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 today's slate:
Washington Mystics at Indiana Fever7:00 p.m., Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Line: Mystics (-13.5)
Money line: Mystics (-1000), Fever (+650)
Total: 159 points
BPI Win%: Mystics (67.9%)
Ruled out: Myisha Hines-Allen (COVID-19), Danielle Robinson (shoulder)
Fantasy need to know: Shakira Austin (available in 47% of leagues) is finishing her rookie season with a bang, putting up 13.4 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 1.4 combined blocks/steals per game, with two double-doubles, in her last five outings. With Hines-Allen sidelined, against an overmatched Fever team that shouldn't require major minutes from superstar Elena Delle Donne, Austin has a chance to put a big number on the board on Friday.
The Fever may have lost 16 straight games, but for fantasy basketball they are chock full of potential streaming options. Victoria Vivians (available in 58.7% of leagues) scored 12 points with 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in her last outing. Lexie Hull (available in 96.7% of leagues) is another rookie finishing the season strong, averaging 15.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG and 1.0 3PG in 30.5 MPG in her last two outings. Emma Cannon (available in 97.6% of leagues) is also coming off consecutive strong games, in which she has averaged 13.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 2.0 SPG and 1.0 3PG. Finally, Destanni Henderson (available in 92.1% of leagues) has thus-far capped her rookie season with three games of at least 12 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds in her last four outings.
Best bet: Fever +13.5. The Fever have lost 16 straight games, but as the season has closed they've rarely been blown out. They've only lost by more than 13.5 points in three of their last 11 games, with two of those losses to the West-leading Aces and the other on the road at the Storm. The Mystics are battling the Storm for playoffs seeding and have motivation to win, but haven't won a game by more than 13.5 points in their last 10 outings. -- André Snellings
New York Liberty at Atlanta Dream7:30 p.m., Gateway Center Arena, Atlanta
Line: Liberty (-1)
Money line: Liberty (-120), Dream (+100)
Total: 159.5 points
BPI Win%: Dream (60.8%)
Probable: Monique Billings (ankle)
Ruled out: Kristy Wallace (health and safety protocols), Tiffany Hayes (ankle)
Fantasy need to know: Betnijah Laney (available in 31.1% of leagues) has been slowly ramping up her production since returning from long-term injury last week, and is coming off her first double-digit scoring effort since the return. Marine Johannes (available in 87.7% of leagues) is coming off consecutive strong scoring efforts off the bench, in which she's averaged 16.0 PPG, 4.0 3PG, 1.5 RPG and 1.0 APG in 24.0 MPG.
The Dream have battled injuries down the stretch, particularly in the backcourt, and it's allowed Aari McDonald and Maya Caldwell to both finish strong. McDonald has averaged 14.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.8 3PG and 0.8 SPG in 23.4 MPG in her last five outings. Caldwell has averaged 12.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.3 3PG, 0.5 SPG and 0.5 BPG in 26.5 MPG in her last four games, the last two of which were starts.
Best bet: Over 159.5. Both teams have finished the season with games tending towards higher scores. The Dream have combined with their opponents to score at least 172 points in three of their last four games, while the Liberty have combined with their opponents to go over the mark of 159.5 points in two straight and six of their last eight games overall. -- Snellings
Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx9:00 p.m., Target Center, Minneapolis
Line: Storm (-2)
Money line: Storm (-125), Lynx (+105)
Total: 164.5 points
BPI Win%: Lynx (52.6%)
Fantasy need to know: The Storm are coming off of an impressive win over the Chicago Sky on Tuesday. Seattle's 111 points tied the franchise single-game points record. Sue Bird continues to make history in her final WNBA season. She had her 246th career game with 10 points and five assists, extending her league record. The next closest player is Diana Taurasi with 199. Bird, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles and Jewell Loyd belong in fantasy lineups. While Ezi Magbegor (available in 33.7% of leagues) and Gabby Williams (available in 48.4% of leagues) are your most reliable streaming options. The Storm rank sixth in offensive rating (101.7) and third in defensive rating (96.9).
As far as the playoffs are concerned, the Lynx still have control of their own destiny. In Wednesday night's win against the Phoenix Mercury, Moriah Jefferson had her second career 10-assist game. In addition, Jessica Shepard had her sixth career double-double. All of them have taken place this season. Jefferson, Shepard, Sylvia Fowles, Aerial Powers, and Kayla McBride can be trusted in lineups. Napheesa Collier (available in 84.6% of leagues) is your best streaming option for the Lynx.
Best bet: Lynx +2. A win over the Storm essentially guarantees the Lynx a playoff spot. The game marks the last home game for WNBA legend Fowles. She will retire as the league's all-time leader in rebounds. In this game, the Lynx will go all out to win. -- Eric Moody
Dallas Wings at Phoenix Mercury10:00 p.m., Footprint Center, Phoenix
Line: Wings (-1.5)
Money line: Wings (-125), Mercury (+105)
Total: 159.5 points
BPI Win%: Mercury (59.4%)
Ruled out: Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal), Diana Taurasi (quad), Satou Sabally (ankle), Arike Ogunbowale (core muscle surgery)
Fantasy need to know: Arike Ogunbowale, who has averaged 32.5 fantasy points per game this season, will not play for the Wings against the Mercury. After undergoing successful core-muscle surgery on Tuesday, she will miss the rest of the season and the first round of the playoffs. Allisha Gray, Marina Mabrey, Kayla Thornton (available in 42.7% of leagues) and Teaira McCowan belong in your lineups. It was Veronica Burton (available in 98% of leagues) and not Tyasha Harris who emerged as a viable streamer for the Wings against the Liberty on Wednesday. In 22 minutes, she scored 25 fantasy points.
We are watching the Mercury team crumble before our eyes. Diana Taurasi has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season due to a quad injury. And Skylar Diggins-Smith (personal reasons) will miss the rest of the 2022 season after her contract was suspended by the Mercury on Thursday. Diamond DeShields, Shey Peddy, Brianna Turner and Sophie Cunningham belong in lineups. To fill the void left by Diggins-Smith, Jennie Simms (available in 89% of leagues) is firmly on the streaming radar.
Best bet: Wings -1.5. In light of the Mercury's current roster, the Wings should be able to cover. In road games against the spread, Dallas is 12-4. -- Moody
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