Fantasy Wrap: Wednesday, February 25

The Headlines

Richard's 53-point explosion last night was the kind of fantasy performance that wins weeks. GSW torched Memphis without Curry and Thompson in the lineup, and Richard turned into a full-time bucket getter. This is the biggest storyline of the night: when Golden State's stars sit, their secondary scorers don't just get minutes, they get volume. That's a lesson for your bench.

The Warriors' blowout also reveals something ugly about Memphis' depth. Down 21 to a Warriors squad missing its two best players? That's not a bad night. That's a red flag about how little help their stars actually have.

Top Performers

Richard (GSW) - 53 ESPN FP. He was the entire offense for stretches. If he gets another night without Curry/Thompson, he's a league-winner pickup.
[Additional performances would be listed here with specific stats, but only GSW/MEM game provided]

The volume Richard received is the real takeaway. 53 points doesn't happen by accident. GSW was running everything through him.

The Disappointments

Memphis looked lost on both ends. Their stars couldn't carry the load against a depleted Warriors roster. That's concerning for any Grizzlies stack you're considering going forward. A 21-point home loss to a team missing its All-Stars isn't just disappointing fantasy-wise, it's a statement about how vulnerable they look right now.

Waiver Priority

1. Richard (GSW) - PRIORITY CLAIM This is your add of the night. He just put up 53 on huge volume. Even if Curry/Thompson return, Richard proved he can handle heavy offensive load. At minimum, he's a strong fill-in for injury situations. At best, GSW keeps running through him.

2-5. Other Warriors bench pieces Role players on winning teams in blowouts always see bumps in playing time and usage. They're secondary adds if Richard gets snatched, but they likely won't have the same spike next game.

Sell High, Buy Low

Sell Richard (if you own him before the stock rises further) If Richard clears waivers and lands on your squad, consider flipping him in a trade immediately. His 53-point game is an outlier. Managers will overpay for the narrative. Get real value while the hype is fresh.

Buy Low on Memphis stars If they're available or underpriced in your league after this loss, grab them. One bad game against a Warriors team missing pieces doesn't define their season. Their ADP probably gets dinged today, making them a discount play.

Tomorrow's Slate

Check if Curry and Thompson get rest days. If Golden State runs it back without them, Richard is a must-start. If they return, Richard's value craters back to normal. Monitor the injury report hard.

Bottom line: Richard's 53 is the story, but the real action is in how Golden State deployed him. That's repeatable if injuries stick around. Get him before your league wakes up, then reassess if/when the Warriors get healthy.