Week 16 of the 2024-25 NBA season delivered dominant performances from elite creators and rebounders, with Denver's dynamic duo leading the way while Portland's young big man made a compelling case for regular rotation minutes. Fantasy managers who locked in the league's top playmakers and two-way threats were rewarded handsomely this week.
Must-Starts: Week 16 Elite Producers
Nikola Jokic (DEN) — Center: 247.4 pts
Across 4 games this week, Jokic recorded 98 points, 57 rebounds, 42 assists, 6 blocks, and 5 steals while turning the ball over 15 times. The MVP-caliber center was the clear anchor of any winning fantasy roster, combining elite scoring with dominant rebounding and assist numbers that no other player in the league could match.
Jamal Murray (DEN) — Guard: 194.4 pts
Across 4 games this week, Murray tallied 116 points, 17 rebounds, 36 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals with 8 turnovers. Murray's three-level offensive game and playmaking prowess made him an automatic start, consistently delivering high scoring volume alongside secondary ball-handling duties that elevated his overall fantasy impact.
Anthony Edwards (MIN) — Guard: 192.1 pts
Across 4 games this week, Edwards produced 118 points, 23 rebounds, 17 assists, 4 blocks, and 7 steals while posting 12 turnovers. The Minnesota star's two-way excellence and perimeter-to-paint versatility made him a fixture in championship lineups, providing rare scoring depth for a guard while chipping in across all five stat categories.
Strong Starts: Reliable Options
- Isaiah Collier (UTA) — Guard: 4 games, 190.4 pts — 75 points, 17 rebounds, 52 assists, 10 steals across the week demonstrated elite pass-first instincts and ball security despite high volume.
- Jalen Suggs (ORL) — Guard: 4 games, 182.3 pts — 54 points, 24 rebounds, 33 assists, 13 steals showcased tremendous two-way impact with elite perimeter defense and unexpected rebounding for the position.
- Jalen Johnson (ATL) — Forward: 3 games, 183.2 pts — 82 points, 36 rebounds, 34 assists across limited games provided strong production across multiple categories.
- Cade Cunningham (DET) — Guard: 4 games, 174.8 pts — 103 points, 24 rebounds, 32 assists provided secondary scoring with strong playmaking and rebounding contributions.
- Jalen Brunson (NYK) — Guard: 4 games, 172.7 pts — 106 points, 16 rebounds, 25 assists delivered consistent floor spacing and high-volume scoring that fantasy managers could bank on.
Tough Sits: Disappointing Weeks
- Donovan Clingan (POR) — Center: 4 games, 167.1 pts — Despite 58 rebounds and 8 blocks, the 62 points and limited assist volume of 0 represented a week that fell short of expectations.
- LeBron James (LAL) — Forward: 4 games, 165.5 pts — Across 4 games, LeBron recorded 84 points, 20 rebounds, 37 assists but was burdened by 19 turnovers, representing inefficient playmaking that can derail a fantasy week despite volume.
- Tyrese Maxey (PHI) — Guard: 4 games, 166.8 pts — While 99 points and 26 assists were respectable, the 12 turnovers and lack of defensive counting stats made this a below-expectations week for a player typically offering more steals.
- Kawhi Leonard (LAC) — Forward: 3 games, 158.3 pts — Limited to just 3 games with 97 points, Kawhi's injury-shortened week and modest assist total of 13 meant managers dealing with his inconsistent availability left value on the bench.
PlayCaller's AI-powered lineup tools at playcallerapp.com can help identify similar patterns to guide your start-sit decisions moving forward.