WNBA DFS Breakdown: Saturday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Saturday

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TEAM TRENDS

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DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 FanDuel

PLAYERPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Amanda Zahui BFLA420026.696.3
Marina MabreyGDAL570034.936.1
Moriah JeffersonGDAL430025.766
Ariel AtkinsGWAS640036.115.6
Jonquel JonesFCON870046.775.4

Top 5 DraftKings

PLAYERPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Marina MabreyGDAL720036.025
Jonquel JonesFCON1070048.24.5
Ariel AtkinsGWAS850036.034.2
DeWanna BonnerGCON1010041.584.1
Moriah JeffersonGDAL640026.14.1

Las Vegas Aces (-11.5) vs Indiana Fever

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Angel McCoughtryFKneeOUT4/1/2022
Iliana RupertCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Jessica BrelandFPersonalGTD8/28/2021
Tiffany MitchellGConcussionGTD8/28/2021
Jantel LavenderCAnkleGTD8/28/2021
Bernadett HatarCAnkleGTD8/28/2021
Kysre GondrezickGPersonalGTD8/28/2021
Chelsey PerryFKneeOUT8/31/2021
Florencia ChagasGPersonalOUT5/1/2022
Julie AllemandGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Temi FagbenleFPersonalOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Las Vegas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
A'ja Wilson18.89.43.30.61.4006.614.85.56.2
Liz Cambage14.88.41.30.91.60.20.65.810.52.94.2
Jackie Young11.83.83.21.10.40.20.64.69.22.42.9
Dearica Hamby11.76.91.71.10.10.31.34.37.92.84.2
Chelsea Gray11.23.161.10.30.82.24.710.51.11.2
Kelsey Plum12.72.43.60.80.11.53.94.310.22.62.8
Riquna Williams8.82.71.40.70.31.84.82.97.21.21.3
Ji-Su Park1.81.80.70.10.600.20.51.90.80.9
Destiny Slocum1.40.90.70.20.10.30.80.41.10.20.3
Joyner Holmes3.310.500.30.811.32.500
Kiah Stokes0.83.80.40.30.5000.40.800
Emma Cannon21.70.300.300.70.71.70.70.7
Angel McCoughtry00000000100

Indiana

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Kelsey Mitchell16.32.72.30.90.226.46.1152.12.6
Tiffany Mitchell11.631.90.500.31.53.793.94.3
Teaira McCowan11.18.70.80.51.3004.282.74.3
Danielle Robinson10.33.73.81.70.10.213.892.42.7
Victoria Vivians6.42.60.90.70.113.72.26.211.2
Jessica Breland6.56.92.20.61.60.20.72.97.50.40.7
Jantel Lavender6.64.21.800.20.10.72.97.20.70.8
Lindsay Allen3.51.32.20.30.10.311.32.90.60.8
Kysre Gondrezick1.910.90.400.41.50.72.40.10.2
Bernadett Hatar4.92.60.30.40.40024.10.91
Emma Cannon7.74.710.30.301.73.36.311.3
Lauren Cox1.420.30.40.30.10.30.51.70.20.2
Chelsey Perry2.210.30.500.31.50.830.20.3
Aaliyah Wilson1.30.40.60.30.10.10.60.61.900

The Skinny

The first matchup on Saturday's slate features teams in two very different positions, as the Aces are fighting for the top seed in the playoffs, while the Fever currently have the worst record in the WNBA and are four games behind the Liberty for the final spot in the playoffs. If the Fever can keep up with Las Vegas for any length of time in Saturday's matchup, the game should offer plenty of DFS opportunities for the Aces. The matchup has the highest expected total (164.5) of any game on Saturday's slate since Las Vegas ranks first in offensive and defensive efficiency and also has the fastest pace of any team in the league. However, the Aces will attempt to bounce back after they averaged just 70.0 points per game in their last two matchups. A'ja Wilson has been dominant since the Olympic break and has the highest DFS salary on DraftKings and the second-highest mark on FanDuel. She was held in check against Connecticut's staunch defense Tuesday but has posted double-doubles while averaging 20.0 points per game in each of her other three appearances since the layoff. Defensively, the Fever struggle on the perimeter, which could open up more chances for Kelsey Plum and Riquna Williams. Although Plum didn't make any three-pointers in either of the last two games, she's still averaged three attempts from beyond the arc in the four contests since the Olympic break. Williams has scored in double figures just once in her last seven appearances, but she's averaged 4.3 three-point attempts per game since the Olympic break. In the team's first two meetings with the Fever this year, Williams shot 61.5 percent from beyond the arc and averaged 17.0 points per game.

Kelsey Mitchell and Teaira McCowan have led the way for Indiana recently but could struggle against the Aces' strong defense Saturday. Mitchell has averaged 18.0 points per game in three appearances since the Olympic break, but she shot just 23.3 percent from the floor in the team's first two meetings against the Aces this year. McCowan's DFS value has been aided by her rebounding abilities, and she totaled 19 rebounds in the two-game series against Las Vegas in May. One area where the Aces have struggled is ball control, which could lead to increased production from Victoria Vivians, who has a mid-tier salary. She's had a heightened role since the break and has averaged 12.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in 28.3 minutes per game across her last three appearances. She drew a start in the Aces' last game with Tiffany Mitchell (concussion) sidelined and will likely take on another starting role if Mitchell is held out again.

Los Angeles Sparks vs Connecticut Sun (-11.5)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kristi ToliverGHandGTD8/28/2021
Chiney OgwumikeFKneeOUT8/31/2021
Gabby WilliamsFSuspensionOUT5/1/2022
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionOUT5/1/2022
Ivana RacaFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Jasmine WalkerFKneeOUT5/1/2022
Aina AyusoGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Alyssa ThomasFAchillesOUT9/7/2021

2021 Player Stats

Los Angeles

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Erica Wheeler13.53.24.51.30.212.7512.32.42.9
Amanda Zahui B.10.65.71.10.61.41.144.19.31.31.5
Brittney Sykes9.64.62.11.70.50.21.13.78.722.7
Nia Coffey8.14.10.90.91.41.53.82.870.91.2
Te'a Cooper8.11.81.30.90.20.722.87.822.5
Kristi Toliver9.41.52.80.701.54.43.58.50.81
Nneka Ogwumike14.56.52.81.10.30.51.76.311.51.41.8
Bria Holmes4.92.81.20.90.40.51.91.85.60.81.4
Arella Guirantes3.51.40.50.40.20.31.21.24.10.91.1
Chiney Ogwumike7.84.81.30.80.50.50.73.27.811.3
Karlie Samuelson3.82.30.80.6012.11.23.10.50.6
Kristine Anigwe3.93.90.70.60.1001.33.31.32.3
Lauren Cox2.63.70.60.8100.413.10.60.9
Jasmine Walker00.5110.50202.501

Connecticut

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
DeWanna Bonner16.473.51.30.91.54.45.513.644.5
Jonquel Jones20.111.12.91.411.74.47.414.13.74.5
Brionna Jones14.56.81.91.30.600.15.910.62.63.3
Jasmine Thomas11.32.74.21.30.21.43.7410.51.72
Natisha Hiedeman7.22.11.90.90.21.64.12.46.30.81.2
Briann January6.81.630.80.10.72.32.56.11.11.4
Kaila Charles4.331.10.40.30.41.21.64.30.70.8
DiJonai Carrington2.41.70.40.40.10.20.812.90.20.4
Beatrice Mompremier1.32.40.20.30.3000.61.50.10.4
Emma Cannon4.230.800.20.81.61.63.40.20.4
Stephanie Jones1.31.30.20.10.100.10.71.500
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough01001000000
Alyssa Thomas00000000000
Aleah Goodman00100000000

The Skinny

The Sparks have the worst offensive efficiency of any team in the league this year, and they'll face a tough battle against Connecticut's staunch defense. Neither team has a particularly high pace, which could lead to a low-scoring matchup Saturday. Kristi Toliver has started each of the six games since the Olympic break but is questionable Saturday due to a left hand injury. If she's held out, Brittney Sykes and Te'a Cooper would likely see additional run in the backcourt. Nia Coffey has continued to come off the bench recently but has averaged 16.5 points per game across her last two appearances. She's in line for increased playing time Saturday since Chiney Ogwumike (knee) has been ruled out. Amanda Zahui B has remained in the starting lineup but has seen her playing time drop across the last few games. As a result, she's averaged just 4.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per contest across her last three appearances. Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler have both scored in double figures during five of their six appearances since the Olympic break. Wheeler was one of the most productive players in Thursday's matchup against the Sun with 13 points, nine assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes, but two players have the highest DFS salaries on the team.

Brionna Jones has had slightly inconsistent production since the break but totaled 23 points and six rebounds in Thursday's meeting with the Sparks. Jonquel Jones has been slightly more consistent since the Olympics with three double-doubles in her last five games, and she logged 22 points and 11 rebounds Thursday. Across her last five appearances, she's averaged 17.2 points and 11.2 rebounds in 31.8 minutes per contest. DeWanna Bonner has a top-tier salary on Saturday's slate and has posted double-digit scoring totals in each of the last five games, and she's had well-rounded production with 19.0 points, 7.2 points, 3.0 assists and 1.6 steals in 36.4 minutes per contest during that time. Thursday's 76-72 contest between the two teams remained relatively close, but some of the Sun's top players could see decreased run late in Saturday's matchup if the Sparks are unable to keep the score close Connecticut's strong defense.

Dallas Wings vs Washington Mystics (-2.5)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Allisha GrayGConcussionOUT9/2/2021
Satou SaballyFAchillesOUT9/2/2021
Imani McGee-StaffordCPersonalSUSP5/1/2022

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Elena Delle DonneFUndisclosedGTD8/28/2021
Tina CharlesFHipOUT9/4/2021
Alysha ClarkFFootOUT5/1/2022
Klara LundquistGSuspensionOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Dallas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Arike Ogunbowale18.93.23.61.102.46.36.216.144.7
Marina Mabrey13.24.22.71.10.325.74.911.81.31.5
Isabelle Harrison10.55.71.11.10.7004.48.51.72.1
Allisha Gray11.54.21.910.91.22.84.19.22.22.4
Kayla Thornton7.85.51.50.70.10.822.86.41.31.5
Satou Sabally12.46.32.80.30.91.13.54.2102.93.7
Moriah Jefferson5.41.82.50.90.10.81.72.35.20.10.2
Tyasha Harris4.91.52.70.50.30.721.74.70.80.9
Charli Collier3.73.60.10.20.2001.53.10.60.9
Bella Alarie2.63.50.40.40.600.11.12.10.50.5
Awak Kuier2.21.60.30.30.30.110.72.20.70.8
Kristine Anigwe2.3200.3000120.30.7
Dana Evans0.800.5000.20.50.210.30.3
Chelsea Dungee0.30.1000.10.10.50.10.600

Washington

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Tina Charles25.49.7210.925.49.520.84.45.3
Ariel Atkins16.132.91.60.626.15.313.23.54.1
Myisha Hines-Allen13.57.62.41.10.60.92.15.1122.53.4
Theresa Plaisance6.84.81.50.80.81.23.72.56.90.50.6
Leilani Mitchell6.822.70.60.11.84.72.360.50.7
Natasha Cloud6.93.76.51.10.10.72.82.46.81.31.6
Sydney Wiese5.21.61.60.5013.31.95.20.50.5
Shavonte Zellous3.62.11.80.50.20.21.41.440.71
Erica McCall44.10.60.30.400.11.52.90.91.5
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough5.91.30.80.40.40.31.62.14.91.41.5
Elena Delle Donne13.74.30.700.311.74.3944
Kiara Leslie2.82.20.20.400.20.80.92.70.80.9
Megan Gustafson3.2400.30.200.31.52.80.20.2
Stella Johnson20.50.300.20.30.80.51.30.70.7
Jillian Alleyne0200.50000100

The Skinny

The matchup between the Wings and the Mystics is expected to be the most competitive on Saturday's slate and is the only one without a double-digit spread. Neither team has a particularly high pace, but they both have below-average defensive efficiency. As a result, the contest has the second-highest expected total (161.5). The Mystics allow the highest field goal percentage and three-point conversion rate of any team playing Saturday, which should lead to effective scoring from the Wings, who have scored at least 80 points in each of their last three games. Arike Ogunbowale has played at least 30 minutes in each of her last five appearances and saw a particularly significant role in Thursday's matchup against Washington since Allisha Gray (concussion) was sidelined. She nearly recorded a double-double with 26 points, nine assists and three rebounds in 35 minutes and should see increased run again Saturday since Gray will miss another game. Isabelle Harrison joined the starting lineup Thursday and posted a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes. She's averaged 19.3 points and 7.7 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game across her last five appearances and is in line for increased usage in the frontcourt again Saturday while Satou Sabally (Achilles) remains sidelined. Moriah Jefferson has mid-tier value against the Mystics since she's rejoined the starting lineup in each of the last three games and has averaged 10.3 points, 4.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 24.3 minutes per contest during that time. Marina Mabrey also has a mid-tier salary and has averaged 9.5 points per game in the four contests since the Olympic break despite coming off the bench.

For the Mystics, Tina Charles (hip) is slated to miss a third consecutive game Saturday. Myisha Hines-Allen should see increased production in her absence after she averaged 17.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in 26.0 minutes per contest across her last two appearances. She could see an even larger role in the frontcourt if Elena Delle Donne (undisclosed) is ultimately held out. Delle Donne went through walkthroughs Friday and is expected to be a game-time decision Saturday. She's been productive in her first three games back on the court with 13.7 points and 4.3 rebounds in 17.3 minutes per contest, but Hines-Allen and Theresa Plaisance would likely see increased playing time if Delle Donne is unavailable. Ariel Atkins has been inefficient recently and has shot just 25.5 percent from the floor in her last four appearances, but she's still averaged 9.8 points per game during that time. She has a slightly more reasonable salary than Hines-Allen and offers plenty of value if she can convert on more of her field goal attempts.

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.
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