So, the mid-January slump is a real thing for most of us, but apparently, nobody told the professional athletes. While the rest of the world is still trying to remember where they put their gym shoes, a handful of guys in the NBA and NHL are playing like they've got a personal vendetta against the scoreboard.
We just saw the latest round of honors drop. Honestly, the Players of the Week for the second week of January 2026 aren't just the usual superstars coasting on reputation. We're seeing some serious "leap" years happening right now.
The NBA’s New Guard is Taking Over
In the Eastern Conference, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors finally grabbed the Player of the Week nod for games ending January 12. It feels like we've been waiting for this version of Scottie to become a permanent fixture. He’s basically doing everything for Toronto—rebounding like a center, passing like a point guard, and scoring with a level of aggression that makes him a nightmare to match up against.
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Out West, the Nuggets are still terrifying, but it wasn't Nikola Jokic taking the spotlight this time. Peyton Watson stepped up to snag the Western Conference honor.
You've gotta love a story like Watson’s. He isn't the guy taking 30 shots a night. He’s the defensive Swiss Army knife who finally found his offensive rhythm. Last week, he wasn't just "good for a young guy"—he was dominant. Seeing a 23-year-old from UCLA outwork established veterans for a weekly award in a conference stacked with Hall of Famers is exactly why we watch this league.
Why the "January Jump" Matters
Most people think these mid-season awards are just fluff. They’re wrong.
Basically, the NBA schedule is a grind. By January 15, legs are heavy. To win Players of the Week right now, you aren't just talented; you're better conditioned than everyone else on the floor. Look at Tyrese Maxey and Deni Avdija, who took the honors the week prior. They’re part of a trend where the "next generation" is refusing to wait their turn.
It’s about the All-Star momentum. With the 2026 All-Star starters set to be revealed today on NBC and Peacock, these weekly performances are the last-minute resume builders that sway the voters.
NHL: Old Dogs and Fresh Blood
The hockey world is a bit different right now because everyone has one eye on the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. But that hasn't slowed down the domestic production.
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The Atlantic Hockey America (AHA) circuit just crowned Jake Black from Bentley as the Forward of the Week. The kid is on a tear. He put up five points in two games against Air Force. Three goals and two assists? That’s just ridiculous efficiency.
On the defensive end, Noah Ellis from Sacred Heart showed why he’s one of the most reliable blueliners in the college game. Meanwhile, Lukas Swedin—another Bentley standout—is basically a brick wall at this point. He pulled in Goaltender of the Week with a .971 save percentage. Think about that. Out of 100 shots, 97 of them just... didn't go in.
The Veterans Still Have Teeth
While the young guns in the AHA are making noise, the NHL proper is seeing some historic stuff.
Alex Ovechkin just hit the 20-goal mark for the 21st time. He’s 40 years old. Most people his age are worried about their lower back when they get out of bed, and he’s out-skating world-class athletes.
Then you have Tomas Hertl tying franchise records for Vegas with a five-point night. When we talk about Players of the Week, we usually look for consistency, but sometimes a single "God-mode" performance like Hertl's is enough to shift the entire narrative of a season.
What This Means for Your Fantasy Roster
If you’re still holding onto underperforming "names" because of where you drafted them, you’re losing. The current Players of the Week are telling you exactly where the value is shifting.
- Ride the Hot Hand: Players like Scottie Barnes and Peyton Watson are entering the "confidence zone." When a young player realizes they can dominate a week, they usually carry that for a month.
- Watch the Olympic Prep: NHL veterans like Roman Josi and Steven Stamkos are playing with an extra edge. They aren't just playing for their clubs; they're playing for a spot on the plane to Italy.
- Don't Sleep on College Call-ups: Names like Jake Black and Teagan Kendrick are the ones you'll be hearing in the pros sooner than you think.
The biggest mistake fans make is ignoring these weekly fluctuations. In a long season, the "middle of the pack" is where championships are actually won.
The next step is to watch the NBA quadruple header this coming Monday. It’s the MLK Day special featuring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Donovan Mitchell. If you want to see who’s going to be the next Player of the Week, that’s where you start. Keep an eye on the injury reports, too—the Jets' Neal Pionk is currently week-to-week, which is going to open up massive minutes for someone else to step up and grab a headline.