The Phoenix Suns are set to face the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 16. Both teams are struggling this season, with the Suns positioned 11th in the Western Conference despite winning three of their last four games, while the Wizards, sitting at 15th in the Eastern Conference, have lost seven straight.

Kevin Durant leads the Suns in scoring with an average of 27.2 points per game, while rookie Alexandre Sarr is starting to make an impact for the Wizards, averaging 12 points and 8 rebounds in January. This clash highlights the contrasting fortunes of both franchises as the Suns aim for a playoff push and the Wizards look to break a lengthy losing streak.

The Week 13 fantasy basketball landscape features a mix of teams scheduled for four, three, and two games, creating opportunities for savvy roster decisions. Players with low utilization rates but significant production potential will be spotlighted for starts, while underperforming athletes will be advised for sits.

The week highlights players like Kelly Oubre from the Philadelphia 76ers, who is experiencing a resurgence with an impressive all-around game, making him a strong start candidate. Similarly, Shaedon Sharpe of the Portland Trail Blazers stands out with a remarkable scoring streak, warranting a start due to his high performance.

On the flip side, Collin Sexton of the Utah Jazz may be more suitable for the bench this week due to limited scoring potential and game opportunities. Among forwards, Deni Avdija and Jaime Jaquez are recommended starts, capitalizing on their expanded roles and recent performances.

In the center category, Alexandre Sarr of the Washington Wizards shows promise, while Jusuf Nurkic from the Phoenix Suns struggles to maintain relevance and should be sat for the week.

The Oklahoma City Thunder showcased their dominance against the Washington Wizards with a resounding 136-95 victory, marking their largest win of the 2024-25 season. This impressive win saw the Thunder hold their opponents under 100 points for the 17th time this season, demonstrating their defensive prowess.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlighted the night by reaching his 10,000th career point, scoring 27 points in just 30 minutes. His performance included a mix of free throw shooting and key contributions, including seven rebounds and four assists, marking a game-high plus-minus of +30. The Thunder had seven players scoring in double digits, with Aaron Wiggins also shining off the bench.

The NBA's Week 12 promises a vibrant fantasy landscape, highlighted by the Phoenix Suns playing five games and several teams with four contests, ideal for fantasy managers seeking valuable players with low roster rates. Key start candidates this week include Keon Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, benefiting from injuries to teammates, and Spencer Dinwiddie of the Dallas Mavericks, who will step up with Luka Doncic sidelined. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies is advised to be benched due to injury concerns.

In the forwards category, Jalen Wilson of the Nets and Jaime Jaquez of the Miami Heat are poised to make an impact as they fill in for injured starters. Conversely, Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers warrants a sit designation due to ongoing absence and declining performance. Among centers, Alexandre Sarr of the Washington Wizards is a rising star, while Mason Plumlee of the Suns is set to benefit from increased game time. Clint Capela of the Atlanta Hawks, however, is struggling, making him a candidate for the bench this week.

CJ McCollum delivered an impressive performance, scoring a career-high tying 50 points while making 10 three-pointers, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 132-120 win over the Washington Wizards. This victory marked a significant turnaround for the Pelicans, who had been struggling with an 11-game losing streak and had only won twice in their last 22 games. Despite having the worst record in the NBA at 6-29, the Pelicans now share the title for the fewest wins with Washington, who holds a record of 6-26.

The game also held emotional significance as it was the Pelicans' first home game following a tragic New Year’s Day attack in the French Quarter, prompting a moment of silence before the match. Trey Murphy added 17 points, while rookie Yves Missi contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. The Pelicans capitalized on the return of guard Jose Alvarado, who had been sidelined for 23 games due to a hamstring injury, adding depth to the team with 5 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

On the Wizards' side, Jordan Poole led the team with 24 points but struggled after a hard fall in the third quarter, which resulted in lower back soreness. Rookie Alexandre Sarr also made a notable contribution with 19 points. Despite scoring a season-high 72 points in the paint, the Wizards' poor outside shooting and defensive lapses allowed New Orleans to score at will, resulting in the Pelicans achieving a season-high in points.