stands to benefit as the 76ers will be without rookie Jared McCain, who suffered a lateral meniscus tear and is out indefinitely.
– Sacramento's four-game week. Although the Kings may not have a standout streaming option like SG/SF Kevin Huerter (9%), their Week 8 schedule is favorable for their consistent players. Sacramento is the only team with four games, starting with the Nuggets on Monday. All four contests will be at the Golden 1 Center, which is great news for a team that ranks highly in home offensive rating, points per game at home, and field-goal percentage. SG/SF Malik Monk (63%) is still available on some shallow league waiver wires, while the other four Kings ranked within the top 125 in 9-cat formats are all rostered in at least 89% of Yahoo leagues.
– Milwaukee and Oklahoma City's guaranteed three games, and Atlanta and Houston's extra time off. Fourteen teams enter Week 8 with three games, with Milwaukee and Oklahoma City advancing to Tuesday's final. Milwaukee begins a back-to-back in Cleveland on Friday and hosts Washington on Saturday. Oklahoma City plays on Friday at Orlando and Houston on Sunday at Toronto. Atlanta plays its two non-Cup games on busier days. Players like Atlanta SF/PF De’Andre Hunter (41%), Houston SF/PF Tari Eason (51%), and Oklahoma City's SG/SF Luguentz Dort (24%) and PG/SG Cason Wallace (12%) are worthy of fantasy consideration.
– 12 teams play on either Friday or Sunday. Along with Tuesday's NBA Cup final, Friday and Sunday are prime days for fantasy managers. Three games are scheduled each day, and no team plays on both. Toronto hosting Houston on Sunday is notable due to Scottie Barnes' recent ankle injury. SG/SF Gradey Dick (46%), SG/SF Ochai Agbaji (21%), C Kelly Olynyk (18%), and PF Jonathan Mogbo (3%) may be worth a look. New Orleans vs. Denver and Indiana at Sacramento are also active on Sunday, while Charlotte at Philadelphia and Philadelphia and Oklahoma City at Miami may have streaming options on Friday.
– December 15 and the NBA's trade window. Sunday marks the start of a crucial period as approximately 86% of the league's players become eligible to be traded. The Warriors acquired PG Dennis Schroder and a second-round pick from the Nets in exchange for PG/SG De’Anthony Melton and three second-round picks. Schroder gives the Warriors a much-needed playmaker, potentially affecting Brandin Podziemski's fantasy value. For the Nets, Melton's season-ending knee surgery won't help on the court, but his expiring contract is beneficial. PG/SG Keon Johnson and PG/SG Shake Milton are likely to see increased minutes.
– The Lakers and LeBron James. James didn't play in Friday's loss due to personal reasons and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Grizzlies. The Lakers have two road games against the Kings in Week 8. If LeBron returns on Sunday, there's no need for concern. But missing another game would be a long wait, especially for those setting lineups before Monday. PG/SG Austin Reaves returned from injury, and PG/SG Gabe Vincent and SG/SF Max Christie started in Minneapolis. Christie offers higher fantasy upside.
Light Game Days
Tuesday: 1 Game - MIL vs. OKC (Emirates NBA Cup Championship Game)
Wednesday: 0 Games
Friday: 3 Games - CHA vs. PHI, MIL vs. CLE, OKC vs. MIA
Sunday: 3 Games - HOU vs. TOR, IND vs. SAC, DEN vs. NOR
Week 8 Back-to-backs
Sunday (Week 7)-Monday: None
Monday-Tuesday: None
Tuesday-Wednesday: None
Wednesday-Thursday: None
Thursday-Friday: CHA, OKC
Friday-Saturday: CLE, MIA, MIL, PHI
Saturday-Sunday: NOR, SAC
Sunday-Monday (Week 9): DEN, HOU, IND, TOR