How high will Kevin Porter Jr. go in 2021 fantasy basketball drafts? On Thursday evening in an upset over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Houston Rockets' second-year wing became just the fourth player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game before reaching the age of 21, joining Devin Booker, Brandon Jennings and LeBron James.
In fact, in an offensive opus where Porter either scored or assisted on 77 of Houston's whopping 143 points, he became the youngest player NBA history to have 50 points and 10 assists in the same game. The previous youngest to do so was James at the "ripe old age" of 23.
Acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this season, Porter has averaged 16.7 points and 6.4 assists for Houston over 23 games. While Porter will likely face more competition for both touches and shots next season as Houston embarks on a roster rebuild, his ability to fill out the box score is undeniable.
With high-usage point guard John Wall have been shut down due to injury, Porter should continue to command a massive workload for the Rockets over the final two weeks of the season.
Highlights
Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets: 42 points (16-24), 3 rebounds, 10 assists
Tim Hardaway Jr., Dallas Mavericks: 42 points (13-23 FG), 1 rebound, 3 assists
Lowlights
Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana Pacers: 1 point (0-5 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists
While Bagley is making his return to the court tonight, the Kings will be without the injured De'Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes. The absence of two offensive cogs creates some interesting value on the Sacramento roster, as rookie guard Tyrese Haliburton has produced 18.5 points and 8.7 assists (per 36 minutes) with Barnes and Fox off the court this season.
Stacking Fox and Richaun Holmes -- who has averaged 22.4 points (per 36) sans his two starting teammates -- could prove profitable in DFS play. For those seeking a streaming option, Delon Wright is expected to play a larger role and has been productive whenever Fox is off the floor. After all, Wright averages more shots, points, and assists in such lineup looks.
The Nets are currently 1.5 games ahead of the 76ers for the top seed in the East. The Trail Blazers are just one game behind the Mavericks for the No. 6 seed, as the teams jockey to avoid the play-in tournament. Durant is expected to rest this evening, while Kyrie Irving is expected to return to the floor for the Nets after missing Thursday's game due to a groin injury. The matchup between Irving and Portland's dynamic backcourt should make for some riveting play between two teams with a lot still to play for.
