Fantasy WNBA Week 16: Top Risers and Fallers
The final week of the regular season has arrived. Despite the shortened schedule, there are still viable fantasy options to explore, with two days featuring at least four matchups.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for Week 16
Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx: The Lynx have already clinched the top spot in the WNBA playoffs, which has led to both Alanna Smith and Kayla McBride resting in one of the team's past three games. Additionally, DiJonai Carrington has missed two consecutive games due to a shoulder injury and has been seen on the sideline wearing a sling, leaving her status for the final week of the regular season uncertain. As a result, Hiedeman has received an uptick in playing time, logging at least 28 minutes in three consecutive outings. During that span, she has averaged 22.0 points, 5.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals across 28.7 minutes per game. She has also been extremely efficient in those three outings, shooting 63.6 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three-point range. With two regular-season games remaining, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Lynx continue to monitor their starters' minutes. Given Hiedeman's strong play of late, she's a candidate for continued increased minutes -- especially if any of the starters rest or if Carrington remains sidelined.
Aerial Powers, Indiana Fever: Powers signed two seven-day contracts with the Fever before ultimately landing a rest-of-season deal Saturday. The 31-year-old forward immediately stepped into a
Fantasy WNBA Week 16: Top Risers and Fallers
The final week of the regular season has arrived. Despite the shortened schedule, there are still viable fantasy options to explore, with two days featuring at least four matchups.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for Week 16
Natisha Hiedeman, Minnesota Lynx: The Lynx have already clinched the top spot in the WNBA playoffs, which has led to both Alanna Smith and Kayla McBride resting in one of the team's past three games. Additionally, DiJonai Carrington has missed two consecutive games due to a shoulder injury and has been seen on the sideline wearing a sling, leaving her status for the final week of the regular season uncertain. As a result, Hiedeman has received an uptick in playing time, logging at least 28 minutes in three consecutive outings. During that span, she has averaged 22.0 points, 5.7 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals across 28.7 minutes per game. She has also been extremely efficient in those three outings, shooting 63.6 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three-point range. With two regular-season games remaining, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Lynx continue to monitor their starters' minutes. Given Hiedeman's strong play of late, she's a candidate for continued increased minutes -- especially if any of the starters rest or if Carrington remains sidelined.
Aerial Powers, Indiana Fever: Powers signed two seven-day contracts with the Fever before ultimately landing a rest-of-season deal Saturday. The 31-year-old forward immediately stepped into a meaningful role off the bench, logging at least 15 minutes in each of her seven appearances due to Caitlin Clark (groin), Sophie Cunningham (knee), Sydney Colson (knee), Aari McDonald (foot) and Chloe Bibby (knee) all being sidelined for the remainder of the season. The Fever have already clinched a spot in the postseason and have one game remaining. Powers will likely see substantial minutes in the regular-season finale against the Lynx on Tuesday, especially if Indiana opts to limit its starters' minutes ahead of the playoffs.
Myisha Hines-Allen, Dallas Wings: Hines-Allen has started four consecutive games for the injury-riddled Wings, during which she has averaged 11.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals across 31.5 minutes per game. While she hasn't been particularly efficient recently, the 29-year-old forward has still racked up six straight appearances with at least 19 ESPN fantasy points -- including four games with 25 or more. With Luisa Geiselsoder (shoulder) and Li Yueru (knee) sidelined, Hines-Allen should continue to see significant playing time in Thursday's season finale against the Mercury. The Wings will be looking to secure just their 10th win of the season Thursday, and Hines-Allen is likely to remain in a major role after logging at least 29 minutes in each of her last four appearances.
Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week
Laeticia Amihere, Golden State Valkyries: With Monique Billings returning from a 14-game absence due to an ankle injury in last Tuesday's win over the Liberty, Amihere has seen a noticeable drop in playing time. She hasn't seen the floor in two of the Valkyries' last three matchups, following a relatively steady stretch of minutes in mid-to-late August. The 6-foot-4 forward has logged fewer than 11 minutes in three of her last four appearances, averaging 3.8 points and 4.0 rebounds across 12.8 minutes per game over that span. She reached double-digit ESPN fantasy points in just one of those appearances, when she played 24 minutes in a blowout win over Washington.
Julie Vanloo, Los Angeles Sparks: Vanloo has been held scoreless in six consecutive appearances, logging double-digit minutes in just one of them. The 32-year-old guard has seen the floor in three of the Sparks' last four matchups, averaging 4.7 minutes per game over that span. After earning several outings with double-digit minutes following the All-Star break, Vanloo has lost considerable minutes in the rotation since mid-August. With the Sparks fighting to secure the final postseason berth and only two games remaining, it wouldn't be surprising to see the team shorten its rotation even further for a final playoff push. Regardless, Vanloo has lost the limited fantasy value she carried earlier in the season.
Isabelle Harrison, New York Liberty: Following a seven-game absence due to a concussion in mid-to-late August, Harrison logged 20 minutes in her return against Washington on Aug. 28. However, in three outings since, she has totaled 14 minutes, averaging 1.0 points and 0.7 rebounds across 4.7 minutes per game. The Liberty have a deep frontcourt, and with Breanna Stewart seemingly past her minutes restriction, there aren't many minutes available for Harrison. She's held a relatively inconsistent role all season, and with the club's frontcourt nearly at full strength, she's unlikely to see significant playing time in the final week of the regular season.
Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch in Week 16
Elizabeth Williams, Chicago Sky: Williams has provided 16 or more ESPN fantasy points in four straight games, though Angel Reese (back/suspension) was sidelined for two of them. The veteran center has been productive over that stretch, averaging 10.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 64.3 percent from the field across 22.5 minutes per game during that span. Williams should continue to see meaningful playing time regardless of Reese's status, but she could take on an even larger role if Reese remains sidelined during the final week of the regular season.
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.
