RADIO
We've got two WNBA games on tonight's docket, starting with the Mercury facing the Mystics and then followed by the Lynx taking on the Sparks. While the league's top teams aren't in action, there's still some good basketball set to be played on Friday night.
If you're looking for WNBA daily fantasy picks and some betting advice this season, then you're in the right place. I'll be here providing picks for any slate with two or more games, as well as adding a little betting advice as well.
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 slates lock on 6/16/2023 at 7:00 p.m. ET. 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 Picks: Forward
Napheesa Collier (Minnesota Lynx) - @ LA - DK: $11,200, FD: $8,200
Collier would have been a top play even without Jessica Shepard being ruled out for illness, but her absence just ups the importance of Collier, especially on the boards, where Shepard has averaged 9.1 rebounds per game.
Phee is grabbing 7.1 of her own this season, plus is averaging 20.2 points per game. She's scored over 24 in three of the past four games, and is coming off a strong showing last time out against the Sparks, going 6-for-12 with 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Oh, yeah, the assists. Shepard is averaging 4.3 of those, taking on some playmaking duties from the center position. The ball should be in Collier's hands a little more tonight, giving her strong assist upside as well. She's also been able to get whistles and get to the charity stripe, as she's attempted at least seven free throws in four straight games.
Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks) - vs. MIN - DK: $10,800, FD: $9,000
Ogwumike has been one of the W's top players this season, averaging 21.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. She's had a double-double in five of the past six games.
The last time she faced the Lynx, she was unstoppable, going 11-for-14 from the field with 27 points, tying her season high. She went 2-for-3 from deep in that one and added eight rebounds, three assists, and one block.
Brianna Turner (Phoenix Mercury) - @ WAS - DK: $5,000, FD: $5,500
Brittney Griner is doubtful for Friday's game, and that "doubtful" designation should probably just be an "out" designation, as all signs indicate that the Mercury star won't play.
Brianna Turner has been a non-entity when it comes to scoring, but with Griner out she should get the start at center, so there's plenty of upside in terms of rebounds and blocks, even if the scoring hasn't been there.
(And by "hasn't been there," I'm not exaggerating. She's a combined 0-for-0 from the floor over the past two games. But without Griner, I'd expect at least some touches in the paint for Turner. Her season high in field goal attempts is two, and I think she should hit that with ease—maybe we see as many as five attempts? Which, with her efficiency and rebounding upside, that can lead to a strong fantasy game considering her salary.)
WNBA DFS Picks: Guard
Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) - @ WAS - DK: $8,800, FD: $7,100
Not a great guard slate, but both Diana Taurasi and Jordin Canada are good headlining options because injuries to other options on their team.
For Taurasi and the Mercury, the expected absence of Brittney Griner should shift this offense back out to the perimeter. Taurasi has really struggled with efficiency this year, shooting 35.5% from the floor and 25.4% from three. But she's also taking 13.8 field goal attempts per game, her most since 2016, so while she's missing more shots than usual, she's also still averaging 15.3 points per game because of the volume.
And with Griner out, that volume should rise. Her replacement, Brianna Turner, doesn't shoot the ball, so Griner's post touches won't be replaced with post touches. They'll be replaced by more perimeter looks from Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham, and maybe a few more post plays for Michaela Onyenwere.
Kayla McBride (Minnesota Lynx) - @ LA - DK: $8,200, FD: $6,300
McBride's playing some solid basketball right now, scoring in double figures in five consecutive games. She's taken double-digit field goal attempts in four of those games. Last time out against this same Sparks team, McBride posted a strong line, going 6-for-14 for 13 points while three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Her night would have been better if she'd shot better than 1-for-7 from three, but the volume she's getting right now from deep is encouraging, even if the shots don't always drop. McBride's taken at least five three-pointers in every game this season, and has four games where she's taken at least seven of them. There's no reason to expect that volume to change, giving McBride a high ceiling if she can knock those down more consistently.
Karlie Samuelson (Los Angeles Sparks) - vs. MIN - DK: $5,700, FD: $4,500
While Jordin Canada will be the biggest beneficiary of the Sparks not having Layshia Clarendon or Lexie Brown for this one, Karlie Samuelson gets a big boost as well. Because of her low DFS salary, I like the idea of using her slightly more than Canada, just because she gives you a little more flexibility, though feel free to build lineups that feature both players.
Samuelson saw her role really fall off after a strong start. She made multiple threes in each of the first three games of the season, but hasn't drained multiple threes since. This seems like a game where the absence of Lexie Brown leads to the Sparks needing Samuelson to shoot, so the volume should be there—we just have to hope that the efficiency she showcased earlier in the year can come back.
