Sorare NBA | Game Week 24 Primer

Welcome to the Sorare NBA Game Week 24 Primer! 

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

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

Game Week Rewind ⏮

It was an injury-plagued weekend, with several stars going down and/or missing time unexpectedly — leading to lower scores across the board after a few weeks of absolutely bonkers performances. Chicago Bulls guard Zach Lavine takes the top spot for this week with a 66 Sorare Point outing on Friday, which included a scorching 11-12 from downtown. 

Unrelated, but deserving of a shout-out — here is our NFT friend Snoop Dogg throwing down the hammer at age 51(!):

Snoop Dogg dunking at the age of 51. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/y254C2FyUq

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) January 7, 2023

Some other notable players that provided significant value included:

• Anthony Lamb (53 Sorare Points, +38) 
• Paul Reed (38 Sorare Points, +34)
• Kendrick Nunn (36 Sorare Points, + 29) 
• Terry Rozier (54 Sorare Points, +26)
• Jakob Poetl (51 Sorare Points, +26)

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.

3 Games: Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks

2 Games: Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards

Injury Info 🏥

Here are some notable (not all-inclusive) injury/lineup situations to monitor and plan for ahead of this week's games.

• Kevin Durant suffered a nasty knee sprain after getting landed on awkwardly under the hoop by Jimmy Butler. The early diagnosis was an MCL sprain, and the star forward will be re-evaluated in two weeks. 
  
  
• Anthony Davis is "ramping up activity" this week and could be back in the lineup for Los Angeles in the next few weeks.
  
  
• Both Bam Adebayo (hand) and Tyler Herro (knee) were injured in Sunday's loss to the Nets. While neither appeared serious, their statuses will be something to monitor this week.

The info below is for Monday, Jan. 9 but also gives insight into future availability for the rest of the Game Week:

Ruled Out  ❌

• Brandon Clarke, MEM (hip), Marcus Smart, BOS (knee), Brandon Ingram, NOP (toe), Khris Middleton, MIL (knee)

Doubtful 🤕

• RJ Barrett, NYK (finger) 

Questionable ❓

• Jake LaRavia, MEM (ankle), Steven Adams, MEM (illness), Ja Morant, MEM (thigh), Troy Brown Jr., LAL (quad), Keldon Johnson, SAS (hamstring), LeBron James, LAL (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, an excellent resource for up-to-date news is the Underdog NBA Twitter account.

Value Plays 🤑

Last Game Week's Value Pick Performances:

Player | L10 | GW 23 Performance 

• Dennis Schroder, 20 L10, 35 Sorare Points (+15) 🔥
• Montrezl Harrell, 11, 30 Sorare Points (+19) 🔥
• Killian Hayes, 25 L10, 46 Sorare Points (+21) 🔥🔥
• Jalen McDaniels, 22 L10, 34 Sorare Points (+12)  🔥

All flames this week — Jalen McDaniels finally didn't trick us!

Game Week 24 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.

Romeo Langford | 15 L10 and Josh Richardson | 21 L10 "O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” Shakespeare probably wasn't talking about Romeo Langford, but if the bard played Sorare NBA... Alas! 

Langford has stepped up since the Spurs lost Devin Vassell to a knee injury that will sideline him indefinitely, and has produced 21 and 24 Sorare Points in his last two contests while seeing over 30 minutes on the court. That projectable playing time is beautiful at a L10 of just 15, and can give managers extra flexibility to squeeze in higher-cap players. 

Also in a similar position is Josh Richardson, who has also filled in admirably for the shorthanded and talent-depleted Spurs. Richardson has gone over 20+ points in each of his last four games, including two 30+ performances — and should continue to see plenty of volume as San Antonio continues to fire up the tank. 

Also Consider: Jakob Poetl (25 L10, way too low given his ceiling)

Malcolm Brogdon | 23 L10 — The Celtics will be without Marcus Smart for likely one game at the least, as the defensive ace is doubtful for tonight's contest against the Bulls and did not attend the shootaround. That opens the door for Brogdon to enter the starting lineup, and he's already been cooking of late — with two 40+ tallies in his last three. Already hot and with additional usage and minutes, Brogdon should be a safe bet to exceed his modest 23 L10 cap. 

Also Consider: Derrick White (23 L10), Payton Pritchard (4 L10, should see minutes with Smart doubtful) 

Duane Washington Jr. | 15 L10 — The Phoenix Suns are in a free-fall, and continue to deal with injuries at the guard position. Cam Payne is out at least another two weeks after reinjuring his foot. Chris Paul is day-to-day with both a hip and calf issue, and left Friday's game and was ruled out Sunday. Devin Booker and Cam Johnson also remain out, leaving Landry Shamet, Damion Lee, and Duane Washington Jr. as the only guards left. The latter has seen his role increase of late and hasn't been afraid to shoot — getting up 18 shots in his last two contests and seeing 25 minutes of action in both. At just a 15 L10 cap, Washington's current role in this depleted offense makes him a very nice value play as long as the other guards remain out — and he could find himself carving out a nice place in the lineup on a team that doesn't seem to be destined for anything this season. 

Also Consider: None 

Bonus Pick:

• Tyus Jones | 22 L10 —  Ja Morant is currently questionable with a thigh injury. Any time he sits, Tyus Jones is basically a must-play — and has shown tremendous value when in the starting lineup. Monitor Morant's status ahead of lock tonight.

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