Another week has gone by in the WNBA and we’ve got a little more information that we can use to make fantasy basketball decisions, though it’s still a little early for us to have a ton of information.
Let’s look at the DFS targets for each slate of games this week, plus some fantasy risers and some lineup notes.
(All stats are current as of Monday, June 3rd, and will not be updated during the week.)
Daily Fantasy Advice
Tuesday
So far, the Liberty have the league’s second-worst defensive rating so far, but they’re only allowing 32 points per game in the paint, so I’d be targeted the outside options for the Sparks in this meeting. Does that mean Chelsea Gray? Yeah, it means Chelsea Gray, who’s struggled with her shot so far this year but is in a great spot to right the ship against New York.
Wednesday
One game on Wednesday’s slate as the Sky visit the Mystics. These two teams allow more points in the paint than anyone, so targeting frontcourts is a good idea. I’d be especially interested in Washington’s Emma Meesseman in this one if you’re looking for a more under the radar option, as she’s coming off a 16-point outing against the Dream.
Thursday
Things get going a little more on Thursday with three games, and as obvious as this sounds, Liz Cambage against a Dream team that currently sports the league’s worst defensive rating and allows the fourth-most points in the paint is a great option to anchor your team, especially if Cambage is off her minutes restriction and in the starting lineup. (If she’s not, A’ja Wilson is a good play for the exact same reasons.)
Meanwhile, the Mercury’s defense hasn’t really impressed much this year, the Lynx are in a good spot against them. Keep an eye on Damiris Dantas, who is shooting almost 60% from the floor through three games and has seen her shot total increase each time out this year.
Friday
On Friday, we’re back to the world of “play people against the Liberty,” which means look at the Mystics backcourt. Ariel Atkins has gotten off to a strong start to the season and is shooting 40% from deep.
The Fever have had similar issues defensively, with a pretty bad defensive ranking overall but decent numbers in the paint. They face the Wings, and Arike Ogunbowale is a good boom/bust option; she’s going to take a bunch of shots, and while she shot just 34.5% through two games, if a couple more shots fall, Ogunbowale will suddenly be looking like a scoring machine. Indiana is a team that her shot should fall against.
Saturday
Sparks/Lynx is the only game on Saturday afternoon. (Lot of Lynx games this week, huh?) Minnesota is a good defensive team, so I’d avoid some of the higher-priced Sparks players. For the Lynx, this should be a good game for Sylvia Fowles against a Los Angeles club that, through Monday, is allowing the most defensive rebounds in the league on a per game basis.
Sunday
Ahh, here’s the big day. The 10 teams that weren’t in action on Saturday all play on Sunday.
The Aces allow more made threes per game than anyone else, which means New York’s Asia Durr is an interesting option in this slate. She attempted three shots from deep in her first WNBA start on Saturday.
The Sky have had trouble preventing opponents from rebounding, so Natasha Howard, the Storm’s leading rebounder, would be a strong pick from that game.
I’m also keeping an eye on Connecticut’s Jasmine Thomas against an Atlanta team that’s allowing the most assists per game.
Fantasy Risers
Ariel Atkins – Washington Mystics
Atkins had a strong rookie campaign last year, but she’s started 2019 out even better, putting up 15.5 points per game on 55% shooting. She’s also adding in 2.5 rebounds and a pair of assists per game and should play a key role in the Mystics backcourt this season.
Erica Wheeler – Indiana Fever
Wheeler has never averaged more than 11.8 points per game (2017), but through three games, Wheeler is having a career year, averaging 17.3 points on 64.7% shooting. She’s averaging career high marks in rebounds and assists as well.
Lineup Notes
A few things to take note of:
- The Sparks’ Maria Vadeeva has gone overseas, so don’t expect to see her again until July.
- Chicago Sky rookie Katie Lou Samuelson picked up a DNP-Coach’s Decision in the Sky’s last game.
- Liz Cambage was on a minutes restriction for her first couple of games back, so monitor pre-game reports to see when she’s ready for a full workload. I’d expect less Carolyn Swords once that happens.
- Asia Durr replaced Rebecca Allen in the Liberty’s starting unit. Tanisha Wright appears to be mostly out of the rotation.
- Paris Kea and Kennedy Burke both appear to be in the Fever rotation.
