The first full turn of the 2026-27 NBA schedule has put an early frame around the fantasy board: Nikola Jokić remains the standard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still stacking two-way numbers, and Luka Dončić has inherited an even larger share of the Lakers’ offense. Week 1 rankings in standard points formats also reflect a few major new pairings, including Anthony Edwards with LaMelo Ball in Minnesota and Giannis Antetokounmpo alongside Bam Adebayo in Miami.
The top of the board stays crowded with stars
- 1. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets: Jokić opens the season as fantasy’s leading option again. Denver still runs enormous portions of its offense through him, while Jamal Murray and DeMar DeRozan give him targets who can finish the assists he creates. Injuries cost him time last year, but he has reached 65 games or more in each of his 11 NBA seasons.
- 2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder: In Tuesday’s Western Conference Finals rematch, Gilgeous-Alexander posted 32 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks. That line produced 61.2 fantasy points, or 64 in High Score scoring. The consecutive Kia MVP winner averaged 50.4 fantasy points last season and has opened this campaign as the engine of another strong Thunder group.
- 3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers: With LeBron James now in Philadelphia, the Lakers are firmly Dončić’s team. He had 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 30 minutes during Los Angeles’ lopsided win over Golden State, attempting 12 threes in that stretch. Availability remains the question: Dončić has missed 50 games across the past two seasons.
- 4. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs: A quiet opening night does little to change Wembanyama’s outlook because his defense supplies such a sturdy weekly base. The reigning Kia Defensive Player of the Year averaged 25 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks last season, good for 53.4 fantasy points per game. His work on the glass and at the rim gives him a route to the overall No. 1 spot by season’s end.
- 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat: Antetokounmpo erased early concerns about adjusting beside Adebayo with 35 points in only 30 minutes against Minnesota. He recorded just one assist, but Miami does not have a conventional starting point guard, leaving plenty of possessions likely to begin in Antetokounmpo’s hands. More converted looks from teammates would keep his assist totals and top-five ceiling intact.
Edwards and Cunningham carry major offensive loads
- 6. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves: Edwards and Ball clicked immediately in the opener, combining for 66 points in a win over Miami. Edwards scored 45 and finished with 66.5 fantasy points, or 70 under High Score rules. As a two-time All-NBA guard with scoring range at all three levels, he could find cleaner looks with Ball handling point-guard duties.
- 7. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons: Detroit will again ask Cunningham to carry a heavy offensive workload. At 25, he has established himself as a dependable fantasy MVP-level candidate in recent seasons. Turnovers are the main drag in conventional formats, though formats that do not penalize missed shots or giveaways raise his value further.
- 8. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: Johnson’s all-around production made him one of last season’s most overlooked fantasy stars. The forward averaged 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists, totaling 48.3 fantasy points a night. Matching that baseline would be valuable; another jump would put him among the game’s most productive multipurpose forwards.
Maxey and Tatum round out the opening top 10
- 9. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers: Philadelphia added several players who need touches, but the first game offered no sign that Maxey is being pushed aside. In the 76ers’ win over defending champion New York at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Maxey logged 28 points and five assists. His 19 field-goal attempts and nine free throws both led the club, a clear early indication that he remains Philadelphia’s lead guard in a deep offense.
- 10. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics: Boston’s perimeter-heavy system should continue to create volume from deep for Tatum. In 16 games last season after returning from a torn Achilles tendon, he contributed beyond scoring with averages of 10 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.4 steals. With Paul George beside him and an offense that ranked second in offensive rating last year, Tatum has the supporting context to hold a top-10 fantasy place if those secondary numbers continue.
Week 1 snapshot
The rankings are built for standard points leagues and will move as the season develops. The opening games already supplied useful signals: Maxey’s shooting volume remains secure, Edwards has a new table-setter, Antetokounmpo will have the ball often in Miami, and Dončić’s minutes and usage in Los Angeles are set to be watched closely. At the top, Jokić, Gilgeous-Alexander and Wembanyama still offer the combination of role, production and category coverage that can swing a fantasy week without needing an unusually hot shooting night.
