Rudy Gobert and Ja Morant Underperform in Early NBA Season
Fantasy analysts note a sharp drop in production for Minnesota's center and Portland's guard, while Zion Williamson leads the league in steals despite inconsistent rebounding.
By Fatou Kim ·
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert is struggling to maintain his usual statistical dominance, a trend that has unsettled fantasy basketball managers who rely on his consistency. The 34-year-old has missed all 13 of his field goal attempts over the last two games and has blocked only four shots in seven contests. His free throw shooting has also deteriorated, with a 4-for-12 performance in Monday's game. This early slump contrasts sharply with last season, when Gobert shot 68.2% from the field and averaged a double-double for the tenth straight year.
While Gobert's recent struggles may be linked to a back injury that caused him to miss a weekend game, his current average of 19.6 ESPN fantasy points per game is a significant drop from his 33.3 point average a year ago. Analysts advise against dropping him immediately but warn that his production is not yet at the level expected of a top-75 draft pick.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is leading the league in steals with 19 in his first six games, a surprising statistical output for a player known more for finishing plays. However, his rebounding has been inconsistent, averaging just 5.3 boards per game. Williamson added no steals in Monday's overtime win, but his defensive metrics have drawn attention despite his history of missing games due to health issues.
Other early-season performances have generated mixed reactions. Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant is out for at least a month with a Grade 2 hamstring strain after averaging 15.8 points and 5.5 assists in four games. His injury extends a pattern of limited availability, as he has played in only 79 games over the last three seasons. Meanwhile, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo has responded to recent criticism with strong showings, including 18 rebounds against the Indiana Pacers and 16 points against the Los Angeles Lakers.
New York Knicks wing Mikal Bridges has also had a difficult start, averaging 6.1 points and shooting 30.8% from the field. He attempted no free throws in his first six games before finally going to the line in Monday's contest. In contrast, Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer has provided value off the bench, recording 13 assists without a turnover in a recent start.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Ingram, who is dealing with a partially torn Achilles, may make his season debut as soon as next week. He is currently rostered in 65.7% of leagues, and analysts suggest acquiring him before he returns to his typical scoring average of at least 20 points per game.
