WNBA DFS Breakdown: Thursday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Thursday

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LINEUP OPTIMIZER

DAILY MATCHUPS  (Vegas Odds, Team Efficiency, Pace, Opposing Stats)

DAILY LINEUPS

VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 FanDuel

PLAYERPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Myisha Hines-AllenFWAS7900435.4
Ariel AtkinsGWAS710042.786
DeWanna BonnerGCON780042.75.5
Breanna StewartFSEA880042.284.8
Sylvia FowlesFMIN800041.015.1

Top 5 DraftKings

PLAYERPOSTEAMOPPSALFPTSVAL
Ariel AtkinsGWASATL1010043.054.3
Natisha HiedemanGCON@CHI600025.794.3
Myisha Hines-AllenFWASATL1040043.234.2
DeWanna BonnerGCON@CHI1030042.844.2
Candace ParkerFCHICON960039.634.1

Seattle Storm at Indiana Fever

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Seattle

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Mikiah Herbert HarriganFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Bernadett HatarCAnkleGTD6/17/2021
Aaliyah WilsonGFootGTD6/17/2021
Florencia ChagasGPersonalOUT10/1/2021
Julie AllemandGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Temi FagbenleFPersonalOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Seattle

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Breanna Stewart21.29.82.81.21.51.95.37.416.24.55.7
Jewell Loyd19.24.14.21.30.42.35.86.714.33.54
Sue Bird11.33.15.91.10.22.44.947.50.91.1
Stephanie Talbot6.82.51.30.50.51.22.42.65.10.40.5
Candice Dupree6.32.90.80.50.20.10.32.86.40.70.7
Jordin Canada523.20.50.20.10.51.54.122.4
Mercedes Russell5.66.11.70.90.3002.24.31.31.9
Epiphanny Prince5.11.12.10.70.50.51.21.63.91.41.5
Katie Lou Samuelson6.42.81.80.30.31.13.32.55.50.30.5
Ezi Magbegor3.73.40.50.50.80.20.31.63.40.30.5
Kennedy Burke3.10.90.20.50.10.40.71.22.20.40.4
Kiana Williams0.50.50.30.100.10.80.10.90.10.1

Indiana

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Kelsey Mitchell15.91.92.40.90.326.5614.61.92.4
Teaira McCowan10.98.91.20.51.3004.38.52.33.8
Tiffany Mitchell10.83.22.20.400.21.83.89.43.13.5
Danielle Robinson8.23.43.21.80.10.31.237.81.82.2
Jessica Breland7.86.82.40.51.50.20.43.58.20.51
Victoria Vivians6.21.80.80.50.10.93.52.26.211.1
Jantel Lavender6.64.81.800.20.10.837.60.50.7
Lindsay Allen3.81.22.40.20.20.21.11.42.80.81.1
Kysre Gondrezick2.61.31.20.500.61.80.930.20.3
Bernadett Hatar6.72.70.300.7002.751.31.3
Lauren Cox1.21.90.30.40.30.10.10.41.70.20.2
Chelsey Perry0.50.500.5000010.51

The Skinny

This is the best team in the league going up against the worst team in the league, and the spread would have had the potential to hit Storm -20 if Seattle was in their home building. The Storm are a perfect 6-0 on the road and have two of the Top 4 MVP candidates on their team with Breanna Stewart (+160) and Jewell Loyd (+800). Stewart continues to average what has become a customary 21.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals, while Loyd is averaging career highs nearly across the board at 19.2 points, 4.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Sue Bird is the other option on the team averaging at least 20 fantasy points (26.4). If the Storm have any weaknesses, it's that they don't offensive rebound well (10th in the league in ORB%), and they don't force turnovers (10th in opponent TOV%).

The Fever's only win has come at home this season, but it's doubtful they'll get their second victory here. Indiana has the worst effective field-goal percentage (44.3) in the WNBA and also give up the best eFG% to opponents (54.8), which is obviously a recipe for disaster. The Fever don't have a player averaging over 30 fantasy points, but they do have four players averaging at least 20 FP. Teaira McCowan leads the way at 27.2 FP, and she averages 10.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 assists in 25.5 minutes. Next is Jessica Breland (23.5) and Kelsey Mitchell (23.5), followed by Danielle Robinson (20.6).  They're all reasonable options but obviously have a tough night ahead of them.

Atlanta Dream at Washington Mystics

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Atlanta

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Chennedy CarterGElbowGTD6/17/2021
Raquel CarreraCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Maite CazorlaGPersonalOUT5/1/2022

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Natasha CloudGHipGTD6/17/2021
Kiara LeslieGNeckGTD6/17/2021
Tina CharlesFPersonalOUT6/19/2021
Elena Delle DonneFBackOUT7/15/2021
Alysha ClarkFFootOUT5/1/2022
Klara LundquistGSuspensionOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Atlanta

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Courtney Williams17.56.94.11.20.42.14.76.916.61.62.7
Tiffany Hayes17.82.831.20.11.94.4613.63.94.9
Chennedy Carter15.71.83.510.50.215.812.33.84.2
Crystal Bradford7.33.111.20.41.22.92.76.20.61.4
Odyssey Sims72.631.50.10.422.980.81.2
Aari McDonald6.61.31.80.50.30.82.91.95.822.2
Elizabeth Williams5.95.41.11.40.8002.54.20.81.9
Monique Billings5.56.30.911.2001.74.522.9
Tianna Hawkins4.43.50.90.70.50.52.31.84.60.30.3
Cheyenne Parker9.440.60.40.612.63.27.222.4
Shekinna Stricklen1.30.60.30.300.42.60.42.700
Kalani Brown21000001300

Washington

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Tina Charles248.41.80.60.81.85.48.719.44.85.5
Ariel Atkins1832.91.40.936.6613.233.5
Myisha Hines-Allen14.77.62.41.10.60.62.15.613.733.9
Natasha Cloud6.83.35.51.60.113.52.26.91.41.6
Erica McCall4.250.60.20.200.11.63.311.7
Theresa Plaisance4.13.40.70.80.90.72.51.44.60.60.6
Sydney Wiese6.21.31.50.301.73.51.840.80.8
Leilani Mitchell3.61.52.60.70.113.91.14.90.40.4
Shavonte Zellous3.42.110.30.10.21.11.13.311
Kiara Leslie3.12.10.30.400.30.812.80.91
Stella Johnson2.30.50.500.30.310.51.811
Jillian Alleyne0200.50000100

The Skinny

In what's billed to be the most competitive game of the day, the 5-6 Dream will be taking on the 4-6 Mystics. Courtney Williams leads the way for Atlanta, averaging 34.4 FP on the back of 17.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals. Tiffany Hayes is next up at 28.0 FP. After that, Chennedy Carter's (24.8 FP) absence has opened up more usage for a variety of players, though she is once again doubtful due to an elbow injury. Four players are averaging between 16-20 FP for the Dream. The best of those is Elizabeth Williams, who is posting 19.6 FP behind 5.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 assists. The Dream's main issues as a team is allowing the second-highest eFG% (52.6) to opponents, plus the highest opponent free-throw rate (.363).

The Mystics struggle with the same issues, allowing the third-highest eFG% (50.4) and the fourth-highest opponent free-throw rate (.325), so it's not surprising this game has an over-under in the mid-160s. Tina Charles is averaging an impressive 39.1 FP and has the sixth-best odds for MVP (+1400). She's posting 24.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, which makes her absence for Thursday's game a major one for the Mystics and likely the reason for the line being where it is. Washington has two other players recording at least 30 FP per game -- Ariel Atkins (18/3/2) and Myisha Hines-Allen (15/8/2). Natasha Cloud is the Mystics' one other player above 20 FP, and she's averaging 6.8 points, 5.5 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.6 steals.

Connecticut Sun at Chicago Sky

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Jonquel JonesFNot Injury RelatedOUT6/27/2021
Alyssa ThomasFAchillesOUT9/7/2021

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Astou Ndour-FallCNot Injury RelatedOUT6/22/2021
Maria CondeFPersonalOUT5/1/2022
Leonie FiebichFPersonalOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Connecticut

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PMDREB3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Jonquel Jones21.610.431.51.22.38.14.77.913.93.54.3
DeWanna Bonner16.46.53.51.20.91.85.54.55.212.84.24.8
Brionna Jones12.55.82.21.20.703.10.15.210.22.22.6
Natisha Hiedeman9.42.62.31.50.31.82.45.43.38.311.6
Jasmine Thomas10.63.84.70.90.21.43.13.43.810.61.61.9
Briann January6.61.43.10.400.80.92.92.46.51.11.4
DiJonai Carrington2.92.20.60.60.10.21.411.23.50.40.7
Kaila Charles2.42.90.80.10.30.32.11.213.20.10.1
Beatrice Mompremier1.82.60.20.40.40200.9200.4
Stephanie Jones2.71.70.200.200.70.21.3300
Emma Cannon521001212300
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough010010100000
Alyssa Thomas000000000000
Aleah Goodman001000000000

Chicago

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Kahleah Copper14.34.21.81.50.10.92.74.9123.64.1
Diamond DeShields12.5431.40.30.92.84.311.23.13.7
Courtney Vandersloot11.63.68.21.90.81.33.64.310.81.61.7
Ruthy Hebard9.16.710.81.100.23.671.92.5
Astou Ndour-Fall10.17.60.30.410.72.83.48.82.62.8
Allie Quigley122.22.50.80.51.83.349.32.22.5
Azura Stevens6.55.10.80.90.30.81.82.25.31.31.5
Stefanie Dolson9.73.50.80.3111.84.27.70.30.3
Candace Parker12.88.54.311.31.5449.83.34.3
Dana Evans4.20.410.200.620.83.422
Stephanie Watts2.53.70.50.50.30.21.70.73.211.3
Shyla Heal20.80.80000.80.321.51.5
Natasha Mack21.3000000.710.70.7
Brittany Boyd-Jones212100.510.520.51
Lexie Brown11.5300020.5300

The Skinny

The Sun are hoping to keep things together while star forward Jonquel Jones competes overseas in EuroBasket but had a tough time keeping pace with Seattle on Sunday, dropping the game by 23 points. Without Jones available, Emma Cannon and Kaila Charles saw some added run for Connecticut, as did Natisha Hiedeman. However, it was Dijonai Carrington who made her first career start in the contest, though her run on the floor wasn't heightened considerably. She did turn in a career-best seven boards in the contest. Charles put up 14 off the bench in her best effort of the season, which could earn her some extra run Thursday, but the primary production in the scoring column will likely fall on the shoulders of DeWanna Bonner, Brionna Jones and Jasmine Thomas. The absence of Jones likely plays a big role in the Sun being 4.5-point underdogs to a Chicago team that sports the majority of its major contributors available. Connecticut has typically locked down the boards this season, owning the best rebound rate on the slate (55.8 percent), but the absence of Jones could leave a few more boards available for Chicago's bigs like Candace Parker

Since returning, Parker has averaged 8.5 rebounds and has posted 10.5 per contest over the last two. No other player has more than six in those two tilts, so she figures to handle most of the glass for Chicago. Courtney Vandersloot is coming off of a dominant all-around performance against the Lynx, including her first double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 assists. Diamond DeShields, Stefanie Dolson and Kahleah Copper figure to round out the starting lineup, while Azura Stevens and Allie Quigley should be the primary bench contributors.

Minnesota Lynx at Dallas Wings

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Jessica ShepardCGroinOUT6/19/2021
Natalie AchonwaCKneeOUT6/25/2021
Aerial PowersFThumbOUT8/15/2021
Maya MooreFPersonalOUT3/1/2022
Rennia DavisGFootOUT5/1/2022

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Imani McGee-StaffordCPersonalSUSP5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Minnesota

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Sylvia Fowles16.58.71.62.41.3006.610.43.35
Napheesa Collier17.66.12.91.31.11.14.16.1144.14.7
Kayla McBride123.42.10.80.21.95.53.69.72.93
Crystal Dangerfield11.12.84.10.701.23410.31.92.4
Damiris Dantas63.62.20.30.41.13.92.170.70.9
Layshia Clarendon8.73.24.50.700.30.83.26.322.2
Bridget Carleton5.13.21.20.80.10.51.81.94.40.81.2
Rachel Banham4.721.20.40.11.22.41.73.90.10.2
Aerial Powers104.83.50.510.31.83.3103.33.8
Natalie Achonwa3.82.10.80.50.300.11.131.51.8
Jessica Shepard2.321.400.10.10.90.72.10.70.7
Cierra Burdick61000002323
Linnae Harper01000000000

Dallas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Arike Ogunbowale20.93.53.31.102.57.16.617.25.15.9
Marina Mabrey16.95.73.21.50.42.66.76.5141.41.6
Kayla Thornton9.56.71.80.60.10.61.53.56.71.92.4
Isabelle Harrison8.56.81.20.90.500.13.57.91.52
Satou Sabally14.472.40.40.413.24.811.43.84.4
Tyasha Harris6.41.73.610.40.82.72.161.41.5
Allisha Gray104.221.20.50.73.53.510.82.32.7
Moriah Jefferson51.720.80.10.82.125.30.20.3
Charli Collier4.34.20.30.20.3001.93.50.50.9
Bella Alarie23.10.40.30.800.20.91.90.20.2
Kristine Anigwe2.3200.3000120.30.7
Dana Evans0.800.5000.20.50.210.30.3
Chelsea Dungee0.40.10000.10.40.10.600
Awak Kuier0.81.80.500.300.8010.81

The Skinny

The Lynx are looking to shake off a 16-point loss to the Sky on Tuesday but things don't get much easier Thursday versus a Wings team that appears to be coming into its own, winning three off the last four and remaining competitive against the league's best teams. Minnesota isn't exactly on the elite tier at this point and will have to soldier on without Aerial Powers again for an extended period. If this game remains closer than the last, Napheesa Collier should play in the 33-38 minute range as the star of the Lynx lineup. Kayla McBride, Sylvia Fowls and Layshia Clarendon have been locked into starting spots of late, with Damiris Dantas and Bridget Carleton both recently getting looks to round out the starting five. Collier has paced the team with 17.6 points per game and three 22-plus point efforts over the last five games, while Fowles' output has fallen in a small range between 14 and 17 points over the last four.

While the Wings dropped their last game to the Aces on Sunday, it was only an eight-point road loss to one of the best teams in the league and came after three straight road wins for Dallas. The Wings finally return home Thursday after five straight road tilts and look to get back on the winning track. Arike Ogunbowale and Marina Mabrey top the fantasy charts for the Wings, averaging 33.0 and 32.8 per game respectively thanks to 21/3/3 per game from Ogunbowale and 17/6/3 per game from Mabrey. Satou Sabally isn't far behind, notching 28.5 per contest since joining the team in early June while topping 30 FP in each of the last two games. The Wings still check in just below average in both offensive and defensive eFG%, sporting a defensive efficiency that ranks ninth in the league.

New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

New York

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Sabrina IonescuGAnkleGTD6/17/2021
Natasha HowardCKneeOUT7/5/2021
Kiah StokesCNot Injury RelatedOUT7/11/2021
Nayo Raincock-EkunweFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Asia DurrGIllnessOUT5/1/2022
Han XuCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Marine JohannesGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Jocelyn WilloughbyFAchillesOUT5/1/2022

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Angel McCoughtryFKneeOUT5/1/2022
Iliana RupertCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

New York

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Betnijah Laney20.545.50.50.21.53.97.615.53.74.8
Sabrina Ionescu13.76.47.10.40.72.45.9411.23.23.7
Sami Whitcomb10.85.12.71.50.52.65.53.87.50.50.7
Michaela Onyenwere10.22.80.50.40.51.84.53.58.81.31.5
Rebecca Allen83.10.91.60.91.24.72.9911.2
Kylee Shook6.541.60.50.50.82.42.86.500
Jazmine Jones6.22.51.50.50.50.61.22.24.71.21.5
Natasha Howard14.56.520011.5593.54
Leaonna Odom5.30.80.80.50.80.81.52.33.300
Reshanda Gray53.50.50.30.300.81.84.31.52.3
DiDi Richards1.510.90.70.10.10.30.61.50.20.4
Kiah Stokes2.250.70.70.30.20.311.500
Joyner Holmes00100000000
Layshia Clarendon00000000000

Las Vegas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
A'ja Wilson18.78.23.50.61.30.10.16.513.35.65.9
Liz Cambage15.28.41.30.72.10.10.36.210.32.83.9
Jackie Young13.842.81.60.30.30.85.210.83.23.6
Dearica Hamby11.85.82.10.80.20.31.44.3834
Chelsea Gray11.63.16.41.70.412.64.910.70.81
Riquna Williams9.32.821.10.31.95.12.97.71.61.8
Kelsey Plum122.52.50.801.33.748.52.72.7
Ji-Su Park1.61.30.40.20.5000.51.70.50.5
Destiny Slocum1.31.20.90.20.10.20.90.41.30.30.5
Joyner Holmes3.30.30.7000.70.71.31.700
Emma Cannon21.70.300.300.70.71.70.70.7

The Skinny

The Liberty hope to regain the services of Sabrina Ionescu on Thursday after she missed each of the last two games due to an ankle injury. Perhaps the ankle was causing her problems previously as well, as the second-year guard had struggled from the field to the tune of just 20.0 percent and 25.0 percent from deep in the three games prior. She's listed as questionable for the contest and her availability will likely be key to determining how the rest of the minutes are allotted. Unsurprisingly, the Liberty are massive underdogs at +15.5 points, the second-largest margin behind the Fever. Unlike the Fever, however, the Liberty due show some signs of life on offense, posting the second-best eFG% (52.2) in the league. They have some issues with turnovers and getting to the charity stripe and chuck up three-point shots at a league-high 41.9 percent clip. It helps that the team is converting from deep at 39.5 percent but they still check in eighth in offensive efficiency and sixth on the defensive end of the floor. Betnijah Laney is the only player besides Ionescu to average more than 30 fantasy points per game, while Sami Whitcomb has chipped in 26.3 per contest thanks to a career-best 47.5 percent conversion rate from deep, averaging 10.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.5 steals per game on the season.

The problem the Liberty have is facing an Aces team that ranks second in both offensive and defensive efficiency, also sporting the third-best eFG% offensively (51.9) while holding opponents to just 45.6 percent (second best) in the same category. Las Vegas turns the ball or at a league-low rate and gets to the free-throw line early and often thanks to the team's huge interior presence. A'ja Wilson leads the way with 37.4 FP per game and Liz Cambage sits at 32.6 despite limited playing time. They have plenty of support as well, with Chelsea Gay (28.7), Jackie Young (26.6), Dearica Hamby (23.7) and Kelsey Plum (21.3) all posting north of 20 fantasy points per game. The Liberty's issues on the glass figure to be highlighted again Thursday, though it's difficult to predict exactly which of the group will go off. Plum was the primary scorer in the first meeting between the two teams, posting a season-high 32 points.

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. Alex Barutha plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel Username: unclestosh99, DraftKings Username: Roto_Alex. Chris Benzine plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Crispy272001, DraftKings: Crispy27.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Alex Barutha
Alex is RotoWire's Chief NBA Editor. He writes articles about daily fantasy, year-long fantasy and sports betting. You can hear him on the RotoWire NBA Podcast, Sirius XM, VSiN and other platforms. He firmly believes Robert Covington is the most underrated fantasy player of the past decade.
Chris Benzine
Chris is the college football editor and the Kansas City Chiefs beat writer. He's a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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