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Justin Carter's top daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for 5/20/21. Expert WNBA DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for DraftKings and FanDuel.
It's time for the first one-game slate of the WNBA season!
These one gamers work a lot different, so the structure of today's article will be a little bit different than usual. We'll start by going over what the structure is, then look at some potential captain picks, then who can fill out your roster.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 5/20/21. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts.
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How Do These Slates Work?
On DraftKings, this is a pretty simple question: you pick one captain whose fantasy points earn 1.5 times the usual amount, but you also pay more for that player. For example, Breanna Stewart costs $9,800 tonight, but to captain her costs $14,700.
Beyond that, you'll fill your lineup out with five more players. In a Showdown, positions don't matter, but you do need at least one player from each team.
FanDuel is more complicated.
Over there, you get two utility layers, then a PRO that is 1.2x, a STAR at 1.5x, and an MVP at 2x. Because I play a lot more on DraftKings than FanDuel, I usually avoid the one-game slates there because there's a lot more thinking involved, but the right lineup can score some big points. And the cool thing on FanDuel is there's no price multipliers, so you don't have to worry about any of that.
WNBA DFS: Potential Captains/MVPs
Breanna Stewart (F, Seattle Storm) – @ Minnesota Lynx (DK: $14,700/$9,800, FD: $11,500)
Don't think there's much to say about captaining Stewie. She's off to a strong start to the season, averaging 27 points and 12 rebounds through two games. The Storm are relying on Stewart more than ever and so far, she's been delivering. And this is all with her three-point shot still being a little off. You can't go wrong with Stewart in this spot in terms of maximizing points, but on DK you could end up needing to make some tough choices further down the lineup.
Sylvia Fowles (F, Minnesota Lynx) – vs Seattle Storm (DK: $12,300/$8,200, FD: $10,000)
Fowles looks healthy this season and is averaging a double-double with 18.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. Her free throw shooting is off, but it's just been two games. She's still one of the best traditional centers in the W and is hard to stop inside. Seattle will send Ezi Magbegor at her, but I like Fowles in that scenario.
Aerial Powers (F, Minnesota Lynx) – vs Seattle Storm (DK: $9,900/$6,600, FD: $6,000)
On the cheaper end of a captain, I really like Aerial Powers. She's riskier because the floor is lower, but she's had a solid start to her Lynx career, averaging 11.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor. Based on her usage, Powers will be having some really strong games once she gets her shot back on track. Maybe that's tonight?
WNBA DFS: Sleeper Picks
Bridget Carleton (G, Minnesota Lynx) – vs Seattle Storm (DK: $5,800, FD: $4,500)
The risky pick of this article, Carleton is struggling. But she started and played 20 minutes last game, taking five shots and adding a rebound and a steal. If I need someone cheap to help round out my lineup, I'm cool with taking the risk on someone who should be on the floor for 20 minutes or so.
Ezi Magbegor (F, Seattle Storm) – @ Minnesota Lynx (DK: $5,400, FD: $7,500)
Sadly for those on FanDuel, Ezi has been priced up -- maybe go for someone like Stephanie Talbo at $5,000 there -- but on DK she's still a great deal. Ezi is the defensive center for Seattle, so expect her to start against the Lynx since they have Sylvia Fowles. In her one start this year, Magbegor played 26 minutes, putting up 14 points and 13 rebounds. A must play for me on DraftKings at this price. You could even consider captaining her to save a ton of salary space.
Also, if we find out pregame that Mikiah Herbert Harrigan is cleared to play, GET HER IN ALL YOUR LINEUPS.
