Week 23 of the 2025-26 NBA season delivered dominant performances from a select group of elite producers, while several highly-drafted contributors fell short of expectations. Fantasy managers who loaded their lineups with the week's top scorers were rewarded handsomely, but roster construction mistakes were punished quickly.
Must-Starts: Week 23 Elite Producers
Nikola Jokic (DEN) - Center: 266.6 pts
Across 4 games this week, Jokic recorded 104 points, 68 rebounds, 56 assists, 3 steals, and 12 turnovers. He delivered a historic week that showcased his complete dominance as the league's top all-around talent. His playmaking and rebounding combination was virtually impossible to replicate, making him the consensus top weekly fantasy scorer.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) - Guard: 192.4 pts
Across 4 games this week, Gilgeous-Alexander totaled 135 points, 12 rebounds, 20 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocks while turning the ball over 11 times. SGA's scoring outburst was the primary catalyst for his elite weekly output, and he remained a must-start option despite turnover concerns.
Victor Wembanyama (SAS) - Forward: 201.7 pts
Across 3 games this week, Wembanyama produced 83 points, 46 rebounds, 13 assists, 11 blocks, and 6 steals with 7 turnovers. The elite shot-blocking numbers combined with solid scoring made him an automatic start, and he rewarded fantasy managers with league-leading defensive production across the week.
Strong Starts: Reliable Options
- Jamal Murray (DEN) - Guard: 195.3 pts across 4 games with 125 points, 31 assists, 19 rebounds, and solid peripheral contributions established him as a consistently productive secondary option.
- Alperen Sengun (HOU) - Center: 174.9 pts across 3 games featuring 80 points, 27 rebounds, 17 assists, and 9 blocks provided efficient production and defensive upside.
- Jalen Johnson (ATL) - Forward: 183.7 pts across 4 games with 102 points, 33 assists, and 31 rebounds made him a versatile contributor who filled multiple statistical categories.
- Bam Adebayo (MIA) - Center: 174.3 pts across 4 games with 69 points, 54 rebounds, and 19 assists delivered steady interior presence and playmaking.
- James Harden (CLE) - Guard: 176.6 pts across 4 games with 42 assists, 74 points, and 23 rebounds provided exceptional playmaking despite modest scoring output.
Tough Sits: Disappointing Weeks
- Jayson Tatum (BOS) - Forward: 149.8 pts across 3 games represented a disappointing week for a player of his draft pedigree, as inconsistent scoring and limited opportunity contributions fell well short of expectations.
- Josh Giddey (CHI) - Guard: 167.7 pts across 4 games featured a team-high 16 turnovers that significantly dampened his otherwise balanced stat line of 55 points, 36 rebounds, and 43 assists.
- Donovan Mitchell (CLE) - Guard: 159.8 pts across 4 games showed inefficient offensive output despite the 110 points, hampered by high turnover volume and inconsistent shooting.
- Evan Mobley (CLE) - Center: 168.2 pts across 4 games with 84 points and 41 rebounds disappointed managers seeking elite defensive upside due to minimal block contributions and lower-than-expected assist volume.
Week 23 fantasy success went to managers who trusted their elite players during their peak weeks, and PlayCaller's AI-powered lineup tools at playcallerapp.com help identify these breakthrough performances before they happen.