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Jabari Smith Jr. or Kristaps Porziņģis? Week 1

Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), PFs ranked 12th and 20th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.

Updated Oct 22, 6:57 AM ET.

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FP/G
31.1
9-cat
#55
Last 1 FP
42.5

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

Week 1 pick in points and 9-cat leagues.

FP/G
30.7
9-cat
#70
Last 10 FP
27.5

Out (Undisclosed)

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

The Week 1 call

Kristaps Porziņģis is listed Out (Undisclosed) on Sleeper, so his projection counts no games while that stands.

Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Jabari Smith Jr.. Jabari Smith Jr. has 2 games counted to 0 for Kristaps Porziņģis, for 62.3 projected fantasy points against 0.0.

9-cat leagues: Jabari Smith Jr. again, 0.3 category value for the week to 0.0.

Jabari Smith Jr. has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on.

Jabari Smith Jr. played 36.5 minutes a game over his last 1 game of 2026-27, in line with his 35.2 on the board.

Kristaps Porziņģis played 25.8 minutes a game over his last 5 games of 2025-26, in line with his 24.0 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.

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

This weekJabari Smith Jr.Kristaps Porziņģis
Games, Week 133
Games counted (left this week)20
Back-to-backs11
Games, Week 244
Minutes, last games36.5 (last 1)25.8 (last 5)
Minutes, board35.224.0
Shots per 36, last games16.815.6
InjuryNone listedOut (Undisclosed)
Projected fantasy points62.30.0
Projected 9-cat value0.30.0

Schedule: Jabari Smith Jr. Wed DAL, Fri @SAS, Sat @ATL. Kristaps Porziņģis Wed @LAL, Fri MEM, Sat @PHX.

Projected totals for the games counted

StatJabari Smith Jr.Kristaps Porziņģis
Points33.30.0
Rebounds13.50.0
Assists3.60.0
Steals1.60.0
Blocks1.70.0
Threes4.80.0
Turnovers2.70.0

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: Jabari Smith Jr., 31.1 fantasy points per game to 30.7.

9-cat leagues: Jabari Smith Jr. again, 55th overall against 70th.

Jabari Smith Jr. vs Kristaps Porziņģis: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build

Per game, side by side

StatJabari Smith Jr.Kristaps Porziņģis
Fantasy points per game31.130.7
Minutes35.224.0
PointsPTS16.716.7
ReboundsREB6.85.2
AssistsAST1.82.5
StealsSTL0.80.6
BlocksBLK0.91.2
Threes3PM2.41.7
Field goal %FG%46.6%44.6%
Free throw %FT%77.8%84.2%
TurnoversTO1.31.3

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

Other close calls

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

Is Jabari Smith Jr. playing tonight? · Is Kristaps Porziņģis playing tonight?

Your next move

Common questions

  • Should I start Jabari Smith Jr. or Kristaps Porziņģis in Week 1?

    Kristaps Porziņģis is listed Out (Undisclosed) on Sleeper, so his projection counts no games while that stands. Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Jabari Smith Jr.. Jabari Smith Jr. has 2 games counted to 0 for Kristaps Porziņģis, for 62.3 projected fantasy points against 0.0. 9-cat leagues: Jabari Smith Jr. again, 0.3 category value for the week to 0.0. Jabari Smith Jr. has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on. Jabari Smith Jr. played 36.5 minutes a game over his last 1 game of 2026-27, in line with his 35.2 on the board. Kristaps Porziņģis played 25.8 minutes a game over his last 5 games of 2025-26, in line with his 24.0 on the board.

  • Who is better for the season, Jabari Smith Jr. or Kristaps Porziņģis?

    Points leagues: Jabari Smith Jr., 31.1 fantasy points per game to 30.7. 9-cat leagues: Jabari Smith Jr. again, 55th overall against 70th.

  • Who wins more categories, Jabari Smith Jr. or Kristaps Porziņģis?

    Jabari Smith Jr. is ahead in 4 (rebounds, steals, threes, field goal percentage); Kristaps Porziņģis in 4 (assists, blocks, free throw percentage, turnovers), per game.

By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 22, 2026 at 6:57 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number