Sunday’s WNBA DFS slate is interesting to say the least. Phoenix gets Diana Taurasi back for their first game in nine days, which is also their third consecutive game against the LA Sparks. The Sparks have played two games since their double-header with the Mercury, and as a result of those games both Kristi Toliver and Bria Holmes are questionable. That is the last game in our three-game slate, which could make it difficult to load up on Sparks if those two are ruled out.
The headliner of this slate is the matchup of the top two teams in the league, Seattle and Las Vegas. These teams met twice at the beginning of the season but Seattle’s starting center Mercedes Russell did not play in those games. Seattle is coming off an embarrassing loss to a shorthanded Washington team while the Aces also lost their last game, falling in overtime to Minnesota.
Chicago and Connecticut face off for the third time in the last 10 days in a matchup of teams going in different directions due to the presence of their best players. Connecticut is 1-3 since Jonquel Jones left for EuroBasket, while Chicago is 7-0 since Candace Parker returned from injury. Both teams could contend with Seattle and Las Vegas if their stars are available in the second half, but unfortunately, we won’t get to see them play each other at full strength during the regular season. This matchup is especially interesting as Connecticut is 6-1 at home and the Sky are 6-2 on the road.
| Guards | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Kelsey Plum | LV | SEA | 7600 | 23.06 | 5100 | 22.11 | |
| This probably isn't a good matchup, but Plum is averaging 28 minutes and 35.7 fantasy points in her last three games. I think the minutes are safe even coming off the bench and if she gets close to 35 fantasy points, she will be a very nice value. | |||||||
| Courtney Vandersloot | CHI | CON | 10100 | 34.16 | 7700 | 33.89 | |
| Vandersloot had at least 42.5 fantasy points in both games against Connecticut last week, and there is no reason to believe that will change in this game. Vandersloot's price is down because she only played 51 minutes total in two games at New York this week, but Connecticut should keep this game closer than New York did. Vandersloot is pretty clearly the top guard on the slate on both sites. | |||||||
| Jordin Canada | SEA | LV | 4400 | 12.83 | 3600 | 12.83 | |
| I have no idea why Jordin Canada doesn't play more, and I doubt that will change in this game. That being said, the Aces have allowed the fourth-most steals in the league and Canada was in the top 10 in steals per minute in each of the past three seasons. | |||||||
| Erica Wheeler | LA | PHO | 8600 | 24.88 | 6500 | 24.32 | |
| Wheeler has scored at least 44.75 fantasy poitns in two of her last four games, including against Phoenix 11 days ago. She is a great GPP play, especially if Kristi Toliver is out. Wheeler is playable in cash lineups as well but there are better values with a similar floor. | |||||||
| Te'a Cooper | LA | PHO | 6900 | 16 | 5300 | 15.97 | |
| Cooper came out of nowhere with 40.25 fantasy points in 27 minutes against Washington Thursday. She had 10.75 fantasy points in 29 minutes in her two previous games combined. Cooper could easily see heavy minutes again, especially if Kristi Toliver is out, but I don't know how you can trust her for cash games. | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Brittney Sykes | LA | PHO | 7300 | 20.58 | 6100 | 22.21 | |
| Sykes has the combination of a high floor, a good matchup and increased minutes if Kristi Toliver is out. Phoenix is 11th in fantasy points allowed to guards, and Diana Taurasi's return is unlikely to help much. Sykes has at least 21.5 fantasy points in five straight games despite playing 25 minutes or fewer in three of those. She is a great cash play and I suspect her ownership will be low for GPPs. | |||||||
| Diamond DeShields | CHI | CON | 7500 | 24.86 | 5900 | 24.91 | |
| DeShields has at least 20 fantasy points in eight of her last 10 games, and she is averaging 25.5 fantasy points in two games against Connecticut this month. I'll probably play Kahleah Copper on FanDuel where she is cheaper, but Diamond has a higher ceilling. | |||||||
| Forwards | |||||||
| Player | Team | Opp. | DK $ | DK FPPG | FD $ | FD FPPG | |
| Liz Cambage | LV | SEA | 10600 | 33.75 | 7600 | 33.15 | |
| Cambage played 34 minutes against Minnesota Friday, scoring 52.5 fantasy points on 5-13 shooting. I think she has a good chance to play similar minutes Sunday in a matchup of the two best teams in the league. A'ja Wilson is safer but Cambage is cheaper and probably has the better matchup. Seattle is 10th in fantasy points allowed to centers and 2nd in fantasy points allowed to forwards. | |||||||
| Ezi Magbegor | SEA | LV | 4000 | 11 | 3400 | 11.29 | |
| Magbegor averaged 20.1 minutes and 28.6 fantasy points in two games against the Aces early in the season. It is important to note Mercedes Russell did not play in those games, but I still think there is a decent chance Magbegor plays heavier minutes to match up with Liz Cambage. She is obviously risky, but nobody else in her price range can match her potential for minutes and fantasy production. | |||||||
| Mercedes Russell | SEA | LV | 6200 | 17.62 | 4800 | 18.12 | |
| The Aces are 12th in fantasy points allowed to centers, which seems impossible for a team with Liz Cambage and Dearica Hamby. This is as cheap as Russell has been in the last month despite scoring at least 17.25 fantasy points in eight of her last nine games. There is a chance Russell finally plays 30+ minutes in an effort to match up with Cambage but even if she doesn't, she is a relatively cheap cash play. | |||||||
| Brianna Turner | PHO | LA | 8400 | 25.62 | 6300 | 26.65 | |
| Turner is safer than the forwards who cost less and her floor is just as high as Brionna Jones, who is much more expensive. With Diana Taurasi back in the mix, Turner and Brittney Griner are the only Mercury players we can get at a decent value. | |||||||
| Brittney Griner | PHO | LA | 11200 | 40.52 | 9300 | 40.71 | |
| I think Griner is the safest forward in the slate, which is saying something in a slate with Breanna Stewart, A'ja Wilson, Candace Parker and Liz Cambage. | |||||||
Core Plays:
| Draftkings Core Plays | ||
Top Tier | Courtney Vandersloot | $10,100 |
| Brittney Griner | $11,200 | |
Mid Tier | Brittney Sykes | $7,300 |
| Brianna Turner | $8,400 | |
Value Tier | ||
| Ezi Magbegor | $4,000 | |
| Fanduel Core Plays | ||
Top Tier | Courtney Vandersloot | $7,700 |
| Liz Cambage | $7,600 | |
Mid Tier | Kelsey Plum | $5,100 |
| Mercedes Russell | $4,800 | |
Value Tier | Jordin Canada | $3,600 |