The High Score 100: The biggest rankings risers and fallers as we navigate Week 17 in fantasy basketball

The High Score 100 — the top-100 players in Yahoo’s newest fantasy basketball format — is a running reflection of year-to-date performance and trending production. Each weekly update captures who’s actually delivering value and who’s fading.

Here’s a breakdown of the biggest risers and fallers through the 16th week of fantasy basketball, right before the All-Star break — with the complete High Score 100 at the bottom of the article. I’ll be updating my rankings every Tuesday throughout the fantasy basketball season.

📈 Risers — Pre-All-Star surges

Donovan Clingan — FC, Portland Trail Blazers: 90th overall (⬆️ 10)

Clingan’s having a moment. The second-year big man is ranked 48th over the last 14 days and smashed in Week 16, averaging 41.5 fantasy points per game while rattling off three straight double-doubles through Feb. 7. Over a stretch of seven games, his numbers rose to 12 points, 15 boards, 2 assists, and 2 blocks per game. That’s exactly the kind of production that moves you up in High Score rankings.

Clingan’s been a force on the glass all season, but with rebounds devalued in High Score, fantasy managers needed to see more from him as a scoring threat and shot blocker — and that’s where he’s been steadily improving as the All-Star break approaches. While I don’t expect his minutes to clear 30 a night, if he keeps this up, he’ll comfortably remain inside the top 100.

Dillon Brooks – FC, Phoenix Suns: 85th overall (⬆️8)

With Stephen Curry out through the All-Star break, Brooks could earn his first All-Star Game selection in 2026. He’s in the midst of a career year, being one of the primary drivers of the Suns’ success thus far.

Over the past seven games, though, his numbers have spiked to an average of 37.8 fantasy points per game, good for 50th overall in High Score. On Jan. 29, he scored a season-best 62 fantasy points by way of his first 40-point game against one of the best defenses in the league (Detroit Pistons).

Brooks continues to shine as a scorer without being penalized for his inefficiency or poor assist-to-turnover ratio, making him a strong player for this format.

Brandon Ingram — G/FC, Toronto Raptors: 41st overall (⬆️ 5)

BI’s averaging 42 fantasy points per game over the last 14 days, ranking inside the top 35 in High Score during that stretch. For the year, he sits 47th, but the trend is clearly upward — exactly what you want to see heading into the second half.

Over his last six games, he’s putting up around 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and over 1.5 stocks per game. The five-spot climb is modest, but it reflects his consistent performance as a top-50 player this season.

📉 Fallers — The tank is on

Trae Young — G, Washington Wizards: 100th overall (⬇️ 25)

Trae’s on the verge of falling off the rankings entirely. He’ll be re-evaluated after the All-Star break, but with Anthony Davis done for the season, it’s increasingly unlikely we’ll see Trae again this year. The Wizards are tanking hard for a top pick, leaving little incentive to rush him back.

I’m keeping him at 100 for now — barely hanging on — but if we don’t get anything concrete post-break, he’s gone. Fantasy managers holding should be preparing to move on.

Ja Morant — G, Memphis Grizzlies: 75th overall (⬇️ 20)

Ja’s situation is looking just as murky as Trae’s. He’ll also be re-evaluated after the break, but Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said it’ll take a medical determination for Ja to return. Don’t count on that coming.

Memphis traded Jaren Jackson Jr., lost nine of its last 11 games and clearly doesn’t care about winning. The Grizz put Ja on the trade block, but received minimal interest. There’s no reason to bring him back now that Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr. are back, plus Cam Spencer is still in the rotation.

The 20-spot drop reflects reality — Ja’s probably done. And without more clarity, he could find himself off the list by Week 18, similar to Trae.

Lauri Markkanen — FC, Utah Jazz: 53rd overall (⬇️ 19)

Tank season is here, and Lauri’s getting benched in third quarters. He’s played under 30 minutes in four of his last five games, and the Jazz are clearly managing his workload with an eye toward the lottery. It’s ridiculous.

I’m getting ahead of this now because post-All-Star break, expect more rest days and “load management” games. Utah has no incentive to play Lauri heavy minutes, which directly hurts his fantasy value. The 19-spot slide is just the beginning if this continues.

Complete High Score 100 rankings

The High Score 100 is a running reflection of year-to-date performance and trending production.