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Jalen Smith or Kyle Filipowski? Week 1

Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), Cs ranked 35th and 36th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.

Updated Oct 24, 8:26 AM ET.

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FP/G
24.1
9-cat
#120
Last 2 FP
34.1

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

Week 1 pick in points and 9-cat leagues.

FP/G
23.9
9-cat
#169
Last 2 FP
3.6

3 games in Week 1

The Week 1 call

Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Jalen Smith. Both have 1 game left in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), so it comes down to per game: 24.1 fantasy points to 23.9.

9-cat leagues: Jalen Smith again, -1.7 category value for the week to -2.9.

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

Jalen Smith played 21.7 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 20.8 on the board.

Kyle Filipowski's minutes are down: 8.3 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 21.6 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 weekJalen SmithKyle Filipowski
Games, Week 133
Games counted (left this week)11
Back-to-backs10
Games, Week 233
Minutes, last games21.7 (last 2)8.3 (last 2)
Minutes, board20.821.6
Shots per 36, last games16.66.5
InjuryNone listedNone listed
Projected fantasy points24.123.9
Projected 9-cat value-1.7-2.9

Schedule: Jalen Smith Wed @TOR, Fri @MIL, Sat WAS. Kyle Filipowski Wed @MEM, Fri NOP, Sun LAL.

Projected totals for the games counted

StatJalen SmithKyle Filipowski
Points10.710.2
Rebounds7.16.4
Assists1.22.3
Steals0.61.0
Blocks0.80.4
Threes1.50.8
Turnovers0.91.6

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: Jalen Smith, 24.1 fantasy points per game to 23.9.

9-cat leagues: Jalen Smith again, 120th overall against 169th.

Jalen Smith vs Kyle Filipowski: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build

Per game, side by side

StatJalen SmithKyle Filipowski
Fantasy points per game24.123.9
Minutes20.821.6
PointsPTS10.710.2
ReboundsREB7.16.4
AssistsAST1.22.3
StealsSTL0.61.0
BlocksBLK0.80.4
Threes3PM1.50.8
Field goal %FG%49.3%48.8%
Free throw %FT%75.9%75.6%
TurnoversTO0.91.6

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 Jalen Smith playing tonight? · Is Kyle Filipowski playing tonight?

Your next move

Common questions

  • Should I start Jalen Smith or Kyle Filipowski in Week 1?

    Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Jalen Smith. Both have 1 game left in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), so it comes down to per game: 24.1 fantasy points to 23.9. 9-cat leagues: Jalen Smith again, -1.7 category value for the week to -2.9. Jalen Smith has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on. Jalen Smith played 21.7 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 20.8 on the board. Kyle Filipowski's minutes are down: 8.3 a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, against 21.6 on the board.

  • Who is better for the season, Jalen Smith or Kyle Filipowski?

    Points leagues: Jalen Smith, 24.1 fantasy points per game to 23.9. 9-cat leagues: Jalen Smith again, 120th overall against 169th.

  • Who wins more categories, Jalen Smith or Kyle Filipowski?

    Jalen Smith is ahead in 7 (points, rebounds, blocks, threes, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, turnovers); Kyle Filipowski in 2 (assists, steals), per game.

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