Thursday’s WNBA DFS slate is awfully interesting, but that isn’t to say it looks particularly competitive. All three games have a ton of blowout potential. Indiana has lost 14 games this season; 10 of them by double-digits. They are a threat to get blown out every time out, even if Dallas isn’t exactly a powerhouse. Chicago just beat the Liberty by 20 on Tuesday, and that game wasn’t even that close. Washington somehow managed to defeat Seattle with Myisha Hines-Allen, Elena Delle Donne, Natasha Cloud, Erica McCall and Kiara Leslie all out on Tuesday, but they face an uphill battle to keep it close at Los Angeles Thursday. At the end of the day, we are probably going to have to pay up for players who could lose minutes in a blowout, so it may make sense to try to balance that out with cheap players who could benefit from minutes in garbage time.

Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Kristi ToliverLAWAS650016.81530015.87
Toliver has started to put things together after a slow start, averaging 21.3 fantasy points in her last four games. This should be a nice matchup against Washington's depleted backcourt, making Toliver a nice mid-priced cash play.
Courtney VanderslootCHINY1040034.15780033.81
She only played 23 minutes against New York Tuesday because the Sky were up by roughly 800 points. That could happen again, but I am encouraged by the fact Vandersloot still got her fourth straight double-double and finished with 31.25 fantasy points. If New York can keep this game close, Vandersloot could easily score 40+ fantasy points again.
Leilani MitchellWASLA700014.21560013.54
Mitchell has played at least 30 minutes in three straight games, averaging 25.3 fantasy points. I am hopeful she will continue to shoot the ball well but even if she doesn't, her floor is pretty high.
Kelsey MitchellINDDAL840024.15620023.48
Mitchell is the only young player getting consistent minutes for Indiana, with at least 21 minutes in six straight games. Mitchell is averaging 27.6 fantasy points in that span. Dallas's defense has been better than in recent seasons but it still isn't good enough to make me shy away from this matchup.
Arike OgunbowaleDALIND960032.54750031.51
Indiana has allowed the most points in the WNBA this season and with Marina Mabrey banged up, Ogunbowale is the only Wing I trust to take advantage. She has played at least 31 minutes and scored at least 33.75 fantasy points in two consecutive games.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Brittney SykesLAWAS680020.1630021.68
I'm not sure I trust Sykes as much as I trust Toliver, but Sykes has been better over her last four games and she is just barely more expensive than Toliver on DraftKings. Sykes has at least 21.5 fantasy poitns in four straight games, averaging 25.5 fantasy points in that span.
Shavonte ZellousWASLA43008.3134008.32
Zellous only played 15 minutes Tuesday, her fewest in her last seven games. I was disappointed she didn't play more with Natasha Cloud out, but she could benefit if this game is a blowout. Zellous has only finished with double-digit fantasy points in three of those seven games, but she is your best bet if you are desperate to save money at guard Thursday.
Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Tina CharlesWASLA1150044.15900042.75
Charles has had at least 30 points and 15 rebounds in each of her last two games with Myisha Hines-Allen and Erica McCall out. Charles had 38.5 fantasy poitns in 23 minutes against Los Angeles two weeks ago, which helps alleviate some of my fears about Charles playing fewer minutes or being less efficient when the Sparks focus their defense on her. Charles was 100% owned in some cash games Tuesday and even with her price going up, I think she should be that widely owned again Thursday.
Bernadett HatarINDDAL440010.31320010.18
Hatar averaged 20 minutes and 15.4 fantasy points in the two games before suffering her ankle injury. She played just 13 minutes Saturday due to a toe injury but is off the injury report Thursday. If Jantel Lavender sits Thursday, Hatar could be a strong punt play.
Theresa PlaisanceWASLA880018.48650018.67
Plaisance finally shot poorly Tuesday but still finished with 30.75 fantasy points on 4-15 shooting. She is averaging 37.6 fantasy points over her last three games, and that is basically what I am expecting in this contest. Plaisance had 31 fantasy points in 14 minutes against Los Angeles on June 10.
Jessica BrelandINDDAL890024.72690025.15
Breland is averaging 33.2 fantasy points in her last three games despite shooting 37.5 percent from the field in those games. You could argue that makes her a strong fantasy play no matter what, but her floor raises significantly if Jantel Lavender is out.
Megan GustafsonWASLA3500936008.20
Gustafson scored nine fantasy points in 11 minutes against Seattle Tuesday. She is averaging 0.73 fantasy points per minute in her WNBA career and she could easily approach 20 minutes Thursday if Washington gets blown out. Washington only has three available forwards and at some point Tina Charles and Theresa Plaisance will not combine to play 70 minutes.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Candace ParkerCHINY1070033.57810031.93
Parker had 47.4 fantasy points in 23 minutes Tuesday. She almost certainly won't top 2 fantasy points per minute again, but she should play a lot more minutes if New York can keep the game close.
Draftkings Core Plays

Top Tier

Arike Ogunbowale$9,600
Tina Charles$11,500

Mid Tier

Brittney Sykes$6,800
Theresa Plaisance$8,800

Value Tier

Shavonte Zellous$4,300
Megan Gustafson$3,500
   
Fanduel Core Plays

Top Tier

Courtney Vandersloot$7,800
Candace Parker$8,100

Mid Tier

Kristi Toliver$5,300
Theresa Plaisance$6,500

Value Tier

Shavonte Zellous$3,400
Bernadett Hatar$3,200