NBA

After hitting four 3-pointers and scoring 16 points in Game 5, Caldwell-Pope ended his season with a whimper. In Denver’s losses to the Timberwolves in games 6 and 7, KCP scored 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field (3-10 3-pointers). The veteran guard has been a mainstay in the Nuggets starting lineup, providing solid fantasy value. Caldwell-Pope finished this season ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat formats, but few fantasy managers are willing to roll the dice on him that early in drafts. KCP had a Yahoo ADP of 139.6, and that’s unlikely to change in 2024-25.

While Jamal Murray (35) and Nikola Jokic (34) combined to score 69 points, no other Nugget scored more than seven in Sunday’s Game 7 defeat. Porter went ice cold, shooting 1-of-6 from beyond the arc and 3-of-12 from the field overall. Sunday night was a disappointing end for a player who provided fantasy managers with a top-75 season in 9-cat formats. Porter exceeded his Yahoo ADP (83.1) while appearing in a career-high 81 regular season games. As long as he stays healthy, MPJ should have a top-75 floor in fantasy basketball next season.

A standout for most of this series, Gordon picked a terrible time to struggle. He didn’t offer much value in Game 7, with Denver’s “supporting cast” being outplayed by Minnesota after leading by 20 in the second half. Game 7 was the first Gordon failed to reach double figures since Game 1 when he tallied nine in another defeat. As for his season overall, AG finished the regular season ranked just inside the top 150 in 9-cat, per-game value. That wasn’t on par with his Yahoo ADP (118.4), but the late-round production is unsurprising. Fantasy managers should expect similar value from Gordon in 2024-25.

Jokic recorded another elite stat line, but his production tailed off in crunch time. Minnesota’s depth and Denver’s lack of consistent options factored into the Joker playing tired, and the NBA will have its sixth champion in as many seasons. Jokic was once again one of the best players in fantasy basketball, ranking third in 9-cat formats and second in 8-cat. His days as the unquestioned 1.1 pick in drafts may be finished, as Victor Wembanyama appears poised to take over, but Jokic should be no worse than 1.3, regardless of league. Jokic is expected to play for Serbia in the Paris Olympics this summer, and their first group stage game is against the United States (July 27).

Murray came out scalding hot on Sunday, scoring 24 points in the first half. However, he cooled off considerably after halftime, and the lack of consistent help from Denver’s supporting cast doomed the Nuggets. Murray, who had a Yahoo ADP of 41.2, finished the regular season as a 3rd-round player in 9-cat formats. The negative was his availability, as injuries limited Murray to 59 games. It would benefit fantasy managers if he can get to (or above) 65 games played. Murray is in for a busy offseason, as he said after Game 7 that he has committed to playing for Team Canada at the Paris Olympics in July.

On Sunday, Edwards got off to a brutal start, shooting 1-of-7 from the field in the first half. He was better in the third quarter, but give Ant-Man credit for not letting his offensive struggles impact his defense. He defended Jamal Murray well in the second half, and multiple members of Minnesota’s “supporting cast” stepped up offensively. Backcourt partner Mike Conley added 10 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 39 minutes. Next up for Minnesota is Dallas in the Western Conference Finals; Game 1 is on Wednesday.

Minnesota won the final two games of this series after getting blown out in Game 5, and McDaniels’ improved play had much to do with the turnaround. He scored 46 points in Games 6 and 7, shooting 15-of-20 from the field. Already a highly impactful defender, McDaniels’ progression as a scorer has paid dividends for the Timberwolves. He must continue that production in the Western Conference Finals, as McDaniels will likely be assigned Luka Doncic. Game 1 of that series is on Wednesday night.

On a night when Anthony Edwards struggled, Towns came up big offensively for the Timberwolves. He recorded his first 20-point double-double since Game 2, Minnesota’s 26-point blowout win in Denver. While Towns scored in double figures in each game, the rebounding and defensive production is just as crucial for the Timberwolves. One of the team’s more maligned players, KAT was one of their most valuable in the franchise’s second-ever Game 7 victory. Minnesota will host Dallas in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Wednesday.

After not playing at all in the first seven games of the postseason, Burks moved into the Knicks rotation out of necessity. And the veteran guard was productive, reaching double figures in his last five games. Sunday’s performance was Burks’ best: he shot nearly 62% from the field and scored 26 points. That’s an excellent way to head into free agency this summer. Burks’ days of being a must-roster player in fantasy leagues may be finished, but he still has something left in the tank.

As was the case with Denver’s Jamal Murray, Conley was expected to not miss Sunday’s Game 7. He will occupy his usual place within the Timberwolves’ starting lineup, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker coming off the bench.