WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

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DAILY MATCHUPS  (Odds, Team Efficiency, Pace, Opposing Stats)

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VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Price Differences

Top 5 FanDuel

NamePOSTEAMDraftKings Price% of BudgetFanDuel Price% of BudgetDifference
Kiara LeslieGWAS600012.0%33008.3%3.8%
Breanna StewartFSEA1180023.6%810020.3%3.4%
Courtney VanderslootGCHI1050021.0%720018.0%3.0%
Satou SaballyFDAL970019.4%660016.5%2.9%
Candace ParkerCLA1140022.8%800020.0%2.8%

Top 5 DraftKings

NamePOSTEAMDraftKings Price% of BudgetFanDuel Price% of BudgetDifference
Bella AlarieGDAL38007.6%460011.5%-3.9%
Erica McCallFMIN34006.8%400010.0%-3.2%
Mercedes RussellFSEA36007.2%410010.3%-3.1%
Alaina CoatesCWAS36007.2%39009.8%-2.6%
Epiphanny PrinceGSEA41008.2%430010.8%-2.6%

Dallas Wings vs Washington Mystics

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Moriah JeffersonGKneeOUT9/6/2020
Isabelle HarrisonCAnkleOUT9/11/2020
Luisa GeiselsoderCPersonalOUT5/1/2021
Imani McGee-StaffordCPersonalSUSP5/1/2022

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Stella JohnsonGAnkleOUT9/12/2020
Aerial PowersFHamstringOUT1/1/2021
Tina CharlesFIllnessOUT1/1/2021
Elena Delle DonneFBackOUT1/1/2021
Natasha CloudGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
LaToya SandersCPersonalOUT1/1/2021

 

2020 Player Stats

Dallas

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Arike OgunbowaleDalG1833.321.32.63.51.706.633.64.82.2
Allisha GrayDalG1825.112.84.41.31.20.33.935.73.31.1
Satou SaballyDalF1427.812.77.92.40.80.94.117.24.82.1
Kayla ThorntonDalF18267.64.90.71.10.23.435.51.41.2
Marina MabreyDalG1420.19.5321.204.341.71.41.6
Tyasha HarrisDalG1718.56.51.12.60.70.12.537.20.80.8
Katie Lou SamuelsonDalG1817.94.821.10.70.32.331.70.70.4
Isabelle HarrisonDalC1319.86.44.61.40.70.40.201.51.4
Moriah JeffersonDalG916.753.12.10.80.20.733.31.31.7
Bella AlarieDalF1813.22.22.80.50.70.90.600.40.4
Astou NdourDalC1111.53.52.80.40.10.51.731.600.5
Megan GustafsonDalF73.70.910000.100.70

Washington

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Myisha Hines-AllenWasF1728.915.18.52.21.40.12.7372.42.2
Ariel AtkinsWasG1729.413.82.82.21.50.34.743.82.71.8
Emma MeessemanWasC1531.212.75.94.21.30.72.529.71.82.3
Leilani MitchellWasG1729.19.52.64.80.80.13.734.91.92
Tianna HawkinsWasF1420.48.33.71.10.90.43.6321.31.4
Aerial PowersWasF629.816.34.82.51.504.334.651.8
Kiara LeslieWasG1419.65.32.81.20.50.42.337.50.60.9
Stella JohnsonWasG518.89.222.410.42.864.310.8
Essence CarsonWasG1016.84.31.80.50.50.12.326.10.61
Alaina CoatesWasC179.62.22.60.50.20.1001.40.6
Shey PeddyWasG912.83.61.21.20.801.713.31.30.9
Sug SuttonWasG712.33.911.30.101.733.310.7
Jacki GemelosWasG715.331.910.10.12.9150.60.9

The Skinny

The Wings and Mystics each play a similar brand of basketball. Each team has a pace among the slowest teams in the league, but they both struggle to contest opposing field goals. Satou Sabally wasn't available the last time the two teams met, but she's returned to her prominent role in recent contests since her return. The Mystics struggle to secure rebounds, and Kayla Thornton led the team on the boards in the last meeting between the two teams. However, Sabally has led the team in rebounds in each of the five games since she returned to action, and that trend could certainly continue Sunday. Allisha Gray was going through a slump the last time the Wings played the Sparks, but she's averaged 18.3 points per game over the past three contests. Katie Lou Samuelson played through a foot injury Friday despite carrying a doubtful tag heading into the game, and she finished with 11 points and three rebounds. Assuming she's healthy, she could once again split time with Marina Mabrey and Tyasha Harris. Those three players have still had modest production despite sharing playing time. The Mystics allow a high conversion rate from the perimeter, and Arike Ogunbowale, Gray and Mabrey could all benefit from Washington's subpar three-point defense.

Emma Meesseman wasn't available the last time the two teams played, forcing Myisha Hines-Allen to take on a massive role as she tallied 35 points and 12 rebounds. Meesseman's presence shouldn't make a major difference in her rebound total as both players have been able to maintain relatively high production in that area since her return, but she could take some of the scoring load as she's done over the past three games. Hines-Allen only mustered two points Wednesday, but she returned to form Friday with 19 points, and she could take advantage of the Wings' subpar defense against field goals Sunday. Ariel Atkins has been a consistent force on the score sheet for Washington over the past three games, while Leilani Mitchell and Tianna Hawkins have also shown flashes of dominance, albeit on a more inconsistent basis. Mitchell has had much more consistent success with recording assists, which she could continue to do Sunday. Kiara Leslie and Jacki Gemelos have each recorded heavy playing time in recent games, but their output has been limited despite their usage.

Seattle Storm vs Minnesota Lynx

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Seattle

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Morgan TuckFKneeOUT9/6/2020
Jordin CanadaGKneeOUT9/9/2020
Kitija LaksaGNot Injury RelatedOUT1/1/2021

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Sylvia FowlesCCalfOUT9/10/2020
Maya MooreFPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Cecilia ZandalasiniGPersonalOUT6/1/2021
Jessica ShepardCKneeSUSP6/1/2021

 

2020 Player Stats

Seattle

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Breanna StewartSeaF1830.119.68.33.41.51.34.736.55.32.4
Jewell LoydSeaG1827.614.52.42.81.60.34.839.53.52
Alysha ClarkSeaF1829.39.24.131.60.62.843.11.10.8
Sami WhitcombSeaG1816.48.72.220.80.23.742.41.10.9
Natasha HowardSeaF1820.18.67.30.71.80.60.828.61.42.2
Jordin CanadaSeaG1724.57.52.25.61.600.69.12.82.1
Eziyoda MagbegorSeaC1813.26.32.30.30.50.80.233.31.30.4
Sue BirdSeaG922.8101.84.60.60.14.2500.41.6
Mercedes RussellSeaC1812.83.22.70.60.40.3000.90.8
Epiphanny PrinceSeaG1112.64.21.210.40.1231.80.50.8
Morgan TuckSeaF98.11.90.70.20.600.9250.90.4
Crystal LanghorneSeaF107.70.82.60.300.10.200.30.8

Minnesota

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Napheesa CollierMinF1833.715.89.13.41.81.32.137.83.83.1
Crystal DangerfieldMinG1829.315.81.93.410.15.135.23.12.3
Damiris DantasMinC1826.412.262.41.30.23.841.22.61.9
Bridget CarletonMinG1825.46.93.42.40.70252.81.41.1
Lexie BrownMinG1622.46.41.92.41.903.1241.51.3
Sylvia FowlesMinC72414.69.70.90.91.1004.11.1
Rachel BanhamMinG1615.461.31.90.50.12.344.40.90.8
Odyssey SimsMinG917.17.71.930.60.11.621.42.61.9
Mikiah Herbert HarriganMinF1711.242.30.40.40.51.5480.30.6
Shenise JohnsonMinG1312.652.21.30.90.11.233.31.61.2
Erica McCallMinF159.22.52.40.10.30.50.233.310.5
Kayla AlexanderMinC1462.51.10.20.10.2000.60.4
Karima Christmas-KellyMinG212.54.530.51.50.51.5042
Megan HuffMinF31.7010.3000000

The Skinny

The second matchup of the day isn't a very enticing one from a DFS standpoint as the Lynx and the Sparks are the two teams that allow the fewest number of points per game in the WNBA on average. Jordin Canada (foot) is slated to miss a second consecutive game for the Storm, which could free up more playing time for Sami Whitcomb and Epiphanny Prince. Canada's absence has also allowed Sue Bird to play a major role in the two games since she returned from injury. She's seen two of her three highest minutes totals over the past two games and has had solid totals in scoring and assists. Breanna Stewart has been on a tear recently as she's tallied more than 20 points in four of the past five contests. She's also been quite efficient in both rebounding and assists, but she could have some more trouble in those areas Sunday against the stingy Minnesota defense. The same is true for Natasha Howard, who has also been one of the Storm's most prolific players on the boards recently. Jewell Loyd was a hero Friday as she drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Storm the win over Los Angeles while finishing with 25 points, her second-highest total of the season. She did so by converting on 81.8 percent her field goal attempts, but she could have trouble generating similar production against the Lynx, who are the third-best team in the league at guarding against field goals.

The Lynx's minutes have become increasingly consolidated among their top four players in recent games. Napheesa Collier, Bridget Carleton, Crystal Dangerfield and Damiris Dantas have each averaged well over 30 minutes over the past two games, while the remaining playing time has been split almost entirely between Lexie Brown, Rachel Banham and Odyssey Sims. Dantas has been especially productive on the scoreboard over the past several games as she's posted three of her four highest scoring totals of the year over the past three contests. She did so through efficient shot selection from beyond the arc while managing to stay productive on the boards. Unfortunately, the Storm boast the best defense against both field goals and three-pointers while allowing fewer points than any other team in the league on a per-game basis. Dangerfield and Collier have also been relatively consistent on the scoreboard in recent games, but it's unclear how many points there will be to go around against Seattle. Sims and Carleton have relied on their production from the foul line to generate a fair portion of their scoring recently, but the Storm send opponents to the line at the second-lowest rate in the league. While Minnesota's core scoring group (Dantas, Dangerfield and Collier) should presumably remain effective against Seattle, production from role players could be hard to come by.

Chicago Sky vs Los Angeles Sparks

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Diamond DeShieldsFThighOUT9/9/2020
Kiah GillespieFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2021
Jamierra FaulknerGKneeOUT5/1/2021
Azura StevensFKneeOUT5/1/2021

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Nneka OgwumikeFBackGTD9/6/2020
Kristi ToliverGPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Chiney OgwumikeFPersonalOUT1/1/2021
Leonie FiebichFNot Injury RelatedOUT1/1/2021
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionSUSP5/1/2021

2020 Player Stats

Chicago

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Allie QuigleyChiG1928.215.52.92.30.70.2635.11.71.3
Kahleah CopperChiG1930.814.95.31.910.22.936.42.72.5
Courtney VanderslootChiG1931.213.43.39.51.20.43.341.32.52.5
Cheyenne ParkerChiF1724.812.96.41.61.30.91.538.53.62.8
Azura StevensChiF1327.311.55.91.50.91.8338.51.51.5
Gabby WilliamsChiF1924.67.53.92.21.20.23.226.21.21.7
Ruthy HebardChiF1913.34.93.70.30.50.3000.40.7
Diamond DeShieldsChiG1317.26.81.81.50.90.11.416.71.42.3
Stefanie DolsonChiC1219.67.23.81.80.512.441.40.91.2
Sydney ColsonChiG157.11.90.50.90.400.537.50.50.9
Stephanie MavungaChiF27.522.50.50.500.5000
Stella JohnsonChiG41.500.500.300000
Alisia JenkinsChiF11000000000

Los Angeles

PlayerTeamPosGMinPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PA3P%FTATO
Candace ParkerLAF1829.614.39.34.51.21.12.147.43.52.9
Chelsea GrayLAG1830.214.33.34.81.40.12.731.32.32.7
Brittney SykesLAG182510.22.52.21.70.32.432.63.21.6
Riquna WilliamsLAG1720.110.41.51.51.10.44.6430.60.7
Nneka OgwumikeLAF1424.712.34.41.410.10.7503.11.4
Sydney WieseLAG1820.17.21.81.20.60.12.947.20.71.2
Seimone AugustusLAG1715.76.61.61.20.60.11.257.10.20.5
Te'a CooperLAG1615.66.611.80.801.328.61.91.6
Kristine AnigweLAF1411.64.62.60.20.70.4001.51.1
Tierra Ruffin-PrattLAG1515.12.92.30.90.60.10.841.71.70.6
Marie GulichLAC1011.22.71.80.60.30.30.300.30.4
Reshanda GrayLAF96.41.63.10.30.10.3000.81

The Skinny

The final matchup on Sunday's slate is the only one with two teams that have above-average pace. Courtney Vandersloot has been dominant for the Sky recently, both through her own scoring and through her assists. She's averaged 11.6 assists per game over the past six matchups, highlighted by a WNBA-record 18 assists Monday against the Fever. The Sparks aren't very efficient against assists, and Vandersloot could have another big game in that area Sunday. Kahleah Copper had posted 15 consecutive games with double-digit scoring totals before only mustering six points Friday. She simply wasn't able to generate enough shot volume against the Mystics. While the Sparks also rank among the top teams at preventing field goals, her past consistency on the scoreboard signals that she could bounce back against Los Angeles. The Sparks are vulnerable from beyond the arc, which could benefit Allie Quigley, who had 10 three-point attempts in each of the past two games. She only converted on two such shots in each contest, but she could fare better against the Sparks' defense. Los Angeles also allows the highest rebound percentage of any team in the league, which should benefit Copper, Cheyenne Parker and Ruthy Hebard, all of whom have had a double-digit rebound count in one of the past three games.

The Sparks have been without a key presence over the past three games with Nneka Ogwumike (back) unable to play, but she's probable heading into Sunday's matchup. While it's unclear whether she'll face any workload restrictions assuming she returns to the court, her return would likely mean that Kristine Anigwe and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt would play a much less prominent role for Los Angeles. Ogwumike averaged 14.0 points and 5.7 rebounds over the six games prior to suffering her injury, and she'll likely be a force once again if she's able to come close to her full workload. Candace Parker has stepped up in a big way recently by leading Los Angeles in scoring, rebounds and assists over the past two games. Part of that production has been due to her efficiency from three-point range. The Sky are elite at preventing three-point attempts, but Parker could continue to shine, even if Ogwumike returns to the frontcourt Sunday. Parker has also been the Sparks' most consistent force on the boards. While the Sky allow fewer rebounds than nearly any other team, her consistency would indicate that she should be able to remain productive in that area. Chelsea Gray has also been one of the Sparks' most productive players in both scoring and assists, and she's shown no signs of slowing down recently. Brittney Sykes has also been relatively productive this year, but she's been inconsistent over the past five games, making her a riskier DFS play Sunday.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jason Shebilske plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: FavreFanatic, FanDuel: Favre_Fanatic.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Shebilske
Jason joined RotoWire in 2019. In 2023, he was named the FSWA Player Notes Writer of the Year. In addition to RotoWire, Jason writes for the Sports Broadcast Journal. In 2024, he was dubbed "The Polish Parlay" for his WNBA hot betting streak.
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