WNBA DFS Strategies for Thursday, August 21
It's another busy night in the WNBA, with four games on tap. The Chicago Sky and New York Liberty meet at 7:00 p.m. ET in the first game of a Prime Video doubleheader, while the Phoenix Mercury and Las Vegas Aces meet in the second end of the double dip at 10:00 p.m. ET.
Let's check out the best options for DFS players heading into Thursday. There are plenty of good values available.
WNBA Schedule Today
- Washington Mystics at Connecticut Sun
- Chicago Sky at New York Liberty
- Minnesota Lynx at Atlanta Dream
- Phoenix Mercury at Las Vegas Aces
RotoWire WNBA DFS Tools
Daily Matchups (Vegas Odds, Team Efficiency, Pace, Opposing Stats)
Washington Mystics 
at Connecticut Sun 
Line: Mystics -1.5
O/U: 158.5
Injury Report - Mystics vs. Sun
Note: All return dates are just estimates
Washington
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacy Sheldon | G | Ankle | OUT | 8/23/2025 |
| Georgia Amoore | G | Knee | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Bernadett Hatar | C | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
Connecticut
No injuries to report.
WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy
The Mystics (16-19) and Sun (7-27) meet in the second end of a home-and-home set at Mohegan Sun Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Connecticut surprised Washington 80-69 in Tuesday's game in the nation's capital, snapping a 13-game road losing streak. The Sun shot 45.6 percent (31-of-68) from the field, but they were just 18.8 percent (3-of-16) from behind the three-point line.
The starters really struggled, but the bench saved the Sun, as rookie Saniya Rivers led the team with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while adding four rebounds. Olivia Nelson-Ododa added 15 points with nine rebounds, just missing the double-double. Tina Charles was the only starter who scored in double digits, going for 13 points with nine boards. Leila Lacan scored just eight points, but she was good for four steals. Aaliyah Edwards had eight points off the bench in her first game against the Mystics since a trade for Jacy Sheldon at the deadline.
Sheldon (ankle) didn't play due to injury, and Stefanie Dolson (leg) was also sidelined. Kiki Iriafen had nine points and 12 rebounds, missing her fifth consecutive double-double by a point. Sonia Citron continues to rack up strong point totals, going for 19 points, including three triples made.
Chicago Sky 
at New York Liberty 
Line: Liberty -15
O/U: 164
Injury Report - Sky vs. Liberty
Note: All return dates are just estimates
Chicago
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ariel Atkins | G | Leg | GTD (Probable) | 8/21/2025 |
| Angel Reese | F | Back | GTD (Probable) | 8/21/2025 |
| Hailey Van Lith | G | Ankle | GTD (Probable) | 8/21/2025 |
| Courtney Vandersloot | G | Knee | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Ajsa Sivka | F | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
New York
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isabelle Harrison | F | Concussion | OUT | 8/23/2025 |
| Nyara Sabally | F | Knee | OUT | 8/25/2025 |
| Breanna Stewart | F | Knee | OUT | 8/28/2025 |
| Raquel Carrera | C | Personal | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Betnijah Laney-Hamilton | G | Knee | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Ivana Dojkic | G | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Seehia Ridard | F | Personal | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Annika Soltau | F | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy
The biggest mismatch of the night could be the Sky (8-26) and Liberty (22-13) meeting at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Prime Video.
New York has won (and covered) five in a row in this series, while going 7-1 in the past eight. They've dominated the first two meetings this season, winning both games by at least 19 points.
Ariel Atkins (leg) and Angel Reese (back) are probable for Thursday's matchup. Atkins finally looked like herself against the Storm on Tuesday, going for 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting, while knocking down two three-pointers with two steals and a block. Reese was very efficient as well, going for 19 points on 9-of-13 against Seattle, while Kamilla Cardoso had 10 points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks.
Elizabeth Williams returned to the bench, but she had 10 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks in 28 minutes, responding well to the return to a reserve role. Sevgi Uzun also returned to the bench, but she was less sharp, going for seven points and four assists.
The Liberty won 85-75 in a WNBA Finals rematch Tuesday, with Jonquel Jones leading the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Sabrina Ionescu had 17 points and a second-high 11 assists with four three-pointers made. Emma Meesseman has been very good since joining the team Aug. 3, posting at least 10 points in all eight of her appearances, while posting five or more boards in five of her last six outings. She also has at least three assists in six consecutive appearances.
Minnesota Lynx 
at Atlanta Dream 
Line: Lynx -2.5
O/U: 161.5
Injury Report - Lynx vs. Dream
Note: All return dates are just estimates
Minnesota
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napheesa Collier | F | Ankle | GTD (Questionable) | 8/21/2025 |
| Aubrey Griffin | G | Knee | OUT | 10/16/2025 |
| Dorka Juhasz | F | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
Atlanta
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordin Canada | G | Hamstring | OUT | 8/27/2025 |
| Holly Winterburn | G | Undisclosed | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy
The Lynx (28-7) and Dream (22-13) meet in a marquee matchup at Gateway Center Arena.
These teams have split the first two meetings this season, with the road team posting wins in both games, each by four points. The winning team has averaged 93.0 points, while the losing side has cobbled together 89.0 points per game, so this could be a surprisingly high-scoring affair.
The big question heading into this matchup is whether Napheesa Collier (ankle) will be able to play. Jessica Shepard was part of the starting five in her absence, but Collier is listed as questionable for the first time during her absence, so she seems to be trending in the right direction. Shepard managed just six points agianst the Liberty in a loss Tuesday, but she had 10 rebounds. If she starts again, she could be a decent mid-level DFS play. Natisha Hiedeman ended up with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting off the bench, while Courtney Williams finished with 17 points.
The Dream is coming off a 74-72 loss at Las Vegas on Tuesday, with Rhyne Howard going for 19 points, including four triples. Allisha Gray and Brittney Griner each had 16 points, with Griner adding eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Te-Hina Paopao posted seven points and five assists, as her role has increased while Jordin Canada (hamstring) has been out.
Phoenix Mercury 
at Las Vegas Aces 
Line: Aces -1.5
O/U: 170.5
Injury Report - Mercury vs. Aces
Note: All return dates are just estimates
Phoenix
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena Pueyo | G | Personal | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
| Julia Ayrault | G | Personal | OFS | 5/1/2026 |
Las Vegas
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne Parker-Tyus | F | Not Injury Related | OUT | 9/4/2025 |
WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy
Saving, perhaps, the best for last, we get the Mercury (21-13) and Aces (22-14) meeting in the second end of the Prime Video twinbill.
The road team has won all three meetings this season, including an 86-83 win last Friday by the Aces at PHX Arena. Las Vegas shot 45.5 percent (30-of-66) from the field, despite just 22.2 percent (4-of-18) shooting from downtown. Superstar A'ja Wilson led the way with 30 points and 16 rebounds in a truly dominant performance, while Jackie Young had 17 points, and Chelsea Gray just missed a double-double with 16 points and nine assists.
The Mercury shot 45.6 percent (31-of-68), but the difference was in rebounding. Las Vegas was plus-9 in boards, while everything else was pretty close. Satou Sabally had 26 points to lead the Mercury, while Alyssa Thomas filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, nine assists, six rebounds and a block.
Top WNBA DFS Picks: Key Players to Watch
FanDuel
- Allisha Gray ($6,900)
- Emma Meesseman ($6,600)
- Natasha Cloud ($5,500)
The 30-year-old Gray is a dependable source of scoring, as she has scored at least 12 points in 16 consecutive appearances, while posting at least three rebounds in seven straight outings. She is also a very good source of three-pointers. We covered Meesseman a bit above, and she continues to be a solid source of rebounds, with consistent results. Her teammate, Cloud, has 10 or more points in six of her last seven outings, and she is good for at least four rebounds in three consecutive appearances, while also averaging 4.0 assists during that three-game span. As far as values, Hiedeman is very good off the bench, and she comes with a reasonable salary. Paopao continues to see a bump in responsibilities with Jordin Canada on the shelf.
Unlocking Value: WNBA DFS Sleeper Picks
- Natisha Hiedeman ($5,000)
- Te-Hina Paopao ($4,400)
DraftKings
- Chelsea Gray ($9,800)
- Leila Lacan ($8,200)
- Kahleah Copper ($8,100)
The "other" Gray has been very consistent for the Aces, and her salary isn't as high as A'ja Wilson and teammate Jackie Young. Gray has averaged 11.8 points per game across her last four appearances, while averaging 12.5 assists per game across her last two outings. Lacan had four steals against the Mystics on Tuesday, and she is a good value if she draws another start. Copper has logged at least 15 points in three consecutive appearances, and she also chips in with a healthy amount of rebounds and three-pointers with the occasional steal. For values, Melbourne continues to start for Washington, yet she has a fairly reasonable salary, and Burke has averaged 9.0 points per game over three appearances this month. She is a good low-salary option to fill out a roster.
Unlocking Value: WNBA DFS Sleeper Picks
- Jade Melbourne ($6,500)
- Kennedy Burke ($5,000)
