ニックス対ペリカンズ：ニューヨークでのハートのファンタジーの可能性を見逃すな

The Randle Problem for Fantasy Managers

Look, the New York Knicks pulled off a solid win against the Pelicans, 116-106. But let's be real, fantasy managers are still sweating over Julius Randle. He only played 20 minutes before rolling his ankle. That's a huge blow for anyone who drafted him as a top-30 guy. Last season, he averaged 25.1 points and 10.0 rebounds, a double-double machine.

The immediate concern is the timeline for his return. Ankle sprains can be tricky; sometimes it's a week, sometimes it's a month. His absence opens up a real opportunity, though. Someone's gotta soak up those minutes and shots.

Hart's Time to Shine (Again)

Here's the thing: Josh Hart. He stepped up big time against New Orleans, dropping 15 points, 10 boards, and 3 assists in 34 minutes. This isn't a fluke. We saw what Hart could do last year when the Knicks needed him. Remember his stretch in February after the trade? He averaged 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 13 games. That's fantasy gold in categories like boards and steals.

The Pels, meanwhile, got 31 points from Brandon Ingram. Zion Williamson, still a fantasy headache, had 26 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists but shot just 10-of-24 from the field. He's got the talent, but the efficiency just isn't there consistently enough to justify his early-round draft capital.

Who Benefits Most?

If Randle misses extended time, Hart's usage will absolutely jump. He's a Swiss Army knife, able to contribute across multiple categories. Don't be surprised to see his assist numbers climb too, especially if Jalen Brunson continues to draw double teams. Brunson had 23 points and 8 assists against the Pelicans, a typical night for him.

But my hot take? The biggest fantasy beneficiary from Randle's injury won't be RJ Barrett, who also had 18 points. It'll be Hart, simply because his diverse stat line is harder to find on waivers. Go pick him up if he's available in your league. He's a glue guy who fills the stat sheet.

For the Pelicans, CJ McCollum shot poorly (4-of-14, 16 points), which hurts his fantasy value when Zion and Ingram are healthy. He's too reliant on scoring to overcome off-nights like that.

I'm predicting Hart finishes the season as a top-75 player in category leagues if Randle misses more than two weeks.