NBA DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups, Injuries & More Today: Saturday Playbook

Published: Apr 26, 2025
Happy Saturday, April 26th, we have a four-game NBA DFS main slate on DraftKings and FanDuel.
First, Donovan Mitchell and the Cavs look to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Heat. Then, Shai Gilgeous- Alexander and the top seed Thunder will attempt to close out the Grizzlies with Ja Morant likely on the sidelines. Next, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets try to even the series against James Harden and the Clippers. Finally, we get a pivotal Game 3 featuring Stephen Curry and the Warriors against Amen Thompson and the Rockets.
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
NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, April 26th
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Pre/Post-Lock Update
This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock.
Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.
All status updates after contest roster lock will be made in the Fantasy Alarm Discord: https://discord.gg/2yATJxXe8G
UPDATE 12:30 ET
- Darius Garland - OUT
- Sam Merrill will draw the start
- Bump for Ty Jerome as well
NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 4/26
- Darius Garland - OUT
- Ja Morant - Doubtful
- Luke Kennard - Questionable
- Michael Porter - Questionable
- Russell Westbrook - Questionable
- Jimmy Butler - Questionable
- Gary Payton - Questionable
NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews
In the section below, I’m listing the most notable things we need to look at in Las Vegas, including notable O/U and spreads. Not every game is listed, but every game listed has the pace and defensive numbers listed.
NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks
Here are the core players I’m looking at for my NBA DFS picks tonight. You can see the full analysis of tonight’s NBA DFS projections and player pool below or skip ahead to building the best lineups possible by locking these into the aforementioned lineup generator now.
High
Mid
- James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler (if active), Ivica Zubac, Jalen Williams, Tyler Herro, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson
Value
- Scotty Pippen, Zach Edey, Davion Mitchell, Santi Aldama, Luke Kennard (if active), Ty Jerome, Sam Merrill
Pos (Click to sort ascending) | Player (Click to sort ascending) | Matchup (Click to sort ascending) | DK (Click to sort ascending) | DK Pts (Click to sort ascending) | FD (Click to sort ascending) | FD Pts (Click to sort ascending) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PG | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 9900 | 55.2 | 10300 | 55.6 |
OKC won the first two games of the series handily, and then overcame a huge 26-point halftime deficit in Game 3 to bring the Grizzlies to the brink of elimination. The 15-point spread certainly adds some risk to the main pieces for the Thunder. SGA has a massive ceiling if the Grizzlies can keep up, but he is only a large-field GPP play given the blowout risk. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PG | James Harden | DEN @ LAC Sat 6:00 | 8900 | 52.7 | 9000 | 50.5 |
Harden has had a productive series and should flirt with 40 minutes in a close game. He is one of the safer options on the board today and comes with a 60 fantasy point ceiling, as he showed in Game 1. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Tyler Herro | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 7600 | 46.8 | 8400 | 44 |
Herro was outstanding in a Game 2 loss, shooting an incredible 58 percent from the floor en route to 33 points. The Heat will likely need a similar effort from their lead guard if they want to tighten up the series. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Stephen Curry | HOU @ GSW Sat 8:30 | 9000 | 47.2 | 8900 | 44.6 |
Jimmy Butler is banged up for a pivotal Game 3 as the series shifts to the Bay Area. Steph might have shoulder more of the load if the Warriors hope to take control of the series. For that reason, he is one of the top tournament options on the slate. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PG | Darius Garland | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 7000 | 39.1 | 7300 | 37.5 |
Garland is dealing with a toe sprain and is listed questionable for Game 3. He has put up solid production in the first two games despite not playing more than 32 minutes in either game. The low-$7K price tag leaves plenty of room for him to put up solid value. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SG | Donovan Mitchell | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 8500 | 46.6 | 8800 | 44.9 |
Mitchell has been an integral part of the Cavs jumping out to a 2-0 series lead, posting 30 points in each of the first two games. Garland is banged up and Mobley has to deal with Bam Adebayo, so expect Spida to continue to pace the Cavs offense. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Jamal Murray | DEN @ LAC Sat 6:00 | 7400 | 43.3 | 7500 | 42.8 |
The Nuggets were embarrassed in a 34-point Game 3 loss to fall behind in the series. They need a bounce back, and someone other than Jokic has to contribute in a big way. Porter and Westbrook are banged up and both are questionable to play. Murray is likely to play at least 40 minutes and we have seen him take over playoff games plenty of times. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SG | Jalen Green | HOU @ GSW Sat 8:30 | 7000 | 36.9 | 7200 | 34.9 |
Green went off for 38 points in Game 2. Expect Kerr and the Warriors to have a plan to slow him down, but Green still has elite scoring ability. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SG | Scotty Pippen | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 32.7 | 5600 | 32.8 | |
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Pippen played over 20 minutes in the second half after Morant went down and finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 38 minutes. Pippen averaged 1.17 FPPM with Morant off the floor in the regular season, and he is one of top salary-considered plays on the slate. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Davion Mitchell | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 5200 | 28.2 | 5700 | 27.2 |
Mitchell has been excellent in the first two games of the series, shooting an incredible 15-of-21 from the floor. The shooting is likely to regress, but he still has an excellent role for his price tag. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Luke Kennard | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 3100 | 28 | 4300 | 26.6 |
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Kennard started the 2nd half for the injured superstar and is likely to be in the starting lineup for Game 4 if he can play through his own questionable status. Kennard is a top value option if he starts and Morant sits. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SF | Jimmy Butler | HOU @ GSW Sat 8:30 | 8200 | 41.4 | 8200 | 41.8 |
Butler took a hard fall in Game 2 and is questionable on the injury report for Game 3 due to a contusion. We probably won't have clarification on the severity and impact, but I think he tries to play through it. He has been fantastic for the Warriors and even better in the playoffs, so I have interest as long as he is active without (known) restrictions. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SF | Jalen Williams | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 7700 | 44.7 | 8300 | 44.9 |
J-Dub has scored at least 40 FP in each of three games of the series. If Memphis can keep it within the 15-point spread, J-Dub has a 50+ FP ceiling at an attractive price. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Desmond Bane | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 7100 | 42 | 7800 | 40.8 |
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Bane struggled with his shot in that game and that allowed the Thunder to erase a huge deficit. Bane averaged 1.23 FPPM with Morant off the floor in the regular season, and he will need to be a primary scoring option to keep the Grizzlies season alive. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Amen Thompson | HOU @ GSW Sat 8:30 | 7300 | 38.3 | 7700 | 39.5 |
Thompson dealt with foul trouble in the first half of Game 2. He picked up his third foul near the end of the 1st quarter and sat the entire 2nd quarter. He also sat the final 2 minutes of the game with the outcome decided. He should play close to 40 minutes if he can avoid foul trouble in this one. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SF | Andrew Wiggins | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 6900 | 32.5 | 7000 | 32.2 |
The Heat need Wiggins to play better if they are going to climb back into the series. He was great in the two play-in games, shooting 16-of-37. Wiggins is just 8-of-21 from the field in the first two games of this series, and he was benched in the 4th quarter last game. There is a wide range of outcomes here, but the upside is solid if Wiggins can get back on track. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PF | Bam Adebayo | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 8400 | 46.1 | 8500 | 44.6 |
Bam has been solid in the postseason, including the two play-in games. He is playing nearly 40 minutes and has scored at least 40 FP in each of the four games. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Jaren Jackson | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 6800 | 41.9 | 7400 | 42.6 |
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Triple-J led the Grizzlies with a 32.7% usage rate and 1.37 FPPM with Morant off the floor during the regular season. The Grizz will need him to step up to keep their season alive. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PF | Kawhi Leonard | DEN @ LAC Sat 6:00 | 8400 | 46.2 | 8700 | 45.4 |
Kawhi was incredible in Game 2, as he dropped 39 points. He followed it up with a strong 21-11-6 line in Game 3, and is a huge reason why the Clippers are up 2-1 in the series. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Chet Holmgren | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 7200 | 44.2 | 7600 | 44.7 |
Chet was excellent in the first two games of the series, but he struggled mightily in the first half of Game 3 (as most of the Thunder did). The Thunder big man came out swinging in the second half and helped lead a massive comeback. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PF | Santi Aldama | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 4800 | 32.6 | 4900 | 32.3 |
Aldama should get a nice role boost. He averaged 1.18 FPPM with Ja Morant off the floor in the regular season and he should play at least 30 minutes. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
C | Nikola Jokić | DEN @ LAC Sat 6:00 | 11500 | 68 | 11600 | 62.8 |
Jokic has scored at least 65 FP in each of the three games this series and he has the highest ceiling on the slate. The injury to Ja Morant opens up some value we don't typically have in the Playoffs. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Alperen Şengün | HOU @ GSW Sat 8:30 | 8900 | 44.9 | 8600 | 43.4 |
Sengun flirted with a triple-double in Game 2, with a 17-16-7 line. He has played at least 35 minutes in each of the first two games and has an excellent ceiling. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
C | Ivica Zubac | DEN @ LAC Sat 6:00 | 7900 | 43.1 | 7600 | 42.2 |
Zubac can play up to 40 minutes and has a great chance at a double-double, with upside for 20 points and/or 20 rebounds. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Jarrett Allen | CLE @ MIA Sat 1:00 | 6100 | 32.9 | 6800 | 32.1 |
Miami went with a smaller lineup (no Kel'el Ware) in the 4th quarter and Allen still closed the game, which bodes well for his playing time projection. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
C | Zach Edey | OKC @ MEM Sat 3:30 | 5300 | 26.4 | 4800 | 27.1 |
Edey played nearly 30 minutes in Game 2 and has a path to that again in Game 3 with Ja Morant expected to be sidelined. Game Type: GPP |
9900 , 55.2 | 55.2 | 10300 , 55.6 | 55.6 | |||
OKC won the first two games of the series handily, and then overcame a huge 26-point halftime deficit in Game 3 to bring the Grizzlies to the brink of elimination. The 15-point spread certainly adds some risk to the main pieces for the Thunder. SGA has a massive ceiling if the Grizzlies can keep up, but he is only a large-field GPP play given the blowout risk. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
James Harden, PG | 8900 , 52.7 | 52.7 | 9000 , 50.5 | 50.5 | ||
Harden has had a productive series and should flirt with 40 minutes in a close game. He is one of the safer options on the board today and comes with a 60 fantasy point ceiling, as he showed in Game 1. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Tyler Herro, PG | 7600 , 46.8 | 46.8 | 8400 , 44 | 44 | ||
Herro was outstanding in a Game 2 loss, shooting an incredible 58 percent from the floor en route to 33 points. The Heat will likely need a similar effort from their lead guard if they want to tighten up the series. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Stephen Curry, PG | 9000 , 47.2 | 47.2 | 8900 , 44.6 | 44.6 | ||
Jimmy Butler is banged up for a pivotal Game 3 as the series shifts to the Bay Area. Steph might have shoulder more of the load if the Warriors hope to take control of the series. For that reason, he is one of the top tournament options on the slate. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Darius Garland, PG | 7000 , 39.1 | 39.1 | 7300 , 37.5 | 37.5 | ||
Garland is dealing with a toe sprain and is listed questionable for Game 3. He has put up solid production in the first two games despite not playing more than 32 minutes in either game. The low-$7K price tag leaves plenty of room for him to put up solid value. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Donovan Mitchell, SG | 8500 , 46.6 | 46.6 | 8800 , 44.9 | 44.9 | ||
Mitchell has been an integral part of the Cavs jumping out to a 2-0 series lead, posting 30 points in each of the first two games. Garland is banged up and Mobley has to deal with Bam Adebayo, so expect Spida to continue to pace the Cavs offense. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jamal Murray, SG | 7400 , 43.3 | 43.3 | 7500 , 42.8 | 42.8 | ||
The Nuggets were embarrassed in a 34-point Game 3 loss to fall behind in the series. They need a bounce back, and someone other than Jokic has to contribute in a big way. Porter and Westbrook are banged up and both are questionable to play. Murray is likely to play at least 40 minutes and we have seen him take over playoff games plenty of times. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Jalen Green, SG | 7000 , 36.9 | 36.9 | 7200 , 34.9 | 34.9 | ||
Green went off for 38 points in Game 2. Expect Kerr and the Warriors to have a plan to slow him down, but Green still has elite scoring ability. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Scotty Pippen, SG | 32.7 | 5600 , 32.8 | 32.8 | |||
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Pippen played over 20 minutes in the second half after Morant went down and finished with 28 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 38 minutes. Pippen averaged 1.17 FPPM with Morant off the floor in the regular season, and he is one of top salary-considered plays on the slate. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Davion Mitchell, SG | 5200 , 28.2 | 28.2 | 5700 , 27.2 | 27.2 | ||
Mitchell has been excellent in the first two games of the series, shooting an incredible 15-of-21 from the floor. The shooting is likely to regress, but he still has an excellent role for his price tag. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Luke Kennard, SG | 3100 , 28 | 28 | 4300 , 26.6 | 26.6 | ||
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Kennard started the 2nd half for the injured superstar and is likely to be in the starting lineup for Game 4 if he can play through his own questionable status. Kennard is a top value option if he starts and Morant sits. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Jimmy Butler, SF | 8200 , 41.4 | 41.4 | 8200 , 41.8 | 41.8 | ||
Butler took a hard fall in Game 2 and is questionable on the injury report for Game 3 due to a contusion. We probably won't have clarification on the severity and impact, but I think he tries to play through it. He has been fantastic for the Warriors and even better in the playoffs, so I have interest as long as he is active without (known) restrictions. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Jalen Williams, SF | 7700 , 44.7 | 44.7 | 8300 , 44.9 | 44.9 | ||
J-Dub has scored at least 40 FP in each of three games of the series. If Memphis can keep it within the 15-point spread, J-Dub has a 50+ FP ceiling at an attractive price. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Desmond Bane, SF | 7100 , 42 | 42 | 7800 , 40.8 | 40.8 | ||
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Bane struggled with his shot in that game and that allowed the Thunder to erase a huge deficit. Bane averaged 1.23 FPPM with Morant off the floor in the regular season, and he will need to be a primary scoring option to keep the Grizzlies season alive. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Amen Thompson, SF | 7300 , 38.3 | 38.3 | 7700 , 39.5 | 39.5 | ||
Thompson dealt with foul trouble in the first half of Game 2. He picked up his third foul near the end of the 1st quarter and sat the entire 2nd quarter. He also sat the final 2 minutes of the game with the outcome decided. He should play close to 40 minutes if he can avoid foul trouble in this one. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Andrew Wiggins, SF | 6900 , 32.5 | 32.5 | 7000 , 32.2 | 32.2 | ||
The Heat need Wiggins to play better if they are going to climb back into the series. He was great in the two play-in games, shooting 16-of-37. Wiggins is just 8-of-21 from the field in the first two games of this series, and he was benched in the 4th quarter last game. There is a wide range of outcomes here, but the upside is solid if Wiggins can get back on track. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Bam Adebayo, PF | 8400 , 46.1 | 46.1 | 8500 , 44.6 | 44.6 | ||
Bam has been solid in the postseason, including the two play-in games. He is playing nearly 40 minutes and has scored at least 40 FP in each of the four games. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jaren Jackson, PF | 6800 , 41.9 | 41.9 | 7400 , 42.6 | 42.6 | ||
Ja Morant is doubtful to play due to a hip injury suffered in the first half of Game 3. Triple-J led the Grizzlies with a 32.7% usage rate and 1.37 FPPM with Morant off the floor during the regular season. The Grizz will need him to step up to keep their season alive. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Kawhi Leonard, PF | 8400 , 46.2 | 46.2 | 8700 , 45.4 | 45.4 | ||
Kawhi was incredible in Game 2, as he dropped 39 points. He followed it up with a strong 21-11-6 line in Game 3, and is a huge reason why the Clippers are up 2-1 in the series. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Chet Holmgren, PF | 7200 , 44.2 | 44.2 | 7600 , 44.7 | 44.7 | ||
Chet was excellent in the first two games of the series, but he struggled mightily in the first half of Game 3 (as most of the Thunder did). The Thunder big man came out swinging in the second half and helped lead a massive comeback. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Santi Aldama, PF | 4800 , 32.6 | 32.6 | 4900 , 32.3 | 32.3 | ||
Aldama should get a nice role boost. He averaged 1.18 FPPM with Ja Morant off the floor in the regular season and he should play at least 30 minutes. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
11500 , 68 | 68 | 11600 , 62.8 | 62.8 | |||
Jokic has scored at least 65 FP in each of the three games this series and he has the highest ceiling on the slate. The injury to Ja Morant opens up some value we don't typically have in the Playoffs. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
8900 , 44.9 | 44.9 | 8600 , 43.4 | 43.4 | |||
Sengun flirted with a triple-double in Game 2, with a 17-16-7 line. He has played at least 35 minutes in each of the first two games and has an excellent ceiling. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Ivica Zubac, C | 7900 , 43.1 | 43.1 | 7600 , 42.2 | 42.2 | ||
Zubac can play up to 40 minutes and has a great chance at a double-double, with upside for 20 points and/or 20 rebounds. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
6100 , 32.9 | 32.9 | 6800 , 32.1 | 32.1 | |||
Miami went with a smaller lineup (no Kel'el Ware) in the 4th quarter and Allen still closed the game, which bodes well for his playing time projection. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Zach Edey, C | 5300 , 26.4 | 26.4 | 4800 , 27.1 | 27.1 | ||
Edey played nearly 30 minutes in Game 2 and has a path to that again in Game 3 with Ja Morant expected to be sidelined. Game Type: GPP |