After a wild Wednesday NBA slate that included monster performances from superstars like Spurs F/C Victor Wembanyama, Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Timberwolves G Anthony Edwards, we have just two games on Thursday, October 23, in the NBA.
One is an NBA Finals rematch when F Pascal Siakam and the Pacers host G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the defending champion Thunder.
Oh yeah, and Nuggets C Nikola Jokic and Warriors G Stephen Curry face off in a Western Conference showdown in the late night matchup, with both games on ESPN.
Below, we'll break down six of the top NBA DFS picks for PrizePicks for Thursday, including for Jokic and Thunder F/C Chet Holmgren.
NBA DFS Picks for PrizePicks: October 23, 2025
Here are the top NBA DFS picks for PrizePicks for Thursday's games. Player projections via the PrizePicks real money NBA game.
Nuggets C Nikola Jokic vs. Warriors Projection – 49.5 PRA
- Jokic averaged a triple-double last season with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game.
- The three-time MVP took a major step forward from behind the arc, shooting 41.7% from deep and averaging a career-high 2.0 three-pointers.
- Jokic has averaged at least 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in each of the last three seasons.
- Across two games against the Warriors last season, the superstar center averaged 35.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists.
Pacers F Pascal Siakam vs. Thunder Projection – 19.5 Points
- The Pacers will be missing two of their top scoring options from last season’s squad with PG Tyrese Haliburton (achilles) out and C Myles Turner now on the Bucks.
- Siakam appeared in 78 games for the Pacers last season, averaging 20.2 points and shooting 51.9% from the field.
- The former Raptor has shot at least 48.0% from the field in each of the last four seasons.
- Even with Haliburton and Turner in the fold, Siakam averaged 19.3 points against the Thunder in the Finals.
Thunder F/C Chet Holmgren vs. Pacers Projection – 17.5 Points
- In his season debut versus the Rockets on Tuesday, Holmgren scored 28 points over 38 minutes. The game went to double overtime and Holmgren eventually fouled out.
- While Holmgren averaged just 10.7 shot attempts per game last season, he jacked up 17 shots versus the Rockets with Thunder F Jalen Williams (wrist) sidelined. Williams has also been ruled out for Thursday.
- The third-year big man shot at least 37.0% from behind the arc in both of his first two seasons in the NBA.
- The Pacers aren’t nearly as imposing at center anymore with C Isaiah Jackson, C Jay Huff, and C James Wiseman expected to replace Turner.
Pacers G/F Benedict Mathurin vs. Thunder Projection – 18.5 Points
- Mathurin has averaged at least 16.1 points per game in two of his first three seasons in the league.
- After splitting time between starting and coming off the bench last season, Mathurin is lined up to start at shooting guard this season.
- Haliburton and Turner ranked fourth and fifth in usage rate on the Pacers last season. Mathurin was third in that department at 22.8%.
- Not only will the Thunder be missing a key defender in Williams, but Thunder G Alex Caruso (concussion) has also been ruled out.
Pacers G/F Andrew Nembhard vs. Thunder Projection – 20.5 Pts+Asts
- As if losing Haliburton wasn’t difficult enough for the Pacers, Indy G T.J. McConnell (hamstring) is also out for at least a month.
- McConnell has played a significant role off the bench for the Pacers, averaging at least 18 minutes in every season of his career.
- The only healthy backup point guards that the Pacers have available right now are G RayJ Dennis and G Taelon Peter, who are both on two-way contracts.
- Across 29 minutes per game last season, Nembhard averaged 10.0 points and 5.0 assists.
Warriors G Brandin Podziemski vs. Nuggets Projection – 22 PRA
- Over 27 minutes per game last season, Podziemski posted 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
- While the third-year guard logged 33 minutes in the Warriors’ season opener against the Lakers, he finished with just 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.
- With Curry, Warriors F Jimmy Butler, and Warriors F Jonathan Kuminga all healthy, Podziemski only attempted 7 shots against the Lakers. He also didn’t attempt a single free throw.
- The former first-round pick doesn’t get to the line much, averaging 1.5 free-throw attempts or fewer in both of his first two seasons.
Make NBA DFS Picks on PrizePicks
There are only two games in the NBA on Thursday, but they are great matchups to get action on.
In the NBA Finals rematch between the Thunder and Pacers, both teams are dealing with depleted depth charts, which could lead to more opportunities to contribute for the likes of Siakam, Holmgren, and Mathurin. When the Nuggets take on the Warriors, Jokic will look to provide another juicy all-around stat line.
With plenty of projections to consider for Thursday’s slate, now is the time to build your NBA Lineup on PrizePicks. Just pick More or Less for at least two NBA player stat projections on PrizePicks and win cash if you're right. Check out the Playbook for more NBA DFS picks and analysis all the way through the season.
