As is often the case, the story of Friday’s WNBA DFS slate is injuries. A lot of veteran players either suffered injuries in or missed their last game, and much of the slate hinges on whether or not Sue Bird, Rebekkah Brunson and Briann January can go. Tiffany Mitchell has already been ruled out for the remainder of the season, so if January does play, she would be a nice DFS value.

Just about all of the top forwards are in play for Friday’s slate, and while I don’t trust Connecticut’s duo, you can make a case for everybody else. With that in mind, I strongly suggest finding a punt play or two you feel comfortable with and then going from there. 

Player FanDuel Price  DraftKings Price Comments
Moriah Jefferson, G, SA $  3,700 $        3,700When she is healthy, Moriah Jefferson is one of the two fastest players in the WNBA and the best guard in San Antonio. Jefferson missed two games last week due to a sore right knee, and on Saturday she looked right for the first time in over a month. Jefferson had 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, three steals and a block in 16 minutes Saturday, and she has had nearly a week off to rest. Playing time is still a concern, especially with Kelsey Plum playing well, but Jefferson is far too good to cost so little, especially on DraftKings.
Plenette Pierson, F, MIN $  3,000 $        3,500Pierson played 31 minutes Wednesday thanks to Rebekkah Brunson's ankle injury. While Pierson finished with just seven points, four rebounds and two assists, only Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles had more field goal attempts. Pierson will likely start if Brunson is out, and she might have the best combination of safety and upside of any of Friday's punt plays.
Erica Wheeler, G, IND $  5,100 $        7,900Wheeler struggled from the field Saturday, and the best case for her might be for January to return to share the scoring burden. Wheeler has scored at least 20 points four times this season, so her ceiling is quite high with Tiffany Mitchell out for the season.
Jazmon Gwathmey, G, IND $  4,400 $        4,800Gwathmey played just 26 minutes Saturday, but only Candice Dupree took more shots for the Fever. Gwathmey may get more minutes Friday if Indiana can keep the game close against a depleted Minnesota squad.
Marissa Coleman, F, IND $  3,100 $        3,000Coleman got the start Saturday with Briann January and Tiffany Mitchell out. Coleman only had three points (1-6 FGA), one rebound and four assists, but she probably has a bit more upside than that if she starts again Friday.
Jewell Loyd, G, SEA $  6,500 $        9,300Loyd says she doesn't have superpowers, but I think you should watch Friday's game on NBATV, and then you can be the judge.  Loyd led Seattle in points and field-goal attempts Wednesday with Sue Bird out. In the three games, Sue Bird has missed this season, Loyd is averaging 22.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. 
Sylvia Fowles, F, MIN $  8,400 $     13,100Sylvia Fowles played just 20 minutes against Indiana two weeks ago thanks to foul trouble. If she can stay out of foul trouble, Indiana does not have anyone who can slow her down inside. Fowles has at least 13 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in each of her three games since facing Indiana. I like her chances at four in-a-row.
Breanna Stewart, F, SEA $  8,300 $     12,600Breanna Stewart has had at least 22 points and eight rebounds in each of her three games against San Antonio this season. Stewart is a strong DFS play either way, but her floor may be a bit higher if Sue Bird is out again.
Brittney Griner, F, PHO $  8,300 $     12,300Griner was playing great before she went down with a knee injury, and she picked up right where she left off Saturday, putting up 19 points, seven rebounds and three blocks in just 21 minutes. Griner is likely to be back to her normal 31 minutes per game after another five days off, and you are getting her at a modest discount compared to her price a month ago.
Tina Charles, F, NY $  7,800 $     11,700You could make an argument for just about all of the top forwards in Friday's slate. In those situations, I usually like to take the cheapest forward of the group and use the savings elsewhere. Charles has struggled in August, shooting 38.8 percent from the field, but I have no particular reason to believe that will continue. Charles is averaging 21.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 54 percent shooting in three games against Connecticut this season. If she matches those numbers, she will be a pretty nice value.
Nneka Ogwumike, F, LA $  7,300 $     10,700Like Tina Charles, Nneka Ogwumike is one of the best players in the WNBA, but she has struggled lately, averaging 11.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 3.0 turnovers during her last three games. Like Charles, Ogwumike faces an opponent she has dominated this season, averaging 22.0 points and 10.5 steals against in two games against the Sky. I wouldn't trust Ogwumike in a cash game, but she is hard to pass up in a GPP lineup at her price.
Maya Moore, F, MIN $  7,400 $     10,900Moore has been just outside the top-tier forwards for DFS all season, but she is capable of having big games, like when he scored 28 points against Indiana on August 6. Moore had a double-double Wednesday, and she might have to do more work on the boards going forward if Rebekkah Brunson is out. 
Seimone Augustus, G, MIN $  4,900 $        6,200Like Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus may need to chip in a bit more on the boards if Rebekkah Brunson is out. Also like Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus was good against Indiana, with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists. Augustus's price is pretty good on DraftKings, even if she is a bit too volatile for cash lineups.

POSFanDuel Cash$FanDuel GPP$POSDraftKings Cash$DraftKings GPP$
GErica Wheeler$5,100Erica Wheeler$5,100GMoriah Jefferson$3,700Erica Wheeler$7,900
GSeimone Augustus$4,900Moriah Jefferson$3,700GErica Wheeler$7,900Jewell Loyd$9,300
GJewell Loyd$6,500Jazmon Gwathmey$4,400FPlenette Pierson$3,500Brittney Griner$12,300
FSylvia Fowles$8,400Plenette Pierson$3,000FBrittney Griner$12,300Nneka Ogwumike$10,700
FBreanna Stewart$8,300Sylvia Fowles$8,400FTina Charles$11,700Plenette Pierson$3,500
FPlenette Pierson$3,000Tina Charles$7,800UTILMaya Moore$10,900Siemone Augustus$6,200
FMarissa Coleman$3,100Nneka Ogwumike$7,300     
          
 Total$39,300Total$39,700 Total$50,000Total$49,900
 Remaining$700Remaining$300 Remaining$0Remaining$100