WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Sunday

LINEUP OPTIMIZER

DAILY MATCHUPS  (Vegas Odds, Team Efficiency, Pace, Opposing Stats)

DAILY LINEUPS

VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 FanDuel

Ezi MagbegorFSEA@PHO500023.694.7
Gabby WilliamsGSEA@PHO430018.834.4
Jewell LoydGSEA@PHO610026.304.3
Diana TaurasiGPHOSEA680027.584.1
Chennedy CarterGLA@ATL580023.744.1

Top 5 DraftKings

Dana EvansGCHINY620024.964.0
Chennedy CarterGLA@ATL690024.173.5
Diana TaurasiGPHOSEA890029.213.3
Ezi MagbegorFSEA@PHO700022.213.2
Gabby WilliamsFSEA@PHO580018.573.2

Los Angeles Sparks (-4.5) at Atlanta Dream  

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kristi ToliverGSuspensionSUSP5/11/2022
Katie Lou SamuelsonFSuspensionSUSP5/11/2022
Olivia Nelson-OdodaFHipOUT5/14/2022
Amanda Zahui B.CUndisclosedOFS10/1/2022

Atlanta

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Tiffany HayesGNot Injury RelatedSUSP5/11/2022
Kia VaughnCHamstringGTD5/11/2022
Maite CazorlaGPersonalOFS5/1/2023

2022 Player Stats

Los Angeles

Liz CambageLAC223.017.07.51.02.01.50.0
Nneka OgwumikeLAF234.016.07.51.53.00.51.0
Jordin CanadaLAG230.015.52.57.01.50.00.0
Brittney SykesLAG230.013.05.03.04.51.50.0
Chennedy CarterLAG217.012.01.02.50.51.00.0
Lexie BrownLAG230.58.54.03.52.00.02.5
Chiney OgwumikeLAF218.07.07.50.01.50.00.0
Rae BurrellLAG212.52.51.00.01.00.00.5
Jasmine WalkerLAF211.01.02.50.51.00.00.0
Amy AtwellLAF26.50.00.00.00.00.00.0

Atlanta

Rhyne HowardAtlG136.016.03.04.02.04.04.0
Erica WheelerAtlG130.011.02.02.01.00.01.0
Nia CoffeyAtlF123.011.09.01.01.01.01.0
Cheyenne ParkerAtlF125.010.010.00.02.03.00.0
Kristy WallaceAtlG129.06.05.02.01.00.00.0
Monique BillingsAtlF121.06.014.01.02.01.00.0
Megan WalkerAtlF18.05.02.00.01.00.01.0
Aari McDonaldAtlG118.01.01.00.00.00.00.0
Naz HillmonAtlF111.00.01.01.00.00.00.0

The Skinny

Both teams remain undefeated through the first week of the season, but the Sparks are 5.5-point favorites heading into this one. With the over/under set at 161.5, this game has the lowest total on the three-game slate, but it's still expected to have a relatively high pace. 

Liz Cambage, Nneka Ogwumike and Jordin Canada have been the most productive players for the Sparks to open the campaign, but Brittney Sykes provided a breakout performance Sunday after struggling in the opener. Chennedy Carter has also been a consistent producer off the bench, scoring in double figures in back-to-back games to start the season. 

Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, was dynamic in her first WNBA game, posting 16 points, four assists, four blocks, three rebounds and two steals in 36 minutes. The rookie's debut was historic, but it'll be difficult to maintain that type of production throughout the season, so some growing pains are expected. Cheyenne Parker and Nia Coffey each provided strong all-around performances in the Dream's season opener as well and are likely safer options than Howard. Monique Billings also popped for 14 rebounds off the bench, but it'd be risky to count on her to replicate that type of production against the Sparks. 

Seattle Storm (-4.5) at Phoenix Mercury  

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Seattle

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Mercedes RussellFUndisclosedOUT5/29/2022

Phoenix

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Diamond DeShieldsFSuspensionGTD5/11/2022
Brianna TurnerFSuspensionGTD5/11/2022
Brittney GrinerCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/21/2022
Kia NurseGKneeOUT7/2/2022

2022 Player Stats

Seattle

Breanna StewartSeaF228.519.08.02.52.00.52.5
Jewell LoydSeaG225.018.02.01.01.00.52.0
Epiphanny PrinceSeaG214.012.00.51.01.50.52.5
Ezi MagbegorSeaC224.08.05.01.51.52.00.0
Sue BirdSeaG226.07.01.58.01.50.52.0
Stephanie TalbotSeaG218.07.02.51.50.51.01.0
Jantel LavenderSeaC220.06.53.01.00.50.00.5
Briann JanuarySeaG218.03.52.52.50.51.50.5
Gabby WilliamsSeaF219.52.53.52.50.51.50.5
Reshanda GraySeaF27.52.01.00.00.50.00.0

Phoenix

Skylar Diggins-SmithPhoG132.025.03.01.01.00.01.0
Shey PeddyPhoG129.016.01.02.02.01.02.0
Tina CharlesPhoC132.015.03.03.03.00.01.0
Sophie CunninghamPhoG122.012.02.01.00.00.02.0
Diana TaurasiPhoG132.09.04.09.00.00.00.0
Megan GustafsonPhoF111.06.03.00.00.01.00.0
Emma CannonPhoF16.03.02.01.00.00.00.0
Jennie SimmsPhoF112.02.04.01.00.00.00.0
Sam ThomasPhoF18.00.01.01.00.00.00.0
Kristine AnigwePhoF114.00.03.01.00.00.00.0

The Skinny

Seattle is a 4.5-point road favorite after splitting its first two games of the season. The over/under is set at 165.5, tied with New York @ Chicago for the highest total of the three-game slate, which suggests a fast-paced, high-scoring matchup against two title contenders. 

Unsurprisingly, Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd have been the go-to options for Seattle to open the season, but what has been surprising is Epiphanny Prince's offensive production. Briann January came over from Connecticut in the offseason and was expected to be the No. 3 guard behind Loyd and Sue Bird, but so far, Prince has outproduced January. While Bird has been quiet in the scoring column to open the season, the veteran is always capable of racking up assists. With Mercedes Russell (undisclosed) out for an extended period, Ezi Magbegor is likely a cheap center/forward option that'll garner major minutes on a nightly basis. 

Skylar Diggins-Smith starred in the Mercury's opener, while Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi, Shey Peddy and Sophie Cunningham all garnered solid roles. However, things are set to change with Diamond DeShields and Brianna Turner expected to make their season debut against the Storm. The Mercury have a ton of firepower, but with so many mouths to feed, the overall potential of their stars may be limited at times.

New York Liberty at Chicago Sky (-4.5)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

New York

Rebecca AllenFSuspensionSUSP5/11/2022
DiDi RichardsGHamstringOUT5/13/2022
Kylee ShookFPersonalOFS9/1/2022
Nyara SaballyFUndisclosedOFS4/1/2023
Sika KoneFNot Injury RelatedOFS5/1/2023

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kahleah CopperGSuspensionSUSP5/11/2022
Rebekah GardnerGNot Injury RelatedGTD5/11/2022
Allie QuigleyGKneeOUT5/14/2022
Julie AllemandGSuspensionSUSP5/14/2022
Li YueruCNot Injury RelatedSUSP5/22/2022
Astou Ndour-FallCRestOFS5/1/2023
Leonie FiebichFPersonalOFS5/1/2023

2022 Player Stats

New York

Sabrina IonescuNYG135.025.04.06.02.00.03.0
Natasha HowardNYF136.016.06.03.01.02.03.0
Sami WhitcombNYG133.015.05.05.03.00.02.0
Jocelyn WilloughbyNYG129.013.05.01.02.01.01.0
Michaela OnyenwereNYF117.06.01.00.01.01.01.0
Stefanie DolsonNYC127.04.03.00.00.00.00.0
Lorela CubajNYF118.02.03.02.00.00.00.0
Asia DurrNYG16.00.00.00.00.00.00.0

Chicago

Dana EvansChiG135.024.00.05.04.00.02.0
Candace ParkerChiF133.021.06.06.03.01.03.0
Azura StevensChiF126.013.06.02.00.01.01.0
Emma MeessemanChiC136.012.08.05.01.00.00.0
Courtney VanderslootChiG134.011.02.08.00.00.01.0
Sparkle TaylorChiG119.06.02.00.00.00.00.0
Ruthy HebardChiF113.02.02.00.00.00.00.0
Anneli MaleyChiF119.02.04.01.03.00.00.0
Tina KrajisnikChiC10.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Kaela DavisChiG110.00.01.01.00.00.00.0

The Skinny

Despite falling to the Sparks on Opening Night, the Sky are 4.5-point home favorites against the Liberty. With the over/under set at 165.5, the bookmakers are expecting an offensive display, so there should be a few prolific performances in this matchup. 

Sabrina Ionescu was dominant in the opener, displaying an improved jumper to go along with her stellar playmaking ability. Sami Whitcomb, Natasha Howard and Jocelyn Willoughby each provided solid contributions as secondary options, but the rotation is set to change with Betnijah Laney expected to make her season debut. Laney's presence likely bumps Howard and Willoughby down a spot on the depth chart, but it's unclear if Laney will be able to play her usual 30.0 minutes per game. 

Candace Parker and Dana Evans each scored 20 points in the opener, while Azura Stevens, Emma Meesseman and Courtney Vandersloot all provided timely contributions. However, no one else on Chicago's roster played over 20 minutes. The Sky continues to be one of the most decimated teams to start the season, but their rotations are unlikely to change from Opening Night.

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.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kirien Sprecher
Kirien Sprecher is a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate who has covered the NBA, NFL and MLB for RotoWire since early 2021. In his free time, Kirien is probably arguing a foul call during a pickup basketball game at a local rec center.
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