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Zach's top DraftKings NBA DFS picks for today, Wednesday, 2/26/25. His favorite daily fantasy basketball lineup sleepers and value picks for DraftKings DFS.
The NBA continues a busy week with a nine-game featured main slate on DraftKings this Wednesday night. Most of the matchups tip off early with four games beginning right when the contests lock at 7:00 p.m. ET and two more beginning at 7:30. Two Western Conference matchups close out the night, beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET in Utah and 9:30 p.m. ET in Houston. With 18 teams in the player pool, there are plenty of good options to consider building around.
As you start to look at who to include in your roster builds, it's worth noting that the Celtics, Rockets, Spurs and Raptors are each playing for the second night in a row. With those back-to-back sets of games and plenty of injury uncertainty, you'll want to check back for the latest updates before tip-off. However, coming into the day, several options stand out as awesome additions to your fantasy lineup. Let's dive in and find some of the top options from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/26/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Jalen Brunson, NYK – PG ($8,900)
The Knicks lost to the Cavs on Friday and the Celtics on Sunday but will look to bounce back with a home game against the Sixers on Wednesday. Brunson didn't have huge numbers in those two road losses but he had 51.75 and 49.25 DraftKings points in his last two home games which were wins over the Hawks and Bulls on each side of the All-Star break.
Brunson is averaging 43.6 DraftKings points per game over his last eight games and could be in for extra work on Wednesday depending on the status of Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,100; knee) who is questionable.
Last month, Brunson had 53.25 DraftKings points against the Sixers in the game highlighted below, and with extra work possibly coming his way in a big bounce-back spot for his team, he brings an elite ceiling at a salary under $9,000.
Jalen Brunson vs Philadelphia 76ers
38 PTS / 5 REB / 4 AST@nyknicks W (27-15) pic.twitter.com/3t4u3O7Ar5
— A Walking Highlight (@11AWH) January 16, 2025
Alperen Sengun, HOU – C ($8,500)
Sengun is another player under $9,000 with an extremely high ceiling. He has posted five straight double-doubles dating back to before the All-Star break, averaging 20.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.0 blocked shots for 45.2 DraftKings points per game.
On Tuesday against Milwaukee, Sengun finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and 48.25 DraftKings points while leading his team to a win over Giannis Antetokounmmpo and the Bucks.
Alperen Sengun will not be denied 😤
7 PTS | 2 REB | 1 AST ➡ 10.9 FPTs
MIL/HOU 1Q
NBA League Pass 📺pic.twitter.com/MX83XssVJ2— NBA Fantasy (@NBAFantasy) February 26, 2025
He and the Rockets finish their back-to-back set of games with a favorable home matchup against the Spurs, who are short-handed at center after the injury to Victor Wembanyama (blood clot). Sengun had 55.5 DraftKings points in the second game of his back-to-back last week in a loss to the Jazz, and he should be set for another big performance on Wednesday as the Rockets try not to repeat last week's letdown.
Dyson Daniels, ATL – SG ($6,700)
The Hawks and Heat finish a home-and-home set that started Monday in Atlanta. The Hawks have been playing at the fastest pace in the NBA over the last 15 games and rank second in pace for the season. Since Jalen Johnson (shoulder) went down with his injury and De'Andre Hunter was traded, Daniels has stepped up as a secondary scoring option for the Hawks.
The "Great Barrier Thief" has also continued to turn in great defensive numbers with at least three steals in five straight games. He had seven steals against Miami on Monday but only scored eight points to go with his 11 rebounds. His non-scoring numbers made up for his 5-for-12 shooting performance and helped him still finish with 41.25 DraftKings points.
DYSON DANIELS' DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE CONTINUES 😳
After 7 steals in tonight's win, it's now his 11th game this season with 5+ steals!
The next closest player has 4 such games. pic.twitter.com/q0WCjv4nwU
— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2025
Daniels has over 36 DraftKings points in nine of his last 10 games and is averaging 41.0 DraftKings points per game in his 10 games in February. Wednesday's rematch should be much higher scoring since Atlanta won't be playing for a second day in a row, and Daniels should be a great play under $7,000.
Others Under Consideration: Jayson Tatum - SF/PF ($9,900), Tyler Herro - PF ($8,600), Jalen Green - SG ($7,500), Tyrese Maxey - PG ($9,300)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
Trae Young, ATL - PG ($9,400)
In Monday's matchup with Miami, Young went just 4-for-14 from the field, finishing with 11 points but adding 14 assists to finish with 37.25 DraftKings points. It was the second game of a back-to-back set of games, though, and in the first game, he lit up the Pistons for 38 points to go with 13 assists for a total of 63 DraftKings points.
He had over 50 DraftKings points in four of six games just before the break as well and is averaging 52.6 DraftKings points per game in his 10 games in February.
Trae Young getting fancy in transition 😎
That sweet wraparound and drop-off to Mouhamed Gueye! pic.twitter.com/nMm2sG4UNT
— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2025
He and the Hawks should bounce back offensively after scoring just 98 points on Monday, and he's a great way to get a high ceiling without having to spend over $10,000.
Amen Thompson, HOU - PG/SF ($8,600)
Thompson has been outstanding for the Rockets over the past 10 games while Fred VanVleet (ankle) has been out. Thompson has produced 41.1 DraftKings points per game over that stretch with two triple-doubles and several games within one rebound or one basket of another double-double. He could have been on his way there on Tuesday with nine points and nine rebounds with 4:27 left in the game when he was ejected for a Flagrant 2 on Giannis.
He'll look to bounce back from that early exit on Wednesday against the Spurs, and he brings a very high ceiling with his multi-faceted contributions. He also adds nice roster flexibility with his PG and SF eligibility.
Anfernee Simons, POR - PG/SG ($6,700)
Simons can be boom-or-bust, but that works just fine in tournament lineups, and he has a great matchup against the Wizards on Wednesday. Washington has allowed the third-most DraftKings points per game to point guards this season, and Simons comes into the road matchup with plenty of momentum.
📊 Anfernee Simons vs Jazz
➔ 28 PTS
➔ 10-23 FG | 3-13 3P | 5-5 FT
➔ 2 REB
➔ 6 AST
➔ 2 STL
➔ 36:59 MIN pic.twitter.com/M1Jq5iwliB— BLAZERS ARGENTO (@BlazersArgento) February 25, 2025
Simons earned 44 DraftKings points for that big game in Utah and has scored at least 25 points and finished with at least 35 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. He continues to be the focus of the Blazers' offense and has averaged 20.6 points, 6.2 assists, 3.2 three-pointers, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in his 10 games in February.
Andrew Wiggins, MIA - SF ($6,600)
Wiggins seems to be settling in nicely with the Heat and picking up significant usage. He has scored 20+ points in each of his last three games while playing over 35 minutes in each contest.
Andrew Wiggins since All-Star break:
22.7 PPG
6.0 RPG
2.3 STL + BLK
2.3 3PMThree straight 20-point games. pic.twitter.com/u3MBoFVAAx
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) February 25, 2025
He had 40, 36, and 36 DraftKings points in those three games, and this is a great pace-up spot for him against Atlanta on Wednesday. He is officially probable with a jaw contusion, so check back before tip-off to confirm that's not more of an issue than expected.
Others Under Consideration: Karl-Anthony Towns - C ($10,100), James Harden - PG ($9,800), De'Aaron Fox - PG ($8,800), Scottie Barnes - PG/SF ($8,600), Pascal Siakam - PF ($8,600), Malik Monk - PG/SG ($7,500), Isaiah Collier - PG ($6,400), Jalen Duren - C ($6,700)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Zach Collins, CHI – C ($4,400)
In the Zach LaVine and De'Aaron Fox trade, the Bulls landed Collins from the Spurs to help with depth in their frontcourt. The Spurs definitely could use Collins right now without Wemby, but the Bulls also need him since Nikola Vucevic ($7,500; calf) is doubtful and Jalen Smith (concussion) remains out.
Collins started on Monday and had 30.75 DraftKings points on 19 points, five rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal in 28 minutes.
Zach Collins against Sixers
28 Minutes
19 Points
5 Rebounds
1 Assist
1 Steal
1 Block
+41 (team high) pic.twitter.com/4DIuefxyrf— Zach Collins Muse (@MuseZachCollins) February 25, 2025
Kyshawn George, WAS – PF ($5,000)
George has been getting plenty of playing time since moving into the starting lineup at the end of January, and he has gotten even more minutes and usage since the trade of Kyle Kuzma to the Bucks.
He has at least nine points in six of his last seven games while averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots in 33.1 minutes per game. He posted over 29 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, including on Monday against Brooklyn when he had this well-balanced stat line for 33.75 DraftKings points:
Kyshawn George Tonight:
12 Points
5 Assists
3 Rebounds
3 Steals
3 Blocks
2 Threes
Win vs NetsKyshawn Is My Idol 🤩 pic.twitter.com/c4Nj20luRL
— WizardsMuse (@WizardsMuse1) February 25, 2025
Andre Drummond, PHI – C ($4,000)
With Joel Embiid (knee) and Guerschon Yabusele (eye) out Wednesday against the Knicks, Drummond and Adem Bona ($3,500) will likely pick up heavy minutes. Drummond only needed 14 minutes to produce 10 points, eight rebounds, and 21 DraftKings points against the Bulls on Monday, but he has barely gotten any playing time lately.
It's hard to predict exactly how much the Sixers will lean on the veteran big man, but without many other options, he should at least get enough time to return excellent value at only $4,000. If he draws the start, he may even be a better center value than Collins.
Aaron Nesmith, IND – SG/SF ($3,800)
Nesmith has worked his way back from an ankle injury and returned to the Pacers starting lineup for their last five games. In his three games since the All-Star break, Nesmith has scored 13, 19, and 17 points while producing 26.75, 29.0, and 28.0 DraftKings points
Another game full of Certified Aaron Nesmith Moments last night. He's so back and remains one of my favorite role player watches in the league. Lots of big plays down the stretch to keep Indiana within spitting distance pic.twitter.com/7IRIq8E26f
— Charlie Cummings (@klaytheist11) February 25, 2025
Nesmith plays with plenty of needed energy on both ends of the floor and should be a great play under $4,000 against the Raptors. He has taken double-digit shots in the last two games for the first two times this season, which gives him good upside since his non-scoring numbers are consistent.
Others Under Consideration: Kyle Filipowski - C ($5,700), Day'Ron Sharpe - C ($4,200), Lonzo Ball - PG/SG ($4,700), Trendon Watford - PF/C ($4,700), Killian Hayes - PG ($4,000), Davion Mitchell - PG/SF ($4,000), Zaccharie Risacher -SF/PF ($4,500), KJ Martin - PF ($4,000)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Raptors at Pacers (236 total)
The Raptors lost at home to Boston on Tuesday, and they'll finish their back-to-back on the road in Indiana in one of the two games tied for the highest point total on the board. Scottie Barnes ($8,600) and RJ Barrett ($7,300) have favorable positional matchups and Immanuel Quickley ($7,000) was rolling along before struggling on Tuesday. Jakob Poeltl (hip) was out on Tuesday, leaving Jonathan Mogbo ($4,900) and Orlando Robinson ($4,400) as value plays in the middle. Keep an eye on their injury report for Wednesday.
On the other side, Pascal Siakam ($7,600) gets a potential revenge game matchup against his former team while Tyrese Haliburton ($8,200; groin) is questionable. If Haliburton is out, there would be more work for Spicy P while Myles Turner ($6,100) and Andrew Nembhard ($4,800) would pick up more work. Aaron Nesmith is a great value play on the wing and T.J. McConnell ($4,000; tag) would also be a strong value if he's able to play through his questionable tag.
Kings at Jazz (236 total)
The Kings have a favorable matchup in Utah against the short-handed Jazz. Zach LaVine ($7,800) and Malik Monk ($7,500) have worked well together so far with spike games for each guard as well as DeMar DeRozan ($7,300) since the big shakeup at the trade deadline. Keon Ellis ($4,200; ankle) is questionable, and if he's out Devin Carter ($3,000) or the recently added Markelle Fultz ($3,200) could step into larger roles.
The home team won't have Lauri Markkanen (back), John Collins (back), or Collin Sexton (ankle), and they could also be without Walker Kessler ($7,000; illness), who is questionable. Kessler's absence opened the door for a huge game from Kyle Filipowski ($5,700) on Monday, and the rookie from Duke would be an elite play once again if Kessler is out. Keyonte George ($6,900) and Isaiah Collier ($6,400) have been great it the backcourt, but Jordan Clarkson ($6,400) is off the injury report and ready to return, which could crowd their usage.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Alperen Sengun
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Dyson Daniels
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Jalen Brunson
- My favorite VALUE play: Zach Collins
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