Fantasy Basketball Week 8: Which NBA Stars Will Make or Break Your Playoff Hopes?

It’s been quite the stretch with scarce light game nights over the past seven weeks, hasn’t it? But finally, Week 8 rolls in offering NBA teams a chance to catch their breath. The Emirates NBA Cup edges into its quarterfinal phase come Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the semifinals on Saturday and the finale set for December 16. Meanwhile, the 22 squads that didn’t make the cut get two games each to round out their 82-game seasons. Fantasy basketball managers out there might’ve found themselves juggling schedules differently—some merging Weeks 8 and 9, others keeping ’em separate. Whatever camp you’re in, it’s time to break down Week 8’s lineup and unpack the pivotal storylines that could swing your leagues and fandom. LEARN MORE.

After seven weeks in which there were light game nights in short supply, NBA teams should be able to get ample rest during Week 8. With the Emirates NBA Cup moving into the quarterfinal stage with games on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the semifinals on Saturday and the championship game on Tuesday, December 16, the 22 teams that did not advance were assigned two games each to fill out their 82-game schedules. While some fantasy leagues have combined weeks 8 and 9 due to the light schedules, others have not. Let’s look at the Week 8 schedule and some of its key storylines.

Week 8 Games Played

3 Games: IND, MIN, PHX, DAC, SAS

2 Games: ATL, BKN, CHA, CLE, GSW, LAL, MIA, MIL, NOR, NYK, OKC, ORL, PHI, POR, TOR, WAS

1 Game: BOS, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, HOU, LAC, MEM, UTA

Week 8 Back-to-backs

Sunday (Week 7)-Monday: None

Monday-Tuesday: None

Tuesday-Wednesday: None

Wednesday-Thursday: None

Thursday-Friday: None

Friday-Saturday: None

Saturday-Sunday: None

Sunday-Monday (Week 9): None

NBA: Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors

NBA Minutes Report: How injuries to Giannis Antetokounmpo and Steph Curry impact playing time

We dig into shifting rotations, uncovering which players deserve more attention or are falling out of favor.

Week 8 Storylines of Note

– Three of the six teams playing on Monday are guaranteed to have three games on their Week 8 schedules.

For those competing in leagues that separate Weeks 8 and 9, this is an important fact. The Pacers, Timberwolves and Kings are guaranteed to play three games during Week 8, which makes their less-heralded fantasy options a bit more valuable. While most of the Pacers have underwhelmed in fantasy basketball this season, does someone like Jay Huff (25 percent rostered, Yahoo!) or T.J. McConnell (15 percent) hold greater value since they’ll play three games?

The same can be asked of Kings rookie Maxime Raynaud (14 percent), who made his first career start on Saturday and did nothing to suggest that he should not retain that role for the foreseeable future. As for the Timberwolves, Jaden McDaniels (46 percent) and Donte DiVincenzo (44 percent) are still available in more than 50 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Seeking out those players on league waiver wires before Monday’s game would be a good idea.

– Phoenix and San Antonio could have three games during Week 8, but that’s still to be determined.

Whether five teams are playing three games in Week 8 depends on the Suns and Spurs. Both will play NBA Cup quarterfinal games on Wednesday, with the former visiting the Thunder and the latter visiting the Lakers. If Phoenix and San Antonio lose, their next regular-season game could be scheduled for December 11, 12, 14 or 15. December 11 can probably be ruled out, as asking teams to play a back-to-back under those circumstances feels unlikely. If their second game falls on either the 12th or 14th, that would make for three games in Week 8 for both teams. The best way for this to become a non-issue would be for the Suns and Spurs to advance to the semifinals scheduled for Saturday, December 13.

– The four NBA Cup quarterfinal losers will play their second game on December 11, 12, 14 or 15.

While the West quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, the East will play its quarterfinals the night prior. Orlando hosts Miami, followed by the Raptors hosting the Knicks. Regardless of what happens in those matchups, all four Eastern Conference teams will play two games in Week 8. That’s good news for Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and New York’s OG Anunoby, as they returned from groin and hamstring injuries on Friday. Not having to deal with a jam-packed schedule immediately upon returning should benefit both fantasy managers and those players, and it should also mean fantasy managers can rely on those players to be active in each of their respective teams’ Week 8 contests.

– Will Memphis get Ja Morant back during Week 8?

Morant, who has not appeared in a game since November 15, is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Trail Blazers. That status represents an upgrade for the point guard, so does it mean anything for Week 8? The Grizzlies only play once in Week 8, hosting the Jazz on Friday. One game of Morant is better than none, and this could be a good time for the Grizzlies to work him back into the lineup. His availability affects Vince Williams Jr. and Cam Spencer the most, with the former having filled the starting point guard role in Morant’s absence. However, Spencer has provided superior fantasy value despite coming off the bench, due mainly to Williams’ poor percentages and turnovers.

– Will the Warriors have Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler III at all?

While the Warriors play twice during Week 8, their first game isn’t until that Friday against the Timberwolves. Golden State plays its second game of the week two nights later in Portland. How does that schedule affect the availability of the team’s two best offensive players? After suffering a quad contusion, Curry missed the Warriors’ final home game before their three-game road trip and did not travel. Sunday’s game against the Bulls will be the fifth that he’s missed.

As for Butler, Saturday’s win over the Cavaliers was the second he has missed due to a sore knee. Add in Draymond Green‘s midfoot sprain, and the Warriors have been without their three most important veterans. Could all three return to action during Week 8? If so, Curry and Butler would be especially impactful with the Warriors playing twice over the final three days.