Many of the rosters for Friday’s WNBA DFS slate are in flux with players resting, returning from overseas duties or dealing with injuries. Washington is a different team with Elena Delle Donne out but with Elizabeth Williams back, Myisha Hines-Allen questionable and Alysha Clark possibly shedding her minutes limit, it is tough to know how the frontcourt will shake out. Indiana’s rookies were good in relief of NaLyssa Smith but can they keep it up against one of the best teams in the league?

Speaking of Connecticut, are we really going to pay a premium considering nobody played more than 25 minutes in the last game? While the Sun players have been productive with fewer minutes, the Sparks continue to do less with more. We know their starters will play 30+ minutes (besides Liz Cambage), but can we trust anyone outside of Nneka Ogwumike to take advantage of those minutes?

Unlike Washington, Seattle has its MVP candidate back, which could make most of her teammates overpriced. Sue Bird might be the one exception. I like her chances of bouncing back after she shot 3-for-20 combined in her last two games.

 

 

WNBA DFS Guard Plays

Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Lexie BrownLASEA650019.05510018.82
Brown appears locked in as the Sparks' fifth starter, having played 32 minutes each of the last two games while averaging 18.3 fantasy points. Aari McDonald is a better player but Brown's minutes are safer and Seattle has allowed more fantasy points to guards than Washington.
Brittney SykesLASEA850028.15690031.42
Sykes continues to produce consistently for fantasy despite shooting a ghastly 30.4 percent from the field. She has shot 40.2 percent in her career and the one time she topped that percentage this season, she scored 35.5 fantasy points. I will take that kind of upside along with her high floor.
Natasha CloudWASATL910034.17710033.43
I'm not sure how much longer I expect Cloud's three-game streak of 30+ fantasy points to last but with Elena Delle Donne out, Cloud's usage should be huge.
Aari McDonaldATLWAS620016.6520015.18
I would feel better about this pick if she was starting but she has averaged 28 minutes and 23.3 fantasy points in her last three games. McDonald is Atlanta's only shot creater outside of Rhyne Howard so the minutes and shots should be there even if she continues to come off the bench.
Jordin CanadaLASEA810026.2640025.88
I don't want to make too much of the revenge factor, but it probably couldn't hurt that Canada is facing her former team for the first time. More imporantly, Canada has topped 30 minutes and 32 fantasy points in two of her five games this season. I prefer her for tournaments, especially on FanDuel.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Emily EngstlerINDCON730018480018.52
Engstler is eighth in fantasy points per minute among players with at least 25 minutes played this season. If NaLyssa Smith is out again, Engstler looks like the best cheap guard on the FD slate.
Sue BirdSEALA750022.65630022.16
She should get fewer minutes and shots with Breanna Stewart back, but they should be higher-quality minutes and shots. I'm not sure why she is so cheap on DraftKings.

WNBA DFS Forward Plays

Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Naz HillmonATLWAS40006.9434006.95
Hillmon had 20.75 fantasy points in 18 minutes Tuesday with Monique Billings out, and while I don't necessarily expect a repeat, I am willing to chase it at her price.
Elizabeth WilliamsWASATL77000600020.14
With Elena Delle Donne out and Myisha Hines-Allen questionable, there is something to be said for just playing whoever starts in Washington's frontcourt, regardless of who it is. That being said, Williams might be the best option regardless. Hines-Allen could be limited even if she plays. Alysha Clark has been on a minutes restriction for both her games. Williams has been out due to overseas commitments but it wasn't injury related, so she has a good chance to hit the ground running in this game.
Alanna SmithINDCON470012.17360012.68
Smith finished with 14.25 fantasy points in 18 minutes on 1-7 shooting Tuesday. Smith is safer than Hillmon, so long as NaLyssa Smith is out.
Nneka OgwumikeLASEA970035.95790036.84
Nneka has been just as productive as Breanna Stewart so far this season and while I probably prefer Stewart in a vacuum, Ogwumike looks like a great play at $1000 less on FanDuel.
Breanna StewartSEALA1000035.42890036.57
Stewart wasn't great in her first game out of the Covid protocols but she did play 30 minutes. She had at least 36.5 fantasy points in both games before that and I expect her to return to that kind of production sooner than later. Stewart looks like a nice value on DK and with the Sparks allowing the 10th-most fantasy points to forwards, I am willing to play her on FD as well.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Tianna HawkinsWASATL440013.19440012.40
Hawkins missed the first game Elena Delle Donne sat out, so while it appears Hawkins is locked into 17-18 mpg, she could certainly play more Friday. I'm not expecting that but I don't think we necessarily need more minutes at her price, especially on DraftKings.
Jasmine WalkerLASEA33005.7534005.86
I don't necessarily recommend waiting until the late game to see if Chiney Ogwumike is available but if she is ruled out early, Walker would most likely be in line for significant minutes off the bench.
Ezi MagbegorSEALA870029.05700032.54
I don't trust Magbegor, but it was nice to see her continue her strong start even with Breanna Stewart returning to the lineup. If you cannot afford Nneka Ogwumike or Breanna Stewart, Magbegor is a fine consolation prize. That being said, I like her better for tournaments than for cash games.

WNBA DFS Core Plays

Draftkings Core Plays
Top TierBreanna Stewart$10,000
Natasha Cloud$9,100
Mid TierQueen Egbo$7,800
Aari McDonald$6,200
Value TierTianna Hawkins$4,400
Alanna Smith$4,700
   
Fanduel Core Plays
Top TierNneka Ogwumike$7,900
Natasha Cloud$7,100
Mid TierJordin Canada$6,400
Elizabeth Williams$6,000
Value TierEmily Engstler$4,800
Naz Hillmon$4,000