Wembanyama reaches top of Week 3 fantasy Power rankings

Wembanyama’s 110-Point Night Sparks Week 3 Fantasy Shake-Up

Victor Wembanyama didn’t just have a good game on Wednesday night; he authored a performance that rewrote fantasy rankings. The San Antonio Spurs star poured in a season-high 110 High Score fantasy points, fueled by a historic 52-point, 24-rebound, 8-block outing in a one-point win over the Mavericks. Wembanyama is the first player with 50-plus points, 20-plus rebounds, and 5-plus blocks since Bob McAdoo in the 1973-74 season. That staggering stat line, coupled with a six-game Spurs winning streak, has vaulted Wembanyama to the top spot in the Week 3 Fantasy Power Rankings.

The rise of Wembanyama, however, created a major change at the top of the rankings. Luka Dončić, who held the No. 1 spot last week, now sits at No. 2. The Slovenian sensation has been in a league of his own, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan (1988-89) to accumulate 300-plus points in the first eight games of a season. Dončić has scored 40-plus points in five of those eight games, averaging 38.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and eight assists. His dominance has the Lakers sitting at 7-2 with the NBA’s best offensive rating, but in a week of record-breaking performances, he was edged out.

The New Tier: Jokić, Giannis, and the Case for Consistency

While the top two spots saw a change, a trio of established stars remains firmly entrenched in the elite tier. Nikola Jokić, holding steady at No. 3, is putting up his usual numbers. He recently posted a 32-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist performance in a win over the Raptors, a line that would have been the talk of any other night but was overshadowed by Wembanyama’s historic night. Jokić’s consistency is the bedrock of his fantasy value, a fact that makes his No. 3 ranking feel less like a ceiling and more like an acknowledgment of the players around him.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, now with the Miami Heat, is at No. 4 and has been a huge bright spot. Despite the Heat’s 3-5 record, Antetokounmpo has been a massive bright spot, averaging 29.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and two blocks over the last week. A key concern entering the season was that Bam Adebayo would eat into his touches and rebounds. The opposite has happened. Adebayo has hit double-digit rebounds just once this season, cementing Antetokounmpo’s role as the Heat’s focal point. The numbers suggest this is Antetokounmpo’s team, and his fantasy value should continue to soar.

NBA Fantasy: Week 3 power rankings — Photo: cdn-uat.nba.com

At No. 5 is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is keeping the Oklahoma City Thunder afloat. With Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace all being injured, Gilgeous-Alexander has been forced to turn it up a notch. The Thunder are 6-2, proof of his ability to carry a heavy load. He recently dropped 43 and 42 points in two straight games against the Cavaliers, tallying 8 assists in both contests.

Cunningham and Flagg Rise in Rankings

The middle of the rankings is a mix of established stars on the rise and young players thrust into prominent roles. At No. 6 is Cade Cunningham, whose all-around prowess has the Detroit Pistons off to an impressive 6-2 start. He’s averaging 24 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists, and has been just a few rebounds and assists shy of multiple triple-doubles. A new development this season is his improved defense, averaging 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks.

Cooper Flagg comes in at No. 7, a direct beneficiary of the Mavericks’ roster construction. After a brilliant rookie season, Flagg’s sophomore season has been even more impressive, averaging 24.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. With Kyrie Irving as the only other consistent scoring punch on the roster, the Mavericks have put significant minutes on Flagg. He has at least 39 minutes in three of the last five games.

Jayson Tatum (No. 8) and Tyrese Maxey (No. 9) round out the top 10, each finding success in slightly different ways. Tatum is an offensive machine this season, averaging 27 points, with a phenomenal ability to get to the free-throw line. He’s averaging 9.9 free-throw attempts per game, second in the NBA. Maxey, meanwhile, has seen his usage slip slightly with the addition of Jaylen Brown and LeBron James, but his efficiency has improved, making him a consistent, high-octane producer for the 76ers.

The Surprise Anchor in Houston

Alperen Sengun enters the rankings at No. 10, proof of his quiet but immense value. Sengun may not have a 30-point game yet, but he has four double-doubles, including a 17-point, 12-rebound, 10-assist triple-double against the Timberwolves. He isn’t the first scoring option in Houston, but his playmaking and rebounding skills are key to the Rockets’ 7-2 start and the second-best offensive rating in the league. Sengun quietly ranks fifth in both total fantasy points (49.5) and High Score points (55.1), proving that fantasy value isn’t always about being the main scorer.

Both Flagg and Sengun are thriving because their roles require them to contribute in multiple ways. The Lakers’ offensive rating is the best in the NBA because Dončić is part of the offense; the Rockets’ is second-best because Sengun facilitates for everyone else.

Can the Mavericks sustain relying so heavily on Flagg’s minutes? Will fatigue set in? Similarly, with Oklahoma City down so many players in the rotation, is Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible output sustainable without a supporting cast?

The return of key players like Holmgren and Wallace in Oklahoma City could impact the rotation.

An anonymous NBA front-office executive highlighted the difference between good and great fantasy assets, pointing to Wembanyama’s impact on the game at both ends and Luka Dončić carrying a team.

Disclaimer: The analytical insights and data provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.