RADIO
After yesterday's one-game slate, we're back to normal in the WNBA, with three games per day between today and the end of the regular season on Sunday. Wow, it's almost over. It seems like just yesterday we were getting ready for this season. So much has changed -- the Sabrina Ionescu injury, the Mystics starting off strong and then crashing out of the playoffs -- and yet it's been such a short time.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 9/8/20. 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.
WNBA - DFS Guards
Jackie Young (G, Las Vegas Aces) – vs Indiana Fever (DK: $9,000, FD: $5,400)
Bad news: Jackie Young's DFS salary has caught up to her production. Good news: her production is still incredibly good right now. Over her last three games, Young is averaging 19.3 points on 63.2 percent shooting with six rebounds, six assists, and two steals per game. Her minutes are finally up to where we expect the minutes for a No. 1 overall pick to be, and while she's still coming off the bench, she's playing starters minutes in that role. And in this game, she faces the Fever, owners of the WNBA's worst defensive rating.
Kia Nurse (G, New York Liberty) – vs Los Angeles Sparks (DK: $7,000, FD: $4,700)
Inconsistency has been the name of the game for Kia Nurse this year. Another word: inefficiency, as she's struggled with her shot a lot of the time. In fact, she's still struggling, shooting under 20 percent in the past two games. But volume can be key in DFS, and Young has taken 33 shots over the last two games, with 20 of those coming from deep. She's seen her role on the team shifted some, which is leading to more of an off-ball bench shooter thing. That's led to fewer assists, but also to more rebounds over the last couple of games. Nurse is risky, but she's also likely to be pretty low-rostered, and to win a GPP you have to go against the grain. Follow the shot attempts.
Jacki Gemelos (G, Washington Mystics) – vs Minnesota Lynx (DK: $4,100, FD: $3,000)
Last time we used Gemelos as a punt play, it went okay, though it could have gone better. Still, she's played 20-plus minutes in two consecutive games and has double-digit DFS points in three consecutive ones, so if we're looking for a low-salary dart throw who we know will be on the basketball court, I think you could do a lot worse than Gemelos, who played 26 minutes against Dallas.
WNBA - DFS Forwards
A'ja Wilson (F, Las Vegas Aces) – vs Indiana Fever (DK: $11,300 FD: $8,200)
I should not need to persuade you on MVP frontrunner A'ja Wilson against the team with the WNBA's worst defensive rating. This should be a no-brainer. Last time she faced Indiana, she was held to just 12 points on 17 shots, but also managed to pump in 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. Even if the shot wasn't falling, she was impacting the game. And well, the shot has been falling more lately and against tougher defenses, like her 76.9 percent shooting night against the Sun last week. Wilson's not going to repeat her poor shooting from this first meeting.
Damiris Dantas (F, Minnesota Lynx) – vs Washington Mystics (DK: $10,300, FD: $6,800)
Sylvia Fowles is officially done for the rest of the regular season, so Dantas will continue to start at the five for the Lynx. Lately, that's been a good role for the Brazilian player. In her last four games, for instance, Dantas is averaging 21.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per contest, as well as adding two assists and a steal. She's shooting well from the outside over that time, connecting on two-thirds of her 5.3 threes per game. Dantas now faces a struggling Mystics defense. Fowles was active the last time these teams faced so we don't really have much to go off of from her nine-point, four-rebound performance that day, but I think riding the hot hand here is a solid strategy.
Teaira McCowan (F, Indiana Fever) – vs Las Vegas Aces (DK: $8,200, FD: $6,200)
Finally, since we're talking about players who've been playing well, let's talk about Teaira McCowan. The second-year center has rounded into form lately, and over her last three games is averaging 15.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. She'll open tonight's game (provided she starts, which she very much should) matched up with Carolyn Swords, who McCowan should be able to dominate over inside. I know the Aces are a tough matchup, but despite Bill Laimbeer being so into using post players, there's not a five on this roster that can slow down McCowan. She only had 12 points in the last meeting, but did it on 85.7 percent shooting and grabbed eight boards in her 24 minutes. I expect her to get the ball even more tonight.
