Fantasy WNBA Week 15: Top Risers and Fallers
The final full week of the regular season kicks off Monday, and with injuries and evolving roles, there are still opportunities to add valuable fantasy contributors.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for Week 15
Kaila Charles, Golden State Valkyries: Charles signed two seven-day contracts with Golden State before being added to the roster for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old guard has seen an uptick in playing time of late due to injuries to Tiffany Hayes (knee) and Cecilia Zandalasini (calf), who have missed four and five of the past five games, respectively. Charles still logged 26 minutes on Aug. 22 with Hayes in the lineup, so the return of one or even both players likely wouldn't take her out of the rotation. Moreover, Charles has impressed in her last four appearances, strengthening her case for continued minutes. During that span, she has averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals across 28.3 minutes per game. The Maryland product has recorded 21 or more ESPN fantasy points in each of those four outings.
Iliana Rupert, Golden State Valkyries: Rupert has had a relatively inconsistent role this season, starting six of her 16 regular-season appearances since being activated in mid-July following an overseas commitment. Four of those starts have come in the Valkyries' past four games, during which she has averaged 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 blocks across 30.3 minutes per game. The 24-year-old center also tallied a career-best 21 points while tying another career high with five made triples in Sunday's win over the Fever. Even if Monique Billings (ankle) returns to game action in Week 15 -- having last played nine minutes on July 29, her lone appearance since the All-Star break -- Rupert has likely earned consistent and significant minutes in the frontcourt moving forward. She has also recorded 20-plus ESPN fantasy points in four consecutive appearances.
Odyssey Sims, Indiana Fever: Sims exhausted her three seven-day hardship contracts before ultimately signing a rest-of-season contract with the injury-riddled Fever on Sunday. The veteran guard has started six consecutive games, averaging 12.3 points, 4.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 0.8 steals across 30.2 minutes per game during that span. Additionally, the 5-foot-8 Baylor product has recorded 30 or more ESPN fantasy points in three of those outings, including two of her last three. Caitlin Clark's timetable for returning from a right groin injury remains uncertain, though the club is hopeful she'll be back before the playoffs. If the superstar returns in Week 15, it might slightly affect Sims' fantasy value. However, Clark would potentially operate under a minutes restriction, and Sims should remain a key contributor -- even if coming off the bench.
Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week
Rebecca Allen, Chicago Sky: Allen had two stretches of six or more games in the starting five earlier in the season, though she has played a limited role since Angel Reese returned to action Aug. 19. Over her last six appearances, Allen has averaged 1.7 points and 1.3 rebounds across 11.5 minutes per game, shooting an abysmal 18.8 percent from the field. The 32-year-old is buried behind Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Michaela Onyenwere and Elizabeth Williams in the frontcourt, so Allen's fantasy ceiling is limited. She also hasn't totaled double-digit ESPN fantasy points since Aug. 9, which is the last time she logged at least 20 minutes.
Jessica Shepard, Minnesota Lynx: Shepard stepped into the starting lineup and was a major contributor for the Lynx while Napheesa Collier was sidelined due to a sprained right ankle. Over three games since Collier returned, however, Shepard hasn't logged more than 15 minutes in a single outing. During that span, the 28-year-old center has averaged 2.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 40.0 percent from the field across 12.0 minutes per game. Additionally, she has recorded single-digit ESPN fantasy points in two of those three appearances. Shepard's fantasy upside is relatively limited on a stacked Lynx roster, despite her recent success in the starting lineup.
Alysha Clark, Washington Mystics: Clark has started five consecutive games for the Mystics, though she has had a muted impact and been held scoreless in back-to-back outings. During that span, she has averaged 2.2 points and 4.6 rebounds while shooting 26.3 percent from the field across 23.2 minutes per game. The 38-year-old forward's scoring output remains limited while playing alongside Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen and Shakira Austin. Clark has provided a steady veteran presence for Washington after being traded from the Storm on Aug. 5, though her fantasy value is relatively low. She has scored single-digit ESPN fantasy points in five of her last seven appearances.
Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch in Week 15
Lindsay Allen, Connecticut Sun: Allen began the season in a starting role before suffering an injury, and she had logged insignificant playing time since the All-Star break until Saturday's loss to Minnesota. With Bria Hartley sidelined against the Lynx, Allen rejoined the starting lineup for the first time since May 23. On Sunday, Hartley was officially diagnosed with a torn meniscus in her right knee and will miss the remainder of the season, which could lead to an expanded role for Allen moving forward. Still, the 30-year-old guard was not particularly effective in that starting role. Saniya Rivers and Mamignan Toure could also see increased playing time, but Allen's minutes will be worth monitoring in Week 15, as she remains a potential top beneficiary of Hartley's absence.
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.
