Fantasy WNBA: Top Risers and Fallers for the Finals
With a trip to the WNBA Finals on the line in Tuesday's Game 5, the Aces and Fever are still vying for the chance to face the Mercury on the league's biggest stage.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for the Finals
Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury: After a lackluster Game 1 performance in the semifinals against the Lynx in which Sabally shot 3-for-11 from the field with 10 points, the star forward recorded three consecutive outings with at least 21 points. During that three-game span, she averaged 22.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting an impressive 45.5 percent from beyond the arc in 34.7 minutes per game. The 27-year-old was crucial in the Mercury's 3-1 victory over Minnesota in the second round. Regardless of the opponent, Sabally will need to continue having a strong impact for the Mercury to capture their first championship since 2014.
Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever: Hull struggled in the first-round series win over Atlanta, averaging 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 30.8 percent from the field across 30.3 minutes per game in three outings. Her efficiency has improved slightly in the second round, during which she has shot 34.1 percent from the floor and 37.0 percent from three-point range. The 26-year-old guard has been far more productive over four games against the Aces, averaging 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game. The Fever will look
Fantasy WNBA: Top Risers and Fallers for the Finals
With a trip to the WNBA Finals on the line in Tuesday's Game 5, the Aces and Fever are still vying for the chance to face the Mercury on the league's biggest stage.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for the Finals
Satou Sabally, Phoenix Mercury: After a lackluster Game 1 performance in the semifinals against the Lynx in which Sabally shot 3-for-11 from the field with 10 points, the star forward recorded three consecutive outings with at least 21 points. During that three-game span, she averaged 22.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting an impressive 45.5 percent from beyond the arc in 34.7 minutes per game. The 27-year-old was crucial in the Mercury's 3-1 victory over Minnesota in the second round. Regardless of the opponent, Sabally will need to continue having a strong impact for the Mercury to capture their first championship since 2014.
Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever: Hull struggled in the first-round series win over Atlanta, averaging 8.7 points and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 30.8 percent from the field across 30.3 minutes per game in three outings. Her efficiency has improved slightly in the second round, during which she has shot 34.1 percent from the floor and 37.0 percent from three-point range. The 26-year-old guard has been far more productive over four games against the Aces, averaging 11.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks in 33.5 minutes per game. The Fever will look to advance to the WNBA Finals in Tuesday's Game 5 at Las Vegas, and Hull's ability to impact the game alongside Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston will be important in doing so.
Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces: Gray totaled just 12 points over her first two postseason appearances, though she has reached double figures in four of her last five outings. Her ability to rack up assists and steals has been crucial for the Aces. During that five-game span, the veteran guard has averaged 11.6 points, 7.4 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals across 35.2 minutes per game. She has also shot an impressive 50 percent from three-point range on 3.2 attempts per game. Including the playoffs, the Aces are 11-3 when Gray dishes out at least eight assists this season, and her ability to stuff the stat sheet will be crucial in Tuesday's win-or-go-home Game 5 in Las Vegas.
Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week
Monique Akoa-Makani, Phoenix Mercury: The rookie continues to see meaningful playing time in the starting five but has yet to record double-digit points or more than three assists in the postseason. During the team's 3-1 series win over the Lynx, Akoa-Makani averaged 5.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists across 21.3 minutes per game, shooting just 34.8 percent from the field. Sami Whitcomb remains an impactful player off the Mercury's bench, so Akoa-Makani isn't likely to see an increase in playing time during the Finals. Moreover, Alyssa Thomas should continue to handle most of the playmaking duties for the starting unit.
Aerial Powers, Indiana Fever: Powers continues to play a limited role in the playoffs after enjoying a steady run off the bench to end the regular season. The 31-year-old forward has logged single-digit minutes in three of her last four appearances, averaging 0.5 points and 1.0 rebounds across 7.0 minutes per game during that span. Powers will likely continue to compete for playing time off the bench with Brianna Turner and Makayla Timpson if the Fever manage to defeat the Aces in Tuesday's Game 5 at Las Vegas and advance to the Finals.
Kierstan Bell, Las Vegas Aces: After averaging 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds over her first five playoff appearances, Bell has logged single-digit minutes in back-to-back games, totaling three points, one assist and one block during that span. The 25-year-old guard remains in the starting five, but Jewell Loyd and Dana Evans continue to see more playing time than Bell. Her limited role will likely continue into the Finals if the Aces manage to advance past the Fever in Tuesday's Game 5 at Las Vegas.
Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch This Week
Jewell Loyd, Las Vegas Aces: Loyd has been a mainstay in the second unit since July 27, but she continues to see ample playing time off the bench. The veteran guard has absorbed a considerable amount of Kierstan Bell's minutes during the playoffs, averaging 27.6 minutes per game in seven postseason appearances. While Loyd has provided a relatively inconsistent scoring punch in the postseason, she continues to see increased minutes. Her impact in Tuesday's win-or-go-home Game 5 will be an important factor. If the Aces keep their season alive and advance to the Finals, Loyd's role will be one to monitor closely.
Those looking for up-to-the-minute fantasy WNBA news can check out RotoWire's WNBA Injury Report and WNBA Lineups. RotoWire also features Top WNBA Picks and Player Props on a daily basis to help find the best betting lines for each night's slate.
