Jalen Brunson or LaMelo Ball? Week 2
Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), PGs ranked 7th and 11th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.
Updated Oct 28, 12:34 PM ET. Rechecked every 30 minutes.
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- FP/G
- 36.1
- 9-cat
- #51
- Last 4 FP
- 28.5
4 games in Week 2, 2 back-to-backs
Week 2 pick in points and 9-cat leagues.
The Week 2 call
Points leagues, Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1): start LaMelo Ball. LaMelo Ball has 3 games counted to 2 for Jalen Brunson, for 108.2 projected fantasy points against 78.4.
9-cat leagues: LaMelo Ball again, 0.7 category value for the week to -1.6.
Jalen Brunson has 1 back-to-back and LaMelo Ball has 2 back-to-backs in Week 2, the nights rest days tend to land on.
Jalen Brunson played 35.1 minutes a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, in line with his 35.0 on the board.
LaMelo Ball's minutes are down: 24.8 a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, against 27.3 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.
Jalen Brunson rookie cardsLaMelo Ball rookie cards
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Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), side by side
| This week | Jalen Brunson | LaMelo Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 2 | 3 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 2 |
| Games, Week 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Minutes, last games | 35.1 (last 4) | 24.8 (last 4) |
| Minutes, board | 35.0 | 27.3 |
| Shots per 36, last games | 21.1 | 17.8 |
| Injury | None listed | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 78.4 | 108.2 |
| Projected 9-cat value | -1.6 | 0.7 |
Schedule: Jalen Brunson Tue DET, Wed @CHI, Fri @PHI. LaMelo Ball Mon @CLE, Wed GSW, Fri LAC, Sat @SAS.
Projected totals for the games counted
| Stat | Jalen Brunson | LaMelo Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 50.7 | 56.8 |
| Rebounds | 6.4 | 12.7 |
| Assists | 12.6 | 20.9 |
| Steals | 1.4 | 4.0 |
| Blocks | 0.5 | 0.6 |
| Threes | 4.6 | 10.8 |
| Turnovers | 4.7 | 8.7 |
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: Jalen Brunson, 39.2 fantasy points per game to 36.1.
9-cat leagues: LaMelo Ball instead, 51st overall against 77th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Per game, side by side
| Stat | Jalen Brunson | LaMelo Ball |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 39.2 | 36.1 |
| Minutes | 35.0 | 27.3 |
| PointsPTS | 25.3 | 18.9 |
| ReboundsREB | 3.2 | 4.2 |
| AssistsAST | 6.3 | 7.0 |
| StealsSTL | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Threes3PM | 2.3 | 3.6 |
| Field goal %FG% | 44.5% | 41.0% |
| Free throw %FT% | 81.4% | 83.3% |
| TurnoversTO | 2.3 | 2.9 |
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 Jalen Brunson playing tonight? · Is LaMelo Ball playing tonight?
Your next move
Common questions
Should I start Jalen Brunson or LaMelo Ball in Week 2?
Points leagues, Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1): start LaMelo Ball. LaMelo Ball has 3 games counted to 2 for Jalen Brunson, for 108.2 projected fantasy points against 78.4. 9-cat leagues: LaMelo Ball again, 0.7 category value for the week to -1.6. Jalen Brunson has 1 back-to-back and LaMelo Ball has 2 back-to-backs in Week 2, the nights rest days tend to land on. Jalen Brunson played 35.1 minutes a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, in line with his 35.0 on the board. LaMelo Ball's minutes are down: 24.8 a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, against 27.3 on the board.
Who is better for the season, Jalen Brunson or LaMelo Ball?
Points leagues: Jalen Brunson, 39.2 fantasy points per game to 36.1. 9-cat leagues: LaMelo Ball instead, 51st overall against 77th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Jalen Brunson or LaMelo Ball?
Jalen Brunson is ahead in 5 (points, blocks, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, turnovers); LaMelo Ball in 4 (rebounds, assists, steals, threes), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 28, 2026 at 12:34 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number