Sorare NBA | Game Week 20 Primer

Welcome to the Sorare NBA Game Week 20 Primer! Hope everyone had an excellent holiday weekend!

The next round of contests kicks off today, and we're here to break down all the relevant information for the upcoming slate. As always, lineups lock at 6:50 p.m. EST — with the upcoming competitions running Monday-Thursday. 

If you haven't already, hop in our Lucky Trader League and compete against our staff and community! 

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Let's get into all the action for this week of hoops: 

Game Week Rewind ⏮

Nikola Jokic is ridiculous. The back-to-back MVP has continued his reign over the league this year, putting up some truly eye-popping numbers. Sunday night was no exception — with Jokic dropping 41 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in the win over the Suns (83 Sorare Points). 

Some other notable players that provided significant value included:

• Christian Wood (66 Sorare Points, +33)
• Landry Shamet (48 Sorare Points, +32) — second straight week as a top performer 👀
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (74 Sorare Points, +31) — second straight week as a top outperformer 👀
• James Harden (72 Sorare Points, +28)
• Al Horford (54 Sorare Points, +28) 

While Luka Doncic didn't make the Outperformer list above, I'm going to mention his 77 Sorare Point performance just so I can include his entrance into the stadium on Sunday: 

Howdy, folks 🤠 Merry Christmas! @luka7doncic | #MFFL pic.twitter.com/oeTcHuH3km

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) December 25, 2022

Multi-Game Monitor 🗓

In Sorare NBA, having a player with several games during a competition can be a big advantage — with an extra chance at a ceiling performance.

After a light weekend due to the holidays, we've got a busy schedule this Game Week: 

3 Games: Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs

2 Games: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz

Injury Info 🏥

Here are some notable (not all-inclusive) injury situations to monitor and plan for ahead of this weeks games.

Nothing super actionable on the injury front this weekend. Of note was the return of Devin Booker, which lasted just a few minutes before he left again and didn't return. Make sure to monitor his status for this week's games, but that definitely wasn't an encouraging sign for his upcoming availability. 

The info below is for Monday, Dec. 26, but also gives insight into future availability for the rest of the Game Week:

Ruled Out  ❌

• Bam Adebayo, MIA (illness), Justise Winslow, POR (ankle), Alex Caruso, CHI (concussion), Brandon Ingram, NOP (toe), Kelly Olynyk, UTA (ankle), Kawhi Leonard, LAC (injury management), Joe Harris, BKN (knee), Jordan McLaughlin, MIN (calf), Dewayne Dedmon, MIA (foot), Herb Jones, NOP (health protocols)

Doubtful 🤕

• Zion Williamson, NOP (conditioning), Nick Richards, CHA (ankle), Javonte Green, CHI (knee), Derrick Jones Jr., CHI (ankle)

Questionable ❓

• Trey Murphy, NOP (illness), Dyson Daniels, NOP (illness), Marvin Bagley, DET (illness), Dennis Smith Jr., CHA (ankle), Jalen Smith, IND (ankle), Aaron Nesmith, IND (ankle), Eric Gordon, HOU (thumb), Larry Nance Jr., NOP (Achilles), Kyle Anderson, MIN (back), Gabe Vincent, MIA (knee), Jimmy Butler, MIA (ankle)

The designations above are as of Monday at 1:00 p.m. EST. As injury information is breaking at all hours prior to lineups locking, a great resource for up-to-date news is the Underdog NBA Twitter account.

Value Plays 🤑

Last Game Week's Value Pick Performances:

Player | L10 | GW 19 Performance 

• Thomas Bryant, 19 L10, 23 Sorare Points (+4) 😑
• Landry Shamet, 16 L10,  48 Sorare Points (+32) 🔥🔥🔥
• Jonas Valanciunas, 23 L10, 30 Sorare Points (+7) 🆗
• CJ McCollum, 30 L10, 46 Sorare Points (+16) 🔥
• Ayo Dosunmu, 15 L10, 30 Sorare Points (+15) 🔥
• Immanuel Quickley, 18 L10, 24 Sorare Points (+6) 🆗
• Markelle Fultz, 22 L10, 36 Sorare Points (+14) 🔥

Game Week 20 Value Picks:

*Note — these selections are based purely on L10 value in lineups — and do not consider the auction or market prices of the players listed.

Naji Marshall, NOP | 22 L10 and CJ McCollum, NOP | 36 L10 — The Pelicans are going to have some serious depth issues this week, with some sort of bug appearing to be spreading throughout the team. Herb Jones has been ruled out, and both Dyson Daniels and Trey Murphy are questionable due to illness — making their status something to monitor ahead of lock tonight.

With Zion Williamson (conditioning) now doubtful and Brandon Ingram (toe) remaining out, there could be a ton of value available for whichever bodies are active. I am targeting Naji Marshall, who has produced when given minutes and should see significant usage with the lack of forwards available. 

While CJ McCollum's 36 L10 is higher than my normal value picks, he is hard to ignore given the usage he'll see with the rash of illness and injuries. I expect a potential ceiling performance, making him a good bet to return star value at a relatively affordable price. 

Also Consider: Larry Nance Jr. (23 L10, currently questionable), Jaxson Hayes (5 L10, 30 Sorare Points in extended run last game — less attractive if Nance Jr. is active), Devonte' Graham (9 L10)

Landry Shamet, PHO | 20 L10 —I've been on Shamet ever since Devin Booker went down with a groin injury, and he has been crushing it. With Devin Booker returning for just four minutes on Sunday before re-aggravating his groin and leaving, it might be Shamet SZN once again this week. With Cam Payne (foot) and Cam Johnson (knee) also dealing with injuries, Shamet should continue to see massive minutes — and has gone for 45+ Sorare Points in two of his last three contests. 

*UPDATE: Shamet has been ruled out with an Achilles injury for Monday's game.

Also Consider: Damion Lee (14 L10), Torrey Craig (23 L10 — riskier, but has had 33 and 43-point performances in the last two Game Weeks)

Ayo Dosunmu | 14 L10 — The Chicago Bulls remain thin in the backcourt, with Alex Caruso (out, concussion), and Javonte Green (doubtful, knee) both likely out for Monday's game at the least. Ayo Dosunmu has seen over 30 minutes in the last two outings, going for 21 and 30 Sorare Points. The Bulls opponent on Monday is the Houston Rockets, who have been absolutely gashed by guards this season. At just a 14 cap, Dosunmu could provide some flexibility in lineups with the chance to vastly outperform his modest L10. 

Also Consider: Patrick Williams (20 L10)