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Chet Holmgren or Walker Kessler? Week 3

Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 3 (Nov 2-8), Cs ranked 11th and 13th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.

Updated Nov 3, 12:36 AM ET.

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FP/G
36.0
9-cat
#14
Last 3 FP
34.5

Out (Knee)

4 games in Week 3, 1 back-to-back

FP/G
38.0
9-cat
#12
Last 8 FP
38.2

4 games in Week 3, 1 back-to-back

Week 3 pick in points and 9-cat leagues.

The Week 3 call

Chet Holmgren is listed Out (Knee) on Sleeper, so his projection counts no games while that stands.

Points leagues, Week 3 (Nov 2-8): start Walker Kessler. Walker Kessler has 3 games counted to 0 for Chet Holmgren, for 114.0 projected fantasy points against 0.0.

9-cat leagues: Walker Kessler again, 11.1 category value for the week to 0.0.

Walker Kessler has 1 back-to-back in Week 3, the nights rest days tend to land on.

Chet Holmgren played 29.9 minutes a game over his last 3 games of 2026-27, in line with his 29.1 on the board.

Walker Kessler played 30.6 minutes a game over his last 5 games of 2026-27, in line with his 30.7 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.

Chet Holmgren rookie cards

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Week 3 (Nov 2-8), side by side

This weekChet HolmgrenWalker Kessler
Games, Week 344
Games counted (left this week)03
Back-to-backs11
Games, Week 443
Minutes, last games29.9 (last 3)30.6 (last 5)
Minutes, board29.130.7
Shots per 36, last games10.89.9
InjuryOut (Knee)None listed
Projected fantasy points0.0114.0
Projected 9-cat value0.011.1

Schedule: Chet Holmgren Mon @CLE, Wed CLE, Fri @MEM, Sat WAS. Walker Kessler Mon MIA, Wed @SAC, Fri POR, Sun @DET.

Projected totals for the games counted

StatChet HolmgrenWalker Kessler
Points0.043.0
Rebounds0.030.8
Assists0.05.8
Steals0.03.5
Blocks0.07.3
Threes0.01.5
Turnovers0.06.8

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 5 games of 2026-27. Schedule from the NBA's published slate via ESPN.

The season-long call

Points leagues: Walker Kessler, 38.0 fantasy points per game to 36.0.

9-cat leagues: Walker Kessler again, 12th overall against 14th.

Chet Holmgren vs Walker Kessler: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build

Per game, side by side

StatChet HolmgrenWalker Kessler
Fantasy points per game36.038.0
Minutes29.130.7
PointsPTS16.314.3
ReboundsREB9.010.3
AssistsAST1.61.9
StealsSTL0.61.2
BlocksBLK2.12.4
Threes3PM1.20.5
Field goal %FG%53.7%73.4%
Free throw %FT%82.6%62.2%
TurnoversTO1.62.3

Bold is the better number. Per-game lines blend last season with this one, the same numbers the rankings use.

Other close calls

Week 3 streamers · NBA waiver wire · Games per team this week

Is Chet Holmgren playing tonight? · Is Walker Kessler playing tonight?

Your next move

Common questions

  • Should I start Chet Holmgren or Walker Kessler in Week 3?

    Chet Holmgren is listed Out (Knee) on Sleeper, so his projection counts no games while that stands. Points leagues, Week 3 (Nov 2-8): start Walker Kessler. Walker Kessler has 3 games counted to 0 for Chet Holmgren, for 114.0 projected fantasy points against 0.0. 9-cat leagues: Walker Kessler again, 11.1 category value for the week to 0.0. Walker Kessler has 1 back-to-back in Week 3, the nights rest days tend to land on. Chet Holmgren played 29.9 minutes a game over his last 3 games of 2026-27, in line with his 29.1 on the board. Walker Kessler played 30.6 minutes a game over his last 5 games of 2026-27, in line with his 30.7 on the board.

  • Who is better for the season, Chet Holmgren or Walker Kessler?

    Points leagues: Walker Kessler, 38.0 fantasy points per game to 36.0. 9-cat leagues: Walker Kessler again, 12th overall against 14th.

  • Who wins more categories, Chet Holmgren or Walker Kessler?

    Chet Holmgren is ahead in 4 (points, threes, free throw percentage, turnovers); Walker Kessler in 5 (rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage), per game.

By the Parlae deskBoard updated Nov 3, 2026 at 12:36 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number