Zion

Williamson

Williamson had another strong game as a scorer, having finished with at least 25 points in three of his last four games. However, it’s his continued availability that has been the most impressive. He hasn’t missed a game since mid-December, which has extended the longest streak without missing a game of his career. It’s unfortunate that Williamson’s having the healthiest year of his career in a lost season for the Pelicans, but it should give managers optimism when drafting him next season.

Williamson was hard to stop on the offensive end of the floor, with all 13 of his baskets coming inside the paint. His interior dominance led him to reach the 30-point mark as a scorer for the fifth time this season. The former No. 1 pick didn’t provide much else aside from scoring, but his ability to put the ball in the basket on Friday was alone enough for a good fantasy performance.

Williamson has scored 18 points or more in four straight games, shooting 45 percent or better from the field in each. While the lack of defensive production may be a point of frustration for some category league managers, the good news is that he hasn’t missed a game since December 11. And over the past two months, Williamson has provided top-50 value for managers punting free-throw percentage, according to Basketball Monster. The Pelicans complete their Week 17 with two games after the All-Star break, starting with Milwaukee on February 20.

Williamson recorded a modest stat line on Monday, but the rebounds, assists and percentages were especially valuable to category league managers. Over the past two weeks, the Pelicans’ forward has offered seventh-round per-game value in eight-cat formats according to Basketball Monster. Williamson and the Pelicans will look to go into the All-Star break on a high note when they host the Heat on Wednesday.

Give Williamson credit for knowing where his bread is buttered as a scorer. The Pelicans forward did not register an official shot outside of the paint on Friday, and the result was his highest point total in nearly a month. Over the past two weeks, Williamson has been close to a top-75 player in eight-cat formats. The only negative for fantasy managers is that New Orleans is done for Week 16, with the team’s next game scheduled for Monday against the Kings.

Williamson displayed his unique athleticism midway through the third quarter when he took the ball the length of the floor, made multiple defenders miss and finished with a dunk at the rim. The play was equally as impressive as the fact he was able to execute it so effortlessly. Zion has provided 10th-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans have one more game left in Week 16, coming up Friday against the Timberwolves on the road.

Williamson was able to record a double-double for the fourth time in his last six games. However, this was the second straight game that he shot below 40 percent from the floor, which is atypical for him. Williamson’s field goal percentage is one of his strongest categories, so a two-game stretch like this is rough for his value for fantasy managers. He’ll look to get back on track in Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Inclement weather, which prevented the Spurs from getting back to Texas after losing on Saturday in Charlotte until mid-afternoon Sunday, is the reason for the time change. Fantasy managers with Pelicans or Hornets on their rosters will need to set their lineups a few hours earlier than they may have planned.

With Saddiq Bey getting hot and scoring 34 points on 19 shots, Williamson took a back seat offensively. The six shot attempts were one more than his season-low, which was recorded in a January 21 loss to the Pistons. The blocked shots and free-throw percentage categories were solid, but fantasy managers hope for more robust stat lines from Williamson. He’ll look to bounce back on Monday against the Hornets.

Williamson has now recorded a double-double in three consecutive games. Three games in a row with at least 10 rebounds is tied for the longest stretch of his career with the other instance being the first three games of the 2021 season. Zion has provided 11th-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans are off until Friday, when they take on the Grizzlies.