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Justin Carter's top daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for 5/31/24. Expert WNBA DFS advice for DraftKings and FanDuel.
We close out May with a four-game WNBA slate on Friday night. Any time we have two-thirds of the league in action at once, things get fun from a DFS perspective, and this slate is no exception. There are so many interesting lineup combinations you could go with for this one.
I'd say that three of the four games on this slate are worth watching. The Liberty hosting the winless Mystics might be a blowout, but games like Mercury/Lynx and Wings/Sun are full of some really intriguing storylines.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel. These lineup picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. The slate locks on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. EDT. Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on X and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts.
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WNBA DFS Picks: Forward
A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) at ATL (DK: $12.5K, FD: $9.5K)
A'ja Wilson finished third in the MVP voting last year, but she's on a mission to ensure she's not that low in 2024. The two-time winner of the award is averaging 26.2 points and 13.2 rebounds per game to open the 2024 season, both career highs. She's also adding 2.6 blocks per game for good measure. There are some really good players in the WNBA, but for my money, Wilson's the best of them all.
A’ja Wilson to start the season:
30 PTS | 13 RBS | 3 BLK
22 PTS | 10 RBS | 2 BLK
21 PTS | 13 RBS | 3 BLK
29 PTS | 15 RBS | 1 BLK
29 PTS | 15 RBS | 4 BLKWilson is the only WNBA player to achieve a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double in every game played this season. 🃏 pic.twitter.com/HuPajq4bVO
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars) May 30, 2024
Last game, Wilson was 11-of-23 from the floor for 29 points in a 14-point win over a very talented Minnesota team. Wilson pulled down 15 rebounds, giving her a double-double in all five games to open the season. Considering the lowest point total we've seen from her all year was 21, Wilson's the highest-floor option on this slate while being a top-three highest-ceiling play.
Monique Billings (Dallas Wings) at CON (DK: $7.7K, FD: $6.5K)
Cut by a rebuilding Los Angeles Sparks team in the offseason, Monique Billings is currently on a hardship deal for the Wings. That means once the team gets healthy, Billings is gone. It's a shame, because she's been huge for the Wings so far this year.
Through the first four games of her season, Billings is averaging 15.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while also adding 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 1.8 blocks per contest. The Wings have ended up starting her because of their severe lack of depth and the major injuries they're dealing with right now.
Shakira Austin (Washington Mystics) at NYL (DK: $6.9K, FD: $5.4K)
Shakira Austin is listed as probable for this game with a hip injury, but considering she suited up on Wednesday, I'd expect to see her out on the floor on Friday night.
In five games this season, the third-year forward is averaging 11.6 points per game as well as 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. There's room for some improvement on that scoring number, too, as Austin is averaging 11.2 field-goal attempts per game while shooting just 39.3%. Austin shot 50% or better in her other two seasons and is a 51.0% career shooter, so expect some positive regression in her accuracy, which will lead to more points.
WNBA DFS Picks: Guard
Kahleah Copper (Phoenix Mercury) at MIN (DK: $10.0K, FD: $7.8K)
After scoring 30-plus points in three of the first five games of the season, Kahleah Copper hit a snag on Tuesday as the Connecticut Sun held her to just seven points. But Copper bounced back on Wednesday night against New York, putting up 20 points on 7-of-19 shooting with nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Through seven games, Copper sits at 24.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest. The former Chicago Sky All-Star has seen her numbers drop a bit over the last two games, but she's still posting huge numbers in her first season with the Mercury. It'll depend a lot on the Mercury turning things around first, but don't be shocked to see Copper siphon off some MVP votes at the end of the year.
DiJonai Carrington (Connecticut Sun) vs. DAL (DK: $8.1K, FD: $5.8K)
It's been a strong year for DiJonai Carrington, as she's on her way to a major breakout. Last year's runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year is currently averaging 13.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 0.8 steals per game for the Sun. With all the movement over the past few years in the Sun backcourt, Carrington has ended up as the starting shooting guard for the team this year. After entering the league in 2021 and struggling with her scoring ability, Carrington has stepped up in that regard each season.
Carrington had her worst scoring night of the year last time out, putting up just four points. Still, she took 10 field-goal attempts in that game, so the chances were there for her to have a strong scoring night. She also made up for things as far as fantasy goes with 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in the 23-point win over the Phoenix Mercury.
Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces) at ATL (DK: $4.8K, FD: $4.3K)
The other Iowa player drafted this year, Kate Martin, wasn't even invited to the WNBA Draft, but she was there to support Caitlin Clark and wound up being taken in the second round by the Las Vegas Aces. There were questions about whether Martin would even make the team, but she's now playing a key role off the bench for the defending WNBA champions.
MAKE THAT THREE TRIPLES FOR KATE MONEY MARTIN 👌
📺 NBA TV pic.twitter.com/8WIQXQJq2C
— WNBA (@WNBA) May 30, 2024
Martin has played 20-plus minutes in two consecutive games. In the first of those against the Fever, the rookie had 12 points on 3-of-5 shooting with seven rebounds, then she followed that up with nine points, three rebounds, and two assists against the Lynx. She's not going to do a ton, but I think the volume she's gotten over these past couple of games makes her an enticing value option.
