If you set weekly lineups, favor busy teams when comparing fringe starters. In daily leagues, keep a flexible slot for injury updates.
The week at a glance
Week 4, Nov 9–15: 51 games over 7 days. 14 teams play 4 or more games: CLE, DAL, HOU, IND, MEM, MIL, NOP, NYK, OKC, PHX, SAS, TOR, UTA and WAS. 2 teams play 2 games or fewer: BKN and MIN.
If your matchup looks close, compare Cleveland options with your lighter schedule choices before filling a utility slot.
Four-game teams to lean on
| Team | Games | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| CLE | 4 | Mon at CHA, Wed at NYK, Fri at MIA, Sat vs DAL |
| DAL | 4 | Mon vs IND, Thu at MIN, Sat at CLE, Sun at BOS |
| HOU | 4 | Mon vs DEN, Wed vs GSW, Fri vs UTA, Sun at WAS |
| IND | 4 | Mon at DAL, Wed vs WAS, Fri vs NYK, Sun at PHI |
| MEM | 4 | Mon at TOR, Wed vs DEN, Fri at NOP, Sat vs BKN |
| MIL | 4 | Tue at NYK, Wed vs LAL, Fri at ORL, Sun vs ATL |
| NOP | 4 | Mon at GSW, Wed vs BKN, Fri vs MEM, Sat vs DEN |
| NYK | 4 | Tue vs MIL, Wed vs CLE, Fri at IND, Sun at TOR |
| OKC | 4 | Tue at POR, Wed at POR, Fri at LAC, Sun at SAC |
| PHX | 4 | Mon vs SAS, Tue vs LAC, Thu vs CHA, Sun vs LAL |
| SAS | 4 | Mon at PHX, Wed at CHI, Fri vs GSW, Sun at UTA |
| TOR | 4 | Mon vs MEM, Wed vs BOS, Thu at PHI, Sun vs NYK |
| UTA | 4 | Tue vs MIA, Wed vs ORL, Fri at HOU, Sun vs SAS |
| WAS | 4 | Mon at DET, Wed at IND, Thu vs DET, Sun vs HOU |
Key players on these teams, with their 2025-26 lines:
| Player | Team | Pos | Games | Fantasy pts per game | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Threes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedric Coward | MEM | SG | 62 | 16.8 | 13.6 | 5.9 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.5 |
 Jerami Grant |
MEM | PF | 57 | 16.8 | 18.6 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 2.4 |
 Cam Spencer |
MEM | SG | 72 | 15.3 | 11.1 | 2.5 | 5.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 2 |
| Trey Murphy III | NOP | SG | 66 | 23.9 | 21.5 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 3.2 |
 Zion Williamson |
NOP | PF | 62 | 20.6 | 21 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 |
 Saddiq Bey |
NOP | SF | 72 | 19.3 | 17.7 | 5.6 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 2.1 |
 Karl-Anthony Towns |
NYK | C | 75 | 26.8 | 20.1 | 11.9 | 3 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.5 |
 Jalen Brunson |
NYK | PG | 74 | 24.1 | 26 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 2.6 |
 Josh Hart |
NYK | SG | 66 | 20.1 | 12 | 7.4 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.5 |
 Lauri Markkanen |
UTA | PF | 42 | 25.5 | 26.7 | 6.9 | 2.1 | 1 | 0.5 | 2.7 |
 Jusuf Nurkić |
UTA | C | 41 | 22.7 | 10.9 | 10.4 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 |
 Keyonte George |
UTA | PG | 54 | 22.6 | 23.6 | 3.7 | 6.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 2.5 |
 Anthony Davis |
WAS | C | 20 | 28.6 | 20.4 | 11.1 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.5 |
 Alex Sarr |
WAS | C | 48 | 23 | 16.3 | 7.4 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 2 | 1 |
 Kyshawn George |
WAS | SF | 48 | 19.3 | 14.8 | 5.1 | 4.5 | 1 | 0.9 | 2.1 |
 Donovan Mitchell |
CLE | SG | 70 | 26.6 | 27.9 | 4.5 | 5.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 3.2 |
 James Harden |
CLE | PG | 70 | 26.1 | 23.6 | 4.8 | 8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 |
 Evan Mobley |
CLE | C | 65 | 25.7 | 18.2 | 9 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 1 |
 Cooper Flagg |
DAL | SG | 70 | 24.4 | 21 | 6.7 | 4.5 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 1 |
 Santi Aldama |
DAL | PF | 43 | 19.5 | 14 | 6.7 | 2.9 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 1.6 |
 P.J. Washington |
DAL | PF | 56 | 19.2 | 14.2 | 7 | 1.8 | 1 | 1.1 | 1.4 |
 Alperen Şengün |
HOU | C | 72 | 27.5 | 20.4 | 8.9 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 |
 Kevin Durant |
HOU | SF | 78 | 24.8 | 26 | 5.5 | 4.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 2.4 |
| Amen Thompson | HOU | SG | 79 | 24.5 | 18.3 | 7.8 | 5.3 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.3 |
 Pascal Siakam |
IND | PF | 62 | 24.3 | 24 | 6.6 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 1.7 |
 Ivica Zubac |
IND | C | 48 | 21.1 | 14.1 | 10.6 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0 |
 Andrew Nembhard |
IND | PG | 57 | 19.9 | 16.9 | 2.8 | 7.7 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.9 |
 Ryan Rollins |
MIL | PG | 74 | 21.3 | 17.3 | 4.6 | 5.6 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 2.5 |
 Tyler Herro |
MIL | SG | 33 | 20.7 | 20.5 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 2.5 |
| Kel'el Ware | MIL | C | 77 | 19.1 | 11.1 | 9 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
OKC | PG | 68 | 29.6 | 31.1 | 4.3 | 6.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 1.7 |
 Chet Holmgren |
OKC | C | 69 | 23.7 | 17.1 | 8.9 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 |
 Jalen Williams |
OKC | PF | 33 | 20.1 | 17.1 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
 Devin Booker |
PHX | SG | 64 | 23.1 | 26.1 | 3.9 | 6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.9 |
 Miles Bridges |
PHX | PF | 77 | 19.4 | 17.1 | 5.8 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
 Collin Gillespie |
PHX | PG | 80 | 17.9 | 12.7 | 4.1 | 4.6 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 2.9 |
 Victor Wembanyama |
SAS | C | 64 | 34.6 | 25 | 11.5 | 3.1 | 1 | 3.1 | 1.9 |
 Stephon Castle |
SAS | SG | 68 | 21.8 | 16.7 | 5.3 | 7.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 1.2 |
| De'Aaron Fox | SAS | PG | 72 | 21 | 18.6 | 3.8 | 6.2 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 1.8 |
 Kawhi Leonard |
TOR | SF | 65 | 27.9 | 27.9 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 2.6 |
 Scottie Barnes |
TOR | PF | 80 | 26.5 | 18.1 | 7.5 | 5.9 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
 Immanuel Quickley |
TOR | PG | 70 | 20.9 | 16.4 | 4 | 5.9 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 2.5 |
If blocks matter in your category matchup, keep Victor Wembanyama in your center slot and use utility for another need.
Light weeks to plan around
| Team | Games | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| BKN | 2 | Wed at NOP, Sat at MEM |
| MIN | 2 | Thu vs DAL, Sat vs CHI |
If you rely on Minnesota players in a weekly league, compare bench alternatives before locking your utility spot.
Back-to-backs and rest risk
16 teams play on consecutive nights this week.
| Team | First night | Second night |
|---|---|---|
| PHX | Mon vs SAS | Tue vs LAC |
| BOS | Tue at PHI | Wed at TOR |
| MIL | Tue at NYK | Wed vs LAL |
| NYK | Tue vs MIL | Wed vs CLE |
| OKC | Tue at POR | Wed at POR |
| ORL | Tue at SAC | Wed at UTA |
| POR | Tue vs OKC | Wed vs OKC |
| UTA | Tue vs MIA | Wed vs ORL |
| TOR | Wed vs BOS | Thu at PHI |
| WAS | Wed at IND | Thu vs DET |
| CHI | Fri vs ATL | Sat at MIN |
| CLE | Fri at MIA | Sat vs DAL |
| MEM | Fri at NOP | Sat vs BKN |
| MIA | Fri vs CLE | Sat vs DET |
| NOP | Fri vs MEM | Sat vs DEN |
| DAL | Sat at CLE | Sun at BOS |
If you use Phoenix players in a daily league, keep a reserve option ready and check availability before each lineup lock.
Due back and injury changes
Players with a listed return date this week:
| Player | Team | Status | Injury | Listed return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Brandon Miller |
CHA | DTD | Right groin, soreness | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Clint Capela |
HOU | Out | Right ankle, sprain | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Dennis Schroder |
CHA | Out | Thigh | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Grant Williams |
CHA | Out | Right hamstring | Mon, Nov 9 |
| Immanuel Quickley |
TOR | DTD | Right hamstring | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Isaiah Stewart |
MEM | Out | Right knee, bruise | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Jalen Duren |
DET | Out | Right hamstring, strain | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Kon Knueppel |
CHA | Out | Left hamstring, strain | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Moussa Diabate |
CHA | DTD | Quadriceps | Mon, Nov 9 |
| Nate Bittle | TOR | Out | Right foot, fracture | Mon, Nov 9 |
| Scottie Barnes |
TOR | DTD | Left groin, soreness | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Scotty Pippen Jr. |
MEM | Out | Back, soreness | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Steven Adams |
HOU | Out | Right calf, strain | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Tobias Harris |
SAS | Out | Left calf, strain | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Tristan Vukcevic |
WAS | Out | Left hip, pinched nerve | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Yves Missi |
NOP | Out | Left knee, bruise | Mon, Nov 9 |
 Jalen Suggs |
ORL | Out | Right knee | Tue, Nov 10 |
 Jonathan Isaac |
ORL | Out | Left knee | Tue, Nov 10 |
| Josh Hart |
NYK | Out | Ankle | Tue, Nov 10 |
 Keegan Murray |
SAC | Out | Ankle | Tue, Nov 10 |
 Maxime Raynaud |
SAC | Out | Right knee, dislocated | Tue, Nov 10 |
 Egor Demin |
BKN | Out | Right leg, bruise | Wed, Nov 11 |
| Dereck Lively II | DAL | Out | Right foot, surgery | Thu, Nov 12 |
 Sergio de Larrea |
DAL | Out | Right knee, strain | Thu, Nov 12 |
| Tarik Biberovic | DAL | Out | Right heel, inflammation | Thu, Nov 12 |
| Thomas Sorber | OKC | Out | Knee | Fri, Nov 13 |
 Tyrese Haliburton |
IND | Out | Left hamstring, strain | Fri, Nov 13 |
Also on the injury report for teams with 4 or more games:
| Player | Team | Status | Injury | Listed return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Jaylon Tyson |
CLE | Out | Right ankle, sprain | Sat, Nov 7 (date passed) |
| Ben Sheppard | IND | Out | Left knee | Sat, Jan 2 |
| Johnny Furphy | IND | Out | Right knee, surgery | Sat, Jan 2 |
 T.J. McConnell |
IND | Out | Right hamstring, strain | Sat, Nov 7 (date passed) |
 Cason Wallace |
OKC | Out | Left shoulder, surgery | Tue, Mar 2 |
| Chet Holmgren |
OKC | Out | Right knee | Sat, Jan 2 |
| Jalen Williams |
OKC | Out | Left leg, fracture | Tue, Mar 2 |
 Mark Williams |
PHX | Out | Left shoulder, surgery | Wed, Feb 3 |
| Jayden Quaintance | SAS | Out | Right knee, surgery | Thu, Dec 3 |
| Kawhi Leonard |
TOR | Out | Left knee, inflammation | Mon, Nov 23 |
 Jaren Jackson Jr. |
UTA | Out | Right knee | Mon, Dec 14 |
| Jusuf Nurkic |
UTA | Out | Right foot, strain | Fri, Nov 20 |
 Trey Alexander |
UTA | Out | Left knee, bruise | Fri, Nov 6 (date passed) |
 Jamir Watkins |
WAS | Out | Left knee, surgery | Fri, Apr 2 |
 Justin Champagnie |
WAS | Out | Right foot | Thu, Feb 25 |
 Reece Beekman |
WAS | Out | Shoulder | Thu, Dec 3 |
Injury report changes since Fri, Nov 6 (report of Sat, Nov 7):
| Player | Team | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
 Asa Newell |
ATL | Out | DTD |
 Jalen Johnson |
ATL | DTD | Out |
 Keshon Gilbert |
ATL | Out | DTD |
| Brandon Miller |
CHA | Not listed | DTD |
| Moussa Diabate |
CHA | Out | DTD |
| Peyton Watson | CLE | DTD | Off the report |
 Sam Merrill |
CLE | Not listed | DTD |
 Tyrese Proctor |
CLE | DTD | Off the report |
 Kyrie Irving |
DAL | DTD | Off the report |
 Max Christie |
DAL | DTD | Off the report |
| Santi Aldama |
DAL | Out | Off the report |
| Spencer Jones | DEN | Out | Off the report |
 Draymond Green |
GSW | Not listed | DTD |
 Gary Payton II |
GSW | Not listed | DTD |
| Clint Capela |
HOU | DTD | Out |
 Sandro Mamukelashvili |
LAL | DTD | Off the report |
| Joan Beringer | MIN | Not listed | DTD |
| Josh Hart |
NYK | DTD | Out |
| Jaylin Williams | OKC | Out | DTD |
| Nikola Topic | OKC | Out | Off the report |
If Josh Hart holds a weekly lineup spot, check his status near lock and prepare a bench replacement.
Josh Hart • NYK
Looking ahead
Next week, Nov 16–22: 13 teams have 4 or more games: BOS, CHI, DEN, DET, GSW, MEM, MIN, NOP, NYK, ORL, POR, UTA and WAS.
For managers planning next week, flag Memphis when reviewing utility choices and reassess your bench before lineup lock.