Nikola Jokic has overtaken Giannis Antetokounmpo for the top spot in the NBA in PER with a mark of 37.7. Jokic has a TS% of .769 to go with his league leading 52.5 assist percentage. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Jalen Duren round out the top-5. Jokic has led the NBA in PER each of the past five seasons.
NBA PER (Week 4): 1. Nikola Jokic: 37.7 2. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 34.2 3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.3 4. Luka Doncic: 29.1 5. Jalen Duren: 26.1 6. Victor Wembanyama: 25.4 7. Julius Randle: 25.1 8. Kawhi Leonard: 24.8 9. Anthony Edwards: 24.4 10. Donovan Mitchell: 24.4 11. Austin Reaves: 23.8 12. James Harden: 23.5 13. Jimmy Butler III: 23.4 14. Joel Embiid: 23.2 15. Tyrese Maxey: 23.1 16. Jalen Johnson: 22.9 17. Lauri Markkanen: 22.6 18. Stephen Curry: 22.4 19. Alperen Sengun: 22.2 20. Moussa Diabate: 22.1
Paul George expected to make season debut for 76ers Monday night vs. Clippers
After missing all of training camp and the first dozen games of the season following offseason knee surgery, Paul George is expected to make his return to the court Monday night when the 76ers host the Clippers.
George is officially listed as questionable, however, he is expected to take the court, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. George has been working out on the court for a month and looked good in post-practice work, according to reports, but the 76ers were cautious with the return of the 35-year-old.
George played 41 games in his first season with Philadelphia, largely due to a knee issue, which is why he underwent arthroscopic surgery this past summer. Last season, the six-time All-NBA player averaged 16.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game when he did play. However, the season before, in Los Angeles, he was an All-Star, averaging 22.6 points per game and shooting 41.3% from 3-point range.
While George is set to return, the 76ers are listing Joel Embiid, Kelly Oubre Jr., and Adem Bona as out. The Clippers will be without Kawhi Leonard, Bradley Beal (out for the season), and Derrick Jones Jr. against the 76ers.
Sources: Bulls’ White (calf) set to debut vs. Jazz
Bulls guard Coby White is expected to make his season debut against the Jazz, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. White has missed Chicago’s first 11 games with a calf strain.
The 6-3 Detroit Lions head to Philadelphia to take on the 7-2 Eagles in a battle of two division leaders on Sunday Night Football. Both teams have plenty of high upside fantasy players going, but as usual, we can’t fit them all into a DFS lineup.
The Lions do have one significant injury, as TE Sam LaPorta will miss this week with a back problem. But otherwise, we have a slew of strong fantasy plays beginning with both starting quarterbacks, two running backs, four wide receivers and one tight end and then we start looking for cheaper plays to try to fit some of those guys in.
Below we will take a look at the best DFS plays for this Sunday night showdown.
Head coach Dan Campbell has looked to get Williams going following the break and so far so good. And when Campbell took over play calling duties last week, we saw an even bigger jump for Williams. Quarterback Jared Goff called Williams’ crossers a cheat code, and we know what he can do with the ball in his hands. He’s suddenly become a safer play, while still having a sky high upside.
AJ Brown, WR, Eagles (FLEX $9,200, CPT $13,800)
Brown is so down about his role in the offense that he’s got the whole organization working to keep him happy this week. His wheels are certainly squeaky, and I don’t see how the team doesn’t try to grease them with a slew of targets early on in this matchup. The good news is that Brown has shown good upside this season, so it isn’t like he’s not capable of putting up big numbers, it’s just not as consistent as usual. They need him and they need that connection to be more consistent, especially in games like this one. I expect if he doesn’t have a big fantasy game, it won’t be for a lack of trying.
Jalen Hurts, QB, TEAM (FLEX $13,000, CPT $19,500)
Hurts is the most expensive play at FanDuel, which makes him tough to roster at the captain’s slot. The good news is that should also make him a little contrarian there. If he goes off, he should pay off. And this is a game where he will need to go all out as both a runner and passer, as the Lions offense can put up points in a hurry. We’ll need a rushing touchdown or two from Hurts for him to pay off as a captain, but that is always a strong possibility, especially in primetime games against top teams.
The Eagles are healthy and don’t use their backups all that much. RB Will Shipley has some DFS appeal, but I’m leaning more toward the Lions ancillary players to see upticks with LaPorta out when looking for savings. Goedert is the cheapest Eagles player that I’d still be okay rostering in this matchup. And, in FanDuel scoring, his touchdown prowess over big reception numbers is a plus.
Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Lions (FLEX $2,600, CPT $3,900)
Teslaa saw an uptick in snaps last week and has shown ability in very limited work so far this season. With LaPorta out, I expect TeSlaa to continue to see more snaps and work and have a real shot at giving us value this week in a game I expect will hit the over.
Brock Wright, TE, Lions (FLEX $2,200, CPT $3,300)
Wright is questionable with an ankle injury for this matchup, but it sounds like he’ll probably play. He is LaPorta’s direct backup and will get the lead role at tight end as long as he’s a go. His upside is low, but as the lead tight end, he has a real shot at a touchdown in this matchup.
Grizzlies Signing Jahmai Mashack To Two-Way Contract; Waiving PJ Hall
The Memphis Grizzlies are waiving two-way forward P.J. Hall. Memphis is signing wing Jahmai Mashack to replace Hall on a two-way deal.
Mashack was drafted by the Grizzlies with the 59th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. In five games with the Memphis Hustle of the G League, the 6-foot-4 wing has averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game.
Hall played 27 minutes across seven games with the Grizzlies this season.
The Lakers’ fifth-year guard now sits at the center of two major NBA storylines: Helping the team win enough to convince LeBron James to stay in L.A., but playing so well that it might cost the franchise nearly $250M dollars to keep him.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 39 points and Landry Shamet added 36 to help the Knicks beat the Heat 140-132 despite forward OG Anunoby being ruled out in the first quarter because of a left hamstring strain.
Nuggets forward Christian Braun will be reevaluated in six weeks after injuring his left ankle Wednesday night against the Clippers, the team announced Friday.
Two days after he lit up the Spurs for 46 points, Warriors star Stephen Curry scored 49 to beat them Friday night, tying Michael Jordan’s record for most 40-point games after turning 30 in the process.
