NBA Daily Fantasy Picks & Playbook: October 31, 2026

Keith Eyster | @eys819dfs | DraftKings and FanDuel main slate

On Saturday, we have a five-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Players such as Victor Wembanyama, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Johnson, and Domantas Sabonis take the floor. The Timberwolves and the Rockets are on a back-to-back, and Alperen Sengun is the biggest name on the injury report that's currently in question.

Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.

• News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
• Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
• Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
• NBA DFS Projections
• Lineup Generator
• NBA Ownership

Slate Snapshot & Injury Updates

Last updated: 3:11 p.m. ET

5 games on DK, 6 games on FD | Lock: 7:00 p.m. ET on DK, 6:00 p.m. ET on FD

• ATL @ NOP is the game to attack: the highest total on the slate.
• MIN downgraded Rudy Gobert to questionable. 
• SAS downgraded Stephon Castle to questionable. 

Full Injury Report

Every player in today's games with an injury designation: 35 out, 5 doubtful, 13 questionable. Who Benefits is listed for the players whose absence moves the slate.

Game Environments

Each game shows the away team first. ATL @ NOP carries the slate's top total. MIN @ SAS carries blowout risk. CLE @ MIL has the best pace matchup on the slate. 2 games are also on the schedule but not on this DFS slate. Ranks are league-wide, 2026-27; pace rank 1 is fastest, and off and def rank 1 are best. Green marks a better DFS spot and red a worse one, so a weak defense shades green.

DraftKings vs FanDuel Price Differential

• Kel'el Ware is the 7th highest priced C on DraftKings but 14th on FanDuel, so the better positional value is on FanDuel ($6,200 DK, $5,500 FD).
• Terrence Shannon is the 19th highest priced SF on DraftKings but 12th on FanDuel, so the better positional value is on DraftKings ($4,500 DK, $5,000 FD).
• Tyler Herro is the 8th highest priced SG on DraftKings but 3rd on FanDuel, so the better positional value is on DraftKings ($7,000 DK, $7,700 FD).

Each player is ranked by salary among every player in that site's file eligible at the position, including multi-position players (1 is the highest priced). Players are compared at a position they are eligible for on both sites; when they share more than one, the position with the bigger gap is shown. Rank Gap is how many spots apart the two ranks are; the greener the cell, the bigger the gap. Better Positional Value is the site where the player has the lower position rank (priced lower among players at the position), regardless of the raw salary, since the two sites use different salary scales.

Top Tier Core Plays

Victor Wembanyama - C · SAS

Wembanyama is putting up 25 points, 11.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 5.2 stocks, and he has the highest ceiling on the slate. The 12.5-point spread isn't ideal, as Wemby could lose 4th-quarter minutes if the score becomes lopsided. Minnesota presents a challenging matchup with Gobert protecting the paint, but Wemby has multiple paths to a big fantasy score. 

Jalen Johnson - PF · ATL

Johnson has averaged 19.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists this season, showing he can fill the stat sheet. The Hawks carry the slate's highest implied total, with both teams ranking in the top 10 in pace, and extra possessions mean extra fantasy points. Johnson has an elite floor/ceiling combination in this matchup and game environment. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG · OKC

SGA is averaging 26.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season and continues to serve as the centerpiece of Oklahoma City's offense. He draws a tough matchup against Houston, but he's also a two-time MVP who's completely matchup-proof. With projected ownership under 5%, he's an elite tournament option. 

Mid-Tier Core Plays

Onyeka Okongwu   C · ATL

Okongwu was having a rather mediocre season until he went off for 29 points and 12 rebounds against Cleveland. Now he projects as one of the most popular players on the slate, which is pretty uncomfortable given he hadn't topped 30 fantasy points in a game until his eruption. The matchup helps, as New Orleans plays at the third-fastest pace and ranks 17th in DRtg. 

Cameron Boozer - PF · MEM

Ty Jerome is questionable, and that matters here. Boozer already carries 24% usage and would see it climb if he's ruled out. The Grizzlies have one of the slate's top implied totals and an elite matchup against a Kings defense that ranks 29th in defensive rating. Boozer is a great play if Jerome is in. He's arguably the top play on the slate if Jerome sits. 

Darius Acuff - PG/SG · SAC

Acuff is averaging 24.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game while playing approximately 36 minutes per contest. The rookie has a tremendous amount of opportunity in Sacramento's offense, highlighted by his 32% usage rate, which ranks among the highest in the league. He is coming off an impressive performance against New Orleans in which he recorded 34 points, 6 rebounds, and 14 assists, showcasing his massive ceiling. 

Tyler Herro - SG · MIL

Herro is averaging 23.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game this season, establishing himself as one of the Bucks' primary scoring and playmaking options. He already has two 50+ fantasy-point performances, showing just how high his ceiling is. He will be popular, but he's underpriced despite the tougher matchup against Cleveland. 

Jaden McDaniels - SF/PF · MIN

The SF eligibility is huge here since PF is a loaded position. McDaniels went off for 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists last night against the Clippers. He should remain a focal point of the offense while Edwards remains out, which makes him far too cheap for his role. 

Value Tier Core Plays

Karlo Matkovic - PF/C · NOP

With Missi sidelined, Matkovic steps into more minutes and a bigger role. He recently earned a starting opportunity against Sacramento, finishing with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 1 block in 28 minutes. His ability to stretch the floor, contribute defensively, and provide energy around the basket gives him some sneaky fantasy appeal. He's too cheap for his role if he starts again. 

Jonathan Kuminga - PF · MIN

Kuminga is averaging 13.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game this season while playing approximately 30 minutes per contest. Despite a dud against the Clippers last night, Kuminga has shown flashes of his offensive upside. He recently recorded 20 points, three rebounds, and five assists against Golden State while adding two steals. His ceiling remains extremely high while Edwards is out of the lineup. 

Kyle Kuzma   PF · MIL

Kuzma is averaging 10.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season while shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.0% from three-point range. He has shown some inconsistency offensively, but his rebounding has been a reliable part of his production, including a 12-rebound performance against Philadelphia. His matchup against Cleveland presents a challenging test, but the price is attractive given his recent production. 

Marcus Smart - PG/SG · HOU

Smart will likely draw the start with VanVleet and Sheppard ruled out. It's a difficult spot against OKC even though they aren't at full strength. That likely won't matter if Smart gets the starting nod, given his cheap price tag. His season-high is 26 minutes, and he could top that tonight. 

Late-News Core Plays

Players we are considering core plays based on late-breaking news and research

Core Lineup

Cash Core: Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Cameron Boozer, Karlo Matkovic.  

GPP Leverage: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Ajay Mitchell. 

Player Pool

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Stacks

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