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October 23, 2026, 5:56 pmLast Updated on October 23, 2026 5:56 pm by Mike Passador | Published: October 23, 2026
We’re only a few days into the NBA season, and fantasy basketball is already giving us plenty to think about. Some players are making strong first impressions, others are struggling to find their rhythm, and a handful of unexpected rotation decisions are creating opportunities that weren’t necessarily obvious during draft season.
But we’re still dealing with incredibly small samples. One excellent shooting night doesn’t guarantee a breakout, just as one ugly performance doesn’t mean someone suddenly forgot how to play basketball. What matters most is whether the minutes, responsibilities, and opportunities behind those performances are sustainable.
Thursday gave us another reminder of that. Philadelphia overcame a 29-point deficit to defeat Cleveland, with Tyrese Maxey leading the charge, while Denver’s supporting cast struggled to generate offense in a difficult loss to Oklahoma City.
There are already some useful fantasy takeaways from those games, but Saturday also brings several developing situations worth monitoring. We have eight games on the schedule, 11 teams playing the second night of a back-to-back, and some particularly interesting questions surrounding Joel Embiid’s availability, Charlotte’s backcourt, and Phoenix’s frontcourt rotation. And with Sunday bringing seven games, there’s still an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in your weekly fantasy matchup.
Let’s get into it!
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From the cliffs of Porto Moniz to the forests of Latvia. With a degree in business and a background in finance, I traded balance sheets for projection models, following a lifelong love of the game. Iโve played it, Iโve lived it and Iโve had the privilege of working inside team front offices at both the club and national level.
For over 20 years, Iโve also been immersed in the world of Fantasy Basketball, studying trends, finding edges and living the grind season after season. That passion has brought me here, to SportsEthos, where Iโm honored to be part of our management team alongside the great Aaron Bruski. My mission is simple: help SportsEthos thrive as the premier home for Fantasy Sports and sports coverage. A place where users get real value and where every member of the team can sharpen their craft, find joy in the work and build something special that feels like home.
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