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Big night of WNBA action on Friday, with four games on the docket.
I'll be trying out a new article structure today and going forward (probably), focusing on breaking down each game on the slate instead of just providing some lineup picks. We'll end up talking about more than six players, giving readers some options.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/28/21. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts.
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WNBA DFS Game Breakdown: Mystics @ Sun
When: 7:00 PM ET
Watch: Facebook
Injuries: Washington: Kiara Leslie (questionable, illness), Elena Delle Donne (out, back)
Connecticut: Briann January (questionable, ankle)
Players of Interest:
Obviously, the big names here are in the frontcourt. Washington's Tina Charles is averaging 26.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game as the focal point of this Mystics offense, and until Elena Delle Donne is back, I see no reason to expect Charles to see a drop in usage. Connecticut's defense could slow her down, but she'll still see around 20 shots. Even an inefficient 20 shots can result in a big fantasy day.
On the Sun side, Jonquel Jones is Jonquel Jones. She averages more fantasy points per game than anyone on this slate not named Breanna Stewart. But teammate DeWanna Bonner is right there with her and is the top guard play of the slate.
Lot of plays in this game that I'd usually like but might avoid due to how low-scoring I think it'll be compared to other games Friday. But as a potential value on the Sun side, I'd be looking at Natisha Hiedeman, who is having a year that many think is worthy of Most Improved Player. She's averaging 12.7 points. 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game so far.
Not a lot of midrange plays I love on either side. Players like Brionna Jones and Ariel Atkins are solid plays, but don't feel as secure as usual. Myisha Hines-Allen is highly talented and could pay off, but there's some risk there.
WNBA DFS Game Breakdown: Sparks @ Sky
When: 8:00 PM ET
Watch: CBS Sports Network
Injuries: Los Angeles: Jasmine Walker (out, knee), Amanda Zahui B. (questionable, back)
Chicago: Candace Parker (probable, ankle), Allie Quigley (probable, hamstring), Stefanie Dolson (out, 3x3 qualifiers)
Players of Interest:
Do we get the Candace Parker Revenge Game? Looks unlikely, as it sounds like despite the probable tag, she'll sit out. In that case, Courtney Vandersloot rockets up my board. The league's best passer, Vandersloot took a step back in assists when Parker played, but now gets to face a struggling Sparks team without the backcourt personnel to stop her.
The Sky have a lot of players who are overpriced on DraftKings, though. Of the seven most-expensive players on this slate, six are Sky players. The most interesting of those is Ruthy Hebard, who has a pair of double-doubles this year, though Azura Stevens playing a larger role could cut into things too much for Hebard, as last game she played just 20 minutes and had three points, six rebounds, and four assists.
The Sparks are where I see some value. Nia Coffey has been their best wing this season and comes in at a really affordable salary. Arella Guirantes has seen an uptick in minutes and is one of their most promising young players, though I'm not sure I'm ready to feel confident in her. Still, if you want a cheap punt option, maybe it's her!
WNBA DFS Game Breakdown: Lynx @ Storm
When: 10:00 PM ET
Watch: CBS Sports Network
Injuries: Minnesota: Aerial Powers (out, hamstring), Napheesa Collier (questionable, illness)
Seattle: Katie Lou Samuelson (out, 3x3 qualifiers)
Players of Interest:
Do I have to go over why Breanna Stewart is a top play and needs to be in most of your lineups? Nah, let's skip that and go right to her teammate Jewell Loyd, who is succeeding for many of the same reasons, mainly that the Storm don't really have a lot else going on. Loyd is averaging 21.2 points on the season, plus 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. All are career highs.
Napheesa Collier looks poised to make her season debut. Her DFS salary is a little high for a player playing for the first time, but she's one of the WNBA's best wings, and this is probably a good time to take a chance, because Aerial Powers is out, which means the Lynx will instantly rely heavily on Collier. Her presence could impact Sylvia Fowles a little, but Fowles is still a top play. Who this really hurts is Damiris Dantas, who is just way too expensive now and who I won't have any shares of.
And with Powers out, I'm also super interested in Kayla McBride, who hasn't shot well this season but will likely see higher usage than the 10 shots per game that she's been taking. Really solid mid-range play here.
As for sleepers, not a ton here. Don't really want to trust Storm bigs up against this Lynx frontcourt. Maybe on the Seattle side I have a passing interest in Stephanie Talbot, who is coming off a solid game against Connecticut where she had 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists. If she remains in the starting five, she's someone I could take a shot at.
WNBA DFS Game Breakdown: Fever @ Aces
When: 10:30 PM ET
Watch: Twitter
Injuries: Indiana: Bernadett Hatar (questionable, ankle), Aaliyah Wilson (out, foot)
Las Vegas: Angel McCoughtry (out, knee), Kelsey Plum (out, 3x3 qualifiers)
Players of Interest:
There are so many good plays on this slate, y'all!
A'ja Wilson is here. There's not enough speed in this Fever frontcourt to slow Wilson down, and we could easily be looking at her second double-double of the year.
Really, I like the whole Aces team. Can the Fever slow down Chelsea Gray in the backcourt? Probably not. Can they prevent another big Jackie Young game? Also unlikely.
The one spot where I think both teams slow the other is center. Liz Cambage doesn't play heavy minutes right now, and in the minutes she does have, she'll be up against Teaira McCowan, who has the size to trouble Liz. I think those two neutralize each other some, pushing their projected fantasy totals down.
For Indiana, could we get a big Danielle Robinson game against her former team? She's only really had one true dud game this year, and her ability to rebound and generate steals gives her a nice boost. She's a nice pivot off teammate Kelsey Mitchell, who has been a little disappointing this year.
In terms of value plays, Indiana has some appealing ones. Kysre Gondrezick is starting to see more minutes and has three games in a row with three rebounds. Get her a few more shot attempts, especially if this game winds up being a blowout win for Vegas, and there's some nice punt appeal. I'm also not against risking it on Lauren Cox, a lottery pick last year who has come along slowly this year with a knee injury. There's like a 5% chance she hits, but hey...maybe it's worth it in, like, one lineup?
On the Vegas end, if you think there's a lot of garbage time available, Destiny Slocum would have some appeal. She'll see minutes as a backup guard during normal game play and could see an expanded role at the end.
