This article is part of our WNBA Fantasy Primer series.
WNBA Fantasy Picks, WNBA Starting Lineups and Previews Tonight
The WNBA regular season resumed Thursday after taking a few days off due to the Commissioner's Cup Championship. The parity of the league was on full display, with the Wings taking down the Lynx and the Sun needing overtime to take down the Mystics. The season continues Friday with a two-game slate.
Those looking for a complete overview of every matchup can check out RotoWire's Daily WNBA Projections page and the latest WNBA news. Those looking for sports betting advice can view the RotoWire Picks and Props tool.
WNBA Schedule Today
Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun
Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury
WNBA News Roundup
Lexie Brown Ruled Out Through Olympic Break
Brown also missed most of the 2023 campaign due to Crohn's disease, and she'll miss at least the next several weeks due to the issue. It's not yet clear whether she'll be able to return following the Olympic break, but she'll at least be sidelined until mid-August, and potentially longer.
Temi Fagbenle Returns to Action
Fagbenle missed nearly a month due to a foot injury, but she returned to the court Thursday against the Storm and had a minutes restriction. However, she still saw her fair share of playing time and posted eight points, seven rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes off the bench. She had replaced NaLyssa Smith in the starting lineup shortly before her lengthy absence, and while it's unclear whether Fagbenle will reclaim a starting role as the season progresses, she's at least a solid fantasy option.
Diamond Miller Returns to Court
Miller also returned to action Thursday following a lengthy absence due to a knee injury. She played a limited role for Minnesota early in the season, likely due largely to her injury, but she didn't play more than 15 minutes in any of her appearances early in the year. She was held to three minutes off the bench Thursday against the Wings, and it's unclear whether she'll have a fantasy-relevant role over the second half of the season, especially leading up to the Olympic break.
Odyssey Sims Impresses in 2024 Debut
Sims wasn't on a roster for the start of the 2024 campaign, but she signed a hardship contract with Dallas on Tuesday amid the team's rash of injuries. The 31-year-old was productive off the bench during Thursday's win over Minnesota, tallying 18 points, four assists, three steals and two assists in 26 minutes.
Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Courtney Vandersloot Return for Commissioner's Cup Championship
Laney-Hamilton and Vandersloot both missed time in recent matchups, but they were back on the court for Tuesday's Commissioner's Cup Championship. Laney-Hamilton was relatively productive as a starter, but Vandersloot had a limited role off the bench amid conditioning issues.
WNBA Fantasy Risers and Fallers
Risers
- Bridget Carleton, F, Minnesota Lynx
Carleton displayed late-game heroics during Tuesday's Commissioner's Cup Championship and wasn't named the game's MVP, but her talent has been on full display recently. She's scored at least 25 ESPN Fantasy points in four of her last five appearances, averaging 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 30.8 minutes per game during that time.
- Stephanie Talbot, F, Los Angeles Sparks
Cameron Brink recently suffered a torn ACL and was replaced in the starting lineup by Li Yueru. Yueru has been decently productive, but Talbot has seen plenty of usage off the bench. Talbot has played at least 26 minutes in three consecutive appearances, averaging 9.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in 29.0 minutes per game. I probably prefer Talbot over Yueru at this point.
- Odyssey Sims, G, Dallas Wings
As noted in the news roundup, Sims wasn't on a roster for the start of the 2024 campaign, but she spent last season with the Wings, and Arike Ogunbowale revealed after Thursday's win that Sims had been at every Dallas home game to begin the season despite not being on the roster. As the Wings continue to deal with injuries, Sims should have opportunities to step up, and she's proven that she has the talent to be a fantasy-relevant option.
Fallers
- Dana Evans, G, Chicago Sky
Evans began the 2024 campaign as a starter, a role she earned due to her leadership and production in previous seasons. She remains a real-life asset for the Sky, but coach Teresa Weatherspoon has adjusted her rotation in recent matchups, which has hindered Evans' fantasy value. Chennedy Carter has taken on a starting role, while Evans' playing time has decreased, most recently playing just six minutes Thursday against the Aces. Weatherspoon said after the game that Evans' lack of playing time wasn't intentional, but it seems as though the guard will struggle to have a fantasy-relevant role down the stretch.
- Tiffany Hayes, G, Las Vegas Aces
Hayes put an end to her brief retirement in late May by joining the Aces, and she had some solid performances early in her tenure with the team. However, Chelsea Gray recently returned to the court, which has limited Hayes' production. Hayes should still have some decent performances as the season progresses, but her upside will be limited.
Matchup Previews
Atlanta Dream at Connecticut Sun
WNBA Injury Report
Atlanta
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhyne Howard | G | Ankle | OUT | 7/2/2024 |
| Iliana Rupert | C | Rest | OFS | 4/1/2025 |
| Nyadiew Puoch | F | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2025 |
| Isobel Borlase | G | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2025 |
| Matilde Villa | G | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2025 |
Connecticut
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moriah Jefferson | G | Ankle | OUT | 7/16/2024 |
| Leila Lacan | G | Not Injury Related | OFS | 5/1/2025 |
| Abbey Hsu | G | Not Injury Related | OUT | 5/1/2025 |
WNBA Starting Lineups
Note: All starting lineups included are projected and have not been confirmed by each team. For updated lineups as tipoff approaches, check out RotoWire's WNBA Daily Lineups page.
Atlanta Dream Projected Starters
*NOTE: Haley Jones may continue to start instead of Canada
Connecticut Sun Projected Starters
Players to Watch
- Haley Jones, G, Atlanta Dream
It's unclear whether Jones will take on a starting role Friday, as it'll likely depend on Jordin Canada's conditioning. However, the Dream need a spark since Rhyne Howard (ankle) is sidelined, and Jones could provide it out of the backcourt, especially if Canada isn't yet 100 percent available. Jones has scored in double figures in three of her last five appearances, averaging 8.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 30.8 minutes per game.
Los Angeles Sparks at Phoenix Mercury
WNBA Injury Report
Los Angeles
| Name | Pos | Injury | Status | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Layshia Clarendon | G | Illness | OUT | 7/2/2024 |
| Azura Stevens | F | Arm | OUT | 7/2/2024 |
| Lexie Brown | G | Illness | OUT | 8/15/2024 |
| Julie Allemand | G | Ankle | OFS | 5/1/2025 |
| Cameron Brink | F | Knee | OFS | 5/1/2025 |
Phoenix
No injuries to report.
WNBA Starting Lineups
Note: All starting lineups included are projected and have not been confirmed by each team. For updated lineups as tipoff approaches, check out RotoWire's WNBA Daily Lineups page.
Los Angeles Sparks Projected Starters
Phoenix Mercury Projected Starters
Players to Watch
- Li Yueru, C, Los Angeles Sparks
Yueru has taken on a starting role over her last two appearances since Cameron Brink (knee) has suffered a torn ACL. Yueru has been somewhat productive, but she had better results when she was coming off the bench behind Brink. Stephanie Talbot has been the more productive frontcourt option in recent matchups despite operating as a reserve, so it's unclear whether Yueru will continue to handle a starting role.
