Here are the top performers on February 23 and the stats to highlight their impact.
BEST PLAYER OF THE DAY:
Nikola Jokic DEN C 35 PTS | 20 REB | 12 AST | 87.0 FPS (vs. GSW)
The three-time MVP was nothing short of dominant today, posting standout numbers in all major categories. He was a force on offense, shooting 50% from the field and 10-for-11 at the line for his 17th 30-point game of the season. He also added his 3rd 20-rebound game and his 27th 10-assist performance for his 21st triple-double, all while making a big impact on the defensive end.
BREAKOUT:
Khris Middleton DAL SF 25 PTS | 7 REB | 7 AST | 44.9 FPS (vs. IND)
Middleton has taken on an increased role over their last two games with Flagg sidelined and has come through, averaging 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. He clearly has the upside for this kind of performance but a lingering knee issue remains a problem.
SLEEPER:
Al Horford GSW C 22 PTS | 6 3PM | 7 AST | 46.7 FPS (vs. DEN)
The veteran center has emerged as a key contributor for the shorthanded Warriors this month. He took it to another level today, hitting 6-of-7 from long-range for a season-high performance. While he’s unlikely to maintain this level of production, he should remain an impactful contributor through his three-point shooting, defense and improved playmaking.
ELITE ASSET:
Payton Pritchard BOS PG 30 PTS | 6 3PM | 8 AST | 42.8 FPS (vs. LAL)
Pritchard was on fire against the Lakers, erupting for his fifth 30-point game of the season while maintaining his elite three-point shooting and playmaking numbers. He’s been thriving since moving to a bench role, scoring at least 24 points in six of their last seven games.
CATEGORY SPECIALIST:
Isaiah Joe OKC SG 22 PTS | 6 3PM | 5 STL | 40.9 FPS (vs. CLE)
Joe immediately made his presence felt, knocking down 3 three-pointers while coming away with 5 steals in just the first quarter. He certainly can produce on both ends, but he’s at his most reliable on offense, averaging 15 points and 3.7 threes this month.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Desmond Bane ORL SG 36 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL | 48.5 FPS (vs. LAC)
The star guard has been playing his best basketball lately. Offensively, he’s been on fire, scoring at least 30 points in three of his last four games while averaging 5 threes. He’s also just as impressive on the defensive end, nearly averaging 3 stocks in that span.
STREAMER:
Brandin Podziemski GSW PG 18 PTS | 15 REB | 9 AST | 49.5 FPS (vs. DEN)
Podz was off to a rough start today, but he came alive when it mattered most, scoring 15 points in the fourth to power the Warriors to the win. While he’s not the most consistent scorer, he’s stayed productive with his multi-category contributions lately and should continue to shoulder a big load while Curry is still out.
FLOPPER:
Kyle Kuzma MIL PF 3 PTS | 4 REB | 1 AST | 8.3 FPS (vs. TOR)
Kuzma has scored at least 14 points in each of his three previous games, but he had another lackluster performance today while attempting only 3 shots in 18 minutes of play. This inconsistency has been the story for him this year, but he’ll continue to play an important role for the Bucks with Giannis still unavailable.
