Hot shooting by a number of high-level players around the league is one of the major themes this week, but that wasn't the case on every team. We also have trade rumors, injury updates and players who haven't had as much success.
Here are the relevant news and notes for all 30 teams around the league heading into this week:
Atlanta Hawks: Thabo Sefolosha (groin) will miss a fifth consecutive game on Monday as the Hawks face Utah. As long as the veteran defender remains out of the lineup, Tim Hardaway Jr. is worth a long look in all fantasy formats. While not the most versatile swingman, the fourth-year pro has averaged 19 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.2 threes per game during Sefolosha's latest absence.
Boston Celtics: Isaiah Thomas has averaged 34.5 points per game over the last 30 days, which is 3.2 more than the next highest scorer, James Harden (31.3). One part of Thomas' game worth paying special attention to is his free throw shooting, because the tiny point guard not only gets to the line frequently (8.1 FT per game over the last 30 days), he also has shot 94.2 percent from the charity stripe in that span -- the highest percentage among all NBA regulars.
Brooklyn Nets: The Nets aren't talented enough to compete in most games regardless of how well their best player, Brook Lopez, plays. But Lopez's recent struggles certainly haven't helped. In three games this month, Lopez is shooting just 41.3 percent (19-46). Making matters worse, Lopez is averaging only 5.2 rebounds per game this season, which is his lowest of any healthy season in the league.
Charlotte Hornets: We know that Kemba Walker has improved as a shooter over the last two seasons. And we know that he's improved, in particular, as a 3-point shooter. The amazing part is how dramatic the improvement has been; after never shooting better than 33.3 percent from 3-point range in his first four seasons in the league, Walker improved that to 37.1 last season and 40.1 this season. He currently ranks eighth in the NBA in 3-pointers made this season with 138.
Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler was a late scratch on Friday due to a bruised right heel, and he is a game-time decision for Monday's game at Sacramento. Butler has played in 48 of Chicago's 51 games this season, but if he cannot go against the Kings you can expect Dwyane Wade to carry the offensive load for the Bulls.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving sat out Saturday's game against New York due to a quad injury but he's expected to play in Cleveland's big road game on Monday against the red-hot Washington Wizards, which have won 17 straight at home. Irving, who has had a history of missing games due to injury, has appeared in 43 of the Cavs' 49 games so far this season.
Dallas Mavericks: Let's talk Yogi Ferrell, shall we. While it remains to be seen what will happen with Ferrell's minutes and overall production once veteran point guard Deron Williams returns to the lineup, it's clear that Ferrell is fantasy worthy while Williams is sidelined. In the last four games, he has played 37.8 minutes per game and averaged 17.8 PPG, 3 RPG, 5 APG, 1.8 SPG and 3.3 3PG.
Denver Nuggets: Emmanuel Mudiay recent missed five games due to a back injury and after playing in the last three games the injury is bothering him again. The second-year point guard is considered doubtful to play in Monday's game against the Mavericks, which boosts Jameer Nelson's fantasy value as the Nuggets will rely on the veteran to direct much of the offense if Mudiay sits.
Detroit Pistons: Reggie Jackson has yet to look like the player he was before receiving a plasma injection to treat tendinitis in his left knee. After putting up a career-high 18.8 PPG last season, he is down to 16 PPG this season and shooting only 42.8 percent, the lowest mark since his rookie season of 2011-12 in Oklahoma City. Jackson's name continues to be mentioned in trade rumors, which is something to think about leading up to the NBA's Feb. 23 trade deadline. If Jackson is dealt, Ish Smith suddenly becomes a very valuable fantasy point guard.
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry connected on 22 threes in three games last week, an average of 7.3 per game, and he leads the league with 4.2 3PG this season. Even still, you can expect Curry to continue to improve his 42.3 percent shooting from behind the arc. Remarkably, the 28-year-old has never shot below 42.4 percent from long range in his first seven NBA seasons.
Houston Rockets: Eric Gordon has been known for his scoring and shooting since his high school days, but he has taken his 3-point prowess to a whole new level this season while playing for Mike D'Antoni in Houston. Gordon, who has struggled from behind the arc recently (29.7 percent in his last four games), is attempting 9.2 threes per game. His previous high was 6.5, set last season in New Orleans. Gordon enters the week having made 177 threes this season, second behind only Curry (210).
Indiana Pacers: Myles Turner (illness) missed shootaround on Monday and is questionable for the game against Oklahoma City. If the young center is unable to go, look for Al Jefferson to serve as the fill-in starter for the Pacers. The 32-year-old Jefferson is averaging under 20 minutes and 10 points this season for the first time since his second year in the league way back in 2005-06.
LA Clippers: Blake Griffin is back to full speed after missing 18 games in December and January following knee surgery. He has averaged 23 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his first five games back, logging 30.6 minutes per game in that span. The Clippers star power forward has also scored 20 or more points in four straight games.
Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle's season has taken a downward turn in recent weeks and he has played only six minutes in the last four games while recovering from pneumonia, but the Lakers say he'll start in Monday's game at New York. Randle scored 17 points and added 10 rebounds and 4 assists the last time he faced the Knicks, but he logged 34 minutes in that game and is likely to play considerably less than that in his return to the court tonight.
Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley has shot 51.3 percent in his last five games, averaging 23.4 points, 5.4 assists and 1.6 steals during that span. Conley was passed over for the All-Star game again this season, and continues to be one of the NBA's most underrated players -- in real life and in fantasy.
Miami Heat: Derrick Williams' NBA career could be nearing the end as the Heat decided to waive him on Monday, opting to sign Okaro White to a two-year deal. Still only 25 years old, Williams hasn't been a factor in fantasy hoops this season while appearing in only 25 games and averaging 15.1 minutes per contest, and it's doubtful that the 2nd overall pick in 2011 will ever become a relevant fantasy option.
Milwaukee Bucks: In case you missed the news, Khris Middleton (hamstring) is targeting Wednesday's home game against Miami for his season-debut. Middleton tore his hamstring during training camp in October and has missed the Bucks' first 50 games of the season, and it may be a long shot to expect him to repeat his terrific numbers from a breakout 2015-16 campaign (18.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.8 3PG) at any point this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Rush got the start as Zach LaVine's replacement at shooting guard on Saturday, but at this stage in his career all Rush really offers is 3-point shooting. The bigger fantasy option in the wake of LaVine's season-ending ACL injury is expected to be Shabazz Muhammad, who has averaged 14 points and 4.4 rebounds in 26 minutes over the last five games. Just don't expect Muhammad to offer much more than points and rebounds.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jrue Holiday has taken his game to new heights in recent weeks, and not surprisingly his name is now surfacing as a trade candidate leading up to the NBA's trade deadline. At this point, it's clear that the Pelicans (19-32) need to shake up the roster and try something else, with the playoffs looking like a big long shot yet again this season, but not many teams in the league are in need of a point guard so much that they'd be willing to give up a lot in return. Even if Holiday is traded, his fantasy value probably wouldn't change much.
New York Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis' struggles over the last month are well-documented, but virtually everyone who watches a lot of NBA games expects the talented 7-foot-3 big man to bounce back this season. One issue with Porzingis that tends to go overlooked, though, is his penchant for committing fouls. His 5.7 fouls per 48 minutes is the most of any player averaging over 30 minutes per game this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Steven Adams has 12 or more rebounds in three of the last four games, raising his season average to 7.9 RPG. Adams is also on track to set new career highs in points (12.1 PPG), steals (1.1 SPG), free throw percentage (68.4) and minutes per game (30.7).
Orlando Magic: Serge Ibaka continues to be a hot topic on the trade front, as the Magic have sputtered to a 20-33 record with the All-Star break and trade deadline looming. Ibaka's 14.9 PPG is the second-highest of his career, but his 1.6 BPG is the lowest since his rookie season way back in 2009-10. He is set to become a free agent after the season, so any team with interest in him will certainly have to weigh that before offering too much in a trade.
Philadelphia 76ers: Jahlil Okafor is set to move back into the starting lineup on Monday while Joel Embiid (knee) remains out for the game against Detroit. Nerlens Noel, who started in place of Okafor in Saturday's game against Miami while Okafor sat out due to knee soreness, will move back to the bench.
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker is on quite a streak, with 16 games in a row of at least 20 points. He put up 33 on the Kings on Friday and followed that up with 31 against the Bucks a day later, and is becoming one of the top scoring threats in the league at the age of 20. At this point, though, Booker is better in daily fantasy than in season-long, where his low field goal percentage and lack of rebounds, assists and steals limits his upside.
Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard tweaked his ankle recently but he is considered probable to play in Tuesday's matchup with Dallas. That's a good thing if you have Lillard on your roster; the star point guard has averaged 28 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists in three games against the Mavericks this season.
Sacramento Kings: DeMarcus Cousins is having his best season ever from a statistical standpoint, taking his offensive game to a whole new level. Maybe the most impressive part of it is his passing, which can often go overlooked. Cousins has averaged 6.6 assists per game in the last 30 days, and his 7.8 APG in the last seven days ranks 10th in the league.
San Antonio Spurs: Entering Monday, the Spurs now rank No. 1 in defensive efficiency (101.3 points allowed per 100 possessions), moving past Golden State (101.4) and Utah (101.5). On top of that, the Spurs are one of the best teams in the league at limiting fantasy production at every position aside from one -- shooting guard. So if you're thinking about playing a player against the vaunted Spurs' defense, you'll be best off if that player is a two-guard.
Toronto Raptors: Quick -- who ranks eighth in the NBA in blocks per game over the last 30 days? If you guessed Lucas Nogueira, give yourself a prize. He has 1.9 BPG in that span. The athletic third-year center is averaging 24.2 MPG in his last nine games, giving him ample opportunity to rack up rejections.
Utah Jazz: For the first time in his seven-year NBA career, Gordon Hayward is averaging over 20 PPG. In fact, he enters the week at 22 PPG. The reason? Simple -- Hayward's 46.4 percent shooting is his best since his rookie season (48.5), and his 39.2 percent shooting from 3-point range is his best since the 2012-13 season. At 26 years old, Hayward is as good as he's ever been.
Washington Wizards: Harden leads the league in assists per game this season with 11.4, but if there's a player who catches him it may be John Wall before it's Russell Westbrook. Wall, who is currently just ahead of Westbrook with 10.4 APG, has averaged 13 assists in his last five games and 11.5 in his last 10 games.