Moreso than any other WNBA DFS slate so far, Sunday’s slate could come down to simply finding six-to-seven players we trust to play a lot of minutes. Most teams’ rotations seem up in the air, especially with the eventual returns of Myisha Hines-Allen, Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Howard hanging over their teams. All three are playable if they start, but perhaps more importantly, they would have dramatic impacts on the teammates we are looking to play.

Perhaps the biggest wild card hanging over the slate is Candace Parker, who was downgraded to questionable for Sunday. If she plays, she will soak up minutes and usage, even from established vets like Courtney Vandersloot. Even if Parker doesn’t play, Chicago’s forward rotation will be altered significantly with Azura Stevens out. With all this potential rotation turmoil throughout the slate, the winning strategy could be to take a risk on players who could play heavy minutes like Stevens in GPPs and go for players we know will at least play decent minutes like Brionna Jones for cash games.

 

Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Shyla HealCHINY310003200 
This is a risky play, but Heal will likely never be so cheap again. Stephanie Watts played 21 minutes Wednesday with Allie Quigley out and with Heal joining the team after clearing the COVID protocols, there is a decent chance Heal takes all those minutes. At the very least, Heal should take the 11 minutes Brittany Boyd-Jones played in that game, and even that could be enough for Heal to return value at her price.
Sabrina IonescuNYCHI1100040.44840035.60
So far in the young season, Sabrina Ionescu has had 53.5, 21.25, 63.5 and 23.5 fantasy points. If the pattern continues, she will likely be in all the winning lineups. There are safer and/or cheaper plays I like better for cash lineups but no one can match Ionescu's upside right now.
Diamond DeShieldsCHINY760022.38460022.20
I am beginninig to think we're just never going to see the player who made All-WNBA Second Team in 2019 again. It was easy to blame last season's struggles on injuries and the weirdness of the Wubble, but I don't know why DeShields has been so thoroughly outplayed by Kahleah Copper through two games. That being said, DeShields won't shoot 30 percent from the field for much longer, and it was encouraging to see her play 35 minutes against Atlanta. With Allie Quigley out again, DeShields is a nice value.
Leilani MitchellWASIND720013.42450014.33
On Friday Washington's other two guards woke up after an early-season slump, and we have to hope now it is Mitchell's turn. She is shooting .056% from the field through three games, and while I am concerned she won't truly break out until Elena Delle Donne returns, she can't possibly shoot this poorly for much longer. Last year in a down year, Mitchell shot 40.8 percent. She played 33 minutes last time out so if she ever does start making shots, she could provide a ton of fantasy value.
Courtney VanderslootCHINY1020022.38530020.90
I would argue she is probably overpriced on DraftKings, but that still doesn't explain why she is so cheap on FanDuel. Vandersloot was quiet in the first game of the season but had 12 points, six rebounds and eight assists in 30 minutes Wednesday. Her six turnovers kept her fantasy points down, but that looks like an aberration. Vandersloot is a must-play on FanDuel, especially if Candace Parker is out again.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Natisha HiedemanCONLV770029.94630030.23
Hiedeman is too cheap on DraftKings, having scored at least 24 fantasy points in all four games this season. Hiedeman has played at least 33 minutes in each of her last three games, and that should continue with Briann January out again.
Ariel AtkinsWASIND850026.83540026.30
No team on the slate has allowed more fantasy points to guards than Indiana, and I trust Atkins to take advantage more than Natasha Cloud. Cloud has been slightly more consistent but Atkins has been more aggressive looking for her own shot, with 29 field goal attempts over her last two games. So long as Atkins can stay out of foul trouble, she could be in for a big game.
Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Azura StevensCHINY73000510027.72
Stevens is probable Sunday and with Stef Dolson out and Candace Parker questionable, Stevens could be awesome right away. She isn't guaranteed to play heavy minutes right away, but considering James Wade's track record, I think it is more likely than not. Whichever forwards start for the Sky should be strong fantasy plays, but I expect Stevens to score more fantasy points per minute than Astou Ndour or Ruthy Hebard. It helps that Stevens is cheaper than those players on DraftKings.
Tina CharlesWASIND1060038.92750037.13
Indiana has allowed the most points of any of the teams going Sunday, and Tina Charles has been great for her new team thus far. She may not be quite as safe as the other top forwards but she is cheaper with a better matchup.
Rebecca AllenNYCHI560015.17360014.80
She still hasn't shot the ball particularly well, but it was nice to see her play 24 minutes Friday and make a few threes.
A'ja WilsonLVCON1070040.67880041.77
Wilson is playable in any format, though she is more affordable on DraftKings. Wilson has played at least 30 minutes and scored at least 37.5 fantasy points in all three games. She is basically matchup proof, but this could be a very good matchup for her if Jonquel Jones spends most of her time guarding Liz Cambage.
Theresa PlaisanceWASIND570019.75470020.57
I still believe Plaisance is going to start making shots, and that gives her a higher ceiling than Erica McCall. That being said, McCall is starting right now and she is slightly cheaper on FanDuel so if you wanted to start McCall, especially in a cash lineup, I would not blame you.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Kylee ShookNYCHI640019.25410018.90
Shook has been remarkably consistent, scoring at least 17.25 fantasy points in all four games. She is the only New York big we can count on until Natasha Howard returns. among the teams playing Sunday, only the Liberty have allowed more rebounds than the Sky this season, so Shook should be safe for fantasy yet again.
Brionna JonesCONLV810022.25490022.45
Her ceiling is limited with Jonquel Jones and DeWanna Bonner getting up so many shots, but Brionna Jones is as safe as it gets in terms of minutes and fantasy production. Connecticut doesn't really have anyone to challenge for her playing time, especially with Briann January out.

 

 

Draftkings Core Plays
Top Tier
Sabrina Ionescu$11,000
A'ja Wilson$10,700
Mid Tier
Natisha Hiedeman$7,700
Azura Stevens$7,300
Value Tier
Shyla Heal$3,100
Theresa Plaisance$5,700
   
Fanduel Core Plays
Top Tier
Sabrina Ionescu$11,000
Tina Charles$7,500
Mid Tier
Diamond DeShields$4,600
Courtney Vandersloot$5,300
Value Tier
Rebecca Allen$3,600
Kylee Shook$4,100