Aleksej Pokusevski is a booming prospect for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Known as “Poku,” the versatile rookie posted a career-high 23 points and his first double-double in Sunday’s victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, joining Kevin Durant as the only teens in franchise history to record 20-point double-doubles.
Play ESPN Tournament Challenge for free!
Brackets are open! Head to Tournament Challenge and fill out your bracket now!
At just 19 years and 78 days old, Pokusevski became the youngest player in NBA history with at least 20 points, 10 rebounds, and five 3-pointers in the same game. There were even some possessions on Sunday where the 7-foot rookie ran the point, helping fuel his four assists in the win.
With Darius Bazley injured and the Thunder seeking to accelerate the development of their intriguing rookie, it could be wise to add Pokusevski to your fantasy roster. The Serbian teen is currently rostered in just 2.2% of ESPN leagues, despite his growing role and unique statistical profile.
Weekend recap
Highlights
Saturday
Julius Randle, New York Knicks: 26 points (8-15 FG), 12 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals
Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards: 42 points (16-32 FG), 10 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals
Sunday
Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz: 24 points (8-10 FG), 28 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 4 blocks
Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic: 38 points (15-27 FG), 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
Lowlights
Saturday
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks: 6 points (2-12 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 assist
Paul Millsap, Denver Nuggets: 5 points (2-9 FG), 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals
Sunday
Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz: 9 point (2-9 FG), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 4 TO
Kendrick Nunn, Miami Heat: 3 points (1-9 FG), 1 rebound, 1 assist
Weekend takeaways
-
Houston’s Kevin Porter Jr. was the most-added player in ESPN leagues this past week, thanks to a series of big games since making his Rockets debut last Thursday night. With the team missing scoring guard Eric Gordon for multiple weeks due to a groin injury and with John Wall dealing with a recent knee issue, Porter has been tasked with significant creation duties. That has led to an awesome 8.3 APG in addition to 17.0 PPG and strong defensive metrics. If Porter is still available in your league, rush to the wire to add him.
-
Minnesota’s Jaylen Nowell is another productive young guard worth rostering. Malik Beasley still has several games left to serve on his suspension, which should give Nowell steady run as the team’s sixth man and key scoring source off the bench. Over his last three appearances, Nowell has averaged 19.7 points to go along with 7.7 combined assists and rebounds.
-
Sticking in Minnesota, Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards continues not only to posterize opponents in the paint, but also to score in bunches. He has incredibly averaged 27.3 PPG during the past week.
-
New York’s Randle secured his second triple-double of the season on Saturday while setting a new career high in assists. Randle’s awesome first All-Star campaign now includes his becoming the first Knicks player to post multiple triple-doubles since Mark Jackson in 1988-89.
-
On Saturday night, Carmelo Anthony scored a team-high 26 points and passed Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon for 11th place on the all-time scoring list. With 16 points on Sunday, Anthony has now averaged 18.3 PPG over the past week and is still a free agent in 50% of ESPN leagues.
-
Boston’s Robert Williams III is starting to overtake Daniel Theis as a pivotal part of the Celtics’ rotation. Theis started on Sunday but played just six minutes — despite being healthy. Williams, meanwhile, played 19 minutes and was on the court extensively in the second half against Houston. He became the first Celtics player to produce at least 16 points and 13 rebounds while making all of his field goal attempts since Villanova legend Ed Pinckney did so back in 1991. Williams is the first NBA player to accomplish this feat off the bench since the 2012-13 season.
Injuries of note
1 Related
-
The 76ers and their fans got a serious scare on Friday night with MVP candidate Joel Embiid hyperextending his knee following a basket. Testing confirmed that Embiid didn’t suffer any structural damage, but a deep bone bruise could hold him out for at least two weeks. He will likely be sidelined until the team gets back from a road trip in early April. In the meantime, Dwight Howard looks like the guy to roster from the team’s center rotation given his ability to rack up boards, blocks, and efficient scoring.
-
Kevin Love’s season simply hasn’t gone smoothly. The veteran forward started for Cleveland on Sunday but left after just two minutes due to a lingering calf injury. We’ll learn more about Love’s injury today. Larry Nance Jr. is the key pickup to consider with Love ailing.
-
Neither Kevin Durant nor Blake Griffin will play for Brooklyn in tonight’s matchup with the rival Knicks.
-
Anthony Davis of the Lakers will be sidelined at least two more weeks because of tendinosis and a calf strain in his right leg. Kyle Kuzma is the fantasy free agent to consider with Davis sidelined.
Analytics advantage for Monday
The Knicks have listed Elfrid Payton as doubtful to play tonight against the Nets due to a hamstring injury. Derrick Rose remains out due to the league’s health and safety protocol. This should increase interest in rookie point guard Immanuel Quickley and veteran combo guard Alec Burks. Quickley has enjoyed a backcourt-high 28.9% usage rate with Payton and Rose off the floor this season while posting 24.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.5 3-pointers (per 36 minutes) in such lineups. Burks, meanwhile, has averaged 19.4 points with 5.2 rebounds and 3.3 assists (also per 36 minutes) in similar outings.
Top player to watch on Monday
It was great to see Caris LeVert return to the NBA floor and make his Pacers debut on Saturday night. The talented wing had been sidelined following surgery related to left kidney carcinoma, a condition that was discovered when he was getting evaluated as part of the James Harden deal back in January. In his return, LeVert impressively played 27 minutes and lofted 14 shots while also being active on the glass. The Pacers are in Denver tonight to face the Nuggets, a team allowing 44.6 DraftKings points per game to small forwards, fourth-most in the league.