Fantasy women’s basketball: Diana Taurasi heating up for Mercury
Who is trending up in fantasy women’s basketball? Which rotations are changing? What’s the latest with the notable injuries around the WNBA?
Here’s a look around the league at the most fantasy-relevant news and notes for all 12 teams.
While Rookie of the Year frontrunner Rhyne Howard was out with a shoulder injury, the Dream snapped their three game losing streak on Sunday against the Mercury. Cheyenne Parker led Atlanta with 36 fantasy points. Her 21 points matched her season high, while her 12 rebounds were one short of her season high. Parker tied a career high with 10 field goals made.
Kahleah Copper recently delivered a stellar performance for fantasy managers, scoring 23 points and grabbing 14 rebounds for the Sky last Saturday. This was only her second 20-10 game of the season. Copper had no such games in her first six seasons.
Jonquel Jones missed the Sun’s game against the Aces on Sunday due to COVID protocols. Connecticut is 2-5 without her over the last two seasons. Brionna Jones started in her place and has averaged 14.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 1.8 SPG across 33.6 MPG in her four previous starts.
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Satou Sabally is out for the Wings with an ankle injury. There are still 27.2% of leagues that have her available, so she’s worth stashing if you find her. Sabally has averaged 20.4 fantasy points per game this season for a Wings team that ranks fifth with an offensive rating of 102.2. While she is out, Allisha Gray will see additional minutes.
The Fever suffered their eighth loss of the season by at least 15 points on Sunday night, the most in the league. Kelsey Mitchell continues to be the Fever’s most reliable fantasy option, averaging 29 fantasy points per game this. If you need a streamer, Victoria Vivians is available in 48.6% of leagues. She had scored 20 or more fantasy points in three of her last five games heading into Monday.
The Aces are 18-7, tying their best start through 25 games in franchise history. Riquna Williams, who is available in 89.3% of leagues, missed most of the season with a foot injury before returning in late June. She’s on the right track. She has averaged 21.7 minutes per game over the last four games. In two of her last four games, Williams has scored 21 fantasy points per game.
Following a positive COVID-19 test, Liz Cambage was placed in the protocols and wasn’t able to play against the Sky last Thursday. Chiney Ogwumike put up a season high 14 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks as a result of the additional minutes. She’s available in 83.2% of leagues.
Sunday night against the Mystics the Lynx had their fewest points scored in a game since July 12th, 2019. Sylvia Fowles only had nine points and 12 rebounds. It was her 205th career game with 10 rebounds, the most in league history.
In addition to Sabrina Ionescu, Natasha Howard has had an excellent season as well, scoring 29 or more fantasy points in four of her last five games. For those looking for a streamer, consider Sami Whitcomb, who is available in 84% of leagues. Over her last three games, she has averaged 22.6 minutes and 22 fantasy points.
Despite a slow start to the season by her standards, Diana Taurasi continues to progress. In Sunday’s game against the Dream, she scored 20 points for the 10th time this season. Taurasi has scored 33 or more fantasy points in four straight games. Sophie Cunningham‘s roster percentage has increased dramatically over the last week. If you need a streamer, she’s still available in 55.4% of leagues. Over the last five games, Cunningham has averaged 33.8 fantasy points.
Over the last four games, Tina Charles has shown that she can thrive in Seattle, averaging 25 fantasy points per game. Breanna Stewart had her eighth 25-point game of the season against the Fever on Sunday. I mentioned Gabby Williams as a streamer last week and will do it again because she’s still available in 69.3% of leagues. In five of her last eight games, she has scored 20 or more fantasy points.
The Mystics may unleash Elena Delle Donne just when fantasy managers need her. For the first time this season, she has played four consecutive games and has had great results. In each game, Delle Donne has scored 37 or more fantasy points. The fantasy ceiling for Myisha Hines-Allen and Alysha Clark will be lowered significantly if this trend continues.