The Watch Checklist: WNBA Fantasy Basketball Week 9 Preview
The WNBA All-Star break has come and gone, offering a worthwhile interval of relaxation for many of the league’s gamers.
The WNBA All-Star break has come and gone, offering a worthwhile interval of relaxation for many of the league’s gamers.
It’s additionally some extent the place groups consider their respective locations within the WNBA standings and what they’d like to perform within the second half of the season; who’s making a playoff push and who’s counting draft lottery balls as they go to sleep at night time? Be sure you’re contemplating this when deciding whether or not current minute traits, similar to these in Dallas and Seattle, are for actual or simply blips on the radar.
Atlanta Dream
Two names to observe for the Dream getting into the All-Star break have been Aari McDonald and Iliana Rupert, however proper now we don’t have rather more readability on both’s standing than we did per week in the past. McDonald, who was Atlanta’s start line guard to start the season however struggled earlier than injuring her shoulder, stays out and doesn’t have a transparent return date. Veteran Danielle Robinson has performed properly in her absence; in the course of the Dream’s six-game win streak, Robinson is averaging 7 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per recreation, and she or he ought to be rostered in all codecs.
Rupert, in the meantime, is probably going nonetheless getting adjusted to life in Atlanta after becoming a member of the crew midseason. We noticed her briefly in Atlanta’s final recreation earlier than the break – she recorded 2 factors, 3 rebounds, and a pair of defensive stats in 7 minutes – however it was later within the recreation when the consequence was kind of determined. Rupert will deliver worth as a stretch massive, however she’ll be consuming into another person’s frontcourt minutes (doubtless both Monique Billings or Naz Hillmon), which received’t be a very good fantasy state of affairs for anybody concerned.
Chicago Sky
We haven’t seen ahead Ruthy Hebard a lot since she returned from maternity depart, with interim head coach Emre Vatansever selecting to roll with a three-player frontcourt rotation of Elizabeth Williams, Alanna Smith, and Morgan Bertsch. Williams, specifically, is having fun with one of the crucial productive offensive stretches of her profession, averaging 13.8 factors on 9.4 photographs in her final 5 video games, and she or he’s additionally averaging 3.4 defensive stats throughout that span, making her indispensable to the Sky and fantasy managers alike.
In any other case, there’s not a lot occurring in Chicago that hasn’t already been mentioned at size. The Sky’s perimeter trio of Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey, and Courtney Williams will carry many of the scoring load for the remainder of the season, with Williams’ recreation being a little bit extra fantasy-friendly than Mabrey’s as a result of her peripheral statistics (6.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists per recreation). Reserve guard Dana Evans can also be taking part in the biggest position of her profession, averaging 8.8 factors and three.2 assists in 22.5 minutes per recreation, and whereas her outdoors shot hasn’t been very constant (27% on 3-pointers), her presence as one among Chicago’s few succesful ballhandlers will make sure that she continues to get minutes within the high-teens and low-20s.
Connecticut Solar
Tyasha Harris took the lion’s share of the purpose guard minutes (34) in Connecticut’s most up-to-date recreation and performed properly, recording 6 factors, 8 assists and a pair of steals. It’s regarding for individuals who have Natisha Hiedeman on their fantasy groups, as her jumpshot (30.4% on 3-pointers) has already been lacking for many of the season, and Harris is the superior distributor and defender. Maybe a sixth-woman position would assist Hiedeman get again in her groove; look ahead to traits in each level guards’ minutes within the coming weeks.
Rebecca Allen, in the meantime, has been serviceable as a starter, although her defensive stats are what’s conserving her fantasy worth afloat. Allen is averaging 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks in 25.4 minutes per recreation as a starter, which is terrific information in the event you’re in a league that values defensive stats, however her comparatively passive strategy on offense (6.1 factors on 6.4 subject aim makes an attempt per recreation as a starter) may be irritating in commonplace scoring leagues. In such leagues, DiJonai Carrington (13.8 factors and 4 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per recreation) is trying like the higher participant to personal – in the event you don’t have already got one among Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, or Tiffany Hayes, that’s.
Dallas Wings
As we talked about final week, Dallas has been taking part in its starters heavy minutes, and it’s been leading to wins, with the Wings clearly making an attempt to make a transfer up within the standings. Ahead Natasha Howard, specifically, has been glorious, averaging 20.3 factors, 9.3 rebounds, and a pair of.1 defensive stats in 35.6 minutes in her final ten video games; Howard’s capability to play each subsequent to and behind beginning middle Teaira McCowan has maximized her fantasy worth, and she or he’ll stay one of many Wings’ most efficient gamers so long as that continues.
This has all however eroded the fantasy worth of many of the Wings’ bench gamers, nevertheless. None of Awak Kuier, Maddy Siegrist, or Veronica Burton are taking part in sufficient to be significant fantasy contributors, and Kalani Brown – who gave the Wings worthwhile middle minutes on a hardship contract – entered the break in concussion protocol. If Brown is wholesome sufficient to play, she might take a few of Howard’s and McCowan’s minutes, however proper now she’s the one Wings reserve price rostering till Dallas cuts issues again a bit.
Indiana Fever
The Fever misplaced second-year ahead NaLyssa Smith to a stress fracture in her foot, and whereas the crew initially estimated she’d be out for 2 weeks, the character of the damage makes us marvel if that received’t be longer. It’s the primary time this season the Fever have been hit with a long-term damage to one among their core gamers, and with Smith rating second on the crew in shot makes an attempt (13.3 per recreation), there will probably be loads of utilization to go round for the remainder of Indiana’s roster.
Logically, this could imply extra photographs for rookie phenom Aliyah Boston, who scored 23 factors on 19 photographs within the crew’s first recreation with out Smith. Victoria Vivians began in Smith’s place in that recreation however was ineffective offensively, capturing 1-9 from the sector, although she did rack up 9 rebounds and three steals. The obvious winner on this state of affairs appears to be Emma Cannon, nevertheless, who scored 19 factors on 7-9 capturing with out Smith. Control her as a streaming possibility.
Rookie level guard Grace Berger additionally had a breakout efficiency just lately, recording career-highs throughout the board: 15 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and three steals in 36 minutes. Till then, Berger had by no means performed greater than 16 minutes in a recreation, so this was fairly the change of plans for Indiana. If the Fever make a concerted dedication to Berger popping out of the All-Star break, she’s positively price a roster spot in deeper leagues, although it’s extra doubtless she takes bench minutes from somebody like Kristy Wallace (who hasn’t performed 20 minutes in a recreation since June) than starters Kelsey Mitchell or Erica Wheeler.
Las Vegas Aces
Candace Parker has now missed three straight video games for Las Vegas with a nagging ankle damage, however it hasn’t mattered all that a lot to the Aces’ place within the standings. In these three video games, the defending champs scored 97, 98, and 113 factors in spectacular offensive shows, together with guard Kelsey Plum’s 40-point outburst within the crew’s most up-to-date win over Minnesota. Whereas a participant of Parker’s acumen is, merely put, a luxurious to have on anybody’s roster, let’s not neglect that the Aces received the 2022 WNBA title previous to her arrival, and that they nonetheless have an enormous quantity of horsepower of their beginning lineup. Her absence received’t negatively have an effect on any of Plum, A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, or Jackie Younger.
It is going to, nevertheless, open up a little bit extra taking part in time for Kiah Stokes. Whereas the defensive-minded middle was already seeing an honest quantity of minutes taking part in behind the getting older Parker, she’s gotten extra alternatives to make performs on protection within the crew’s beginning lineup, racking up 2 steals and 6 blocked photographs within the three video games Parker has missed. Stokes in all probability received’t be taking part in minutes larger than the mid-20s in any state of affairs, however she’s a gradual choice to roster in deeper leagues.
Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks lastly bought some reduction over the break when veteran guard Layshia Clarendon was activated after lacking the previous month with a torn plantar fascia. Clarendon had been beginning in a three-guard lineup previous to getting injured, and with Lexie Brown’s (sickness) standing nonetheless up within the air and Zia Cooke (28.3% capturing) nonetheless adjusting to life as a rookie, there will probably be loads of minutes for Clarendon in that position once more if the Sparks permit it. Earlier than getting injured, Clarendon was averaging 7 factors, 3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per recreation, and could be in line to proceed that manufacturing till Brown returns.
Within the frontcourt, Los Angeles will preserve working some mixture of Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby, and Azurá Stevens on the market, with Ogwumike (#6 in per-game fantasy scoring) serving as the focus and Hamby and Steven filling within the remaining gaps. Chiney Ogwumike continues to be an enormous DNP danger with a nagging foot damage, which additional boosts Hamby’s and Stevens’ worth.
Minnesota Lynx
Lengthy-term absences to Aerial Powers (foot) and Jessica Shepard (sickness) have saved the door open for ahead Bridget Carleton to stay fantasy-relevant, however her counting stats merely aren’t there, having scored in double-figures simply as soon as within the final three weeks. Carleton will preserve getting minutes within the mid-teens, however with the Lynx’ finest participant (Napheesa Collier) and way forward for the franchise (Diamond Miller) each taking part in big roles at small ahead and energy ahead, Carleton’s utilization will stay low.
Alternatively, level guard Lindsay Allen has been an amazing damage alternative for Tiffany Mitchell (wrist), averaging 7.5 factors and 5.2 assists in 26.9 minutes per recreation as a starter. Allen’s recreation isn’t probably the most thrilling, however she’s certainly been a difference-maker for individuals who picked her up off the waiver wire, particularly in leagues that worth assists of their scoring.
Minnesota presently sits at seventh within the WNBA standings, however there’s little incentive for the Lynx to make the playoffs this season. Figuring out this, regulate veterans like Mitchell and Kayla McBride (12.6 factors in 30.7 minutes per recreation); ought to they get shut down later within the season, gamers like Carleton and Allen would profit, whereas Miller could be totally unleashed.
New York Liberty
Nyara Sabally’s time as a deep-league streaming possibility has been prolonged, with Han Xu as soon as once more away from the Liberty to compete within the FISU World College Video games and Stefanie Dolson nonetheless nursing an ankle damage. Even so, Sabally is usually an innings-eater off the bench, although she did report one of many higher stat traces of her younger profession in New York’s most up-to-date win, racking up 7 factors, 7 rebounds and a pair of blocks in 16 minutes.
As for the remainder of New York’s bench, guard Marine Johannès continues to wrestle along with her shot, making simply 1 of her final 13 subject aim makes an attempt, whereas Kayla Thornton’s (5.4 factors and three.4 rebounds per recreation) impression might be better-felt in actual life than in fantasy. As has been the case for many of the season, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Courtney Vandersloot have all been stellar fantasy choices, whereas Jonquel Jones (10.3 factors and 6.1 rebounds in 22.6 minutes) has been one of many season’s greatest fantasy busts. There’s nonetheless a possibility for Jones to show it round, and she or he’s been productive sufficient when she’s been on the market, however she merely must be taking part in considerably greater than she has been, and coming off a stress damage to her foot, it’s uncertain that may occur.
Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury will probably be in do-or-die mode popping out of the break, and the way their subsequent few weeks go might have massive implications on the path they take late within the season. Will Phoenix have the ability to climb again into the playoff race, or will the attract of draft lottery balls in the end change into too tempting?
In any case, we talked about ahead Michaela Onyenwere as a reputation to observe a pair weeks in the past, and she or he’s been taking part in properly, scoring 18 factors on 13 photographs within the Mercury’s most up-to-date recreation. Ought to Phoenix go within the tank later this season, these performances will probably be anticipated from Onyenwere, and different complementary gamers like Sophie Cunningham and Sug Sutton can even get a lift. In the meanwhile, Sutton has cooled off after being one of the crucial widespread waiver-wire pickups early within the season, having not scored in double-figures in a recreation since July 1. Plainly Shey Peddy, who remains to be recovering from an Achilles damage however has performed extra persistently as of late, has eaten into Sutton’s fantasy worth.
Seattle Storm
Rookie ahead Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu has come out of nowhere to bolster the Storm’s frontcourt, averaging 12.3 factors and 10.3 rebounds in half-hour of play in her final three video games and all however forcing veteran Mercedes Russell from the rotation. The Storm’s willingness to punt the 2023 season in favor of participant growth ought to make Fankam Mendjiadeu a right away addition in any fantasy format; Seattle went from giving her DNPs earlier within the season to 30+ minutes and begins in July, and given their franchise trajectory, it’s unlikely the Storm will stroll again on that call.
Even higher, it hasn’t affected different Storm gamers which can be key fantasy contributors. Whereas ahead Gabby Williams remains to be getting reacclimated to life within the WNBA – she’s capturing simply 1-12 from the sector in two video games since re-signing with the Storm – she’s performed at the least 20 minutes in each of these video games, and she or he’s too dynamic of an athlete to be held down for lengthy. First-round draft decide Jordan Horston’s taking part in time hasn’t been as constant, however the Storm are nonetheless going to wish to give her loads of reps within the second half of the season, particularly after she recorded 23 factors, 10 rebounds, and three steals in 35 minutes of their most up-to-date recreation.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics will probably be with out star ahead Elene Delle Donne (sprained ankle) for at the least yet another week, and whereas middle Shakira Austin (strained hip) is nearing the top of her preliminary three-week prognosis, we haven’t gotten an replace on her since she first bought injured. This makes Tianna Hawkins a must-play; in her final 5 video games, Hawkins has averaged 12.4 factors, 6.2 rebounds, and a pair of.6 assists in 31.4 minutes per recreation, and with Myisha Hines-Allen nonetheless on a minutes restriction, Hawkins will proceed to be the crew’s go-to frontcourt participant.
Queen Egbo, who the Mystics acquired from Indiana in trade for Amanda Zahui B., can also be a streaming possibility, and whereas her recreation isn’t very thrilling from a fantasy perspective, she just about has to play till at the least one among Delle Donne or Austin returns. In three video games since becoming a member of Washington, Egbo is averaging 5.7 factors and 5.7 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per recreation.
For probably the most half, although, the photographs Delle Donne could be taking have gone principally to Washington’s guards. Brittney Sykes, specifically, has been residing her finest life, averaging 23 factors on 16.3 shot makes an attempt in her final three video games whereas nonetheless offering her regular stellar defensive playmaking (2.3 steals). Sykes is soundly outplaying her ADP of 41.5, and you may anticipate that to proceed for so long as she’s one among Washington’s major offensive choices; with Ariel Atkins (ankle) out for at the least two weeks, Sykes will preserve getting loads of utilization, as will level guard Natasha Cloud.
It’s additionally some extent the place groups consider their respective locations within the WNBA standings and what they’d like to perform within the second half of the season; who’s making a playoff push and who’s counting draft lottery balls as they go to sleep at night time? Be sure you’re contemplating this when deciding whether or not current minute traits, similar to these in Dallas and Seattle, are for actual or simply blips on the radar.
Atlanta Dream
Two names to observe for the Dream getting into the All-Star break have been Aari McDonald and Iliana Rupert, however proper now we don’t have rather more readability on both’s standing than we did per week in the past. McDonald, who was Atlanta’s start line guard to start the season however struggled earlier than injuring her shoulder, stays out and doesn’t have a transparent return date. Veteran Danielle Robinson has performed properly in her absence; in the course of the Dream’s six-game win streak, Robinson is averaging 7 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 5 assists per recreation, and she or he ought to be rostered in all codecs.
Rupert, in the meantime, is probably going nonetheless getting adjusted to life in Atlanta after becoming a member of the crew midseason. We noticed her briefly in Atlanta’s final recreation earlier than the break – she recorded 2 factors, 3 rebounds, and a pair of defensive stats in 7 minutes – however it was later within the recreation when the consequence was kind of determined. Rupert will deliver worth as a stretch massive, however she’ll be consuming into another person’s frontcourt minutes (doubtless both Monique Billings or Naz Hillmon), which received’t be a very good fantasy state of affairs for anybody concerned.
Chicago Sky
We haven’t seen ahead Ruthy Hebard a lot since she returned from maternity depart, with interim head coach Emre Vatansever selecting to roll with a three-player frontcourt rotation of Elizabeth Williams, Alanna Smith, and Morgan Bertsch. Williams, specifically, is having fun with one of the crucial productive offensive stretches of her profession, averaging 13.8 factors on 9.4 photographs in her final 5 video games, and she or he’s additionally averaging 3.4 defensive stats throughout that span, making her indispensable to the Sky and fantasy managers alike.
In any other case, there’s not a lot occurring in Chicago that hasn’t already been mentioned at size. The Sky’s perimeter trio of Kahleah Copper, Marina Mabrey, and Courtney Williams will carry many of the scoring load for the remainder of the season, with Williams’ recreation being a little bit extra fantasy-friendly than Mabrey’s as a result of her peripheral statistics (6.3 rebounds and 6.2 assists per recreation). Reserve guard Dana Evans can also be taking part in the biggest position of her profession, averaging 8.8 factors and three.2 assists in 22.5 minutes per recreation, and whereas her outdoors shot hasn’t been very constant (27% on 3-pointers), her presence as one among Chicago’s few succesful ballhandlers will make sure that she continues to get minutes within the high-teens and low-20s.
Connecticut Solar
Tyasha Harris took the lion’s share of the purpose guard minutes (34) in Connecticut’s most up-to-date recreation and performed properly, recording 6 factors, 8 assists and a pair of steals. It’s regarding for individuals who have Natisha Hiedeman on their fantasy groups, as her jumpshot (30.4% on 3-pointers) has already been lacking for many of the season, and Harris is the superior distributor and defender. Maybe a sixth-woman position would assist Hiedeman get again in her groove; look ahead to traits in each level guards’ minutes within the coming weeks.
Rebecca Allen, in the meantime, has been serviceable as a starter, although her defensive stats are what’s conserving her fantasy worth afloat. Allen is averaging 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks in 25.4 minutes per recreation as a starter, which is terrific information in the event you’re in a league that values defensive stats, however her comparatively passive strategy on offense (6.1 factors on 6.4 subject aim makes an attempt per recreation as a starter) may be irritating in commonplace scoring leagues. In such leagues, DiJonai Carrington (13.8 factors and 4 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per recreation) is trying like the higher participant to personal – in the event you don’t have already got one among Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, or Tiffany Hayes, that’s.
Dallas Wings
As we talked about final week, Dallas has been taking part in its starters heavy minutes, and it’s been leading to wins, with the Wings clearly making an attempt to make a transfer up within the standings. Ahead Natasha Howard, specifically, has been glorious, averaging 20.3 factors, 9.3 rebounds, and a pair of.1 defensive stats in 35.6 minutes in her final ten video games; Howard’s capability to play each subsequent to and behind beginning middle Teaira McCowan has maximized her fantasy worth, and she or he’ll stay one of many Wings’ most efficient gamers so long as that continues.
This has all however eroded the fantasy worth of many of the Wings’ bench gamers, nevertheless. None of Awak Kuier, Maddy Siegrist, or Veronica Burton are taking part in sufficient to be significant fantasy contributors, and Kalani Brown – who gave the Wings worthwhile middle minutes on a hardship contract – entered the break in concussion protocol. If Brown is wholesome sufficient to play, she might take a few of Howard’s and McCowan’s minutes, however proper now she’s the one Wings reserve price rostering till Dallas cuts issues again a bit.
Indiana Fever
The Fever misplaced second-year ahead NaLyssa Smith to a stress fracture in her foot, and whereas the crew initially estimated she’d be out for 2 weeks, the character of the damage makes us marvel if that received’t be longer. It’s the primary time this season the Fever have been hit with a long-term damage to one among their core gamers, and with Smith rating second on the crew in shot makes an attempt (13.3 per recreation), there will probably be loads of utilization to go round for the remainder of Indiana’s roster.
Logically, this could imply extra photographs for rookie phenom Aliyah Boston, who scored 23 factors on 19 photographs within the crew’s first recreation with out Smith. Victoria Vivians began in Smith’s place in that recreation however was ineffective offensively, capturing 1-9 from the sector, although she did rack up 9 rebounds and three steals. The obvious winner on this state of affairs appears to be Emma Cannon, nevertheless, who scored 19 factors on 7-9 capturing with out Smith. Control her as a streaming possibility.
Rookie level guard Grace Berger additionally had a breakout efficiency just lately, recording career-highs throughout the board: 15 factors, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and three steals in 36 minutes. Till then, Berger had by no means performed greater than 16 minutes in a recreation, so this was fairly the change of plans for Indiana. If the Fever make a concerted dedication to Berger popping out of the All-Star break, she’s positively price a roster spot in deeper leagues, although it’s extra doubtless she takes bench minutes from somebody like Kristy Wallace (who hasn’t performed 20 minutes in a recreation since June) than starters Kelsey Mitchell or Erica Wheeler.
Las Vegas Aces
Candace Parker has now missed three straight video games for Las Vegas with a nagging ankle damage, however it hasn’t mattered all that a lot to the Aces’ place within the standings. In these three video games, the defending champs scored 97, 98, and 113 factors in spectacular offensive shows, together with guard Kelsey Plum’s 40-point outburst within the crew’s most up-to-date win over Minnesota. Whereas a participant of Parker’s acumen is, merely put, a luxurious to have on anybody’s roster, let’s not neglect that the Aces received the 2022 WNBA title previous to her arrival, and that they nonetheless have an enormous quantity of horsepower of their beginning lineup. Her absence received’t negatively have an effect on any of Plum, A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, or Jackie Younger.
It is going to, nevertheless, open up a little bit extra taking part in time for Kiah Stokes. Whereas the defensive-minded middle was already seeing an honest quantity of minutes taking part in behind the getting older Parker, she’s gotten extra alternatives to make performs on protection within the crew’s beginning lineup, racking up 2 steals and 6 blocked photographs within the three video games Parker has missed. Stokes in all probability received’t be taking part in minutes larger than the mid-20s in any state of affairs, however she’s a gradual choice to roster in deeper leagues.
Los Angeles Sparks
The Sparks lastly bought some reduction over the break when veteran guard Layshia Clarendon was activated after lacking the previous month with a torn plantar fascia. Clarendon had been beginning in a three-guard lineup previous to getting injured, and with Lexie Brown’s (sickness) standing nonetheless up within the air and Zia Cooke (28.3% capturing) nonetheless adjusting to life as a rookie, there will probably be loads of minutes for Clarendon in that position once more if the Sparks permit it. Earlier than getting injured, Clarendon was averaging 7 factors, 3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per recreation, and could be in line to proceed that manufacturing till Brown returns.
Within the frontcourt, Los Angeles will preserve working some mixture of Nneka Ogwumike, Dearica Hamby, and Azurá Stevens on the market, with Ogwumike (#6 in per-game fantasy scoring) serving as the focus and Hamby and Steven filling within the remaining gaps. Chiney Ogwumike continues to be an enormous DNP danger with a nagging foot damage, which additional boosts Hamby’s and Stevens’ worth.
Minnesota Lynx
Lengthy-term absences to Aerial Powers (foot) and Jessica Shepard (sickness) have saved the door open for ahead Bridget Carleton to stay fantasy-relevant, however her counting stats merely aren’t there, having scored in double-figures simply as soon as within the final three weeks. Carleton will preserve getting minutes within the mid-teens, however with the Lynx’ finest participant (Napheesa Collier) and way forward for the franchise (Diamond Miller) each taking part in big roles at small ahead and energy ahead, Carleton’s utilization will stay low.
Alternatively, level guard Lindsay Allen has been an amazing damage alternative for Tiffany Mitchell (wrist), averaging 7.5 factors and 5.2 assists in 26.9 minutes per recreation as a starter. Allen’s recreation isn’t probably the most thrilling, however she’s certainly been a difference-maker for individuals who picked her up off the waiver wire, particularly in leagues that worth assists of their scoring.
Minnesota presently sits at seventh within the WNBA standings, however there’s little incentive for the Lynx to make the playoffs this season. Figuring out this, regulate veterans like Mitchell and Kayla McBride (12.6 factors in 30.7 minutes per recreation); ought to they get shut down later within the season, gamers like Carleton and Allen would profit, whereas Miller could be totally unleashed.
New York Liberty
Nyara Sabally’s time as a deep-league streaming possibility has been prolonged, with Han Xu as soon as once more away from the Liberty to compete within the FISU World College Video games and Stefanie Dolson nonetheless nursing an ankle damage. Even so, Sabally is usually an innings-eater off the bench, although she did report one of many higher stat traces of her younger profession in New York’s most up-to-date win, racking up 7 factors, 7 rebounds and a pair of blocks in 16 minutes.
As for the remainder of New York’s bench, guard Marine Johannès continues to wrestle along with her shot, making simply 1 of her final 13 subject aim makes an attempt, whereas Kayla Thornton’s (5.4 factors and three.4 rebounds per recreation) impression might be better-felt in actual life than in fantasy. As has been the case for many of the season, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu, and Courtney Vandersloot have all been stellar fantasy choices, whereas Jonquel Jones (10.3 factors and 6.1 rebounds in 22.6 minutes) has been one of many season’s greatest fantasy busts. There’s nonetheless a possibility for Jones to show it round, and she or he’s been productive sufficient when she’s been on the market, however she merely must be taking part in considerably greater than she has been, and coming off a stress damage to her foot, it’s uncertain that may occur.
Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury will probably be in do-or-die mode popping out of the break, and the way their subsequent few weeks go might have massive implications on the path they take late within the season. Will Phoenix have the ability to climb again into the playoff race, or will the attract of draft lottery balls in the end change into too tempting?
In any case, we talked about ahead Michaela Onyenwere as a reputation to observe a pair weeks in the past, and she or he’s been taking part in properly, scoring 18 factors on 13 photographs within the Mercury’s most up-to-date recreation. Ought to Phoenix go within the tank later this season, these performances will probably be anticipated from Onyenwere, and different complementary gamers like Sophie Cunningham and Sug Sutton can even get a lift. In the meanwhile, Sutton has cooled off after being one of the crucial widespread waiver-wire pickups early within the season, having not scored in double-figures in a recreation since July 1. Plainly Shey Peddy, who remains to be recovering from an Achilles damage however has performed extra persistently as of late, has eaten into Sutton’s fantasy worth.
Seattle Storm
Rookie ahead Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu has come out of nowhere to bolster the Storm’s frontcourt, averaging 12.3 factors and 10.3 rebounds in half-hour of play in her final three video games and all however forcing veteran Mercedes Russell from the rotation. The Storm’s willingness to punt the 2023 season in favor of participant growth ought to make Fankam Mendjiadeu a right away addition in any fantasy format; Seattle went from giving her DNPs earlier within the season to 30+ minutes and begins in July, and given their franchise trajectory, it’s unlikely the Storm will stroll again on that call.
Even higher, it hasn’t affected different Storm gamers which can be key fantasy contributors. Whereas ahead Gabby Williams remains to be getting reacclimated to life within the WNBA – she’s capturing simply 1-12 from the sector in two video games since re-signing with the Storm – she’s performed at the least 20 minutes in each of these video games, and she or he’s too dynamic of an athlete to be held down for lengthy. First-round draft decide Jordan Horston’s taking part in time hasn’t been as constant, however the Storm are nonetheless going to wish to give her loads of reps within the second half of the season, particularly after she recorded 23 factors, 10 rebounds, and three steals in 35 minutes of their most up-to-date recreation.
Washington Mystics
The Mystics will probably be with out star ahead Elene Delle Donne (sprained ankle) for at the least yet another week, and whereas middle Shakira Austin (strained hip) is nearing the top of her preliminary three-week prognosis, we haven’t gotten an replace on her since she first bought injured. This makes Tianna Hawkins a must-play; in her final 5 video games, Hawkins has averaged 12.4 factors, 6.2 rebounds, and a pair of.6 assists in 31.4 minutes per recreation, and with Myisha Hines-Allen nonetheless on a minutes restriction, Hawkins will proceed to be the crew’s go-to frontcourt participant.
Queen Egbo, who the Mystics acquired from Indiana in trade for Amanda Zahui B., can also be a streaming possibility, and whereas her recreation isn’t very thrilling from a fantasy perspective, she just about has to play till at the least one among Delle Donne or Austin returns. In three video games since becoming a member of Washington, Egbo is averaging 5.7 factors and 5.7 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per recreation.
For probably the most half, although, the photographs Delle Donne could be taking have gone principally to Washington’s guards. Brittney Sykes, specifically, has been residing her finest life, averaging 23 factors on 16.3 shot makes an attempt in her final three video games whereas nonetheless offering her regular stellar defensive playmaking (2.3 steals). Sykes is soundly outplaying her ADP of 41.5, and you may anticipate that to proceed for so long as she’s one among Washington’s major offensive choices; with Ariel Atkins (ankle) out for at the least two weeks, Sykes will preserve getting loads of utilization, as will level guard Natasha Cloud.
