NBA DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (10/26/25)

October 26, 2025

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Kyle's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on October 26th, 2025.

Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have a sizeable seven-game slate on tap in the NBA tonight, giving us a player pool of 14 teams to choose from on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The action starts a little earlier at 6:00 p.m. ET, and we have some exciting matchups to look forward to. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will take on the Cavaliers, the Hornets will square off with the Wizards in a presumed track meet shootout, and two teams with high hopes will match up in Minneapolis, with the Pacers taking on the Wolves.

We've got a critical injury to monitor as Luka Doncic is currently questionable with a sprained finger. If he doesn't play, Giannis will be the field's preferred pay-up option, while Austin Reaves will also gain a lot of steam as a core play on this slate. There are plenty of ways to differentiate, though, as a pair of Anthony's (Davis and Edwards) loom as potential slate-breakers.

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 10/26/25. 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 FanDuel and DraftKings. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord, where our experts are talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

NBA DFS Core Picks

Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL - PF on DK, PF on FD (DK $11.4K, FD $11.8K)

We're starting with Giannis on this slate. Luka Doncic is the only player with an argument to have a higher ceiling tonight, but he's questionable to play with a sprained finger. Giannis has put up 63 and 68.5 DK points in his two games this season, and his 33.5% usage rate ranks fourth in the NBA. While a matchup with the defensive-minded Cavaliers appears to be an "avoid," it may not be as daunting as it seems.

GIANNIS IN HIS FIRST TWO GAMES:

31 PTS - 20 REB - 7 AST
37 PTS - 14 REB - 5 AST

NOT PLAYING FAIR. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ShRyOKrt1p

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 25, 2025

Cleveland ranks 20th in defensive rating over the small two-game sample, and, even more notably, this game has the second-highest implied total on the slate at 236.5 points. The Cavs have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to PFs so far this season, which is surprising for a team that rolls out the reigning Defensive Player of the Year (Evan Mobley) and Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt. The bottom line is that we need to get to one of the two players with mega-ceilings, and Giannis is the easy pick with Doncic ailing.

LaMelo Ball, CHA - PG (DK $8K, FD $8.9K)

How can we not like LaMelo Ball in this fantastic game environment? The Hornets-Wizards matchup holds the highest implied total on the slate at 238.5 points, and it should be one of the faster-paced games as both teams rank in the top-10 in pace. Ball-dominant, high-usage guards tend to thrive in spots like this, and I love taking chances on Ball's upside after he just put up 61 DK points against the 76ers on Saturday.

The Wizards aren't going to be good defensively this season. A team with a rotation of a bunch of rookies, second-year players, Khris Middleton, and C.J. McCollum isn't set up to stop anybody. They've allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to this point, and they've also allowed the eighth-most assists per game. Both metrics point to Ball having a monster game here—he's a core piece on this slate.

Austin Reaves, LAL - PG/SF on DK, SG/SF on FD (DK $7.7K, FD $8.2K)

We don't know if Luka Doncic is going to suit up in this one, but Reaves looks like a great core option either way. He has crushed 5x value at his price through two games, scoring 47.8 DK points and 52.2 DK points while scoring at least 25 points in each game. He's the clear second option on the LeBron-less Lakers, holding a solid 26.4% usage rate while averaging 1.35 FPTS/min. Obviously, he looks better if Doncic sits out. Reaves posted a 31.4% usage rate at 1.35 FPTS/min over 605 minutes last year with both players off the floor.

Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves lead the Lakers to a big dub at home 👑 pic.twitter.com/gfiKxE1DZw

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 25, 2025

The matchup against the Kings doesn't look favorable in the metrics. Still, we know a team with DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk playing significant minutes isn't going to be a defensive juggernaut. Reaves should continue to do what he has been able to do so far, and he's a near lock button play if Luka ultimately gets ruled out.

NBA DFS GPP Pivots

Anthony Edwards, MIN - SG on DK, SG/SF on FD ($9.2K DK, $9.4K FD)

The Pacers-Wolves game has the fastest projected pace on the slate, and neither team has been able to defend through their first two contest. The Wolves rank 28th in defensive rating while the Pacers rank 26th. Of course, this is a two-game sample size we're talking about here, but it's worth noting. Picking the Wolves' superstar in a spot like this makes all the sense in the world. He hasn't hit a ceiling game yet, but he exceeded 5x value on his salary against the Blazers (53.8 DK points) and Lakers (46 DK points).

The Pacers could be without key defenders Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin on Sunday, making Edwards even more appealing. Indiana has allowed the most fantasy points per game to PGs this season, and while Ant isn't a true point guard, he brings the ball up the court often and holds the highest usage rate on the team at 34.1%. He may not be the most contrarian play in the world, but I have a feeling he'll come in under-owned with the masses wanting to pay up for Giannis and Luka.

Anthony Davis, DAL - PF/C ($10K DK, $10.9K FD)

I love getting to AD in this spot. The veteran has been impressive through two games, posting lines of 27/13/4/2/2 (56.2 DK points) and 22/13/1/1/2 (48.2 DK points) against Washington and San Antonio, respectively. He won't be seeing anyone near Wemby's defensive talent in the frontcourt tonight, as the Raptors roll out Jakob Poeltl and some combination of Jonathan Mogbo, Scottie Barnes, and Brandon Ingram at the center and forward positions. No one from that group has a prayer at stopping Davis, so he's in line for a ceiling game tonight.

Toronto has allowed the third-most fantasy points per game to opposing PFs this season, particularly struggling with allowing points, rebounds, and steals to the position. Those are all areas where Davis thrives, making him one of the priority plays on the entire slate. It's going to be tough to squeeze him in with Giannis, but getting to him, Ball, and Edwards would be a fantastic start for any "Giannis Fade" builds.

Pascal Siakam, IND - PF ($8.3K DK, $9.1K FD)

Siakam started the year with a bang, posting 61.2 DK points in a Finals rematch against the Thunder. He fell back to earth with 31.5 DK points against the Grizzlies on Saturday, playing just 26 minutes in a lopsided defeat. He should be back to playing his normal 33-minute workload tonight, and he gets a surprisingly favorable matchup against the Wolves on the road.

Minnesota currently ranks 28th in defensive rating after getting absolutely demolished by the Lakers in their last game. They won't be this bad in a week or two, as they're a defensive-minded roster, but they're certainly not a "stay away" matchup given how they've been playing to start the year. Siakam could see a boost in usage and fantasy production if things break right tonight, too, as Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin are both questionable to play. Fire up Siakam as a contrarian PF pick on tonight's slate.

NBA DFS Value Picks

Collin Sexton, CHA - PG/SG (DK $5.2K, FD $4.7K)

As mentioned in the Ball blurb, this is a matchup and game environment worth stacking up. Sexton moved to the starting lineup alongside Ball on Saturday and produced, finishing with 37 DK points over 30 minutes of action against the 76ers. His 22.7% usage rate and 1.23 FPTS/min rate from that game will certainly play at his current salary, particularly in this favorable matchup against the Wizards.

Collin Sexton tonight:

21 Points
7 Assists
2 Rebounds
7/13 FGM
3/5 3PM
30 Minutes pic.twitter.com/GZrNJYEiQE

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 26, 2025

Washington gives up a ton of fantasy points, and they aren't set up to stop opposing guards with guys like McCollum, Bub Carrington, and Tre Johnson getting significant minutes. Sexton should be able to comfortably play his role as a 'scoring and distributing' guard and rack up the fantasy points as a result.

Ben Sheppard, IND - SG/SF (DK $3.2K, Don't Play on FanDuel)

Sheppard projects as an incredible value on DraftKings, as he should see around 30 minutes of action in a favorable matchup against the Wolves. He's unplayable at $4,700 on FanDuel, which is why we need to be paying close attention to how the sites are pricing these players. Sheppard has crushed 5x value at his salary in each game so far, posting 36.5 DK points in the opener and 22.2 DK points on Saturday against the Grizzlies. Watch out for the news on Nembhard and Mathurin, because if either or both are out, Sheppard vaults into 'must-play' territory.

Ryan Rollins, MIL - PG (DK $4.5K, FD $4.8K)

Rollins is the starting PG in Milwaukee after Kevin Porter Jr. went down with an ankle injury in the first game of the year. He had a productive game against the Raptors, posting 29.2 DK points over 30 minutes in a winning effort. KPJ will remain sidelined on Sunday, meaning Rollins is underpriced for his role in a matchup against the Cavs.

As mentioned, Cleveland hasn't been a stalwart on defense this season, and the game features a high implied total and a fast projected pace. Rollins will be running point in a Giannis-led offense, which is always conducive to scoring fantasy points. He'll look even better if we get Cole Anthony and/or Kyle Kuzma ruled out.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, CHA - C (DK $4.3K, FD $4.8K)

We might as well get to another Charlotte player while we're at it. Kalkbrenner, the rookie lottery pick out of Creighton, has been very impressive through two games. He was surprisingly named the starter for the opener and has gone for 28.8 and 27.8 DK points despite averaging just 26.5 minutes per game to this point. He's 12-for-13 from the field while racking up rebounds, steals, and blocks, which is precisely what we're looking for from a value center option in DFS lineups.

The Wizards don't present an imposing matchup for him, either. They've allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to Cs this season, as Alexandre Sarr, Marvin Bagley, and Kyshawn George aren't known as top-tier defenders in the frontcourt. I expect Kalkbrenner to be efficient with his minutes, and another double-double is firmly in play in this spot.

Jarace Walker, IND - SF/PF on DK, PF/C on FD (DK $3.4K, FD $4.3K)

This is the last Pacers player in the article, I swear. Walker has been productive even with the whole team healthy, going for 25.5 DK points and 21.8 DK points to start the season. He's still under $3,500 on DraftKings, meaning he needs just 17 DK points to reach 5x value tonight. He could push for 30 minutes again, depending on how things shake out, but we'd feel a lot better about getting exposure to him if we can get Nembhard and/or Mathurin ruled out of the lineup. Either way, Walker profiles as a bargain-bin value play at his low salary in this matchup on the road against the Wolves.

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

Bucks @ Cavs (236.5 O/U)

Hornets @ Wizards (238.5 O/U)

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: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• My favorite CASH play on the slate: Giannis Antetokounmpo
• My favorite GPP play on the slate: LaMelo Ball
• My favorite VALUE play: Collin Sexton

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