Happy New Year! As we say goodbye to 2025 and welcome 2026, fantasy basketball players are setting new goals. Sadly, we can’t rewind and draft Nikola Jokic, who will miss at least a month due to a knee injury. However, you can still aim to become the best roster manager this year and claim fantasy championships. The first three months of Yahoo’s High Score have taught us a lot.
Here’s a look at the top December performers:
– Luka Doncic, guard: The Lakers star remains one of the most consistent high scorers in fantasy basketball despite missing games or having low scoring weeks. In December, he missed three games and had some low scoring outings but also posted a season-high 99 fantasy points against the Jazz on December 18th. He averaged 31 points, 7.9 assists, and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 44.1% overall and 28.9% from beyond the arc. Fans hope for more stable performances from Luka in 2026.
– Cade Cunningham, guard: Currently an NBA MVP candidate as the Pistons lead the East, Cunningham needs to focus on becoming a more aggressive scorer in the new year. In December, he shot 48.7% but only attempted 17.2 shots per game. His overall production is strong due to his assists and steals, reaching a high of 80 fantasy points with 17 assists on December 26th against Utah.
– Nikola Jokic, frontcourt: Going into 2026 without Jokic will be tough for fantasy managers. The Nuggets star is sidelined for at least four weeks due to a knee injury. Before the break, he gave his managers a Christmas gift with a season-high 108 fantasy points in a win over the Timberwolves, including 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists. Jokic’s absence leaves a void hard to fill, but fans hope he returns healthy and resumes his great form.
– Kawhi Leonard, frontcourt: After missing the start of the season and most of November, Leonard is back and playing regularly. His December stats are MVP-caliber: 29.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, with shooting splits of 49/36/96 over 12 games. He set career highs with 55 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 steals against the Pistons on December 28th, resulting in 94 fantasy points that week. If Leonard maintains this level, he will be seen as one of the season’s biggest draft steals.
– Alperen Şengün, frontcourt: Like Jokic, Şengün will start 2026 sidelined, missing two games due to a calf injury. Despite that, he averaged 53.2 fantasy points per game and ranks ninth in season highs. Şengün, now in his fifth NBA season, contributes well across rebounds, assists, and steals. Scoring remains a challenge, especially with teammate Kevin Durant on the Rockets. His best fantasy score in December was 1988 points (likely a typo), recorded on December 1st against Utah. His strong overall contributions make him a valuable player.
– Scotty Barnes, utility: Barnes of the Raptors earned a spot here thanks to an outstanding rebounding performance last week. He recorded 23 points, a career-high 25 rebounds, and 10 assists in a triple-double that helped Toronto win in overtime over the Warriors. Barnes tallied 80 fantasy points that night, overtaking Hawks player Jaylen Johnson on this list. While he has a high ceiling due to his category coverage, his inconsistent scoring and only 1 fantasy point floor lower his overall reliability.
Fan Take: These player updates are crucial for fantasy basketball enthusiasts aiming to fine-tune their rosters and chase championships. Watching stars like Leonard and Doncic push their limits, alongside key injuries like Jokic’s, highlights the unpredictable drama that keeps basketball fans deeply engaged in the sport.
