Get your DraftKings NBA DFS picks for Thursday's exciting 2-game slate featuring the NBA Finals rematch and a Western Conference showdown. Our expert analysis covers must-play options like Nikola Jokic ($11,500) against a weak Warriors interior and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,500) returning to face Indiana after his Finals heroics. We break down key injury situations creating value opportunities, including Aaron Wiggins ($4,200) filling in for absent Thunder defenders and Andrew Nembhard ($6,400) stepping into Tyrese Haliburton's starting role. Whether building tournament lineups or cash game rosters, our matchup-based analysis and salary optimization strategy help you dominate DraftKings contests with the Thunder-Pacers and Nuggets-Warriors games tonight.
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Slate Overview
OKC at IND: 2024-25 Finals rematch; Thunder beat Pacers in seven games
DEN at GSW: Nuggets won 2024-25 season series 2-1
For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
Injuries to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
OKC - Alex Caruso (concussion), Isaiah Joe (knee), Jalen Williams (wrist), Cason Wallace (knee): OUT
IND - T.J. McConnell (hamstring): OUT
GSW - De'Anthony Melton (knee), Moses Moody (calf): OUT
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder 
($10,500) at Pacers
Gilgeous-Alexander got off to a slow start in his first game of the season, but he warmed up by the fourth quarter, accumulating solid numbers before sinking a clutch bucket to force overtime. He went on to play 47 minutes in the double-overtime thriller and finished with 35 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks. He is set to go up against a familiar foe versus the Pacers, after he averaged 30.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks through their seven-game series in the 2024-25 NBA Finals.
Forwards/Centers
Jimmy Butler, Warriors 
($7,400) vs. Nuggets
Butler made a statement by helping lead his team to a win with 31 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal on opening night. He can be expected to build off his last outing for another strong performance, considering he averaged 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.5 steals through two meetings with the Nuggets after joining the Warriors last season.
Pascal Siakam, Pacers 
($8,200) vs. Thunder
Siakam enters his first game of the season and should have a bit of extra motivation to come out strong against the team that he faced in last year's finals. He averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks through their seven-game series, and he has a great chance to top those numbers tonight, as the Thunder are shorthanded in the frontcourt.
Chet Holmgren, Thunder ($7,500) at Pacers
Holmgren came out strong to open the 2025-26 season, delivering 28.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 38 minutes of action during a double-overtime win against the Rockets. He should find a favorable matchup against the Pacers, who will likely need some time to figure out their new look in the frontcourt after the departure of Myles Turner in the offseason.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 
($11,500) at Warriors
Jokic is a must-pick option almost anytime he touches the floor. He topped 80 DK points 16 times last season, including a high of 100.3 in early-March. He has a great chance to open his 2025-26 campaign with a signature performance, as he takes on a Warriors team that lacks a dominant presence in the paint. He racked up 66.0 DK points with 33 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and two steals in his only road game versus the Warriors last season.
Mid-Range Money
Jamal Murray, Nuggets ($7,000) at Warriors
Jamal Murray averaged 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per game last season but did not play in either of his squad's games in Golden State. Nonetheless, he should find room to get his shot going from long range, as the Warriors allowed opponents to shoot an average of 36.3 percent from deep through the 2024-25 season. The Warriors are also without some key backcourt depth in De'Anthony Melton and Moses Moody.
Andrew Nembhard, Pacers ($6,400) vs. Thunder
Nembhard is set to kick off the season in the starting point-guard role, filling in for the injured Tyrese Haliburton. He averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals as the Pacers' starting shooting guard last season, but he can be expected to deliver notable increases in his points and assists per game, as he will have the ball in his hands much more frequently in his new role. He faces a tough matchup across from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Thunder are missing two of their top backcourt defenders in Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace, which works in Nembhard's favor.
Christian Braun, Nuggets ($5,300) at Warriors
Braun is up for his first game after signing a major extension in the offseason, one that was well-earned by his impressively efficient play last season. He averaged 15.4 points on blistering 58.0 percent shooting in 2024-25 and can only be expected to pick up where he left off, heading into his fourth NBA season.
Value Picks
Aaron Wiggins, Thunder ($4,200) at Pacers
Wiggins chipped in 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting in the Thunder's season opener. He is likely to pick up a much bigger role against the Pacers, as he is in line to step up while Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace are sidelined.
Obi Toppin, Pacers ($5,200) vs. Thunder
Toppin was a standout contributor off the bench last season, averaging 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He also averaged 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists through seven games against the Thunder in the NBA Finals. He should continue to chip in across the board with his energetic style of play, but he may also be up for a boost amidst the Pacers' new-look frontcourt.
Jonas Valanciunas, Nuggets ($4,600) at Warriors
Valanciunas is a very capable producer at his position and will be a great asset off the bench for the Nuggets. He should be able to dominate the glass during his time on the floor against a less formidable Nuggets frontcourt.
