WNBA DFS Breakdown: Wednesday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Wednesday

Rotowire DFS Tools

LINEUP OPTIMIZER

DAILY MATCHUPS  (Vegas Odds, Team Efficiency, Pace, Opposing Stats)

DAILY LINEUPS

VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 DraftKings

NAMEPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Arike OgunbowaleGDAL$940037.304.0
Marina MabreyGDAL$730030.404.2
Breanna StewartFSEA$1150048.154.2
Brittney GrinerFPHO$1040040.303.9
Nia CoffeyFLA$680026.753.9

Top 5 FanDuel

NAMEPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Breanna StewartFSEA$910048.215.3
Amanda Zahui BFLA$630037.706.0
Nia CoffeyFLA$480027.365.7
Damiris DantasFMIN$440023.305.3
Marina MabreyGDAL$560029.665.3

Dallas Wings at Minnesota Lynx

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Imani McGee-StaffordCPersonalSUSP5/1/2022

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Aerial PowersFThumbOUT8/15/2021
Natalie AchonwaCKneeOUT8/15/2021
Maya MooreFPersonalOUT3/1/2022
Rennia DavisGFootOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Dallas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Arike Ogunbowale19,83,13,41,302,56,56,416,24,65,2
Marina Mabrey14,84,83,11,20,42,36,25,612,61,41,6
Isabelle Harrison9,95,71,11,20,700,14,28,41,51,8
Satou Sabally136,22,50,311,23,34,5102,93,8
Allisha Gray11,33,91,910,912,849,22,32,6
Kayla Thornton8,55,81,90,80,10,71,73,26,31,41,7
Tyasha Harris5,31,63,10,70,30,82,41,85,20,81
Moriah Jefferson4,41,72,10,80,20,81,71,84,50,10,2
Charli Collier3,73,90,20,20,2001,63,30,50,8
Bella Alarie1,73,10,40,30,600,10,71,70,30,3
Awak Kuier1,61,40,30,10,300,60,31,111,1
Kristine Anigwe2,3200,3000120,30,7
Dana Evans0,800,5000,20,50,210,30,3
Chelsea Dungee0,30,1000,10,10,50,10,700

Minnesota

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Sylvia Fowles16,5101,72,31,9006,811,12,94,3
Napheesa Collier17,86,83,41,31,20,72,86,413,44,44,8
Kayla McBride13,93,320,90,22,25,64,410,52,92,9
Crystal Dangerfield9,42,33,80,701,133,491,41,8
Damiris Dantas8,33,92,30,30,31,44,52,97,911,2
Layshia Clarendon9,83,34,80,600,20,74,27,51,31,6
Bridget Carleton4,12,710,60,10,51,91,64,10,50,8
Rachel Banham4,41,61,10,30,11,22,61,63,90,10,1
Aerial Powers104,83,50,510,31,83,3103,33,8
Natalie Achonwa3,82,10,80,50,300,11,131,51,8
Jessica Shepard22,72,10,10,10,10,90,62,10,70,7
Cierra Burdick20,3000000,710,71
Linnae Harper01000000000


The Skinny

The Wings occupy seventh place in the league standings and sit just one game below the .500 threshold with a 9-10 record. Even though the season still has plenty of games left once it resumes after the Olympic break, there's no question that heading into the break with a positive win-loss record would be huge for Dallas. Their recent form isn't really encouraging, though, as the Wings have gone 5-5 over their last 10 games and have also dropped two of their last three contests. When looking at their potential fantasy standouts for this slate, there's no question that the name of Arike Ogunbowale stands out. The first-time All-Star is averaging 19.8 points per game and also ranks second in the league in three-pointers made with 47. Marina Mabrey is fourth on that list with 43 and has been on a roll of late, averaging 13.7 points per game over her last seven appearances off the bench.

The Lynx are in a slightly better position than the Wings when it comes to their record since they sit two games above the .500 threshold with a 9-7 mark thus far, though they have also played three fewer games than Dallas. Even considering that factor, Minnesota's recent form simply can't be overlooked as they enter this matchup on an excellent four-game winning streak following their 99-68 win over the Phoenix Mercury the last time out. This rising Lynx team has relied on the efforts of their top player, Sylvia Fowles, who continues to be an impact player on both ends of the court. He's one of two players in the entire league that averages a double-double (16.5 points, 10.0 rebounds) and is also leading the entire WNBA in steals, with 2.3 per game, while ranking fourth in blocks (1.9) per tilt. She hasn't been doing all the heavy lifting on her own, though, as Napheesa Collier (the team's leading scorer with 17.8 points per game) and Kayla McBride are excellent fantasy alternatives for any slate as well.

Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Phoenix

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Bria HartleyGKneeOUT7/11/2021

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Angel McCoughtryFKneeOUT5/1/2022
Iliana RupertCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Phoenix

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Brittney Griner19,49,41,80,32,10,10,47,512,84,35,2
Skylar Diggins-Smith18,33,75,10,60,71,54,55,813,75,36,6
Kia Nurse9,13,41,80,80,11,65,12,98,91,82,4
Brianna Turner7,58,61,80,91,600,13,15,51,31,6
Diana Taurasi15,63,6400,62,16,64,111,45,16
Megan Walker6,71,61,30,20,41,142,47,60,81,4
Sophie Cunningham3,81,70,90,30,10,61,91,33,40,70,9
Shey Peddy3,51,92,10,60,10,61,91,33,40,40,4
Kia Vaughn3,92,81,60,30,2001,84,40,30,5
Alanna Smith1,31,50,50,40,30,21,50,52,50,10,2
Cierra Burdick11,80,80,30,3000,5100
Haley Gorecki00,700000,300,300

Las Vegas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
A'ja Wilson19,38,82,80,81,20,10,16,714,65,96,5
Liz Cambage14,691,40,71,80,20,55,610,13,24,3
Jackie Young12,83,83,11,40,40,30,74,910,22,73
Chelsea Gray11,736,41,30,40,82,14,910,61,11,3
Dearica Hamby11,46,51,90,90,10,31,44,17,62,94,3
Riquna Williams9,32,71,710,22,25,43,17,41,11,2
Kelsey Plum13,32,63,80,80,11,74,34,510,12,62,8
Ji-Su Park21,90,60,10,700,10,61,90,91
Destiny Slocum1,51,10,80,20,10,30,80,51,20,20,4
Joyner Holmes3,310,500,30,811,32,500
Emma Cannon21,70,300,300,70,71,70,70,7
Kiah Stokes04000000000


The Skinny

The Mercury own a 7-9 record this season and are struggling to sneak into playoff positioning, especially after dropping two games in a row and three out of their last five. Their most recent defeat was particularly disappointing, as it was a 31-point loss against the Minnesota Lynx. Despite the poor form in recent days, there are a few positive signs going for the Mercury -- at least from a fantasy perspective. Brittney Griner continues to be a trustworthy performer and remains among the WNBA leaders in several categories, as she ranks fifth in rebounds per game, first in blocks per contest (2.1 per tilt), and second in field-goal percentage (58.5). She's not alone in that efficiency category, as Brianna Turner is right behind her after making 56.8 percent of her shots thus far. It's worth noting they are averaging 19.4 and 7.5 points per game, respectively. Skylar Diggins-Smith (18.3 points per game) and Diana Taurasi (15.6 points per contest) can also be effective fantasy performers for managers who decide to go with a Mercury-based stack.

The Aces are in the opposite position compared to the Mercury, as they sit in the first place of the Eastern Conference standings with a 14-4 record and, after applying the tie-breaking criteria, they are in the first place of the overall playoff seeding as well. As if that was not enough, the Aces are undoubtedly trending in the right direction thanks to a four-game winning run as well -- something they accomplished following their 118-95 win over the Atlanta Dream the last time out. When looking at potential fantasy additions for Las Vegas, the names of A'ja Wilson, Liz Cambage and Dearica Hamby stand out on their own, but considering the momentum that both teams are carrying, playing an Aces-based stack wouldn't be the worst idea. Especially considering they currently have six players that score at least 10 points per game.

Los Angeles Sparks at Seattle Storm

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Chiney OgwumikeFKneeOUT7/11/2021
Nneka OgwumikeFKneeOUT7/11/2021
Kristi ToliverGEyeOUT7/11/2021
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionOUT8/1/2021
Ivana RacaFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Jasmine WalkerFKneeOUT5/1/2022
Aina AyusoGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Gabby WilliamsFSuspensionOUT5/1/2022

Seattle

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Jewell LoydGAnkleGTD7/7/2021
Mikiah Herbert HarriganFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Los Angeles

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Erica Wheeler13,52,94,41,30,20,92,8512,52,63,1
Amanda Zahui B.11,66,10,90,71,51,54,84,710,50,70,9
Te'a Cooper10,32,11,50,90,20,92,43,59,32,43,1
Brittney Sykes8,94,62,11,80,50,21,13,48,622,6
Nia Coffey7,64,20,911,51,53,62,87,10,50,7
Kristi Toliver9,81,42,50,701,54,23,68,411,2
Nneka Ogwumike16,471,20,60,20,41,26,811,62,43
Bria Holmes52,91,30,90,40,521,85,50,91,4
Arella Guirantes31,30,50,50,20,41,21,14,10,50,6
Karlie Samuelson3,51,80,90,30121,3300
Kristine Anigwe3,93,90,70,60,1001,33,31,32,3
Chiney Ogwumike95,720,70,30,713,39,71,72,3
Lauren Cox4,33,710,70,700,31,341,72
Jasmine Walker00,5110,50202,501

Seattle

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Breanna Stewart219,52,91,11,925,47,316,24,35,4
Jewell Loyd18,14,14,41,20,32,15,56,514,23,13,5
Sue Bird11,22,95,71,10,22,45,348,30,80,9
Stephanie Talbot6,12,41,30,30,411,92,44,40,30,4
Mercedes Russell6,56,41,40,80,3002,74,91,11,7
Candice Dupree5,92,50,70,40,20,10,32,65,90,70,7
Jordin Canada5,2230,70,10,10,31,74,21,82,2
Ezi Magbegor4,93,70,60,50,80,20,31,93,90,91,2
Epiphanny Prince5,31,31,90,70,40,61,41,74,21,31,4
Katie Lou Samuelson6,23,21,60,50,212,82,55,50,20,4
Kennedy Burke3,10,90,40,40,10,40,81,12,30,40,4
Kiana Williams0,50,50,30,100,10,80,10,90,10,1
Mikiah Herbert Harrigan00000000000


The Skinny

The Sparks are, without a doubt, the team that has been suffering the most when it comes to injury absences during the current 2021 WNBA season and their record is the best example of that, as they've gone 6-11 thus far while posting a 1-9 meager mark against Western Conference foes. That alone should make them massive underdogs for this contest since they'll be facing one of the best teams in the entire league. When looking at potential fantasy targets for this game, the list is quite slim. Perhaps the best alternative would be to rely on Amanda Zahui B once again. She has scored at least 10 points in four of the Sparks' last five contests. Also, Erica Wheeler is a strong name to target thanks to her 13.5 points and 4.4 assists per game.

The Storm are tied with the Las Vegas Aces for the best record in the entire WNBA with just four losses out of 18 games (14-4), but they are in second place when it comes to playoff seeding due to the tie-breaking criteria. That, coupled with the fact that they'll be playing at home in this game, should be enough reason to believe that they're massive favorites to come away with the win and, thus, it wouldn't be shocking if fantasy managers decide to play a stack of Storm players considering how likely they are to dominate this matchup. Undoubtedly, the MVP candidate Breanna Stewart is the best option available and should be treated almost as a must-start player in all formats, but she's not the only above-average alternative for Seattle. The availability of Jewell Loyd is something to monitor, but if she ends up playing, then she might be a strong play as well -- she's averaging 18.1 points, 4.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. Sue Bird ranks third in three-pointers made with 44 and also scores 11.2 points per tilt.

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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Juan Pablo Aravena
34-year-old sports analyst and journalist. Fan of every single sport on this earth. Enjoys a good beer, some good food, and good company. NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL and soccer fan.
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