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Justin Carter's top daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for 8/20/23. Expert WNBA DFS advice for DraftKings and FanDuel.
We've got four WNBA games on Sunday, starting at 3:00 p.m. ET with the Wings facing the Mystics. The action continues all day, with the Storm and Lynx capping the night off at 7:00 p.m. There's going to be some great basketball on Sunday.
If you're looking for WNBA daily fantasy picks and some betting advice this season, then you're in the right place. I'll be here providing picks for any slate with two or more games.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel. These lineup picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. The slates lock on 8/20/2023 at 3:00 PM ET. 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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WNBA DFS Picks: Forward
Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun) - @ CHI - DK: $11,500, FD: 9,200
At this point, I almost don't need to tell you why you should play Alyssa Thomas. She's got both the highest floor and the highest ceiling on Sunday's slate—or, really, on any slate.
Thomas has scored 40-plus DraftKings points in four straight games. Last time out against Dallas, she scored 15 points on 7-for-17 shooting with 10 rebounds and seven assists. She also added two steals. It was the fourth double-double in a row for Thomas.
The last time she faced the Sky, Thomas had 19 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists in 38 minutes of action.
Tianna Hawkins (Washington Mystics) - vs. DAL - DK: $7,200, FD: $5,700
Tianna Hawkins saw a dip in her scoring and rebounding last game because Elena Delle Donne was back, but she still played 23 minutes. Now, she gets another EDD-less game on Sunday, as the Mystics star is being held out of the lineup.
That should once again allow Hawkins to play a key role for the Mystics. Before Delle Donne returned, Hawkins had scored in double figures in five of the past six games, including 17 or more in four of those contests with a pair of double-doubles over that span.
Of note, she did struggle the last time she faced Dallas, scoring six points with four rebounds and two assists in 26 minutes. But with Delle Donne and Shakira Austin out, I have confidence in Hawkins here to have a strong showing.
Megan Gustafson (Phoenix Mercury) - vs. IND - DK: $6,200, FD: $4,500
Gustafson missed Friday's game for health and safety protocols, as did Brittney Griner. Griner is still sidelined for Sunday's meeting with Indiana, but Gustafson has been cleared to return, which should mean a larger role for the former Iowa star.
While it's not clear if the Mercury will start Gustafson, I think it's worth noting what she's done as a starter this season. In three starts, Gustafson has averaged 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. When given a larger role, she's delivered, and she's expected to play a larger role on Sunday against the Fever.
Also worth mentioning: the Fever have allowed more points per game than any other WNBA team. And Gustafson has already dominated the Fever once this season. Back on August 1, she had 17 points on 6-for-15 shooting against this Indiana team. Could she post similar numbers today?
WNBA DFS Picks: Guard
Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) - vs. IND - DK: $9,800, FD: $7,100
Diana Taurasi took 16 field goals last game with Brittney Griner sidelined. She really struggled to make those shots, going just 3-for-16, but it's the volume that piques my interest. With Griner out, Taurasi should be tasked with a high volume once again. She just has to start making some shots.
And before two poor shooting games, she was making shots. Taurasi shot 45% or better in six consecutive games before going a combined 5-for-26 over the past two contests. I'd bet on her bouncing back because...well, because this is Diana Taurasi going against the league's worst scoring defense. She had 29 points the last time these two teams met.
Sami Whitcomb (Seattle Storm) - @ MIN - DK: $8,000, FD: $5,600
Injuries have increased Sami Whitcomb's role, and on Friday she had her best game of the season, scoring 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting, going 5-for-8 from three. She also added one rebound, three assists, and one block in the game.
That was the fourth time in the past five games that Whitcomb has scored in double figures. With Gabby Williams sidelined, the Storm have needed someone to step up to provide scoring for Seattle. Whitcomb has fulfilled that role.
Crystal Dangerfield (Dallas Wings) - @ WAS - DK: $6,900, FD: $5,100
Something's changed with Crystal Dangerfield over the past three games. After not scoring in double figures since July 7, she's now done it in three consecutive contests, making double-digit field goal attempts in each game.
Last time out against the Sun, Dangerfield was 6-for-11 with 12 points while also adding three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Her increased role lately makes her a really strong value play on Sunday's slate.
