The fantasy basketball playoffs are here and, as always, there are unexpected players getting their time to shine. Young players on rebuilding teams are getting to run without the training wheels, but we also need to keep an eye on injury substitutions and, in one case this week, a good young player returning from a long injury layoff.
With all that in mind, here are this week's diamonds in the rough, all worthy of consideration for your fantasy hoops squads.
Darius Bazley, Oklahoma City Thunder (15.6% rostered in ESPN leagues): Bazley has been in this space multiple times this season, reflecting just how inconsistent and disappointing his season has been overall. That said, we're in the fantasy playoffs right now and he's getting hot again at a good time. He's scored 25 and 29 points in his last two outings, is consistently getting 35-plus minutes of run per night, and still has the ability to contribute to a variety of stats. All of this makes him worthy of attention for as long as he keeps making his shots.