WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

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VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Price Differences

Top 5 FanDuel

NameDK Price% of BudgetFD Price% of BudgetDifference
Candace Parker1150023.0%730018.3%4.8%
Emma Meesseman1080021.6%680017.0%4.6%
Teaira McCowan900018.0%550013.8%4.3%
Kelsey Mitchell890017.8%550013.8%4.1%
Nneka Ogwumike980019.6%630015.8%3.9%

Top 5 DraftKings

NameDK Price% of BudgetFD Price% of BudgetDifference
Joyner Holmes34006.8%410010.3%-3.5%
Shey Peddy38007.6%38009.5%-1.9%
Kayla Alexander31006.2%32008.0%-1.8%
Kristine Anigwe39007.8%38009.5%-1.7%
Reshanda Gray33006.6%33008.3%-1.7%

Minnesota Lynx vs Los Angeles Sparks

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Sylvia FowlesCCalfGTD8/9/2020
Shenise JohnsonGHamstringOUT8/11/2020
Odyssey SimsGSuspensionOUT8/13/2020
Maya MooreFPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Cecilia ZandalasiniGPersonalOUT6/1/2021
Jessica ShepardCKneeSUSP6/1/2021

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Nneka OgwumikeFHamstringGTD8/9/2020
Seimone AugustusGRestGTD8/9/2020
Kristi ToliverGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Chiney OgwumikeFPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Leonie FiebichFNot Injury RelatedOUT1/1/2021
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionSUSP5/1/2021

 

2020 Player Stats

Minnesota

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Napheesa CollierMinF631.7147.73.51.710.5
Sylvia FowlesMinC528.416.811111.80
Crystal DangerfieldMinG625.89.822.70.701.2
Damiris DantasMinC626.29.85.31.81.70.21.2
Lexie BrownMinG431.313.33.83.53.301.8
Bridget CarletonMinG616.272.310.500.7
Rachel BanhamMinG618.36.21.82.510.30.7
Shenise JohnsonMinG419.36.51.81.8100.5
Mikiah Herbert HarriganMinF511.831.40.20.40.60.6
Erica McCallMinF311.33.730.70.70.70
Karima Christmas-KellyMinG212.54.530.51.50.50
Kayla AlexanderMinC640.70.70.200.20
Megan HuffMinF31.7010.3000

Los Angeles

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Candace ParkerLAF628.214.710.32.81.21.80.7
Chelsea GrayLAG62812.72.25.71.50.20.3
Nneka OgwumikeLAF524.413.24.81.2100.4
Riquna WilliamsLAG6249.71.51.51.70.32.2
Seimone AugustusLAG517.49.21.41.2101.2
Brittney SykesLAG618.87.32.32.210.20.5
Sydney WieseLAG618.26.520.80.201
Tierra Ruffin-PrattLAG617.742.31.30.80.20.5
Te'a CooperLAG415.560.52.3100.3
Kristine AnigweLAF410.33.82.501.30.80
Marie GulichLAC220.56.5411.50.50
Reshanda GrayLAF66.21.32.80.30.200

The Skinny

Sunday's slate begins with a matchup that could feature the least scoring. The Lynx (80.5 PPG) and Sparks (83.5 PPG) each rank in the bottom half of the league in the points category. Minnesota has allowed the fewest amount of points (75.8) over the first six games this year, while the Sparks rank sixth in the league in that defensive metric at 81.7 points allowed per game. Los Angeles forces turnovers at the highest rate in the league (17.5 per game), which could pose a problem for Napheesa Collier, who has committed 4.7 turnovers per game to begin the year. The Sparks have allowed the second-highest rebound percentage in the league at 53.6 percent, and Sylvia Fowles (calf) who ranks second in the WNBA with 11.2 rebounds per game, along with Collier (7.7 RPG) could benefit. Fowles is probable as a result of a calf injury that forced her to miss Tuesday's contest, but her status should be known prior to lineups locking due to the early tipoff. 

On the other side of the court, Minnesota is one of the best teams in the WNBA at bringing in rebounds. One of the Sparks' top rebounders, Nneka Ogwumike, has ranked second-highest on the Sparks on the boards but has been limited over the past couple of games while working through a hamstring injury. She's questionable for Sunday's contest but could still be limited if she takes the court. Marie Gulich and Brittney Sykes have seen increased playing time while Ogwumike has been off the court. Gulich ranks third on the team with 4.0 rebounds per game, and she could step up in that area Sunday, even with Minnesota's proficiency on the boards. Candace Parker has racked up double-digit boards in each of the past four contests, but she may have some trouble continuing that streak against the Lynx. However, Parker is the leading scorer for Los Angeles with 14.7 points per game. Seimone Augustus (rest) is probable to return to the court Sunday and could cut into the minutes of backcourt players like Tierra Ruffin-Pratt. While the Sparks rank fourth in pace to begin the season, they could have some trouble against a Lynx defense that is third-best in defensive efficiency.

Las Vegas Aces vs New York Liberty

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Liz CambageCPersonalOUT2/1/2021
Ji-Su ParkCPersonalOUT5/1/2021
Kelsey PlumGAchillesOUT5/1/2021

New York

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Sabrina IonescuGAnkleOUT9/1/2020
Asia DurrGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Han XuCNot Injury RelatedOUT1/1/2021
Marine JohannesGNot Injury RelatedOUT1/1/2021
Stephanie TalbotFNot Injury RelatedOUT4/1/2021
Nayo Raincock-EkunweFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2021
Rebecca AllenFPersonalOUT5/1/2021

 

2020 Player Stats

Las Vegas

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
A'ja WilsonLVAF630.520.89.51.81.20.50
Angel McCoughtryLVAF622165.52.71.20.30.8
Dearica HambyLVAF628.312.78.32.21.50.20.7
Kayla McBrideLVAG62510.31.82.20.801.3
Danielle RobinsonLVAG620821.8100
Jackie YoungLVAG62473.320.500.2
Carolyn SwordsLVAC618.74.35.310.300
Lindsay AllenLVAG518.45.222.80.200.4
Sugar RodgersLVAG6123.311.70.300.7
Avery Warley-TalbertLVAF382.72.71000
Cierra BurdickLVAF20.5000000

New York

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Layshia ClarendonNYG628.513.334.71.200.8
Amanda Zahui B.NYC624.89.88.81.50.81.31.7
Sabrina IonescuNYG326.718.34.740.702.3
Kia NurseNYG522.49.611.60.60.21.4
Jocelyn WilloughbyNYG6196.52.50.70.80.50.8
Jazmine JonesNYG517.27.43.41.80.60.80.6
Leaonna OdomNYF622.25.82.70.50.50.30.7
Kylee ShookNYF6144.530.50.20.30.2
Kiah StokesNYC626.73.86.51.20.30.70.7
Joyner HolmesNYF68.82.82.20.80.20.20
Megan WalkerNYF511.83.21.60.40.400.2

The Skinny

The second game on the docket is perhaps the most appealing from a DFS standpoint with both the Aces (sixth) and the Liberty (second) ranking in the top half of the league in pace. While New York could counter some of the production with their defensive prowess, the Liberty's offense could struggle against the Aces' defense, which is the second-best in defensive efficiency. Kia Nurse has stepped up for the Liberty recently, averaging 14.7 points per game over the past three contests to fill the void left by Sabrina Ionescu (ankle), and she could be a standout on the scoreboard Sunday. She's done that while shooting just 22.7 percent from the floor during that span. Although the Aces are quite efficient defensively, and the team ranks third in field-goal percentage allowed (25.2 3PA) and first in three-point percentage given up (28.5 3P%). Nurse's field goal percentage could continue to suffer Sunday, but she could still provide fantasy value through her high shooting volume.

Las Vegas is the best team in the league on the boards, and Amanda Zahui B (8.8 RPG) and Kiah Stokes (6.5 RPG) could see slightly lower marks in the rebound category than they're used to. The Aces could have a strong showing in several defensive metrics as New York's opponents this year rank first in steals and second in blocks. Dearica Hamby (1.5 steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game) and A'ja Wilson (1.2 steals per game, 0.5 blocks per game) could stand to benefit from this.

Washington Mystics vs Indiana Fever

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Aerial PowersFHipGTD8/9/2020
Elena Delle DonneFUndisclosedOUT8/30/2020
Natasha CloudGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
LaToya SandersCPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Tina CharlesFIllnessOUT2/1/2021

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Erica WheelerGIllnessOUT8/9/2020
Victoria ViviansGKneeGTD8/9/2020
Stephanie MavungaFFaceOUT8/11/2020
Natalie AchonwaCHamstringOUT8/11/2020

 

2020 Player Stats

Washington

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Myisha Hines-AllenWasF629.516.79.22.21.500.8
Aerial PowersWasF629.816.34.82.51.501.5
Ariel AtkinsWasG628.515.51.51.81.502.8
Emma MeessemanWasC631.714.36.74.21.30.30.8
Leilani MitchellWasG627.38.32.24.21.30.21.2
Kiara LeslieWasG6124.32.50.80.20.30.5
Essence CarsonWasG615.23.82.30.50.500.5
Shey PeddyWasG612.73.21.21.50.500.2
Alaina CoatesWasC67.71.82.50.20.300
Tianna HawkinsWasF311.72.320.70.70.30.3

Indiana

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM
Kelsey MitchellIndG633.718.81.83.30.202.8
Candice DupreeIndF631.715.55.52.20.70.20.3
Tiffany MitchellIndG625.812.83.22.70.80.21.3
Teaira McCowanIndC623.2116.50.7010
Julie AllemandIndG631.773.55.81.50.51.7
Kennedy BurkeIndG615.56.32.31.20.30.20.8
Victoria ViviansIndG418.86.83.30.50.300.5
Stephanie MavungaIndF511.8540.600.40
Natalie AchonwaIndF314.75.35.71.3000
Lauren CoxIndF215.51.54.510.510
Kathleen DoyleIndG37.710.30.70.700.3

The Skinny

The matchup between the Mystics and the Fever sits in an unfortunate time slot from a DFS standpoint since Aerial Powers (hip) carries a questionable tag into play Sunday. Powers' status may not be known by the time lineups lock in some contests. If Powers is able to suit up against the Fever, she could still face some limitations to prevent a long-term issue. In games where Powers hasn't generated much production, Myisha Hines-Allen and Emma Meeseman have stepped up in the frontcourt, and those two could see increased roles against the Fever. Indiana isn't very efficient on the defensive side of the ball, so Hines-Allen and Meeseman could have strong showings on the scoreboard even if Powers takes the court.

The Mystics perform relatively poorly in defense of long-range shots, and Kelsey Mitchell, Tiffany Mitchell and Julie Allemand could take advantage of that trend. Allemand has had an especially hot hand recently, shooting 50 percent from long range over the past three games. Overall, Washington ranks last in the league in defensive efficiency. While the Fever are in the lower half of the league in pace, they have strong offensive efficiency could thrive against the Mystics' defense. The team has four players that average double-digit scoring lines that could have especially strong games.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jason Shebilske plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: FavreFanatic, FanDuel: Favre_Fanatic.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Shebilske
Jason joined RotoWire in 2019. In 2023, he was named the FSWA Player Notes Writer of the Year. In addition to RotoWire, Jason writes for the Sports Broadcast Journal. In 2024, he was dubbed "The Polish Parlay" for his WNBA hot betting streak.
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