Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball opened Minnesota’s new backcourt look with a heavy share of the work Wednesday, combining for 111 fantasy points in a 131-106 win over Miami. That pair accounted for 73.5% of the Timberwolves’ total fantasy production, while Jaden McDaniels added 36 points, Jonathan Kuminga posted 34 and Ayo Dosunmu finished with 27.
Edwards set the early league high with 70 fantasy points, putting up 45 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one block and two steals. The 25-year-old guard, already a four-time All-Star in his seventh NBA season, carried a $16.5 million salary and was rostered by 8.3% of fantasy managers entering the game.
From the locker room
Tuesday’s opener at Madison Square Garden ended with Philadelphia spoiling New York’s championship ring celebration, 106-100. Tyrese Maxey drove the 76ers with a team-leading 60 fantasy points: 28 points, four rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals.
Joel Embiid registered 51 fantasy points in the Philadelphia victory, while Jaylen Brown and LeBron James each cleared the 43-point fantasy mark in their respective opening outings.
Andre Drummond was New York’s leading fantasy producer with 43 points. He had 12 points and 14 rebounds for a double-double, adding four assists, two blocks and a steal. Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson each reached at least 32 fantasy points.
Memphis guard-forward Ty Jerome delivered the other eye-catching line from Wednesday’s slate. Jerome scored a career-best 45 points with seven rebounds, six assists and a block, producing 67 fantasy points as the Grizzlies handled Utah, 123-103. His $9.5 million salary makes the eruption notable, although sustaining that kind of scoring will be the question.
Paolo Banchero put up 65 fantasy points even as Orlando fell 132-125 to Atlanta. The fifth-year forward totaled 35 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists and one steal, well above his 44.7 fantasy-points-per-game average from last season. His current salary stands at $14.5 million.
Early rotation watch
Paul George made an immediate fantasy impact in his Boston debut, leading the Celtics with 64 fantasy points in a loss to Detroit. The production is worth tracking at a $12.0 million salary, but his transition to a new club and his injury history make the next stretch more informative than one opening-night result.
Rookie Keaton Wagler also got through his first NBA game Wednesday with 36 fantasy points. The Illinois product, selected fifth overall by the LA Clippers, entered the season priced at $7.5 million. His opportunity may fluctuate because Darius Garland sits ahead of him at point guard, leaving Wagler’s nightly usage tied closely to the rotation.
Two games into the season, the returns offer more of a first read than a mandate for sweeping roster changes. The early standouts have delivered value, but the next week should provide a clearer picture of which minute loads and production spikes are built to last.
