Moses

Moody

Moody has reached double figures just twice in his last seven games, scoring 20 points on both occasions. While Sunday was a good night for him, the recent dip in production has negatively impacted Moody’s fantasy value. Over the past two weeks, he’s ranked just inside the top 150 in nine-cat formats and just inside that threshold in eight-cat. Moody is only rostered in 14 percent of Yahoo! leagues, and that’s unlikely to change heading into Week 22, even with Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) exiting Sunday’s win during the first half. Kuminga played seven minutes, finishing with four points and one rebound.

Curry is back after a two-game absence, and no effort will be required to insert him back into the starting lineup. Gary Payton II is out indefinitely with a thumb injury, so Curry can fill that vacancy if Steve Kerr takes this approach. That would leave Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moddy in the starting lineup.

Curry has missed Golden State’s last two games, but he’ll likely return to action against New Orleans. His availability is great news for a Warriors team that’s dropped two straight. Curry’s return coincides with Gary Payton II’s absence due to a thumb injury, so he can fill that space in the starting five.

Per Charania, Payton suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb and will be out indefinitely. Only rostered in three percent of Yahoo! leagues, there’s no need for those fantasy managers to hold into Payton with this news. Moses Moody (14 percent rostered) will have added importance within the Warriors’ rotation, even if Stephen Curry (pelvis) can return to action on Friday against the Pelicans.

No specifics were provided regarding Payton’s injury or its severity, but that will change Thursday evening when the Warriors release their injury report for Friday’s game in New Orleans. He has averaged 21.7 minutes per game over the past two weeks, providing 10th-round value in nine-cat formats. Payton’s absence would be most impactful defensively, as he is one of the Warriors’ best defenders. Moses Moody, who’s in the starting lineup, will have added importance as the Warriors move onward without GPII.

Curry worked out on Monday but did not feel ready to return from the pelvic contusion he suffered last week. Quinten Post should remain in the starting lineup, giving the rookie limited streaming value in deep leagues. Curry’s absence also raises the fantasy ceilings of Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody.

Moody is one of the shooters who boasts a higher ceiling with Stephen Curry (pelvis) out of the lineup. After scoring 20 points on 6-of-21 shooting in his three previous appearances, the Warriors wing matched that tally while making over 50 percent of his attempts on Saturday. Rostered in 18 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Moody has provided top 100 value over the past two weeks. Curry is not guaranteed to return during Week 21, which makes Moody a worthwhile addition in deep leagues.

Curry did not travel with the team for Saturday’s game against the Warriors, which is the first of six games Golden State will play on the road. His absence opens up minutes and opportunities for many players, including Moses Moody, Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II. It also means more will be required of Jimmy Butler, whose addition has given the Warriors an invaluable boost. Golden State’s next home game isn’t until April 4, and the team will play three road games during Week 21.

Curry will be available after sitting out Tuesday’s win over the Bucks. With Brandin Podziemski returning in that contest, Curry’s availability will likely result in Moses Moody heading to the bench. Moody is most valuable when the Warriors are down a scorer, so there isn’t much to gain from rostering him in most leagues.

Tuesday’s game was the first for Podziemski since March 6, and his back did not appear to trouble him. The Warriors guard hit two critical three-pointers in crunch time to help the Warriors put away the Bucks, and the overall stat line was solid. With Stephen Curry unavailable, Moses Moody remained in the starting lineup on Tuesday, finishing with seven points, seven rebounds, three assists and one three-pointer in 25 minutes. Podziemski was the starter before his injury, which will likely be the case once Curry returns.