Here are the top performers on January 1 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Donovan Mitchell CLE SG 34 PTS | 10 REB | 7 AST | 61.5 FPS
This has been the most efficient scoring performance for the star guard in nine seasons in the league. He’s posting career-best marks of 49.4 percent shooting from the field and 38.9 percent from three, while continuing to be nearly unstoppable offensively. He now sits second in total points and first in the league in three-pointers made, while ranking 3rd with 18 30-point performances this season.
BREAKOUT:
Julian Champagnie SAS SF 36 PTS | 11 3PM | 6 REB | 45.2 FPS
The Spurs forward was on fire from long range, knocking down 11 three-pointers and setting a career-high and franchise record. It also marked the second-best three-point shooting performance of the season, trailing only Stephen Curry, who hit 12 against the Blazers. Champagnie has flashed this kind of scoring upside at times, recording four 20-point outings and hitting at least four threes in seven games this season, but consistency has been an issue.
SLEEPER:
Collin Gillespie PHX PG 17 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST | 38.7 FPS
Gillespie finished with his 18th overall and seventh consecutive 15-point performance while staying hot from deep, hitting 5 three-pointers for the third straight game. The guard continues to be a dependable contributor this season, now averaging 14.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists.
ELITE ASSET:
Jalen Johnson ATL SF 34 PTS | 10 REB | 6 AST | 61.0 FPS
Johnson missed their previous game because of an illness, but picked up right where he left off against the Wolves. He posted his sixth 30-point performance and also his 23rd double-double of the season. He’s been on a tear in December, averaging 25.8 points, 11.2 rebounds and 10.1 assists, becoming just the seventh player in NBA history to average a 25-point triple-double in a month.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Alex Sarr WAS C 20 PTS | 11 REB | 4 BLK | 46.2 FPS
Despite some uneven play this month, Sarr rose to the occasion versus the Bucks, recording his ninth 20-point game and ninth 10-rebound performance of the season. He also continues to be an elite defender, averaging 3.8 blocks across his last five outings and ranking sixth in the league in total blocks.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Justin Champagnie WAS SF 12 PTS | 9 REB | 2 BLK | 37.8 FPS
Champagnie has emerged as a key part of the rotation lately and is averaging 10.2 points on 54% shooting with 8.6 rebounds and close to 2 stocks per game in his last five.
STREAMER:
Tre Jones CHI PG 20 PTS | 2 REB | 12 AST | 39.4 FPS
Jones became the first Bull in franchise history to deliver those numbers on a perfect 7-for-7 shooting. That performance also marked his third 20-point and third 10-assist performance of the season. With Giddey and White sidelined for weeks, Jones should continue to handle a bigger role, making him a clear must-roster player.
FLOPPER:
Stephon Castle SAS PG 5 PTS | 2 REB | 7 AST | 14.9 FPS
Castle played through a thumb issue and once again delivered as a playmaker, notching at least seven assists for the eighth time in nine games. However, his scoring didn’t follow. He continued to struggle from three, with just one make in his last 16 attempts, and finished with his second-worst scoring performance of the season.
