Each day of the WNBA season, our team of fantasy and betting experts breaks down every game on the slate, making note of everything from injuries and lineup changes to recent trends and more.
All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.
Here’s what to look for during Tuesday’s slate:
Line: Mystics (-7)
Money line: Mystics (-350), Fever (+280)
Total: 165 points
Questionable: Bria Hartley (hamstring)
Ruled out: Alysha Clark (health and safety protocols)
Fantasy need to know: Shakira Austin (available in 58.2% of leagues) continues to get starts, and the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 draft continues to produce. In her last five games, the most recent four of which were starts, Austin has averaged 12.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.2 BPG in 23.2 MPG. Elena Delle Donne (rest) should be back in the starting lineup after sitting the last game, but Alysha Clark is on the COVID-19 protocol list, and Austin has just outplayed other incumbents Elizabeth Williams and Myisha Hines-Allen of late.
Victoria Vivians (available in 56.8% of leagues) is established as one of the go-to scorers on the Fever. Over her last five games, she’s averaged 16.0 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.8 3PG and 0.8 SPG in 31.4 MPG. Emily Engstler (available in 68.7% of leagues) returned to a bench role with NaLyssa Smith back in the lineup on Friday, but she remained productive with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, a steal and a 3-pointer in 27 minutes off the bench. — André Snellings
Best bet: Mystics -7. This will be the second time these two teams have played this season, and both teams have a pattern in their second matchup against the same team. The Mystics have played the WIngs and the Dream twice each; in the first games against each, they averaged a -1.5 point scoring margin, but in the second games against those two teams they averaged a +18.0 point scoring margin. It’s flipped for the Fever, who averaged a -7.5 point scoring margin in their first games against the Sun and Dream, but a -22.0 point scoring margin in the second game. The Mystics won the first matchup against the Fever by 14 points, so if the trend continues, they should win comfortably today. — Snellings
Line: Sky (-8.5)
Money line: Mercury (+340), Sky (-440)
Total: 166.5 points
Questionable: Shey Peddy (back), Sophie Cunningham (health and safety protocols)
Fantasy need to know: If you happen to be in one of the 16.9% of fantasy hoops leagues where Diamond DeShields is still available, you should stop reading immediately add her to your roster. She’s averaged 20.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.8 SPG and 1.0 3PG in her last four outings and is a certifiable impact player.
Azura Stevens (available in 42.9% of leagues) moved to a role off the bench three games ago when Kahleah Copper returned, but she’s maintained solid fantasy value to the tune of 11.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 combined steals and blocks per game and 0.7 3PG in 20.7 MPG in that span. — Snellings
Best bet: Sky -8.5. The Mercury have struggled this season. They’ve lost five straight games by an average of 14.8 PPG, with four of the five losses by more than 8.5 points. The defending champion Sky have been solid if unspectacular so far this season, with a +4.9 PPG scoring margin on the season to suggest they’re playing much better overall than their Tuesday opponent. — Snellings
Line: Aces (-3.5)
Money line: Sun (+160), Aces (-190)
Total: 167.5 points
Ruled out: Riquna Williams (foot)
Fantasy need to know: A six-game winning streak for the Aces (8-1) is at stake tonight against the Sun (6-2). Las Vegas leads the league in PPG (92.1), 3-point percentage (39.4%) and RPG (37.4). The Sun are second in both PPG (86.1) and three point percentage (36.8%). In terms of defensive rating, the Aces are ranked fifth (96), while the Sun are second (93.3). This season, Las Vegas has benefited significantly from its defense. The abundance of playmakers on both teams makes this a fantasy basketball bonanza.
A’ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Dearica Hamby and Chelsea Gray are all must-starts for the Aces. Wilson, in particular, has been exceptional this season. Wilson recorded her fifth double double of the season in last Saturday’s game against the Chicago Sky, tying Sylvia Fowles for the most in the league so far. She also surpassed 1,000 career rebounds. She is the seventh-fastest player in league history to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Wilson reached this milestone in 122 games. Only Breanna Stewart (116 games) reached this milestone faster among players drafted in the last decade.
For the Sun, Jonquel Jones, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and Courtney Williams should be deployed in fantasy lineups. Consider streaming Natisha Hiedeman, who is still available in 84.5% of leagues. She averaged 29.5 MPG and 25.5 fantasy points per game over the last two games. Hiedeman will continue to receive minutes with Jasmine Thomas out for the season with a torn ACL. — Eric Moody
Best bet: Under 167.5 points. Both the Aces and Sun have excellent offenses. However, both teams’ defense will be the difference here. This Sun team gives up only 73.1 points per game. I suggest you pick the under. — Moody
Line: Sparks (-1.5)
Money line: Wings (+105), Sparks (-125)
Total: 169 points
Questionable: Jordin Canada (hamstring), Lexie Brown (calf)
Ruled out: Kristi Toliver (suspension), Rae Burrell (knee)
Fantasy need to know: Los Angeles ranks third in the WNBA with 84 PPG, but their defense continues to be a problem, ranking 10th in defensive rating (107). The Sparks are also a poor rebounding team, ranking 12th with only 30.7 RPG. The Wings, on the other hand, rank third in offensive rating (102.4) and seventh in defensive rating (102.7). Dallas wants to play at a slower pace and are ranked 10th in pace while the Sparks rank fifth. To win this game, the Wings’ defense will need to step up.
For the Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike, Liz Cambage and Chennedy Carter remain key fantasy starters. This season, Ogwumike has averaged 18.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, and 1.8 SPG. In her last three games, she averaged 38 fantasy points. This season, Cambage has averaged 29 fantasy points per game. While Carter was fantastic on Sunday against the Minnesota Lynx in her first start of the season. She finished with 32 fantasy points. Don’t overlook Katie Lou Samuelson, who is available in 85.4% of leagues. During the last two games, she has averaged 25.5 fantasy points per game.
Arike Ogunbowale, Allisha Gray and Marina Mabrey have been the top fantasy options for the Wings. Despite averaging 18.8 points per game, Ogunbowale has been shooting poorly and is hitting just 37.1% of her shots this season. Gray has averaged 27.8 fantasy points per game this season, while Mabrey has averaged 26.5. Isabelle Harrison is on the streaming radar because of her ability to provide all-around statistical production for fantasy managers. She is available in 55.7% of leagues. — Moody
Best bet: Wings +1.5. In the home matchup against the Wings, the Sparks’ defense could jeopardize their chances of winning. Dallas are 4-1 in their road games against the spread. Against the spread, I’d wager on the Wings. — Moody
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