The Liberty got their first win on Sunday, leaving the Dallas Wings as the league’s only winless team. This doesn’t really have much to do with fantasy basketball, except that it might be a sign to stay away from Dallas players in fantasy when you have a chance to.
Below, you’ll find a day-by-day DFS preview. Plus, I talk about a couple of players who are on the rise and some lineup notes. These notes are especially important to pay attention to as a handful of players have gone overseas for EuroBasket.
Daily Fantasy Advice
Tuesday
We’ve got a pretty busy Tuesday slate, with three games on the schedule. All six teams are playing on one day of rest.
If you want offense, check out Mercury/Sky. Phoenix is eighth in defensive rating. Chicago is 10th. Chicago also allows the most second chance points per game and most points in the paint. So, you could probably build a good lineup around Brittney Griner and 3.5 buckets per game inside of five feet.
Phoenix also allows more three-point makes per game than any other team. So…hi, Allie Quigley and Diamond DeShields as they each make 1.5 threes per game. While Quigley’s shooting has been a little off this year, this is a good spot for her to bounce back.
Wednesday
Just one game on Wednesday, as the Liberty host the Minnesota Lynx. New York just recorded their first win of the season. Yay. But they still rank near the bottom of the league defensively and allow the second-highest three-point field goal percentage in the league. Keep an eye on Lexie Brown. She takes five threes per game this year and makes half of them.
Thursday
Another light schedule with just a Fever @ Wings game. While you’d be forgiven for just ignoring this game for DFS purposes, remember that the last time these teams met, Natalie Achonwa carved up the Dallas defense with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. This Dallas team has a lot of holes right now, so I’d suggest a lineup heavy on the Indiana players.
Friday
Alright, now we’re back to talking in terms of available games. Four games on a Friday night, and two where I’d be looking to target heavily because of defensive issues.
The Aces and Liberty play again. While I’m not 100% on the timeline, Liberty center Amanda Zahui B is leaving for EuroBasket soon. If she’s not available for this one, the Aces should be able to make a big impact inside. So, Liz Cambage can anchor your DFS lineups, but it may mean better things than it did on Sunday for Dearica Hamby.
Then, the Sparks visit the Mercury. The Mercury’s porous perimeter defense has me all in on Chelsea Gray in this one. But it’s also got me interested in one of Los Angeles’ sharp shooting bench wings, rookie Marina Mabrey, who sits just outside the top 20 in three-point attempts per game.
Saturday
Speaking of targeting games with bad defenses, the Sky and the Fever play! I’ve already said their names plenty, but Diamond DeShields and Natalie Achonwa feel like good options in this one.
The Atlanta/Dallas game might be a bad one on offense and defense. I’d mostly avoid that one. The Liberty take on L.A. Chelsea Gray put up 29 against New York last time, but Chiney Ogwumike was an underrated part of that game. If we assume that Zahui B is definitely in Europe by Saturday, the Sparks front court should be in for a good one.
Sunday
We finish the week with two games on Sunday, and Storm/Sun has a Seattle team that’s struggled on the boards going against one of the league’s best rebounders so far, Jonquel Jones. But Jones does make her living on the offensive boards, and Seattle has allowed fewer of those than anyone.
Fantasy Risers
Kelsey Mitchell – Indiana Fever
Mitchell’s second WNBA season got off to a pretty slow start, but she’s scored at least 23 points in two of her last three outings for a resurgent Fever squad. She’s at least 14 shots per game in those past three contests as well, and she gives the Fever a high volume shooter from deep. Keep an eye on Mitchell.
Lexie Brown – Minnesota Lynx
Speaking of second year players who are delivering, Lexie Brown joined the Lynx this offseason after averaging just 5.6 minutes per game in 22 appearances for Connecticut last year. Brown’s been great over the past couple of games for the Lynx, culminating in a 21-point outing against the Sparks on Saturday in which Brown hit five three-pointers. Brown’s shooting the lights out of the ball, and she’s seeing an increased volume as the season goes along.
Lineup Notes
Atlanta Dream: Alex Bentley will be leaving for EuroBasket.
Chicago Sky: Katie Lou Samuelson’s playing time remains uneven. Astou Ndour is at EuroBasket.
Dallas Wings: Isabelle Harrison seems to have locked down the center position. Arike Ogunbowale sprained her ankle on Sunday, so keep an eye on her potential return date or if she’ll miss time. Glory Johnson will be going to EuroBasket soon.
Indiana Fever: Kennedy Burke has worked her way into Indiana’s main rotation.
Las Vegas Aces: Liz Cambage is starting now and her minutes have increased close to what they’ll eventually end up at. Carolyn Swords and JiSu Park are pretty much out of the main rotation.
Los Angeles Sparks: Riquna Williams missed a game this past week while dealing with legal troubles surrounding her arrest for domestic violence. It’s unclear what this all means going forward.
Minnesota Lynx: Lexie Brown has solidified a spot in the team’s rotation.
New York Liberty: Bria Hartley left for EuroBasket after Sunday’s game. Amanda Zahui B will be leaving soon. Expect more minutes for Tanisha Wright and Reshanda Gray.
Phoenix Mercury: Yvonne Turner will be heading to EuroBasket soon.
Seattle Storm: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis seems to have fallen out of favor in Seattle. Courtney Paris continues to not see minutes.
