Jamal Murray or LeBron James? Week 1
Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), PGs ranked 5th and 5th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.
Updated Oct 24, 12:27 PM ET. Rechecked every 30 minutes.
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- FP/G
- 41.4
- 9-cat
- #40
- Last 2 FP
- 41.9
Game-time decision (Back)
4 games in Week 1, 1 back-to-back
Week 1 pick in points leagues.
The Week 1 call
Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start LeBron James. LeBron James has 2 games counted to 1 for Jamal Murray, for 82.9 projected fantasy points against 41.4.
9-cat leagues: Jamal Murray instead, 3.0 category value for the week to 2.0, because his category mix is worth more there.
LeBron James has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on.
Jamal Murray played 36.8 minutes a game over his last 1 game of 2026-27, in line with his 35.5 on the board.
LeBron James played 33.6 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 33.2 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.
Jamal Murray rookie cardsLeBron James rookie cards
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Week 1 (Oct 19-25), side by side
| This week | Jamal Murray | LeBron James |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 1 | 2 |
| Back-to-backs | 0 | 1 |
| Games, Week 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Minutes, last games | 36.8 (last 1) | 33.6 (last 2) |
| Minutes, board | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| Shots per 36, last games | 10.8 | 14.5 |
| Injury | None listed | Game-time decision (Back) |
| Projected fantasy points | 41.4 | 82.9 |
| Projected 9-cat value | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Schedule: Jamal Murray Thu @OKC, Sat NOP. LeBron James Tue @NYK, Thu CLE, Sat MIL, Sun DET.
Projected totals for the games counted
| Stat | Jamal Murray | LeBron James |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 24.2 | 40.6 |
| Rebounds | 4.8 | 12.9 |
| Assists | 6.9 | 14.1 |
| Steals | 0.9 | 2.6 |
| Blocks | 0.4 | 1.3 |
| Threes | 3.1 | 2.4 |
| Turnovers | 2.5 | 6.0 |
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 2 games of 2026-27. Schedule from the NBA's published slate via ESPN.
The season-long call
Points leagues: LeBron James, 41.4 fantasy points per game to 41.4.
9-cat leagues: Jamal Murray instead, 18th overall against 40th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Jamal Murray vs LeBron James: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build
Per game, side by side
| Stat | Jamal Murray | LeBron James |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 41.4 | 41.4 |
| Minutes | 35.5 | 33.2 |
| PointsPTS | 24.2 | 20.3 |
| ReboundsREB | 4.8 | 6.5 |
| AssistsAST | 6.9 | 7.1 |
| StealsSTL | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Threes3PM | 3.1 | 1.2 |
| Field goal %FG% | 47.1% | 50.0% |
| Free throw %FT% | 86.8% | 74.2% |
| TurnoversTO | 2.5 | 3.0 |
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 Jamal Murray playing tonight? · Is LeBron James playing tonight?
Your next move
Common questions
Should I start Jamal Murray or LeBron James in Week 1?
Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start LeBron James. LeBron James has 2 games counted to 1 for Jamal Murray, for 82.9 projected fantasy points against 41.4. 9-cat leagues: Jamal Murray instead, 3.0 category value for the week to 2.0, because his category mix is worth more there. LeBron James has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on. Jamal Murray played 36.8 minutes a game over his last 1 game of 2026-27, in line with his 35.5 on the board. LeBron James played 33.6 minutes a game over his last 2 games of 2026-27, in line with his 33.2 on the board.
Who is better for the season, Jamal Murray or LeBron James?
Points leagues: LeBron James, 41.4 fantasy points per game to 41.4. 9-cat leagues: Jamal Murray instead, 18th overall against 40th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Jamal Murray or LeBron James?
Jamal Murray is ahead in 4 (points, threes, free throw percentage, turnovers); LeBron James in 5 (rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 24, 2026 at 12:27 PM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number