Sunday's WNBA DFS slate features no shortage of inactives and questionable players. I want to personally thank the Washington Mystics for giving us a heads up when Elena Delle Donne sits. The Mystics are rightly giving Delle Donne periodic days off after she managed to play just three games last season. The best part about it for our perspective is that instead of finding out when starting lineups are announced, Delle Donne’s rest days are getting reported ahead of time so we can play our WNBA DFS lineups accordingly. Sunday’s six-game DFS slate is unfortunately as notable for the players missing as it is for the ones playing. Along with Delle Donne, Jackie Young, and Riquna Williams have been ruled out, with Tina Charles, Marina Mabrey, Ezi Magbegor and Sue Bird all questionable. Be sure to check for news prior to tip-off before finalizing your DFS lineups.
WNBA DFS TOP GUARDS
Guards
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Aisha Sheppard
LV
DAL
3300
4.36
###
4.25
Sheppard was the only Aces guard to come off the bench Thursday and she will presumably get the first crack at backing up Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum. I would feel better about Sheppard if she starts but she could be playable off the bench, especially if both starting guards are out.
Bria Hartley
IND
ATL
4400
18.5
###
18.40
Hartley played 15 minutes in her season debut Wednesday and scored 18.5 fantasy points. She could see more minutes following three days off, which would make her a nice value. In 13 games with Phoenix in the Wubble, Harley averaged 1.06 fantasy points per minute.
Courtney Williams
CON
SEA
7600
21.89
###
21.26
I try hard to consider the entire slate and not get locked in on a handful of players I like, but sometimes the pricing doesn't make that possible. In a sea of mid-priced guards who can be described as inconsistent at best, Williams has at least 23 fantasy points in five straight games, with at least 30 fantasy points in two of those.
Kelsey Plum
LV
DAL
9900
33.82
###
31.10
This may seem counterintuitive, but I might have liked Plum better if Jackie Young was healthy. Plum has at least 33 fantasy points in five straight games and I'm not sure we want the status quo to change. That being said, Plum had season-highs in minutes, field goal attempts and fantasy points Friday thanks in part to playing 19 minutes in the second half and all nine minutes after Young's leg injury. Plum's minutes and usage were already high but they could go through the roof with Young out.
Sabrina Ionescu
NY
MIN
9400
30.68
###
29.30
I have been tantalized by Ionesu before, but at least now her price is more reasonable. She has topped 34 fantasy points in each of her last two games, but the man reason to chase her is her opponent. Minnesota is 11th in fantasy points allowed to guards and Moriah Jefferson's injury has only thinned Minnesota's backcourt. Ionescu had 31.25 fantasy points against Minnesota two weeks ago despite shooting 3-10 from the field and that basically feels like her floor in this matchup.
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Kahleah Copper
CHI
WAS
6800
23.35
###
21.98
Copper finally delivered the game we were waiting for with 32 fantasy points in 31 minutes against Atlanta, but her price hasn't budged. She already demonstrated her floor is pretty high and now we know she can still hit that same ceiling.
Katie Lou Samuelson
LA
PHO
5800
17.75
###
17.29
Samuelson is averaging 32.1 minutes and 24.5 fantasy points in her last four games, and Phoenix has allowed the most fantasy points to guards of any team in the league. Her spot in the rotation seems secure, especially if Jordin Canada is out again.
Sophie Cunningham
PHO
LA
4700
16.38
###
15.81
Cunningham has played at least 24 minutes in three straight games, with at least 27 fantasy points in two of those. That kind of upside is nearly impossible to find at her price. I am skeptical Phoenix can get away with playing her at the four against the Sparks but they did it for 32 minutes against Connecticut even though she was in foul trouble the entire game.
Ariel Atkins
WAS
CHI
8300
27.77
###
27.43
Atkins is on one of her patented hot streaks, and she should get plenty of shots with Elena Delle Donne out.
WNBA DFS TOP FORWARDS
Forwards
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Nneka Ogwumike
LA
PHO
####
34.57
###
34.60
Phoenix when super small Friday with Tina Charles out and Jonquel Jones scored 39.25 points in 25 minutes. If Charles is out again, I expect Ogwumike to go off. She had 37 fantasy points against Phoenix two weeks ago and I would take the over on that total.
Megan Gustafson
PHO
LA
4000
8.82
###
8.46
Gustafson was underwhelming in 16 minutes Friday but she is still averaging 0.84 fantasy points per minute this season. I don't think Phoenix can get away with playing Sophie Cunningham at the four and if Tina Charles is out, Gustafson will probably play 20+ minutes. I would feel better if Gustafson started but I think she is a risk worth taking off the bench.
Nikolina Milic
MIN
NY
5500
10.7
###
10.36
She played 28 minutes off the bench Wednesday and while I don't expect quite as many minutes Sunday, Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve did say on her podcast that they wanted to get Milic more consistent minutes. Milic is averaging 0.92 fantasy points per minute and if she plays 20+ minutes again, she should be a nice value.
Alyssa Thomas
CON
SEA
####
37.18
###
36.62
In 11 games this season, Thomas has topped 33 fantasy points nine times; the exceptions were blowout wins where she played just 24 minutes. I expect Seattle to keep this game reasonably close at home, but I don't think Ezi Magbegor and Mercedes Russell can slow her down in their first and second games back from long absences.
Satou Sabally
DAL
LV
7200
23.35
###
21.58
Saally has averaged 26.4 minutes and 29.3 fantasy points in her last three games, the last two of which were starts. Her price still hasn't caught up to her fantasy production, and Las Vegas is 11th in fantays points allowed to forwards.
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Dearica Hamby
LV
DAL
8700
28
###
26.88
Hamby's production has waned this season in part due to the emergence of Jackie Young. Hamby could get more touches with Young out, but even if she doesn't, she should match up well against Dallas's smaller frontcourt