WNBA DFS Picks and Lineup Tips for Friday, August 18

WNBA DFS Picks and Lineup Tips for Friday, August 18

WNBA Schedule Today

  • Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun
  • Washington Mystics at Indiana Fever 
  • Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream 
  • New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury 
  • Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm

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Opponent Averages

Dallas Wings at Connecticut Sun

Line: Sun -2.5
O/U: 168.5

Injury Report 

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Diamond DeShieldsFKneeOUT8/20/2023
Lou Lopez SenechalGKneeOUT8/20/2023


Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Bernadett HatarCIllnessGTD8/18/2023
Brionna JonesCAchillesOFS10/1/2023

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Wings give up an average of 8.2 three-pointers per game, which ranks third-most in the league. On the other side, the Sun hold opponents to a league-low 78.8 points per game. 

Arike Ogunbowale averages a team-high 19.3 points per game to lead the Wings, but Satou Sabally has topped 20 points in three straight games, while Natasha Howard topped 20 in two of the last four outings. The opposing Sun are led by DeWanna Bonner, who averages 17.6 points per game but is also coming off two muted outings due to struggling with a back injury. Fortunately, Alyssa Thomas and Tiffany Hayes have been able to step up lately, while DiJonai Carrington and Natisha Hiedeman also reached double digits in the last game. Also notable is a 24-point outburst from Rebecca Allen in the team's loss to Phoenix on Aug. 10, while Bonner was mostly sidelined. 

Washinton Mystics at Indiana Fever

Line: Mystics -3.5
O/U: 159.5

Injury Report 

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Elena Delle DonneFAnkleGTD8/18/2023
Ariel AtkinsGAnkleGTD8/18/2023
Shakira AustinCHipGTD8/18/2023
Kristi ToliverGFootOUT8/20/2023

Indiana

None

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Mystics give up an average of 36.0 rebounds per game, which is the second-most in the league. Meanwhile, the Fever give up an average of 21.1 free-throws per game, the second-most in the league

Brittney Sykes led the way for the Mystics with 30 points in the last outing, and she leads the team with an average of 19.3 points per game. Natasha Cloud, Tianna Hawkins and Queen Egbo have also been putting up strong numbers, but keep an eye on the status of Elena Delle Donne and Ariel Atkins, who could cause a shift in the rotation. While coach Eric Thibault is optimistic that Delle Donne, Atkins and Shakira Austin will be available Friday, all of them are expected to have minutes limits. The Fever are unaffected by injuries at the moment and have enjoyed NaLyssa Smith's return to action, as she is averaging 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds over the last three games. Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Erica Wheeler also remain key contributors on the offensive end. 

Chicago Sky at Atlanta Dream

Line: Dream -1.5
O/U: 164.5

Injury Report 

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Rebekah GardnerGFootOFS2/1/2024
Isabelle HarrisonFKneeOFS2/1/2024
Li YueruCLower BodyOFS2/1/2024

Atlanta

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Rhyne HowardGFaceGTD8/18/2023

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Sky allow opponents to shoot a league-high average of 45.9 percent from the field.  Alternatively, the Dream give up an average of 84.2 points per game, which is third-most in the league. 

After a stifled display in the previous game, Kahleah Copper finished with 17 points in the Sky's last outing and is averaging 21.2 points on the season. Marina Mabrey, Courtney Williams, Elizabeth Williams and Alanna Smith also scored in double digits in their last game. On the other side, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray lead the Dream with just over 16 points per game each. Cheyenne Parker can also put points on the board and leads the team with 6.6 rebounds per game. 

New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury

Line: Liberty -12.5
O/U: 165.5

Injury Report 

Note: All return dates are just estimates

New York

None

Phoenix

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Brittney GrinerCIllnessOUT8/20/2023
Megan GustafsonCIllnessOUT8/20/2023
Shey PeddyGConcussionOUT8/20/2023
Skylar Diggins-SmithGPersonalOUT8/23/2023

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Liberty hold opponents to a league-low average of 41.9 percent shooting from the field. On the other side, the Mercury give up a league-most 9.3 offensive rebounds per game. 

After a massive 42-point display in the previous game, Breanna Stewart finished with just 13 points in Thursday's matchup against the Aces. However, the Liberty have the luxury of multiple stars, and when one comes up quieter, another will likely shine, as did Sabrina Ionescu with 22 points and Courtney Vandersloot with 17 in the last game. Jonquel Jones also continues to dominate the glass, while scoring an average of 13.9 points per game. Meanwhile, Diana Taurasi has cooled down after a hot streak, as she has averaged 12.0 points over the last three outings for the Mercury. Brittney Griner and Sophie Cunningham have each topped 20 points within the last two games, while Brianna Turner is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game this season. 

Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm

Line: Lynx -2.0
O/U: 162.5

Injury Report 

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Natalie AchonwaCPersonalOUT8/20/2023
Lindsay AllenGThumbOUT8/29/2023

Seattle

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Gabby WilliamsFFootOUT4/1/2024

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Lynx give up a league-high average of 9.1 made three-pointers per game. Meanwhile, the Storm allow opponents to shoot an average of 36.0 percent from long range, which is second-highest in the league. 

Napheesa Collier followed up a 28-point performance with a muted, eight-point effort in the last game, as she continues to find her groove after a three-game absence. However, the Lynx also lean on Kayla McBride, Diamond Miller and Jessica Shepard, who have up solid numbers lately. The Storm continue to follow the lead of Jewell Loyd, who topped 20 points in four of the last six outings. Ezi Magbegor and Sami Whitcomb can also fill it up, while Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu does a good job on the glass.   

WNBA DFS Picks Today

DraftKings

Loyd is on a hot streak and should thrive from long range against the Lynx defense. Copper leads the Sky in scoring and has a good chance to shine against the Dream, who give up the league's third-most points per game. Boston faces a favorable matchup against the Mystics, who give up the league's third-most points per game to opposing forwards.

Value Picks

Carrington has a favorable matchup against the Wings, who give up the league's second-most points per game to opposing guards. Banham poured in 18 points in her last outing and has a great opportunity to keep rolling against the Storm's defense. 

Fanduel 

Parker has a favorable matchup against the Sky, who give up the league's second-most points per game to opposing forwards. Vandersloot topped 20 FD points in three of the last four outings, including a high of 33.2, and she should shine against the Mercury's backcourt defense. Shepard topped 25 FD points in the last three games and has a good chance to keep it up against the Storm, who give up the league's third-highest field-goal percentage. 

Value Picks 

Miller is averaging 12.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists over the last 10 games. Cunningham should stand out against the Liberty, who give up the league's second-most points per game to opposing guards. 

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. Dan Bruno plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: duelingdan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Bruno
Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
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