Lauri Markkanen or Michael Porter Jr.? Week 2
Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), PFs ranked 4th and 9th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.
Updated Oct 28, 4:33 AM ET. Rechecked every 30 minutes.
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- FP/G
- 37.9
- 9-cat
- #19
- Last 4 FP
- 25.5
Game-time decision (Wrist)
3 games in Week 2, 1 back-to-back
Week 2 pick in 9-cat leagues.
The Week 2 call
Points leagues, Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1): start Michael Porter Jr.. Both have 2 games left in Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), so it comes down to per game: 38.8 fantasy points to 37.9.
9-cat leagues: Lauri Markkanen instead, 6.1 category value for the week to 5.8, because his category mix is worth more there.
Lauri Markkanen has 1 back-to-back in Week 2, the nights rest days tend to land on.
Lauri Markkanen's minutes are down: 28.6 a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, against 33.1 on the board.
Michael Porter Jr. played 32.1 minutes a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, in line with his 32.4 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 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), side by side
| This week | Lauri Markkanen | Michael Porter Jr. |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 2 | 2 |
| Back-to-backs | 1 | 0 |
| Games, Week 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Minutes, last games | 28.6 (last 4) | 32.1 (last 4) |
| Minutes, board | 33.1 | 32.4 |
| Shots per 36, last games | 15.1 | 19.1 |
| Injury | Game-time decision (Wrist) | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 75.7 | 77.6 |
| Projected 9-cat value | 6.1 | 5.8 |
Schedule: Lauri Markkanen Mon MEM, Wed SAS, Sat POR. Michael Porter Jr. Tue @BOS, Fri DET, Sun @IND.
Projected totals for the games counted
| Stat | Lauri Markkanen | Michael Porter Jr. |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 49.0 | 47.8 |
| Rebounds | 13.2 | 14.1 |
| Assists | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| Steals | 1.7 | 2.6 |
| Blocks | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| Threes | 5.4 | 6.9 |
| Turnovers | 2.9 | 4.7 |
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: Michael Porter Jr., 38.8 fantasy points per game to 37.9.
9-cat leagues: Lauri Markkanen instead, 19th overall against 20th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Lauri Markkanen vs Michael Porter Jr.: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build
Per game, side by side
| Stat | Lauri Markkanen | Michael Porter Jr. |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 37.9 | 38.8 |
| Minutes | 33.1 | 32.4 |
| PointsPTS | 24.5 | 23.9 |
| ReboundsREB | 6.6 | 7.0 |
| AssistsAST | 2.0 | 2.6 |
| StealsSTL | 0.8 | 1.3 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Threes3PM | 2.7 | 3.5 |
| Field goal %FG% | 46.5% | 46.5% |
| Free throw %FT% | 89.4% | 84.8% |
| TurnoversTO | 1.4 | 2.3 |
Bold is the better number. Per-game lines blend last season with this one, the same numbers the rankings use.
Other close calls
Week 2 streamers · NBA waiver wire · Games per team this week
Is Lauri Markkanen playing tonight? · Is Michael Porter Jr. playing tonight?
Your next move
Common questions
Should I start Lauri Markkanen or Michael Porter Jr. in Week 2?
Points leagues, Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1): start Michael Porter Jr.. Both have 2 games left in Week 2 (Oct 26-Nov 1), so it comes down to per game: 38.8 fantasy points to 37.9. 9-cat leagues: Lauri Markkanen instead, 6.1 category value for the week to 5.8, because his category mix is worth more there. Lauri Markkanen has 1 back-to-back in Week 2, the nights rest days tend to land on. Lauri Markkanen's minutes are down: 28.6 a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, against 33.1 on the board. Michael Porter Jr. played 32.1 minutes a game over his last 4 games of 2026-27, in line with his 32.4 on the board.
Who is better for the season, Lauri Markkanen or Michael Porter Jr.?
Points leagues: Michael Porter Jr., 38.8 fantasy points per game to 37.9. 9-cat leagues: Lauri Markkanen instead, 19th overall against 20th, because the categories reward a different mix.
Who wins more categories, Lauri Markkanen or Michael Porter Jr.?
Lauri Markkanen is ahead in 4 (points, blocks, free throw percentage, turnovers); Michael Porter Jr. in 4 (rebounds, assists, steals, threes), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 28, 2026 at 4:33 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number