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. Times are ET.
Here's what to look for during Saturday's slate:
Chicago Sky at New York Liberty7 p.m., Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Line: Sky (-5)
Money line: Sky (-225), Liberty (+185)
Total: 163.5 points
BPI win%: Sky (64.9%)
Questionable: Courtney Vandersloot (concussion), Michaela Onyenwere (knee)
Out: Betnijah Laney (knee)
Fantasy need to know: This game features two teams on very different paths and in very different playoff situations. The Sky are riding a six-game win streak and have clinched a playoff berth already; whereas the Liberty are heading into this matchup on a five-game losing streak and hoping to keep their playoff chances alive. The Sky are one win shy of the longest win streak in franchise history.
Chicago is extremely efficient, shooting a league-leading 50.4% from the field over the past six games and averaging 24.2 assists per game (most in the league). What is even more impressive is the Sky haven't missed a beat with star point guard Courtney Vandersloot missing the past three games because of a concussion. The biggest question of the game is whether Vandersloot will return to the lineup for this game, so keep an eye out for pregame reports. Julie Allemand (available in 95.2% of leagues) replaced Vandersloot as a starter in their past three games and has played well, averaging 5.3 assists and tacking on 6.3 points per game during that span. She's had double-digit fantasy points in each of her past four games, including a season-high 22 on Friday against Dallas. If Vandersloot is out again, we can expect Allemand to continue to get major minutes and be the team's primary facilitator, making her a potential streaming option.
New York's offense has struggled in its past five games, averaging 77.6 PPG and shooting 40.2% from the field (both second worst in the league). The Liberty feature more streaming types, including Stefanie Dolson (17.2 fantasy PPG), Rebecca Allen (17.4) and Marine Johannes (20.3). All of them are available in at least 70% of leagues and could help if you need someone to play Saturday. -- Jenni LaCroix
Best bet: Under 163
I'm taking the under because the Liberty have struggled offensively this season, especially over the past three games (68.7 PPG during that span). These two teams have also hit the under in three of their past four matchups. The Liberty play at the second-slowest pace in the league and will likely try to slow the game down if they want a chance at beating the Sky. -- Jenni LaCroix
Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces10 p.m., Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
Line: Aces (-9)
Money line: Sparks (+360), Aces (-480)
Total: 174 points
BPI win%: Aces (78.6%)
Out: Kristi Toliver (calf), Rae Burrell (knee)
Fantasy need to know: The Aces have won four of their past five games, but three of those wins have come against the bottom two teams in the standings (Fever and Liberty). Las Vegas is an offensive powerhouse, averaging a league-best 90.7 PPG as its looks to become the third team in league history to average at least 90 PPG for an entire season (2009 Mercury, 2010 Mercury). The Sparks have won two straight, but the bad news for them is they are 0-3 against the Aces this season and haven't beaten them since August 2019 (nine-game losing streak). Los Angeles gives up the second-most points per game (85.5 PPG), and that doesn't bode well when going against the best offensive team in the WNBA.
There is very little actionable advice when it comes to the Aces, as all five of their starters are rostered in at least 94% of leagues and you should be starting them. Because of this strong starting group, their bench averages a league-low 12.7 PPG, so they obviously lack appealing streamers. If you must pick one Las Vegas reserve, though, consider Riquna Williams (available in 88.8% of leagues) against her former team. She's the only bench player who averages more than 15 minutes per game and is the team's highest-scoring reserve. Williams has hit at least one 3-pointer in 10 straight games.
In winning the past two games, the Sparks have used the starting lineup of Jordin Canada, Chiney Ogwumike, Nneka Ogwumike, Katie Lou Samuelson and Brittney Sykes. It's no surprise that Nneka Ogwumike is rostered in 99.8% of leagues, but the Sparks do have available fantasy options to choose from, especially in that new starting lineup. One of those players is Chiney Ogwumike (available in 72.7% of leagues), who's been on fire recently, averaging 29.8 fantasy points per game over her past four games. The two-time All-Star has started to hit her stride offensively and is the top streaming option of the day. During the past four games, she has averaged a double-double (11.8 PPG, 10.0 RPG) and added 2.0 steals per game. But wait, there's more to her game, as she also has hit five 3s during that span, which is more than she had combined through her first 18 games of the season (two 3-pointers). Another player you could add to your roster is Canada (available in 72.4% of leagues). As the primary facilitator for the team, she is averaging 5.3 APG to go along with 9.3 PPG. Canada also chips in at the defensive end with 1.5 steals per game. In each of her past three games, she has had at least seven assists and two steals. -- Jenni LaCroix
Best bet: Sparks +9
I'm picking the Sparks to cover because the Aces have not fared well against the spread at home. They are 0-8 against the spread in their past eight home games. They also have struggled when they are favored by nine or more points, going just 2-6 ATS in those instances this season. -- Jenni LaCroix
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