Fantasy Managers Face Tricky Decisions As NBA Enters Week 3
Eighteen teams play four games while twelve play three, forcing owners to balance risk and reward in their starting lineups.
By Harper Laurent ·
Eighteen NBA teams will play four games in the upcoming week, a schedule that creates complex decision-making scenarios for fantasy basketball managers. The remaining twelve teams will play only three games. This disparity in game count is the primary factor driving start and sit choices for the third week of the 2026-27 season.
Collin Gillespie of the Phoenix Suns is a recommended start despite inconsistent prior results. He recorded 16 points, 10 assists, four steals, three rebounds, one block, and four three-pointers in a loss to the Denver Nuggets. His performance improved after teammate Dillon Brooks was ejected. Phoenix has the easiest schedule this week, playing against the Warriors, Trail Blazers, Magic, and Rockets.
Jeremiah Fears of the New Orleans Pelicans has found form after a slow start. He averaged 21.0 points, 10.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 2.0 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers in his last two games. Those games were played without Dejounte Murray, who is sidelined for personal reasons. Fears has started all six games this season and faces a four-game slate.
Miles Bridges continues to provide value for Phoenix. He averages 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, and 1.8 combined steals and blocks in four games. Aday Mara of the Oklahoma City Thunder is another potential start. With Chet Holmgren out for at least two months due to a knee injury, Mara has played at least 20 minutes in three straight games. He averages 8.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks during that span.
Several players are recommended sits due to limited production or injury risks. Jaylen Wells of the Memphis Grizzlies averages only 12.2 points and 1.2 steals in 27.2 minutes. Four of his seven steals came in the season opener. Collin Murray-Boyles of the Toronto Raptors ranks 180th in nine-category leagues, averaging just 7.7 points and 4.7 rebounds.
Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks has struggled offensively. He averages 6.2 points and 1.2 three-pointers in 27.4 minutes per game. Jalen Smith of the Chicago Bulls is a safer sit because of injury concerns. Nic Claxton may return from a hamstring injury soon, which would likely reduce Smith's playing time. Smith's minutes have ranged from 19 to 30 over his last six games.
Managers must weigh these factors against their specific league formats. Rotisserie leagues may value game count differently than standard head-to-head leagues. The current week's schedule requires owners to evaluate roster depth carefully. Teams with four games offer more opportunities for accumulation, while those with three games limit the chance to recover from a bad performance.
