Fantasy WNBA: Top Risers and Fallers for the Finals
The Aces secured a 2-0 series lead Sunday, and the Finals now shift to Phoenix as the Mercury attempt to spark a comeback on their home court.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for the Finals
A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: Wilson has been nothing short of amazing in the postseason, continuing to reach new heights with the Aces now two wins away from their third WNBA championship in the last four seasons. The four-time MVP has scored at least 21 points in four straight outings, averaging 52.8 ESPN fantasy points per game during that span. Through two games in the Finals, the 29-year-old has logged a pair of double-doubles while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, averaging 24.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks across 35.0 minutes per game. After sweeping their two-game homestand, the Aces will look to carry their momentum into Phoenix, where they'll need their stars at their best to fend off a potential Mercury comeback.
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces: Aside from a 10-point performance in Game 1 of the Finals, Young has continued to deliver throughout the playoffs. The star guard has tallied at least 32 points in two of her last three appearances and was instrumental in Las Vegas securing a 2-0 series lead in Sunday's 91-78 victory. Young has produced at least 34 ESPN fantasy points in four of her last five outings, shooting 51.9 percent from the field
Fantasy WNBA: Top Risers and Fallers for the Finals
The Aces secured a 2-0 series lead Sunday, and the Finals now shift to Phoenix as the Mercury attempt to spark a comeback on their home court.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for the Finals
A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces: Wilson has been nothing short of amazing in the postseason, continuing to reach new heights with the Aces now two wins away from their third WNBA championship in the last four seasons. The four-time MVP has scored at least 21 points in four straight outings, averaging 52.8 ESPN fantasy points per game during that span. Through two games in the Finals, the 29-year-old has logged a pair of double-doubles while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, averaging 24.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks across 35.0 minutes per game. After sweeping their two-game homestand, the Aces will look to carry their momentum into Phoenix, where they'll need their stars at their best to fend off a potential Mercury comeback.
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces: Aside from a 10-point performance in Game 1 of the Finals, Young has continued to deliver throughout the playoffs. The star guard has tallied at least 32 points in two of her last three appearances and was instrumental in Las Vegas securing a 2-0 series lead in Sunday's 91-78 victory. Young has produced at least 34 ESPN fantasy points in four of her last five outings, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc during that span. As the series shifts to Phoenix, the Aces will again lean on their stars to prevent a Mercury rally. Young will look to build on her impressive postseason, having averaged 20.6 points, 4.9 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 34.6 minutes per game in 10 playoff appearances so far.
Kahleah Copper, Phoenix Mercury: Copper averaged 15.0 points on 43.0 percent shooting from the field across the first two rounds of the playoffs. However, she has elevated her play in the Finals, averaging 22.0 points while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from beyond the arc. With the Mercury facing a 2-0 deficit, Copper will be key in helping the team turn the tide. Additionally, Satou Sabally sustained an ankle injury during Game 2, and Sami Whitcomb hyperextended her knee in Game 1. While it appears likely both will play in Wednesday's pivotal Game 3, Copper could continue to see an increased role in the offense. It also wouldn't be surprising if the Mercury shortened their rotation moving forward, which could result in Copper seeing a slight uptick in minutes.
Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week
NaLyssa Smith, Las Vegas Aces: Smith continues to take limited shot attempts and has scored single-digit points in four consecutive appearances, averaging 5.0 points and 3.5 rebounds across 21.3 minutes per game during that span. While the 25-year-old forward has shot an efficient 56.3 percent from the field in those four outings, she has struggled from the charity stripe, going 1-for-6 from the free-throw line in the Finals. Smith will likely continue to see meaningful minutes in a starting role, but surrounded by star power, she remains largely reliant on her rebounding for fantasy production.
Sami Whitcomb, Phoenix Mercury: Whitcomb hyperextended her knee in Game 1 of the Finals and logged only 14 minutes in Game 2, finishing scoreless (0-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt) with two assists and one steal. The 37-year-old guard is expected to suit up for the remainder of the series barring any setbacks, though she isn't guaranteed 20-plus minutes per game with the Mercury trailing 2-0 in the series. Whitcomb has scored six or fewer points in four consecutive outings, averaging 4.0 points and 2.3 assists while shooting an abysmal 23.1 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc over that span.
Kathryn Westbeld, Phoenix Mercury: Westbeld has been held scoreless in back-to-back outings during the Finals, going 0-for-5 from the field during that span. The 29-year-old forward logged double-digit minutes in all four semifinal matchups, but she saw just five minutes in Game 1 of the Finals and 17 in Game 2 -- including four minutes in garbage time with the game seemingly out of reach. With the Mercury facing a 2-0 deficit as the series shifts to Phoenix, they'll lean on their stars to spark a comeback. Westbeld has contributed single-digit ESPN fantasy points in four consecutive appearances and isn't expected to play a major role the rest of the series as Phoenix fights to keep its title hopes alive.
Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch This Week
DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury: While Bonner struggled mightily in Game 2, she has still recorded at least 24 ESPN fantasy points in two of her last three appearances. During that span, she's averaged 9.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks across 25.0 minutes per game. The veteran forward continues to see meaningful minutes off the bench, and the Mercury will likely need her to provide a spark during their two-game homestand after dropping the first two matchups of the WNBA Finals. Additionally, with Sami Whitcomb dealing with a hyperextended knee and struggling of late, Bonner's production off the bench could prove even more important.
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.
