Only three GameDays remain in 2025. It’s almost time to close the book on another year of incredible performances and unforgettable thrillers.
There’s plenty of basketball in store for fantasy general managers, though, when the calendar turns to 2026. More than half of the season still remains for NBA Fantasy — Salary Cap Edition.
Here’s what you need to know entering Week 11:
Peak performances
There’s good games. There’s great games. Then there’s what Nikola Jokić did Thursday, putting up a season-high 108 fantasy points. He surpassed triple digits by way of 56 points scored, 16 rebounds, 15 assists and two blocks in a 142-138 overtime victory for the Denver Nuggets (22-9) over the Minnesota Timberwolves (20-12). Jokić had a sensational week with 83.5 fantasy points per game (FPPG) across four contests, and now averages a league-best 71.0 FPPG this season.
Kawhi Leonard came close to joining the three-time MVP in the 100-point club. On Sunday, the six-time All-Star racked up 94 fantasy points as the LA Clippers (10-21) upset the Detroit Pistons (24-8) by a 112-99 score. Leonard accounted for a career-high 55 points scored, 11 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and five steals — good for his best fantasy showing this campaign. At 34 years old, he comes in at No. 15 overall with 48.8 FPPG.
One of the league’s models for consistency in 2025-26 has been Scottie Barnes. The fifth-year forward/guard has played in all 33 of his team’s games thus far, and took it to another level with 80 fantasy points Sunday. He was a beast on the boards with 23 points scored, 25 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and three steals in a 141-127 overtime win for the Toronto Raptors (19-14) against the Golden State Warriors (16-16). Barnes now boasts 1544 total fantasy points (TFP).
Global leaders
With the New Year approaching, let’s check in on the worldwide leaderboard to see who’s on the podium and how they got there. Romeo Zhao’s “西部铁粉kusuri” sits in first with 13335 TFP, followed by Kamil Czyznielewski’s “ANBAL” in second with 13290 and Mohit Sharma’s “Grand Theft Rondo” in third with 13196. These three fantasy GMs are based in China, Poland and India, respectively.
There is one constant between them. Each of their rosters feature Jalen Johnson, who has produced 1695 TFP — fourth-most in the league — on a current salary of $14.1M. The fifth-year forward has averaged an eye-popping 62.4 FPPG in his last 10 contests, and on six separate occasions this season, has delivered upward of 70. Johnson carries a streak of 13 consecutive double-doubles into Week 11, continuing to make an impact in multiple facets of the game.
Also worth noting, there are several players who are rostered by two of the world’s top-three fantasy teams. Jokić, Jaylen Brown, Cam Spencer, Neemias Queta and Jaylon Tyson make that list. Jokić is a proven fantasy unicorn with league-highs of 2201 TFP and 71.0 FPPG, but Brown is another big name making serious noise. On Sunday, he tied Larry Bird’s franchise record with nine consecutive 30-point games, and has scored 50-plus fantasy points in 12 of his last 13.
Transaction tips
If you haven’t invested in Spencer or Tyson yet, now is a good time to do so — look no further than their presence on the world’s winningest fantasy squads. Both of them have sat high up on the fantasy value rankings throughout this season, and for good reason. They’ve consistently produced well above their respective paygrades with a combined 1614 TFP on $9.5M.
Spencer, at a salary of $4.7M, ranks fourth for value with 835 TFP and 26.9 FPPG. The second-year guard for the Memphis Grizzlies (15-17) has largely operated at the point behind Ja Morant, excelling off the bench. He currently owns a streak of 10 straight games with 30 or more fantasy points, and in that span, has topped 40 three different times.
Tyson qualifies as seventh-best in the Association for fantasy value. Pitching in 779 TFP and 27.8 FPPG, the second-year guard has performed well above the expectations that come with a $4.8M salary. He’s embraced the role of a backup shooting guard behind Donovan Mitchell en route to contributing 25-plus fantasy points in 11 of his last 13 outings.
