Top WNBA DFS Picks and Lineup Strategies for September 17
The WNBA is back to its regularly scheduled programming following the FIBA World Cup break, with a five-game slate on tap Thursday. Rhyne Howard and the Dream start the night at home against Connecticut. Later, Shakira Austin and the Mystics head to Chicago without Sonia Citron, while the Wings aim to extend their winning streak versus Los Angeles. Closing out the night, A'ja Wilson and the Aces will face the Storm in Seattle, as the banged-up Fire host the Mercury. Below, I'll highlight the slate's elite plays, mid-range targets and value picks to help you build winning DFS lineups.
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WNBA Games Today
Connecticut Sun at Atlanta Dream: Sun on three-game slide, 3-17 on road; Dream 13-7 at home
Washington Mystics at Chicago Sky: Mystics 11-9 on road; Sky on three-game slide, 10-10 at home
Los Angeles Sparks at Dallas Wings: Sparks 8-12 on road; Wings on four-game winning streak, 14-6 at home
Phoenix Mercury at Portland Fire: Mercury 8-12 on road; Fire 8-12 at home
Las Vegas Aces at Seattle Storm: Aces on three-game winning streak, 14-6 on road; Storm 6-14 at home
For the latest spreads and over/unders, visit RotoWire's WNBA Odds page. There you can also find player props, futures, picks, articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
WNBA Injury Report Today
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's WNBA Injury News page and our comprehensive WNBA Injury Report.
Connecticut Sun - Leila Lacan (rest), Brittney Griner (knee), Diamond Miller (thumb): Questionable; Kennedy Burke (shoulder): OUT
Atlanta Dream - Brionna Jones (leg): OUT
Washington Mystics - Georgia Amoore (knee): Questionable; Sonia Citron (personal): OUT
Chicago Sky - Natasha Cloud (knee): Questionable; DiJonai Carrington (foot): OUT
Los Angeles Sparks - None
Dallas Wings - Alanna Smith (lower leg): OUT
Phoenix Mercury - Kahleah Copper (groin): Questionable
Portland Fire - Carla Leite (rest), Megan DiLeo (finger), Bridget Carleton (ankle), Teja Oblak (knee): OUT
Las Vegas Aces - None
Seattle Storm - Jade Melbourne (illness), Jordan Horston (shoulder): Questionable; Ezi Magbegor (knee): OUT
Elite WNBA DFS Players
Guards
FanDuel
Rhyne Howard, Dream 
($7,800) vs. Sun
Howard has fared extremely well against the Sun so far this season, producing 49.4 and 53.0 FD points across two victories versus Connecticut in 2026. In those two meetings, the star wing averaged 32.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals while shooting 55.9 percent from the field and 48.1 percent from downtown in 33.0 minutes per showing. She's also tallied at least 34.1 FD points in four of her last six appearances.
DraftKings
Jackie Young, Aces 
($10,500) at Storm
Young is fresh off a successful run with Team USA in the FIBA World Cup and will look to take advantage of a favorable matchup Thursday. The star guard posted at least 40.3 DK points in eight of her 11 appearances in August, during which she averaged 22.5 points, 6.4 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 32.5 minutes per showing. She had 43.8 DK points in the June 8 win over the Storm.
Forwards/Centers
FanDuel
Shakira Austin, Mystics 
($7,900) at Sky
With Sonia Citron (personal) sidelined, Austin will likely be asked to do more on the offensive end. The 26-year-old center has notched between 34.5 and 49.0 FD points in four of her last five appearances, during which she has averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.4 combined steals-plus-blocks across 29.8 minutes per tilt. She had 35.1 FD points in the June 2 win over Chicago.
DraftKings
A'ja Wilson, Aces ($12,500) at Storm
Wilson should be well-rested following the FIBA World Cup break and will have a strong opportunity to produce in a favorable matchup against Seattle. The star center dropped 72.5 DK points when these two teams last met. She has supplied 45.0 or more DK points in four of her last five outings, averaging 26.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.0 combined steals-plus-blocks in 31.0 minutes per contest during that span.
Mid-Range WNBA DFS Picks
FanDuel
Allisha Gray, Dream ($6,900) vs. Sun
Similar to Howard, Gray has performed well versus Connecticut in 2026. She's logged 41.4 and 35.1 FD points against the Sun this season, scoring at least 26 points in both of those outings. The star guard has also closed with at least 30.6 FD points in three of her last four appearances, averaging 17.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.3 steals in 35.0 minutes per showing over that stretch.
DraftKings
Emily Engstler, Fire 
($8,100) vs. Mercury
The Fire will be without multiple key contributors in their first game back from the World Cup break, opening the door for Engstler to take on increased usage. The 26-year-old forward has supplied between 31.8 and 51.0 DK points in four of her last five outings, averaging 17.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 combined steals-plus-blocks and 2.0 assists in 28.4 minutes per game during that time.
WNBA DFS Value Picks
FanDuel
Jordan Harrison, Fire ($3,600) vs. Mercury
With Carla Leite (rest) sitting out the front end of this back-to-back set, Harrison is a top candidate to enter the starting lineup but should still see an uptick in minutes regardless. The rookie guard recorded a season-high-tying six assists and 16.4 FD points without Leite in the Aug. 30 loss to Golden State, and Harrison has generated at least 16.4 FD points in two of her three outings this season in which she's logged 14-plus minutes.
DraftKings
Serah Williams, Fire ($3,700) vs. Mercury
Megan DiLeo will hit the inactive list due to a dislocated finger on her right hand, making it likely that Williams will draw her third career start. The rookie center figures to see significant playing time for the injury-riddled Fire on Thursday, and she's registered between 13.9 and 24.5 FD points in three of her four games this season in which she's played at least 18 minutes.
