Fantasy Basketball: Here's the perfect lineup for High Score in December
If you were chasing the "High Score" crown in fantasy basketball this past month, you didn't just need consistency—you needed history. December 2025 will go down as one of the most explosive statistical months in recent NBA memory, defined by veteran superstars turning back the clock and young phenoms shattering franchise records.
At the center of the perfect December lineup is Nikola Jokić. While injury concerns have clouded his start to January, the Nuggets center delivered a Christmas Day performance for the ages. Jokić dropped a staggering 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in an overtime thriller against Minnesota. He didn't just fill the box score; he broke Stephen Curry’s record for the most points in a single overtime period (18). For fantasy managers, this wasn't just a good night; it was a week-winning anomaly that anchored the month’s highest scores.
Joining him in the frontcourt is Kawhi Leonard, who reminded the league of his two-way dominance with a vintage outing for the Clippers. Leonard tied James Harden’s franchise record with 55 points in a win over Detroit, but it was his defensive production that made the line truly "perfect." Leonard became the first player in NBA history to record at least 55 points, five steals, and three blocked shots in a single game. In formats that reward defensive stats, Leonard’s efficiency (17-of-26 shooting) and volume created an insurmountable gap.
Rounding out the forward spots is Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, who etched his name into Raptors lore. Barnes posted the franchise’s first-ever 20/20 triple-double, tallying 23 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists in an overtime victory against Golden State. His ability to cover every category—adding three steals and a block—made him the ultimate Swiss Army knife for December.
In the backcourt, Denver’s Jamal Murray provided the necessary scoring punch to complement Jokić, averaging 27.5 points and 7.2 assists throughout the month. While January presents new challenges with shifting rotations and injury reports, December 2025 set a nearly impossible standard for individual fantasy brilliance.
At the center of the perfect December lineup is Nikola Jokić. While injury concerns have clouded his start to January, the Nuggets center delivered a Christmas Day performance for the ages. Jokić dropped a staggering 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in an overtime thriller against Minnesota. He didn't just fill the box score; he broke Stephen Curry’s record for the most points in a single overtime period (18). For fantasy managers, this wasn't just a good night; it was a week-winning anomaly that anchored the month’s highest scores.
Joining him in the frontcourt is Kawhi Leonard, who reminded the league of his two-way dominance with a vintage outing for the Clippers. Leonard tied James Harden’s franchise record with 55 points in a win over Detroit, but it was his defensive production that made the line truly "perfect." Leonard became the first player in NBA history to record at least 55 points, five steals, and three blocked shots in a single game. In formats that reward defensive stats, Leonard’s efficiency (17-of-26 shooting) and volume created an insurmountable gap.
Rounding out the forward spots is Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, who etched his name into Raptors lore. Barnes posted the franchise’s first-ever 20/20 triple-double, tallying 23 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists in an overtime victory against Golden State. His ability to cover every category—adding three steals and a block—made him the ultimate Swiss Army knife for December.
In the backcourt, Denver’s Jamal Murray provided the necessary scoring punch to complement Jokić, averaging 27.5 points and 7.2 assists throughout the month. While January presents new challenges with shifting rotations and injury reports, December 2025 set a nearly impossible standard for individual fantasy brilliance.
