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In Week 16, Nikola Joki\u0107 posted his highest fantasy output since returning from a 16-game absence.<\/p>\n
The All-Star Break is just on the horizon. With only four GameDays until the Feb. 13-18 stoppage in play, this will be an abbreviated week of fantasy competition.<\/p>\n
Indeed, opportunities are limited for fantasy general managers in NBA Fantasy \u2014 Salary Cap Edition<\/a> to climb the standings of their respective leagues. But there\u2019s time to make some moves.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what you need to know entering Week 17:<\/p>\n Last week\u2019s story<\/p>\n Years of losing followed the Charlotte Hornets into 2025-26. They\u2019ve missed the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons, and the last time they won a playoff series was in 2001-02.\u00a0<\/p>\n Something exciting, though, continues to unfold. The 10th-place Hornets, currently sitting at 25-28, lay claim to the league\u2019s longest winning streak with nine in a row. They\u2019re just one shy of matching the franchise record of 10 \u2014 set in 1997-98.<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball<\/a> leads the way with a team-high 43 fantasy points per game (FPPG). During the winning streak, he\u2019s actually averaged below that mark, with 40.1 to his name. That\u2019s a result of Charlotte\u2019s more balanced offensive approach, which also features Brandon Miller<\/a> (37.2 FPPG), Miles Bridges<\/a> (34.6) and Kon Knueppel<\/a> (34.1). Coby White<\/a> is soon to join the mix, too.<\/p>\n Peak performances<\/p>\n Saturday marked quite the memorable night for Stephon Castle<\/a>. He dropped a season-high 88 fantasy points for the San Antonio Spurs (36-16) in a 138-125 defeat of the Dallas Mavericks (19-33). The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year secured his second triple-double of 2025-26 via 40 points scored, 12 rebounds, 12 assists, one block and three steals. Castle has also scored 40 or more fantasy points in nine of his last 13 games, producing at a steady level for the Spurs.<\/p>\n Nikola Joki\u0107<\/a> is back doing what he does best \u2014 dominate. The three-time MVP racked up 85 fantasy points Saturday in a 136-120 victory for the Denver Nuggets (34-19) over the Chicago Bulls (24-29). It marked his highest fantasy output since returning from a 16-game absence by way of 22 points scored, 14 rebounds, 17 assists, four blocks and one steal. Joki\u0107 ranks sixth in the league with 2552 total fantasy points (TFP), but will surely continue to climb.<\/p>\n Earlier in the week, Isaiah Collier<\/a> assembled one of the finest performances of his young career. The second-year guard posted a season-high 75 fantasy points Tuesday as the Utah Jazz (16-37) dealt the Indiana Pacers (13-40) a 131-122 loss. He played unselfish basketball en route to 17 points scored, five rebounds, 22 assists and three steals. Collier has averaged 30.9 FPPG this campaign, but in his last four outings, owns a much-improved mark of 58.<\/p>\n Global leaderboard<\/p>\n As we count down the days until the All-Star Break, it\u2019s a good time to check in on global leaders and examine their formulas for fantasy success. Melvin Schneider\u2019s \u201cGriddyGang\u201d (21505 TFP), Tilo Gust\u2019s \u201cBlue_Arrow_27\u201d (21192) and Moshe Cohen\u2019s \u201cThe Joker\u201d (21158) reside on the podium entering Week 17.<\/p>\n Only one player is rostered by all three GMs. That would be Jalen Johnson<\/a>, who ranks second in the league with 2723 TFP and fourth with 55.5 FPPG. He\u2019s been on a tear as of late, too, with a sizzling 68.7 FPPG across his last four games. The fifth-year forward has become an elite option, and at a salary of $14.3M, is more affordable than several superstars.<\/p>\n There are an abundance of players featured by two of the three global leaders. The biggest names are Luka Don\u010di\u0107<\/a> (63.4 FPPG), Tyrese Maxey<\/a> (55.2) and Amen Thompson<\/a> (42.6). But these GMs also succeed because of how they capitalize on high-value players like Ryan Rollins<\/a> (38 FPPG on $6.4M), Derik Queen<\/a> (34 on 7.1) and Russell Westbrook<\/a> (38.8 on 9.1).<\/p>\n