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The sixth week of the postseason brought exciting action during the Conference Finals, leaving us with two series tied at 2-1, reached through unexpected routes. The Pacers surprised everyone with two victories on the road, while the Knicks mounted a thrilling comeback. Additionally, the Timberwolves delivered an astonishing blowout against the Thunder in Game 3, ensuring there have been plenty of standout individual performances.
As is tradition, we’ll explore the top five fantasy contributors from the four remaining teams, followed by a look at five players who typically feature affordable salaries in daily fantasy sports (DFS), making them worthy considerations for the upcoming games in each series.
#1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
Last Week: 47.8 FP/G
With Nikola Jokić now absent from playoff contention, it’s fitting to see the newly crowned MVP leading this week’s rankings. Despite only playing 28 minutes in a shocking Game 3 defeat to the Timberwolves, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 27.7 points, 7.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.0 steals over the first three matches of the Western Conference Finals. He claims the top position even though he shot a modest 42.6%, including a disappointing 27.3% from beyond the arc, lower than his typical standards. His strong scoring was bolstered by averaging 11 trips to the free-throw line per game, converting an impressive 84.8% of those attempts.
#2. Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Last Week: 46.6 FP/G
Haliburton’s Pacers came tantalizingly close to establishing what could have been an unassailable 3-0 series lead Sunday night. Although they didn’t quite achieve that, their leader had a productive week overall. Haliburton notched a second consecutive 31-point playoff performance to open the series in Madison Square Garden. Despite having a quieter Game 2 with only 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting, he did manage another impressive 11 assists, complemented by eight rebounds and two steals. In Game 3, Haliburton showcased his versatility, contributing 20 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and three steals in 37 minutes during a tough loss.
#3. Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Last Week: 46.3 FP/G
Edwards had struggled with his shooting in four regular-season encounters against the Thunder, which had cast a shadow over his fantasy prospects heading into the WCF. While he was underwhelming in Game 1, managing only 5-of-13 from the field, he rebounded strongly in Games 2 and 3, averaging 31.0 points on 55.8% shooting. He also secured nine rebounds in each of the first three games, contributing six assists in the last two, firmly establishing himself as a key player in Minnesota’s quest to defy the odds against OKC and secure the title of Western Conference champions.
#4. Jalen Brunson, Knicks
Last Week: 41.6 FP/G
Brunson experienced an intriguing first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals. He displayed impressive fantasy statistics in New York’s surprising back-to-back defeats at home to kick off the series, then faced foul trouble during the Knicks’ spirited Game 3 comeback at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday evening. In the opening two games, he averaged a remarkable 39.5 points (on 53.8% shooting), 8.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds over 38.5 minutes. However, foul troubles in Game 3 limited him to a 23-point, two-rebound, one-assist performance in 31 minutes, and he struggled with his shooting, hitting just 6-of-18—his lowest efficiency since Game 2 against the Celtics.
#5. Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
Last Week: 40.8 FP/G
Like Brunson, Towns faced foul difficulties during Game 3, but he remained resolute, leading New York’s comeback from a 20-point deficit with an impressive performance of 24 points, 15 rebounds, and one assist. He opened the series with a strong showing, delivering a double-double of 35 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1 at MSG, and he has effectively utilized his 7.7 free-throw attempts per game, achieving an 87.0% success rate.
**Mikal Bridges, Knicks**
Last Week: 32.0 FP/G
Bridges has struggled with his shooting, maintaining a 44.2% success rate, but he has contributed well-rounded numbers with an average of 17.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 steals through the first three games, encouragingly taking 17.3 shots per game.
**Aaron Nesmith, Pacers**
Last Week: 30.9 FP/G
Nesmith had a quieter Game 3 after dealing with a rolled ankle but reminded everyone of his potential with a 30-point explosion fueled by eight 3-pointers in Game 1, making him a compelling choice for DFS tournaments.
**Jaden McDaniels, Timberwolves**
Last Week: 25.8 FP/G
McDaniels’ scoring has fluctuated in the series—recording seven, 22, and 10 points—but his 46.7% efficiency from three, combined with 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game, keeps him a viable option as a solid mid-range salary choice.
**Naz Reid, Timberwolves**
Last Week: 23.9 FP/G
Reid has had an unusually inconsistent postseason, reflected in the first three games where he shot only 32.0%, including 13.3% from beyond the arc. Nonetheless, his consistent eight-rebound performances and at least one block per game have somewhat mitigated his offensive struggles.
**Andrew Nembhard, Pacers**
Last Week: 21.9 FP/G
Nembhard remains a key complementary player, capitalizing on his opportunities by averaging 12.0 points (with 48.1% shooting, including 50.0% from three), along with 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists across 36.7 minutes in the first three games of the Eastern Conference Finals.
