The 2026 NBA Finals are finally here, and DraftKings is giving us a loaded Showdown slate as the San Antonio Spurs host the New York Knicks in Game 1. On one side, Victor Wembanyama brings unmatched ceiling with elite scoring, rebounding, and shot-blocking upside. On the other, Jalen Brunson continues to carry New York’s offense while Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges provide multiple paths to tournament-winning production.
Single-game DFS slates are often won through unique roster construction rather than simply picking the highest scorer in the Captain slot. Finding the right Captain, identifying undervalued role players, and understanding how Game 1 could play out will be the difference between a min-cash and a tournament takedown. This breakdown will point you to the best plays and offer some strategy. Let’s build.
Best Spurs vs. Knicks Game 1 Captain Picks
- Wemby ($18.9k)
- KAT ($10.2k)
- Jalen Brunson ($10.6k)
These are the main guys to target if you’re looking for high usage, top shelf projection, and a high ceiling. Wemby is the best raw projection play of the slate, but he’s also by far the most expensive.
Karl-Anthony Towns is the best value of this trio, and he packs in a solid floor and compelling ceiling. He hasn’t really been needed much lately, but he’s fresh off an inane 51-point fantasy outing in which he played just 26 minutes.
Towns currently resides in the CPT slot for the top lineup, per our DFS lineup tool.
Check out our lineup tool to make sure you’re getting an updated look at the best lineups to use tonight.
Let’s not ignore Brunson, who dropped 25 real points on San Antonio in a win in the NBA Cup. He’s a little less exciting than KAT due to price and projection, but he’s still firmly in play. We know he can heat up, but he’ll also need to be successful in the mid-range and out on the perimeter in this matchup.
GPP Picks for the Captain Slot in Game 1
- Stephon Castle ($12.9k)
- OG Anunoby ($10.8k)
- Dylan Harper ($8.1k)
- Julian Champaigne ($8.1k)
Castle is the ultimate leverage play, seeing as Wemby is going to pull a lot of ownership, while the two Knicks stars should also be popular. By default, Castle isn’t going to look as appealing, even though he has a big role and actually enters game one with the third best projection of the slate.
Castle can be hit or miss, but he does possess a ceiling and New York’s stingy defense is at their best down low. Mitch Robinson is going to be available for this game, too, so if you want to play into that narrative, attacking the Spurs with their guards or outside shooters makes a lot of sense.
That is going to make Devin Vassell and De’Aaron Fox viable as well, but if I’m not paying up for Wemby or Castle in CPT, I like going cheaper with Harper or Champaigne.
Champaigne was a ghost in the NBA Cup, but the one thing the Knicks give up is shots from long range. With bigger fish to fry, I can see New York leaving Champaigne and some of these other perimeter threats open quite a bit.
Harper is the better play by comparison, of course, as the price gap is small and we know he’s simply going to do more. Champaigne might need to come out and hit 5+ treys to really pan out.
You can also target Knicks guys like Josh Hart or Mikal Bridges, but if I am not Captain-ing one of their studs, I think OG is the guy I’d be going after. He dominated in this matchup in the NBA Cup, and his inside/outside game could serve him well here.
Top Knicks vs. Spurs Value Picks for Game 1
- Keldon Johnson ($5.4k)
- Miles McBride ($6.6k)
- Mitch Robinson ($6k)
The value stinks heading into game one. KJ could get hot in 15-20 minutes off the bench and his game does set up nicely in this matchup. There’s also McBride, who has a clear path to 15+ minutes if he’s playing well.
You could always bet on Deuce coming up lame. If that happens, guys like Landry Shamet and Jordan Clarkson could get extra burn.
Mitch Robinson is the only value play I am really into. He hurt his pinky, but he’s ready to rock and all he’s out there for is defense and rebounding, anyways. Given the matchup, I think there’s a decent chance he pushes for 20 minutes. That’s enough to get me excited to play him at CPT a bit.
NBA Finals Game 1 DraftKings Showdown Strategy
Due to the lack of value, I naturally won’t be sliding the top-priced guys into the Captain slot. I’ll be looking to take precious few dives in the Flex, and I’ll be targeting nicely priced mid-range options (that also have solid ceilings) as CPT plays instead.
If I am spending I think KAT, Brunson, or Castle are the way to go. And when I’m not spending, I’ll play a good amount of OG, Bridges, Vassell, Champaigne, and Harper.
Want basic strategy for NBA DFS contests? Stop by our guide to NBA DFS if you’re a beginner.
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Playing DFS since the days of DraftStreet, Kevin knows the ins and outs of DFS, specifically for NFL and NBA. He’s also been helping people win in fantasy football leagues for 15+ years and is one of many experts featured at FantasyPros.
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