WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

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TEAM TRENDS

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DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 FanDuel

PLAYERPOSTEAMOPPSALFPTSVAL
Riquna WilliamsGLVAIND4200296.9
Chelsea GrayGLVAIND700041.35.9
Nia CoffeyFLA@CHI390022.85.8
Azura StevensFCHILA430024.75.7
DeWanna BonnerGCON@MIN760042.35.6

Top 5 DraftKings

PLAYERPOSTEAMOPPSALFPTSVAL
Jonquel JonesFCON@MIN1100047.14.3
DeWanna BonnerGCON@MIN10300434.2
Chelsea GrayGLVAIND1000041.64.2
Jasmine ThomasGCON@MIN800030.43.8
Riquna WilliamsGLVAIND780029.33.8

Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Bernadett HatarCAnkleGTD5/30/2021
Aaliyah WilsonGFootOUT5/30/2021
Florencia ChagasGPersonalOUT10/1/2021
Julie AllemandGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Temi FagbenleFPersonalOUT5/1/2022

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Destiny SlocumGConcussionGTD5/30/2021
Kelsey PlumGNot Injury RelatedOUT6/1/2021
Iliana RupertCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Angel McCoughtryFKneeOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Indiana

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%FT%3PA3P%FGAFTA
Kelsey Mitchell15.32.62.110.44178.95.625.614.32.7
Teaira McCowan10.68.91.30.41.15053.8008.63.7
Tiffany Mitchell10.12.72.10.3041.4871.627.38.33.3
Danielle Robinson9.92.73.91.90.142.61001.627.38.72
Jessica Breland8.67.12.30.31.144.371.40.3508.71
Victoria Vivians6.71.910.4035.791.73.922.261.7
Jantel Lavender662.200.240750.533.36.70.7
Lindsay Allen3.40.71.60038.185.71.322.231
Kysre Gondrezick3.421.10.4034.602.1403.70
Bernadett Hatar6.72.70.300.753.31000051.3
Chelsey Perry0.50.500.500500011
Lauren Cox0310.70.3000020

Las Vegas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%FT%3PA3P%FGAFTA
A'ja Wilson18.77.230.31.751.293.10.210013.74.8
Jackie Young15.24.52.310.34793.3116.7115
Chelsea Gray13.82.772.20.753.866.73.34510.81
Liz Cambage12.87.50.50.52.258.865.40.308.54.3
Dearica Hamby12.36.22.21.20.34974.21.7108.55.2
Riquna Williams9.22.72.51.20.735.4905.536.481.7
Kelsey Plum10.51.53.51042.1100437.59.51
Destiny Slocum31.81.50.50.344.466.71.533.32.30.8
Ji-Su Park1.31.80.50130.80002.20
Emma Cannon21.70.300.3401000.701.70.7

The Skinny

The Fever are the biggest underdogs on Sunday's slate in a rematch of Friday's game in which they lost 113-77 to the Aces. As a result, Indiana has the second-lowest expected total against the Aces' slate-best defense. However, the Fever still had four players score in double figures during Friday's loss. Kelsey Mitchell has been Indiana's top scorer to begin the season while averaging 15.3 points per game, and she's scored at least nine points in each of the first six matchups of the year. She hasn't generated excessive production in other areas but has still been a reliable scorer due to her high shot volume. Tiffany Mitchell has the lowest DFS salary of any starter for the Fever, but she put up a team-high 17 points Friday. She's been in the starting lineup in each of the last four games and has averaged 10.5 points and 2.8 assists in 23.5 minutes per game during that time. One area where the Aces tend to struggle is on the boards. Teaira McCowan has an upper-end DFS salary for the Fever, but she's posted double-doubles in two of the last three games and is averaging 8.9 rebounds per game this season. The Fever had some solid performances in Friday's blowout loss, but the team's low expected total once again Sunday should deter DFS players from investing too heavily in the team.

The Aces have the league's most efficient offense to begin the year, and they carry the highest expected total by far on Sunday's slate. However, the team is also the largest favorite (-13.5) of the night. During the matchup between the Aces and the Fever on Friday, A'ja Wilson played a season-low 27 minutes in the 113-77 win. She was still quite efficient and topped 20 points for the first time since the season opener, but she also shot 69.2 percent from the floor. If she's less efficient Sunday, Wilson could have decreased results if the Aces choose to rest her again. She has the second-highest DFS salary on DraftKings and FanDuel on Sunday, but she's a somewhat risky play if the Aces get out to an early lead. Chelsea Gray has another high-end salary for Las Vegas, and her playing time remained steady in Friday's blowout victory. She posted her first double-double of the season in the win and has now recorded double-digit scoring totals in each of the last five matchups. Riquna Williams has played at least 30 minutes in each of the last two games, and she recorded a season-high 39 minutes Friday. Her results on the scoreboard have been somewhat inconsistent to begin the year, but she's been more involved in the offense recently and totaled 20 field-goal attempts across the last two matchups. Dearica Hamby took full advantage of the lopsided score Friday and logged a season-high 25 points across 30 minutes off the bench. She hasn't started any of the first six games of the season but is still averaging 24.5 minutes per contest. Hamby has had increased results in comfortable wins and is a candidate to see increased usage Sunday.

Los Angeles Sparks vs Chicago Sky

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionOUT8/1/2021
Ivana RacaFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Jasmine WalkerFKneeOUT5/1/2022
Aina AyusoGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Gabby WilliamsFSuspensionOUT5/1/2022

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Allie QuigleyGHamstringOUT6/1/2021
Stefanie DolsonCSuspensionOUT6/1/2021
Candace ParkerCAnkleOUT6/1/2021
Maria CondeFPersonalOUT5/1/2022
Leonie FiebichFPersonalOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Los Angeles

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%FT%3PA3P%FGAFTA
Nneka Ogwumike177.31.71054.8751.740141.3
Nia Coffey940.71150253.3606.71.3
Chiney Ogwumike95.720.70.334.571.4166.79.72.3
Kristi Toliver8.312.70.3061.585.72.342.94.32.3
Erica Wheeler7.71.731.704085.71.7206.72.3
Brittney Sykes6.332.72.30.32866.72.712.58.32
Te'a Cooper5.710.71020.866.7333.382
Arella Guirantes5210.7028.6100216.770.7
Amanda Zahui B.82021600366.750
Bria Holmes1.311.7107.1100104.70.7
Jasmine Walker00.5110.500202.51

Chicago

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%FT%3PA3P%FGAFTA
Kahleah Copper16.63.81.61.6046.990.52.236.412.84.2
Diamond DeShields14.23.83.20.8040.787.52.45010.84.8
Astou Ndour-Fall11.680.40.2147.594.42.42583.6
Ruthy Hebard10.27.41.81.21.645.573.30.208.83
Courtney Vandersloot93.881.20.634.8100333.39.21.6
Azura Stevens6.7511.30.741.2751.7605.71.3
Candace Parker1684135075475104
Stephanie Watts340.60.60.221.1752103.81.6
Shyla Heal2.7110014.3100102.32
Allie Quigley7230022.2100333.392
Brittany Boyd-Jones21210255015021
Stefanie Dolson4400012.51000082
Natasha Mack120005000010

The Skinny

The matchup between the Sparks and the Sky is expected to be the most competitive on Sunday's slate, and it features the two teams ranked first and second in pace to begin the year. Like the matchup between Indiana and Las Vegas, some recent trends can be found between Los Angeles and Chicago since the two teams played each other Friday. Nneka Ogwumike has been quite consistent to begin the year. She's averaged 17.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 27.7 minutes per contest across the first three games of the season, but she also carries the highest salary of any Sparks player on Sunday's slate. DFS players looking for mid-tier value could find one in Nia Coffey, whose salary ranks among the bottom half of the Sparks on Sunday. Coffey has come off the bench in each of her first three games with the Sparks, but she's still averaged 19.0 minutes per game and has also put up 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per contest. The Sky have demonstrated some issues with ball control early in the year. Brittney Sykes took advantage of the opportunity by totaling five steals against Chicago on Friday despite coming off the bench. It's not yet clear whether Sykes will return to the starting lineup Sunday, but she still played 28 minutes in her depth role Friday and could see considerable playing time once again.

The Sky put up a season-low 61 points in Friday's loss, but they still had three players score in double figures. Kahleah Copper played a team-high 38 minutes in the loss but was only able to record 11 points since she didn't get to the charity stripe during the contest. However, Copper's playing time has still increased across the first five games, of the season, and she's averaged 16.6 points per game during that time. Diamond DeShields played a season-low 25 minutes Friday, but she still scored in double figures for a fourth consecutive contest. However, her DFS results were limited since she was unable to haul in any rebounds against the Sparks. Even though DeShields didn't have any success on the boards Friday, the Sparks allow a slate-high 59.5 percent rebound rate to their opponents. Azura Stevens has one of the lower salaries of any player for the Sky, but she's still had relatively consistent production off the bench in her first three appearances of the season and offers DFS value Sunday. She's hauled in five rebounds in each of those contests and is averaging 6.7 points per game this year. Astou Ndour-Fall has also been dominant on the boards and has averaged 9.0 rebounds per game across her last four appearances. She only mustered five points in Friday's loss, but she has a mid-tier salary and could also provide value if her scoring output increases Sunday. Ruthy Hebard has averaged 8.5 rebounds per game across the last four contests, but she's had fewer looks from the floor during her last two appearances. She has the highest salary of any Sky contributor on FanDuel but has a slightly more reasonable salary on DraftKings.

Connecticut Sun vs Minnesota Lynx

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Alyssa ThomasFAchillesOUT9/7/2021

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Rennia DavisGFootOUT5/30/2021
Aerial PowersFHamstringOUT6/4/2021
Maya MooreFPersonalOUT3/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Connecticut

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%FT%3PA3P%FGAFTA
Jonquel Jones2011.33.41.7154.670.85.147.213.93.4
DeWanna Bonner18.47.13.40.91.143.389.74.65012.95.6
Brionna Jones135.42.40.70.653.269.20.10111.9
Natisha Hiedeman11.63.12.920.340.664.36.137.29.92
Jasmine Thomas11.64.23.81039.6703.847.410.62
Briann January61.540.3030.477.82.827.35.82.3
DiJonai Carrington2.91.60.90.90.138.1500.72030.9
Beatrice Mompremier2.62.70.10.40.656.30002.30.6
Stephanie Jones42.30005000.3040
Kaila Charles1.33.510.20.51501.522.23.30
Aleah Goodman00100000000
Alyssa Thomas00000000000
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough01001000000

Minnesota

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKFG%FT%3PA3P%FGAFTA
Sylvia Fowles189.311.80.860.8500012.85
Kayla McBride12.83.51.50.80.541.51004.533.310.32.8
Crystal Dangerfield11.51.84.81.3041.760325121.3
Aerial Powers1154.30.31.331.483.3216.711.74
Damiris Dantas6.84.82.30.50.329.41005.323.88.50.5
Bridget Carleton6.320.80.3047.483.31.828.64.81.5
Jessica Shepard43.320038.51001.3203.31.3
Napheesa Collier14360233.310020126
Rachel Banham2.521.30.80.322.2502.5104.50.5
Natalie Achonwa23.310.7010100003.31.3
Linnae Harper01000000000

The Skinny

The latest matchup on the slate is the only one featuring two teams who haven't yet played each other this season. The Sun have been one of the top teams in the league this season and have won six of their first seven games behind their third-best offensive efficiency. However, Connecticut ranks last in the league in pace, which could be why the team's expected total is the third-lowest on Sunday's slate. However, Minnesota's defense should offer opportunities for production in several areas. DeWanna Bonner has played at least 30 minutes in six of the first seven games of the year and posted her first double-double of the season in Friday's win over the Mystics. Jonquel Jones carries the highest salary of any player on both DraftKings and FanDuel, but she's been remarkably consistent to begin the year. She's recorded double-doubles in each of her last six games and has averaged 20.0 points and a league-high 11.3 rebounds in 32.1 minutes per game in 2021. DFS players looking for a mid-tier salary option could find one in Jasmine Thomas. She's started in each of her five appearances this season and logged a season-high 19 points Friday. She's been less consistent on the scoreboard than Bonner and Jones, but she's still had well-rounded production by averaging 11.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists in 30.6 minutes per game this season. Even though the Sun play at a slow tempo, Sunday's matchup is still expected to be rather competitive, which could lead to some solid DFS performances by the team.

While the Sun are at the top of the standings to begin the season, the Lynx have been at the opposite end after they've gone 0-4 early in the year. Even though the Lynx aren't major underdogs (+2.5), the Sun have allowed a slate-low 73.6 points and 29.3 rebounds per game this season. Napheesa Collier made her 2021 debut Friday after she missed the start of the year due to COVID-19 protocols, and she totaled 14 points and six assists in 28 minutes during the loss to the Storm. However, her DFS salary has already caught up, as she has the highest salary on the team on DraftKings and the second-highest team salary on FanDuel. Kayla McBride has led Minnesota with 32.8 minutes per game this season, but she still has a mid-tier salary compared to her teammates. McBride has scored in double figures during three of her first appearances this season and has averaged 12.8 points per game, but she's struggled to generate much production in other areas, as she has a lackluster 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest. Sylvia Fowles had played at least 30 minutes in each of her first three games of the year, but she only played 20 minutes Friday. Her downtick in playing time could have been attributed to Collier's return in the frontcourt. Fowles has been quite productive to begin the year and is averaging 18.0 points and 9.3 rebounds in 28.0 minutes per game, but she has one of the highest salaries on the team, and it's not yet clear whether her decrease in playing time will continue now that Collier is back in action. The Lynx could struggle to generate offensive production against Connecticut's slow tempo, and Collier's return creates some usage questions among some of the team's top contributors.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jason Shebilske plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: FavreFanatic, FanDuel: Favre_Fanatic.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Shebilske
Jason joined RotoWire in 2019. In 2023, he was named the FSWA Player Notes Writer of the Year. In addition to RotoWire, Jason writes for the Sports Broadcast Journal. In 2024, he was dubbed "The Polish Parlay" for his WNBA hot betting streak.
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