Skip to main content

Darius Garland or Ryan Rollins? Week 1

Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), PGs ranked 14th and 17th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.

Updated Oct 24, 8:26 AM ET.

Parlae may earn a commission from price links.

FP/G
32.3
9-cat
#111
Last 2 FP
33.1

3 games in Week 1

FP/G
33.2
9-cat
#57
Last 2 FP
25.5

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

Week 1 pick in points and 9-cat leagues.

The Week 1 call

Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Ryan Rollins. Both have 1 game left in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), so it comes down to per game: 33.2 fantasy points to 32.3.

9-cat leagues: Ryan Rollins again, 0.0 category value for the week to -1.5.

Ryan Rollins has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on.

Darius Garland's minutes are up: 34.3 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 30.4 on the board.

Ryan Rollins's minutes are down: 28.6 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 31.7 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.

Darius Garland rookie cardsRyan Rollins rookie cards

Advertisement

Week 1 (Oct 19-25), side by side

This weekDarius GarlandRyan Rollins
Games, Week 133
Games counted (left this week)11
Back-to-backs01
Games, Week 233
Minutes, last games34.3 (last 2)28.6 (last 2)
Minutes, board30.431.7
Shots per 36, last games19.914.5
InjuryNone listedNone listed
Projected fantasy points32.333.2
Projected 9-cat value-1.50.0

Schedule: Darius Garland Wed SAC, Fri @LAL, Sun @OKC. Ryan Rollins Wed @WAS, Fri CHI, Sat @PHI.

Projected totals for the games counted

StatDarius GarlandRyan Rollins
Points19.916.5
Rebounds2.24.8
Assists6.55.5
Steals1.01.4
Blocks0.20.4
Threes2.82.4
Turnovers3.32.6

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

The season-long call

Points leagues: Ryan Rollins, 33.2 fantasy points per game to 32.3.

9-cat leagues: Ryan Rollins again, 57th overall against 111th.

Per game, side by side

StatDarius GarlandRyan Rollins
Fantasy points per game32.333.2
Minutes30.431.7
PointsPTS19.916.5
ReboundsREB2.24.8
AssistsAST6.55.5
StealsSTL1.01.4
BlocksBLK0.20.4
Threes3PM2.82.4
Field goal %FG%46.9%45.5%
Free throw %FT%82.0%79.1%
TurnoversTO3.32.6

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

Other close calls

Week 1 streamers · NBA waiver wire · Games per team this week

Is Darius Garland playing tonight? · Is Ryan Rollins playing tonight?

Your next move

Common questions

  • Should I start Darius Garland or Ryan Rollins in Week 1?

    Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Ryan Rollins. Both have 1 game left in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), so it comes down to per game: 33.2 fantasy points to 32.3. 9-cat leagues: Ryan Rollins again, 0.0 category value for the week to -1.5. Ryan Rollins has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on. Darius Garland's minutes are up: 34.3 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 30.4 on the board. Ryan Rollins's minutes are down: 28.6 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 31.7 on the board.

  • Who is better for the season, Darius Garland or Ryan Rollins?

    Points leagues: Ryan Rollins, 33.2 fantasy points per game to 32.3. 9-cat leagues: Ryan Rollins again, 57th overall against 111th.

  • Who wins more categories, Darius Garland or Ryan Rollins?

    Darius Garland is ahead in 5 (points, assists, threes, field goal percentage, free throw percentage); Ryan Rollins in 4 (rebounds, steals, blocks, turnovers), per game.

By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 24, 2026 at 8:26 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number