Locked On Fantasy Basketball – Daily NBA Fantasy Basketball Podcast NBA 25/26 Schedule: 5-Game Weeks, 2-Game Traps & Fantasy Playoff Chaos | Fade Nikola Jokic?
Aug 18, 2025
The newly released NBA 25/26 schedule has major implications for fantasy basketball strategies. Teams facing tough back-to-back games could put star players like LaMelo Ball and Joel Embiid at risk. Understanding how 5-game and 2-game weeks can affect playoff outcomes is crucial. The influence of Yahoo and ESPN's default settings on top players like Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic also gets a spotlight. Plus, insights on the NBA Cup's importance for scheduling can help sharpen your fantasy approach.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Don't Overdraft For Playoff Games
- Do not overvalue playoff schedule when drafting early picks; small game differences rarely justify selecting worse players.
- Focus on outliers and only consider schedule in later rounds or between closely ranked players.
Use Calendar Dates For Playoffs
- Set your fantasy playoff end date using calendar dates rather than platform week numbers to avoid confusion.
- Use March 22 as my recommended playoff finish to align with the calendar weeks I discuss.
NBA Cup Adds Scheduling Uncertainty
- The NBA Cup can force extra games and create unexpected back-to-backs because teams play fewer regular-season games.
- That addition increases the chance of late-season back-to-backs and scheduling quirks to monitor.