Ajay Mitchell or Brandin Podziemski? Week 2
Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), PGs ranked 22nd and 23rd at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.
Updated Oct 27, 8:32 PM ET. Rechecked every 30 minutes.
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- FP/G
- 27.3
- 9-cat
- #72
- Last 4 FP
- 31.3
Day to day (Ankle)
3 games in Week 2, 1 back-to-back
Week 2 pick in 9-cat leagues.
The Week 2 call
Points leagues, Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1): start Brandin Podziemski. Brandin Podziemski has 3 games counted to 2 for Ajay Mitchell, for 85.6 projected fantasy points against 54.6.
9-cat leagues: Ajay Mitchell instead, -0.9 category value for the week to -3.0, because his category mix is worth more there.
Ajay Mitchell has 1 back-to-back in Week 2, the nights rest days tend to land on.
Ajay Mitchell played 24.7 minutes a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, in line with his 25.6 on the board.
Brandin Podziemski's minutes are up: 32.8 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 29.0 on the board.
This is the call for one lineup slot across the week, the way weekly-lock leagues play it. In a daily-lineup league, start whichever of the two plays that night, and both when they fit.
Ajay Mitchell rookie cardsBrandin Podziemski rookie cards
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Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), side by side
| This week | Ajay Mitchell | Brandin Podziemski |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 2 | 3 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 0 |
| Games, Week 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Minutes, last games | 24.7 (last 4) | 32.8 (last 2) |
| Minutes, board | 25.6 | 29.0 |
| Shots per 36, last games | 17.8 | 17.0 |
| Injury | Day to day (Ankle) | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 54.6 | 85.6 |
| Projected 9-cat value | -0.9 | -3.0 |
Schedule: Ajay Mitchell Mon PHX, Wed @DAL, Sat @HOU. Brandin Podziemski Mon @DEN, Wed @MIN, Fri LAL, Sun LAC.
Projected totals for the games counted
| Stat | Ajay Mitchell | Brandin Podziemski |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 28.2 | 42.9 |
| Rebounds | 6.6 | 15.1 |
| Assists | 7.3 | 11.2 |
| Steals | 2.8 | 3.5 |
| Blocks | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Threes | 1.9 | 5.8 |
| Turnovers | 3.0 | 4.9 |
Each projection is the board's per-game line times the games counted; a player listed Out counts none. 9-cat value is the per-game category score (z-scores against the top 156) times games. Minutes and shots per 36 come from the last 4 games of 2026-27. Schedule from the NBA's published slate via ESPN.
The season-long call
Points leagues: Brandin Podziemski, 28.5 fantasy points per game to 27.3.
9-cat leagues: Ajay Mitchell instead, 72nd overall against 87th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Ajay Mitchell vs Brandin Podziemski: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build
Per game, side by side
| Stat | Ajay Mitchell | Brandin Podziemski |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 27.3 | 28.5 |
| Minutes | 25.6 | 29.0 |
| PointsPTS | 14.1 | 14.3 |
| ReboundsREB | 3.3 | 5.0 |
| AssistsAST | 3.6 | 3.7 |
| StealsSTL | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| Threes3PM | 0.9 | 1.9 |
| Field goal %FG% | 49.1% | 45.4% |
| Free throw %FT% | 88.3% | 81.0% |
| TurnoversTO | 1.5 | 1.6 |
Bold is the better number. Per-game lines blend last season with this one, the same numbers the rankings use.
Other close calls
Week 2 streamers · NBA waiver wire · Games per team this week
Is Ajay Mitchell playing tonight? · Is Brandin Podziemski playing tonight?
Your next move
Common questions
Should I start Ajay Mitchell or Brandin Podziemski in Week 2?
Points leagues, Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1): start Brandin Podziemski. Brandin Podziemski has 3 games counted to 2 for Ajay Mitchell, for 85.6 projected fantasy points against 54.6. 9-cat leagues: Ajay Mitchell instead, -0.9 category value for the week to -3.0, because his category mix is worth more there. Ajay Mitchell has 1 back-to-back in Week 2, the nights rest days tend to land on. Ajay Mitchell played 24.7 minutes a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, in line with his 25.6 on the board. Brandin Podziemski's minutes are up: 32.8 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 29.0 on the board.
Who is better for the season, Ajay Mitchell or Brandin Podziemski?
Points leagues: Brandin Podziemski, 28.5 fantasy points per game to 27.3. 9-cat leagues: Ajay Mitchell instead, 72nd overall against 87th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Ajay Mitchell or Brandin Podziemski?
Ajay Mitchell is ahead in 5 (steals, blocks, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, turnovers); Brandin Podziemski in 3 (rebounds, assists, threes), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 27, 2026 at 8:32 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number