Paul George or Zion Williamson? Week 1
Who to start in fantasy basketball in Week 1 (Oct 19-25), SFs ranked 7th and 10th at the position, compared on 2025-26 and 2026-27 per-game production.
Updated Oct 22, 12:56 AM ET. Rechecked every 30 minutes.
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- FP/G
- 35.2
- 9-cat
- #101
- Last 10 FP
- 30.5
3 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 Zion Williamson. Zion Williamson has 2 games counted to 1 for Paul George, for 70.3 projected fantasy points against 35.3.
9-cat leagues: Paul George instead, 2.9 category value for the week to -2.6, because his category mix is worth more there.
Zion Williamson has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on.
Paul George played 30.6 minutes a game over his last 1 game of 2026-27, in line with his 30.7 on the board.
Zion Williamson played 28.3 minutes a game over his last 5 games of 2025-26, in line with his 29.7 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.
Paul George rookie cardsZion Williamson rookie cards
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Week 1 (Oct 19-25), side by side
| This week | Paul George | Zion Williamson |
|---|---|---|
| Games, Week 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Games counted (left this week) | 1 | 2 |
| Back-to-backs | 0 | 1 |
| Games, Week 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Minutes, last games | 30.6 (last 1) | 28.3 (last 5) |
| Minutes, board | 30.7 | 29.7 |
| Shots per 36, last games | 24.7 | 12.7 |
| Injury | None listed | None listed |
| Projected fantasy points | 35.3 | 70.3 |
| Projected 9-cat value | 2.9 | -2.6 |
Schedule: Paul George Tue @DET, Fri NYK. Zion Williamson Wed IND, Fri @UTA, Sat @DEN.
Projected totals for the games counted
| Stat | Paul George | Zion Williamson |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 18.6 | 42.0 |
| Rebounds | 5.3 | 11.4 |
| Assists | 3.6 | 6.4 |
| Steals | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Blocks | 0.4 | 1.1 |
| Threes | 3.0 | 0.0 |
| Turnovers | 1.8 | 4.1 |
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: Paul George, 35.3 fantasy points per game to 35.2.
9-cat leagues: Paul George again, 20th overall against 101st.
Paul George vs Zion Williamson: the full comparison, per 36 and by punt build
Per game, side by side
| Stat | Paul George | Zion Williamson |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy points per game | 35.3 | 35.2 |
| Minutes | 30.7 | 29.7 |
| PointsPTS | 18.6 | 21.0 |
| ReboundsREB | 5.3 | 5.7 |
| AssistsAST | 3.6 | 3.2 |
| StealsSTL | 1.9 | 1.0 |
| BlocksBLK | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| Threes3PM | 3.0 | 0.0 |
| Field goal %FG% | 45.1% | 60.0% |
| Free throw %FT% | 82.8% | 71.6% |
| TurnoversTO | 1.8 | 2.0 |
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 Paul George playing tonight? · Is Zion Williamson playing tonight?
Your next move
Common questions
Should I start Paul George or Zion Williamson in Week 1?
Points leagues, Week 1 (Oct 19-25): start Zion Williamson. Zion Williamson has 2 games counted to 1 for Paul George, for 70.3 projected fantasy points against 35.3. 9-cat leagues: Paul George instead, 2.9 category value for the week to -2.6, because his category mix is worth more there. Zion Williamson has 1 back-to-back in Week 1, the nights rest days tend to land on. Paul George played 30.6 minutes a game over his last 1 game of 2026-27, in line with his 30.7 on the board. Zion Williamson played 28.3 minutes a game over his last 5 games of 2025-26, in line with his 29.7 on the board.
Who is better for the season, Paul George or Zion Williamson?
Points leagues: Paul George, 35.3 fantasy points per game to 35.2. 9-cat leagues: Paul George again, 20th overall against 101st.
Who wins more categories, Paul George or Zion Williamson?
Paul George is ahead in 5 (assists, steals, threes, free throw percentage, turnovers); Zion Williamson in 4 (points, rebounds, blocks, field goal percentage), per game.
By the Parlae deskBoard updated Oct 22, 2026 at 12:56 AM ETHow this is builtReport a wrong number