NBA DFS: Key DraftKings and FanDuel Picks for the Season Opener Featuring Luka Doncic
Explore optimal daily fantasy basketball strategies as the NBA season tips off, focusing on top players like Luka Doncic.
The 2025-26 NBA season kicks off on Tuesday, October 21, with a two-game lineup featuring the Rockets vs. Thunder at 7:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Lakers vs. Warriors at 10 p.m. ET. With over/under totals of 227.5 for the early matchup and 226 for the late one, fantasy players are eager to start the season with picks like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler taking center stage. You can also expect Kevin Durant making his Rockets debut. However, with a high price tag, it might be wise to evaluate his performance before committing him to your lineup.
Balancing big-name stars requires finding value players in the NBA DFS pool. As Houston’s Fred VanVleet is out for the season, players like Reed Sheppard or Aaron Holiday may become key contributors alongside Durant. Before finalizing your choices, consider consulting thorough NBA DFS advice, player rankings, and strategic stacks available on SportsLine from Mike McClure.
Luka Doncic
Top Picks for NBA DFS on October 21
A standout pick for the day is Doncic, who is listed at $11,000 on DraftKings and $11,700 on FanDuel, playing his first opening night with the Lakers and without LeBron James (sciatica). If preseason performances are any indication, Doncic is set to deliver outstanding output, having led the preseason in scoring after a productive summer with the Slovenian National Team. Last season, he averaged 28.2 points per game with the Lakers, performing even better against the Warriors, where he recorded a staggering 45-point triple-double earlier in the previous season.
Another recommended player is Isaiah Hartenstein of the Thunder, priced at $5,400 on DraftKings and $5,800 on FanDuel.
As a former Rocket, Hartenstein has something to prove after averaging 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in the last season. His performances against Houston were particularly notable, averaging 16 points per game last season, making him a compelling roster option given Houston’s struggles on the court.
For more tips and strategies for your NBA DFS lineups, including a secret pick that might change the game for you, visit SportsLine for insider insights.
