The High Score 100 — the 100 best players in Yahoo’s new fantasy basketball format – is a continuous reflection of the year’s performance and production trends. Each weekly update captures which ones are actually generating value and which ones are disappearing.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest rises and falls week five of fantasy basketball — with the complete Best score 100 at the bottom of the article. I will update my rankings every Tuesday throughout the fantasy basketball season.
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Before jumping into the risers, it’s worth noting the ripple effect of the stars returning this week. LeBron James (35) and Paul George (96) both made their season debuts in Week 5, pushing rotation players down the roster as usage and minutes normalized. Tyler Herro returned Monday (Nov. 24) and he’ll have the same impact heading into Week 6. As more stars return (I’m still waiting for Jalen Williams), expect more volatility in the middle tiers of the leaderboard.
All right, on the risers.
Derik Queen – FC, New Orleans Pelicans: 95th overall (⬆️ 20)
Queen is finally getting the minutes and usage that Pelicans fans (and fantasy managers) were hoping for. After entering Week 5 averaging 1.10 fantasy points per minute, he has now taken the leap into consistent 30-minute territory over the past week. He closed last week by scoring over 35 fantasy points in five of his last seven games and is considered a High Score staple with New Orleans building on its youth movement.
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Nickeil Alexander-Walker – G/FC, Atlanta Hawks: 75th overall (⬆️ 15)
NAW is climbing again – this time due to an expanded role, without Trae Young, and score production. Alexander-Walker averaged over 40 Fantasy points in High Score last week, going 24/4/4 with 1 block per game in Week 5. As the Hawks struggle with injuries, NAW has been a vital stopgap and continues to pay off for Fantasy managers.
Mikal Bridges – G/FC, New York Knicks: 45th overall (⬆️ 11)
Bridges is on the rise after taking on more offensive responsibilities under Mike Brown’s new offense. He’s been a model of consistency – posting at least 35 fantasy points per game in 10 of 15 games this year. Bridges is also one of 49 players averaging over 40 fantasy points per game, so fantasy managers should feel good about the increase in usage reflected in his rankings.
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Ryan Rollins – G, Milwaukee Bucks: 48th overall (⬆️ 11)
Arguably the most improved player in the league, Rollins once again lands on the risers list. As of Monday, Rollins averaged 28.3 points, 8.8 assists and 4.8 rebounds in four games without Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup. He’s been a league-winning type of player all year, delivering a diverse and voluminous fantasy skill set. Her FPPM effectiveness has increased significantly over the past two weeksand the guard is the only other go-to player besides Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.
De’Aaron Fox – G, San Antonio Spurs: 27th overall (⬆️7)
Fox continues to thrive in San Antonio since returning from injury, displaying elite usage and improved defensive activity. He’s averaging just under 45 fantasy points per game, and he’ll provide early-round value for fantasy managers, especially with Stephon Castle and Victor Wembanyama sidelined.
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And about the fellers
Isaiah Collier – G, Utah Jazz: 125th overall, unranked (⬇️ 30)
Collier still sports elite assist on the upside, but scoring inconsistencies and reduced minutes have pushed him out of the top 100. His high scoring value is heavily dependent on usage and minutes — and right now, they’re too volatile to trust.
Tre Jones – G, Chicago Bulls: 102nd overall, unranked (⬇️ 29)
I may have dropped Jones too far down the ranks, but the fact is he’s going to lose minutes, usage, and momentum. Chicago’s backcourt is getting healthier and it posted two hiccups in Week 5, failing to surpass 20 fantasy points. He also missed three games last week with an ankle injury. Its output per minute remains high, but the size of opportunities decreases.
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DeMar DeRozan – FC, Sacramento Kings: 85th overall (⬇️ 20)
The drop in scoring and the simple fact that the Kings are a disaster hurts DeRozan’s fantasy stock in High Score. Domantas Sabonis is out with a torn meniscus, so DeRozan will likely see another increase in scoring and usage. However, averaging 18/3/3 with a steal and 32.6 fantasy points per game is a disappointment.
Jarrett Allen – FC, Cleveland Cavaliers: 80th overall (⬇️ 12)
Allen was on my list of risers a few weeks ago and it seems like since that time his health and subsequent production started to deteriorate. Before going on injured reserve, he was held under 30 fantasy points in four straight games. Hopefully he will heal his finger injury and return to the lineup soon.
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Ausar Thompson – G/FC, Detroit Pistons: 90th overall (⬇️ 12)
Ausar production slowed significantly after a hot start. Detroit’s fluctuating turnovers, combined with declining scoring, pushed him to the fringes of the top 100. In his previous five games, he averaged 10.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists with 3 actions per game. His low offensive production is a great opportunity to buy cheap in 9-cat formats where his defensive contributions carry more weight.
Complete the High Score 100 leaderboard
The High Score 100 is a continuous reflection of the year’s performance and production trends.
Fantasy Basketball Rankings 2025 powered by FantasyProsECR™ – Consensus ranking of experts
