WNBA DFS Breakdown: Thursday

WNBA DFS Breakdown: Thursday

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

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VALUE REPORT

TEAM TRENDS

OPPONENT AVERAGES

DraftKings and FanDuel Top Values (RotoWire Optimizer)

Top 5 FanDuel

PLAYERPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Moriah JeffersonGDAL380025.86.8
Monique BillingsFATL510033.236.5
Marina MabreyGDAL590035.536
Elizabeth WilliamsFATL500029.946
Bella AlarieGDAL360020.875.8

Top 5 DraftKings

PLAYERPOSTEAMSALFPTSVAL
Marina MabreyGDAL700036.65.2
Jonquel JonesFCON1060048.244.6
Moriah JeffersonGDAL590026.044.4
Courtney WilliamsGATL1000042.164.2
Arike OgunbowaleGDAL960040.544.2

Las Vegas Aces (-12.0) at Atlanta Dream

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Las Vegas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Angel McCoughtryFKneeGTD8/26/2022
Iliana RupertCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

Atlanta

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Tiffany HayesGKneeGTD8/26/2021
Candice DupreeFBackOUT9/2/2021
Chennedy CarterGSuspensionOUT9/2/2021
Crystal BradfordGFootOUT9/19/2021
Cheyenne ParkerFPersonalOUT2/1/2022
Maite CazorlaGPersonalOUT5/1/2022
Raquel CarreraCNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Las Vegas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
A'ja Wilson18.89.33.10.71.3006.514.85.76.3
Liz Cambage14.78.51.20.71.60.20.55.810.42.94.2
Jackie Young11.83.53.31.10.50.20.74.69.32.52.9
Chelsea Gray11.53.16.11.10.30.82.24.810.71.11.2
Dearica Hamby11.36.81.81.10.10.31.34.17.72.84.1
Kelsey Plum13.42.63.30.80.11.64.14.610.32.72.9
Riquna Williams8.92.71.50.80.31.84.72.97.11.31.4
Ji-Su Park1.81.80.70.10.600.20.51.90.80.9
Destiny Slocum1.40.90.70.20.10.30.80.41.10.20.3
Joyner Holmes3.310.500.30.811.32.500
Kiah Stokes0.94.10.40.30.6000.40.900
Emma Cannon21.70.300.300.70.71.70.70.7

Atlanta

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Courtney Williams16.36.44.21.10.41.33.5717.111.8
Odyssey Sims9.42.73.91.30.10.62.53.8101.21.7
Crystal Bradford8.83.81.51.20.41.23.43.480.81.6
Tiffany Hayes14.92.52.91.50.21.73.9511.33.24
Chennedy Carter14.21.33.30.70.40.10.85.5123.23.6
Monique Billings6.5611.20.900.12.55.51.52.3
Aari McDonald6.71.31.70.90.11.13.11.95.51.82
Elizabeth Williams5.64.711.21002.34.411.8
Cheyenne Parker10.24.51.21.20.90.82.33.88.51.72.2
Tianna Hawkins5.43.50.70.50.50.72.624.90.80.9
Shekinna Stricklen1.90.60.40.60.10.42.40.730.10.3
Candice Dupree7.84.30.50.8000.33.57.80.80.8
Blake Dietrick82210243500
Kalani Brown21000001300

The Skinny

The Aces are coming off of a loss that saw them drift behind the Sun in the fourth quarter because the team tallied just eight points and connected on just four of 17 shots in the final period. They stay out east to continue on with their second in a three-game road trip Thursday with a vastly different outcome expected. Not only are the Aces facing a Dream squad sporting just a 6-18 record, but Atlanta has lost nine straight games and is down a large chunk of its rotation. Candice Dupree (back), Chennedy Carter (suspension) and Cheyenne Parker (pregnancy - done for season) were all sidelined Tuesday and another face was added to the mix when Crystal Bradford suffered a broken foot against the Sky. Tiffany Hayes logged just 12 minutes Tuesday and is listed as questionable to face the Aces. That being said, the mass number of absences should continue to open big minutes for others still in the rotation. Courtney Williams and Odyssey Sims have been relied on for most of the scoring recently and that should be the case as long as this one stays within shouting distance.

The primary concern for using Las Vegas players is just how long this contest will remain close. It does sport the highest over-under (166.5) on the slate thanks to the two fastest paces playing and the Aces' 89.25 expected points pace the field by six. The potential for blowout shouldn't stop you from leaning heavily on one of the best matchups possible, because it could mean big things Thursday if the Dream can hang around for any length of time. Las Vegas finished with 118 points the last time these two teams squared off, featuring double-doubles from Liz Cambage (17 points, 10 boards) and Dearica Hamby (18 points, 10 boards) and a couple of near double-double from A'ja Wilson (19 points, nine boards) and Kelsey Plum (23 points, eight assists). Cambage compiled her line in just 17 minutes, while none of Wilson, Hamby and Plum played more than 25 minutes, so it shouldn't take long for them to rack up a ton of fantasy points. One surprising development is that Angel McCoughtry is reportedly questionable after suffering a torn ACL a little over 100 days ago. Should she make here return Thursday, it would likely be in a very limited role.

Dallas Wings at Washington Mystics  (-4.0)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Allisha GrayGConcussionOUT8/28/2021
Satou SaballyFAchillesOUT8/28/2021
Imani McGee-StaffordCPersonalSUSP5/1/2022

Washington

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Tina CharlesFHipOUT8/28/2021
Alysha ClarkFFootOUT5/1/2022
Klara LundquistGSuspensionOUT5/1/2022

2021 Player Stats

Dallas

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Arike Ogunbowale18.63.23.41.102.46.46.216.13.94.5
Marina Mabrey13.44.32.81.10.32.15.8511.91.31.5
Isabelle Harrison105.51.11.10.8004.28.31.72.1
Allisha Gray11.54.21.910.91.22.84.19.22.22.4
Satou Sabally12.46.32.80.30.91.13.54.2102.93.7
Kayla Thornton85.61.60.70.10.8236.51.31.5
Tyasha Harris5.11.52.80.50.30.82.11.84.80.81
Moriah Jefferson5.21.62.50.90.10.81.72.150.10.2
Charli Collier3.73.60.10.20.2001.53.10.60.9
Bella Alarie2.53.40.40.30.600.1120.50.5
Awak Kuier1.41.20.20.20.300.70.31.30.80.9
Kristine Anigwe2.3200.3000120.30.7
Dana Evans0.800.5000.20.50.210.30.3
Chelsea Dungee0.30.1000.10.10.50.10.600

Washington

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Tina Charles25.49.7210.925.49.520.84.45.3
Ariel Atkins16.33.131.60.62.16.15.413.33.44
Myisha Hines-Allen13.37.82.21.20.60.82.1512.12.53.2
Leilani Mitchell722.70.60.11.84.82.36.20.50.7
Theresa Plaisance6.54.81.50.80.81.13.72.470.60.7
Natasha Cloud73.96.41.10.10.82.92.46.91.31.6
Sydney Wiese4.91.51.60.5013.31.750.50.5
Shavonte Zellous3.72.21.70.50.20.21.41.44.10.71
Erica McCall3.94.30.60.20.400.11.530.91.5
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough6.11.30.70.40.30.31.62.35.11.31.4
Elena Delle Donne1740.5001251066
Kiara Leslie2.82.20.20.400.20.80.92.70.80.9
Megan Gustafson3.2400.30.200.31.52.80.20.2
Stella Johnson20.50.300.20.30.80.51.30.70.7
Jillian Alleyne0200.50000100

The Skinny

The Wings are another team that has fallen off the pace, losing six of the last 10 games to sport a 10-14 record for the campaign. The Wings will also be down some firepower again with Satou Sabally out and also lost Allisha Gray from Tuesday's rotation due to a concussion. Her absence will probably open up some additional minutes for the group of Kayla Thornton, Marina Mabrey, Moriah Jefferson and Tyasha Harris, who could all sport some additional fantasy value Thursday. Gray and Sabally are two of the five players on Dallas who average double digits in the scoring column this season, so look for the Wings to rely more heavily on Arike Ogunbowale (18.6 ppg), Mabrey (13.4 ppg), and Isabelle Harison (10.0 ppg) to provide the scoring. The last time these two teams met, Ogunbowale carried Dallas in the scoring column, amassing 30 points over 30 minutes.

The Mystics aren't free of injuries either, missing out on the services of star forward Tina Charles for a second consecutive game. Charles is recovering from a left gluteal strain that leaves her sidelined for at least Thursday's contest, if not longer. That leaves a massive gap in the scoring column. Charles averages more than 25 points per contest on the season, with the next closest being Elena Delle Donne (17.0), while Ariel Atkins (16.3 ppg) and Myisha Hines-Allen (13.3) round out the double-digit contributors. Delle Donne is still taking things relatively easy to avoid further issue with her back, but it was Hines-Allen who picked up the slack in the scoring column Tuesday, turning in 19 points. Shatori Walker-Kimbrough also rejoined the starting lineup and scraped together 10 points and she figures to be among the starters again.

Los Angeles Sparks at Connecticut Sun (-11.5)

Injuries

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Los Angeles

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Gabby WilliamsFSuspensionOUT5/1/2022
Maria VadeevaCSuspensionOUT5/1/2022
Ivana RacaFNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022
Jasmine WalkerFKneeOUT5/1/2022
Aina AyusoGNot Injury RelatedOUT5/1/2022

Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Alyssa ThomasFAchillesOUT9/7/2021

2021 Player Stats

Los Angeles

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
Erica Wheeler13.534.31.30.312.8512.32.42.9
Amanda Zahui B.115.81.10.61.51.24.14.39.71.31.5
Brittney Sykes9.64.52.11.70.50.21.13.78.822.7
Te'a Cooper8.41.81.410.20.72.12.8822.7
Nia Coffey7.74.20.911.31.53.72.76.90.81
Kristi Toliver9.71.62.90.701.54.63.78.90.91.1
Nneka Ogwumike14.66.92.71.10.30.51.76.311.81.52
Bria Holmes4.92.81.20.90.40.51.91.85.60.81.4
Arella Guirantes3.41.40.50.40.20.31.11.140.81
Karlie Samuelson3.82.30.80.6012.11.23.10.50.6
Chiney Ogwumike8.45.41.20.80.40.40.63.48.41.21.6
Kristine Anigwe3.93.90.70.60.1001.33.31.32.3
Lauren Cox2.63.70.60.8100.413.10.60.9
Jasmine Walker00.5110.50202.501

Connecticut

PlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLK3PM3PAFGMFGAFTMFTA
DeWanna Bonner16.57.13.51.411.54.45.513.63.94.5
Jonquel Jones19.911.131.411.74.57.4143.54.2
Brionna Jones14.16.91.91.30.500.15.810.52.63.3
Jasmine Thomas11.22.84.11.20.21.43.5410.51.72
Natisha Hiedeman7.52.2210.21.64.32.56.50.81.3
Briann January71.730.80.10.82.32.66.31.11.3
Kaila Charles4.531.20.40.30.41.31.64.40.80.9
DiJonai Carrington2.41.70.40.40.10.20.812.90.20.4
Beatrice Mompremier1.42.30.20.30.3000.61.60.10.4
Emma Cannon4.230.800.20.81.61.63.40.20.4
Stephanie Jones1.31.30.20.10.100.10.71.500
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough01001000000
Alyssa Thomas00000000000
Aleah Goodman00100000000

The Skinny

The Sparks essentially have every player that will be available to them this season ready for Thursday's contest, but that doesn't prevent them from being 11.5-point underdogs in the expected lowest-scoring game on the slate (146.0). The Sparks' 67.25 expected score is the lowest on the slate by a wide margin, making the players fairly unappealing from a fantasy standpoint. The two clubs have yet to face each other this season but will do so back-to-back times Thursday and Saturday and three times total in the last eight games. Los Angeles may sport four wins in their last five games, but they come against the likes of the Liberty, the Dream (x2) and the Fever, who all sport sub-.500 records. All of the wins were close and the one loss they took came Tuesday at Washington in a game that was a 33-point deficit at halftime. The Sparks seem to currently sit a lot closer to the teams in the bottom half of the standings than the healthy Sun squad.

The redeeming qualities for the Sun in fantasy are that they typically load heavy minutes (30-plus per game) onto their starters and that they are on the right side of a big line, expected to tally 78.75 points. That still ranks them fourth on the six-team slate, which doesn't bode particularly well, especially if the contest were to get out of hand as the line suggests it could. Connecticut's six-game winning streak tops the league and places them with the best record in the league by a game over the Aces and Storm. The team's most recent wins haven't come against slouches either. Connecticut topped the Aces Tuesday and the Lynx twice prior to that, two of the better teams in the league. DeWanna Bonner has tallied at least 18 points in all three of those games and has played heavy minutes of late, so it wouldn't be shocking if she gets a bit of rest if this contest gets out of hand. Jonquel Jones tallied at least 16 in every game prior to Tuesday's eight, so she should be set for a bounceback effort. All of the five starters have tallied double figures at some point in the last three contests, so there is certainly production to be had. Natisha Hiedeman and Kaila Charles could be candidates to hold some extra value if their run is extended slightly by a blowout score.

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. Chris Benzine plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Crispy272001, DraftKings: Crispy27.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Benzine
Chris is the college football editor and the Kansas City Chiefs beat writer. He's a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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