LAC 114, GSW 101: Leonard Comes Alive With 43.6 Yahoo FP
Maya Chen
UX Designer · Golden State Warriors fan
Clippers Roll Past Warriors: Kawhi & Dunn Lead Cash Game, But Podz Keeps You Afloat
Look, I'm not thrilled about this one. Warriors lost 114-101 at home, and yeah, my guy Stephen Curry didn't even suit up so I can't even complain about his performance. But here's what fantasy managers need to know: the Clippers showed up with a purpose, and a couple of Warriors role players had nights that'll make you do a double-take on your roster.
| Player | ESPN FP | Yahoo FP | Tonight | Season Avg | +/- Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | 52.0 | 43.6 | 23/8/4 | 27.8/6.3/3.7 | -4.8 |
| Kris Dunn | 49.0 | 39.9 | 16/7/7 | 8.1/3.2/3.7 | +7.9 |
| Yanic Konan Niederhäuser | 43.0 | 39.8 | 11/9/0 | 4.3/2.8/0.3 | +6.7 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 33.0 | 32.9 | 22/7/3 | 12.4/5.1/3.7 | +9.6 |
| Al Horford | 34.0 | 31.7 | 17/6/3 | 8.2/5.0/2.5 | +8.8 |
| Gui Santos | 26.0 | 28.5 | 5/10/3 | 6.7/3.4/1.7 | -1.7 |
| Bennedict Mathurin | 23.0 | 27.4 | 17/7/0 | 18.0/5.6/2.3 | -1.0 |
| Nate Williams | 30.0 | 25.4 | 18/2/2 | 12.5/1.5/2.0 | +5.5 |
| Jordan Miller | 24.0 | 21.2 | 12/6/0 | 9.4/3.1/1.8 | +2.6 |
| Derrick Jones Jr. | 8.0 | 18.7 | 9/6/1 | 10.9/2.8/1.3 | -1.9 |
Kawhi Stayed Efficient, But Not Elite
Kawhi Leonard put up 23 points on 9-14 shooting (64%), which is textbook Kawhi. 43.6 Yahoo points is solid, but here's the thing, he was down 4.8 points from his season average. Reigning MVP-caliber guy, All-NBA First Team, and he had a quiet night by his standards. Nothing to worry about for his owners, but it's worth noting the Clippers won without him going nuclear. He'll eat next time.
Dunn's Breakout Game Changes Things
Kris Dunn just dropped the performance of his season. 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists on 7-10 shooting in just 25 minutes? That's +7.9 points over his season average. This is the kind of floor game that matters in fantasy, not volume scorers who just chuck it. He was efficient, he distributed, he grabbed boards. If you've got him stashed, congrats. If you're seeing him on waivers, he's worth a look in deeper leagues.
Podz Went Off Without Steph
Here's the silver lining for Warriors fans and their fantasy managers. Brandin Podziemski had 22 points on 9-18 shooting with 3 threes in 36 minutes. +9.6 over his season average. Without Curry in the lineup, Podz got the usage he normally doesn't see, and he made the most of it. 32.9 Yahoo points is a legit night. The question is whether this repeats once Steph gets back or if this was a one-game anomaly.
Al Horford's Old Man Game
Al Horford somehow keeps finding ways to be useful. 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists with 4 threes made? 31.7 Yahoo points and +8.8 over his season average. The dude is shooting the three better than expected this season, and when he gets those looks, he punishes you. Not a league-winner, but a sneaky fill-in spot starter that you don't always have to regret.
The Deeper Cuts
Gui Santos got 31 minutes and went 2-8, but his rebounding (10) and steals (3) carried him to 28.5 Yahoo points. That's the kind of peripheral game that works in fantasy. Nate Williams had 18 points on 5-8 shooting in 21 minutes, way above his 12.5 season average. And Yanic Konan Niederhäuser (seriously, what a name) grabbed 9 rebounds with 4 blocks in just 21 minutes. That's the kind of per-minute production that gets you paid in DFS.
What This Means for Your Rosters
Warriors are clearly dealing with some roster stuff if Curry didn't play. Keep an eye on injury reports before you lock lineups. Podz could have standalone value if Steph's out longer, but don't go crazy trading for him yet. The Clippers' depth continues to be underrated, and Dunn's game is worth monitoring on waivers. If he's still available in your league, add him this week.