I’m used to struggling to find value plays, but Tuesday’s WNBA DFS slate was a pleasant surprise. There are a handful of players who appear underpriced thanks to increased playing time and production of late. It also helps that the three teams who have allowed the most points this season all play. At least one of the games has huge blowout potential, which could be tricky, but even with that in mind, I like a stars-and-scrubs approach to this slate.

 

Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Skylar Diggins-SmithPHOCHI980032.25710030.82
Diggins-Smith has played at least 34 minutes in both games Diana Taurasi missed, averaging 40.1 fantasy points in those games. Her price hasn't yet caught up to that production, and it helps that Chicago's defense has been terrible since Candace Parker went out. I like Diggins-Smith best among the elite guards anyway, but she will be in all of my lineups if Parker is out again.
Victoria ViviansINDSEA550013.66350013.18
Vivians has played at least 17 minutes and scored at least 12.75 fantasy points in four straight games, averaging 19.25 fantasy points in that span. On the one hand, we run the risk she will lose playing time if Indiana keeps this game close. On the other hand, her fantasy production has increased despite shooting 30 percent on threes the last three games. Vivians is a great value, especially on FanDuel, though Kysre Gondrezick would be a nice alternative if you need to save some money.
Tyasha HarrisDALLA660019.8560020.70
Harris has played at least 25 minutes in three straight games, averaging 25 fantasy points in those games. She had 19 fantasy points in 21 minutes against the Sparks to start the season, and she is a great mid-priced cash play.
Kia NursePHOCHI730017.25480015.78
Nurse finally stepped up Saturday with Diana Taurasi out, scoring 21 points on 7-13 shooting (5-10) on threes with two rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes. That shooting isn't sustainable, but she should get all of the minutes and shots she can handle. At her price, she is worth a shot in GPPs.
Erica WheelerLADAL720020.19580020.50
Wheeler is probably a better fantasy play than Kia Nurse, at least on DraftKings. Wheeler has played at least 26 minutes and scored at least 27.5 fantasy points in two straight games despite shooting just 36 percent from the field in those games. I don't think Wheeler is good, but Derek Fisher has never seemed to let that factor into how he allocates minutes. The Wings have allowed the most points in the league this season and there is revenge game potential as well. I like her better in GPPs but I could talk myself into using her in cash lineups.
        
Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Mercedes RussellSEAIND670015.31370015.30
I would like Russell better if her playing time was more consistent, but she has played at least 15 minutes and scored at least 14.5 fantasy points in three straight games. She is basically a must-play on FanDuel, but I might avoid her on DraftKings because Seattle might win this game by 80 points.
Teaira McCowanINDSEA830026.84650026.52
There is no guarantee McCowan will top 20 minutes, but she has at least 28.5 fantasy points in five of her eight games. I think she is the best GPP play of the forwards in her price range.
Amanda Zahui BLADAL720025580025.50
Chiney Ogwumike is questionable, and Zahui B. is a must-play if Chiney is out. If Zahui B. starts, I would look to get her in most of my lineups even if Ogwumike is able to go.
Nneka OgwumikeLADAL920030.69700029.80
She topped 31 fantasy points for the third straight game Sunday, though she needed overtime to do it. Dallas still hasn't figured out their frontcourt situation and Nneka had 27.5 fantasy points against them in 26 minutes on opening night. This is an easier call if her sister is out, but Nneka should be safe and is cheaper than the elite forwards on the slate.
Azura StevensCHIPHO700020.56450021.40
Stevens played a season-high 28 minutes Sunday, though it helpted that the game went to overtime. Even so, I cannot imagine she goes back to playing 20 minutes or fewer unless Candace Parker returns. If Stevens starts and/or Parker is out, Stevens would be a nice play on both sites.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Breanna StewartSEAIND1070044.5880044.57
Stewart has been held in check in two meetings with Minnesota but is averaging 52.8 fantasy points in her other four games. There is a risk Stewart plays fewer minutes if this is a blowout, but otherwise I think she is a better value than Jonquel Jones.
Jonquel JonesCONLV1100044.44890042.85
Jones is coming off her worst game of the season, having scored 34.25 fantasy points against Minnesota. She had 45.75 fantasy points against Las Vegas 10 days ago, and she should be the safest forward on the slate, even if she is the most expensive.
Awak KuierDALLA32001.6230001.35
Kuier was the second pick in the draft but has played just 8 minutes in two games after missing the start of the season due to visa issues. She should get heavier minutes sooner rather than later, but she is awfully risky.
Megan WalkerPHOCHI45009.632009.04
Walker has played at least 23 minutes in two straight games but hasn't done much for fantasy thanks to 5-17 shooting from the field. At some point, she will likely lose playing time if she keeps missing shots. On the other hand, that's a lot of minutes and shots for someone who is so cheap. I'm willing to take a chance, especially on DraftKings.
Draftkings Core Plays
Top Tier
Skylar Diggins-Smith$9,800
Breanna Stewart$10,700
Mid Tier
Tyasha Harris$6,600
Amanda Zahui B$7,200
Value Tier
Victoria Vivians$5,500
Megan Walker$4,500
Fanduel Core Plays
Top Tier
Skylar Diggins-Smith$7,100
Breanna Stewart$8,800
Mid Tier
Kia Nurse$4,800
Azura Stevens$4,500
Value Tier
Victoria Vivians$3,500
Mercedes Russell$3,700
DK Cash DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GDeWanna BonnerCONLAV37.31$10,600 GCrystal Dangerfield    
GErica WheelerLA@DAL20.19$7,200 GDeWanna BonnerCONLAV37.31$10,600
FTeaira McCowanIND@SEA26.84$8,300 FSylvia Fowles    
FJonquel JonesCONLAV44.44$11,000 FCharli CollierDALLA11.65$5,600
FNneka OgwumikeLA@DAL30.69$9,200 FJonquel JonesCONLAV44.44$11,000
UtilArike OgunbowaleDALLA33.35$10,100 UtilNneka OgwumikeLA@DAL30.69$9,200
    Total$56,400     Total$36,400
             
DK Pivot Cash DK Pivot GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
G      GChennedy Carter    
GVictoria ViviansIND@SEA13.66$5,500 G     
FBrittney GrinerPHO@CHI38.92$10,800 F     
F      F     
F      F     
Util      UtilTeaira McCowanIND@SEA26.84$8,300
    Total$16,300     Total$8,300
             
FD Cash FD GPP
PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
GKia NursePHOCHI15.78$4,800 GKia NursePHOCHI15.78$4,800
GDiana TaurasiPHOCHI25.33$6,700 GDeWanna BonnerCONLV36.71$8,100
GVictoria ViviansINDSEA13.18$3,500 GSabrina Ionescu    
FTeaira McCowanINDSEA26.52$6,500 FTeaira McCowanINDSEA26.52$6,500
FNneka OgwumikeLADAL29.80$7,000 FNneka OgwumikeLADAL29.80$7,000
FCharli CollierDALLA11.46$4,700 FTianna Hawkins    
FJonquel JonesCONLV42.85$8,900 FDamiris Dantas    
    Total$42,100     Total$26,400
             
FD Pivot Cash FD Pivot GPP
PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
G      G     
G      G     
GDiana TaurasiPHOCHI25.33$6,700 GDiana TaurasiPHOCHI25.33$6,700
F      F     
F      F     
FTianna Hawkins     F     
F      FChiney OgwumikeLADAL19.30$5,100
    Total$6,700     Total$11,800