Tatum, Gobert and Towns Lead Must‑Start DFS Picks for Thursday’s Playoff Slate

*TL;DR Jayson Tatum (57.5 FPTS), Rudy Gobert (35.7 FPTS avg.) and Karl‑Anthony Towns (50+ FPTS three straight) provide the best value for DraftKings lineups on April 30, 2026.*

Context Thursday features three decisive playoff games: the Celtics vs. 76ers, the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets and the Knicks vs. Hawks. Each contest carries elimination stakes, prompting fantasy owners to prioritize players who can deliver points, rebounds and assists while staying under $10,000 on DraftKings.

Key Facts - Jayson Tatum logged 57.5 fantasy points in 40 minutes during Game 5 and has exceeded 50 points in 11 of his last 13 outings. He averages 1.4 fantasy points per minute, operates with a 29.7% usage rate (the share of team plays he ends), and records double‑digit rebounds or assists in eight of his last ten games. - Rudy Gobert steps up with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo out. In the two games he played without Edwards, Gobert posted 32.75 and 35.7 fantasy points per start, averaging 31.2 minutes. At home he scores two points more than on the road and has hit at least 37 points in seven of his last ten home starts. - Karl‑Anthony Towns has topped 50 fantasy points in each of his last three games against Atlanta while priced at $8,700. He delivers 1.4 fantasy points per minute, shoots 57% from the field in the series, and has reached the 50‑point mark in five of his last seven matchups versus the Hawks.

What It Means Tatum’s recent production makes him a reliable floor for any lineup, especially given his sub‑$10k price. Gobert’s elevated minutes and defensive role against Nikola Jokic translate into a high upside at $6,400, a clear value play when Minnesota needs a win to stay alive. Towns offers the best price‑to‑performance ratio; his consistent 50‑plus outputs against Atlanta and low salary create a rare under‑priced anchor for DraftKings rosters.

Owners should lock in Tatum for his scoring consistency, pair Gobert with a guard who can capitalize on his defensive rebounds, and slot Towns as a power‑forward to maximize positional flexibility. Monitoring injury updates on Edwards and DiVincenzo will be crucial, as any change could shift Gobert’s minutes and fantasy ceiling.

What to watch next Thursday’s results will determine which teams advance, reshaping the DFS landscape for the next round. Keep an eye on minutes distribution for Boston’s bench and Minnesota’s frontcourt as the playoffs progress.