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.
Here’s what to look for during Thursday’s slate:
Line: Wings (-8.5)
Money line: Fever (+320), Wings (-420)
Total: 170 points
BPI win%: Wings (76.3%)
Ruled out: Satou Sabally (knee)
Fantasy need to know: Rookie NaLyssa Smith is in the midst of her most dominant stretch of the season thus far. She scored a career-high 26 points in her latest outing, a win over the Sky, and over the past five games she has averaged 17.0 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.8 3PG, 0.6 BPG and 0.6 SPG. Kelsey Mitchell has also been in a zone, averaging 19.6 PPG, 4.0 APG, 2.3 3PG, 1.3 RPG and 1.1 SPG in her past 10 outings. Victoria Vivians (available in 39.8% of leagues) is the most intriguing potential streaming option, as she has struggled with her shot of late but has still averaged 11.3 PPG, 4.3 APG, 3.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG and 1.3 3PG in her past four outings.
Arike Ogunbowale will look to bounce back on Thursday after scoring only 14 points in 24 minutes in a loss to the Dream on Tuesday. Prior to that game, Ogunbowale had scored at least 21 points in the previous five games that she’d played at least 20 minutes. Allisha Gray has been leading the way for the Wings of late, averaging 16.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.6 3PG, 2.5 APG and 1.3 SPG during her past eight outings. Isabelle Harrison (available in 46.3% of leagues) has started the past four games in place of Satou Sabally, but after averaging 14.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.5 APG in the first two games, she’s been down to 6.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG and 2.0 APG in her most recent two.
Best bet: Fever +8.5. The Wings have struggled of late, losing seven of their past 10 games with an overall scoring margin of -2.6 PPG during that stretch. The Fever are also 3-7 over their past 10 with a -7.6 scoring margin. While I agree with the Wings being favored to win, 8.5 points is too many to give for a team that’s been scuffling. — André Snellings
Line: Lynx (-2.5)
Money line: Mercury (+115), Lynx (-135)
Total: 165.5 points
BPI win%: Lynx (61.7%)
Fantasy need to know: Skylar Diggins-Smith has been on fire of late. She has scored at least 18 points in six of her past eight games, a span during which she has averaged 20.8 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.6 RPG, 2.0 SPG, 1.5 3PG and 1.1 BPG. Shey Peddy (available in 92.9% of leagues) is a potential streaming option in deeper leagues. In her most recent three games, Peddy has averaged almost 20 fantasy points per game based on 8.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, 3.0 RPG, 2.0 3PG and 1.3 SPG in 25.0 MPG.
For the Lynx, Moriah Jefferson (available in 75.7% of leagues) seems to be all the way back after an injury took her out of the lineup and then slowed her in her first few games back. In her past two, she has flirted with a double-double in both games on her way to 17.5 PPG, 8.0 APG, 3.0 RPG and 2.5 3PG in 31.0 MPG.
Best bet: Mercury +2.5. These two teams played on Tuesday in Phoenix, and the Lynx won by 13. This was the 10th straight time the Lynx had won in Phoenix. But prior to that game, the Lynx had lost five straight by an average of 8.6 PPG as they adjusted to life without superstar Sylvia Fowles (knee). Meanwhile, the Mercury had won four of six prior to that loss. The Lynx seemingly have the Mercury’s number in Phoenix, but this game is in Minnesota. I expect the Mercury to bounce back. — Snellings
Line: Storm (-4.5)
Money line: Mystics (+160), Storm (-190)
Total: 154.5 points
BPI win%: Storm (68.1%)
Ruled out: Mercedes Russell (head), Elizabeth Williams (personal)
Fantasy need to know: Thursday night, the Storm (10-6) kick off a four-game homestand against the Mystics (11-8) after an impressive road trip. Following a huge victory over the New York Liberty on Sunday, Seattle is on a roll. The Storm have averaged 78.4 points per game on offense, while giving up 76.8 points per game on defense. Seattle ranks ninth in offensive rating (97.9) and third in defensive rating (95.8). Meanwhile, the Mystics lost to the Sparks 84-82 on Tuesday. On offense, Washington scores 79.1 PPG, while its defense surrenders 75.1. The Mystics rank sixth in offensive rating (100.3) and second in defensive rating (95.6).
Storm players such as Ezi Magbegor (27.5), Breanna Stewart (40.1), Jewell Loyd (28.6) and Sue Bird (21.9) are still must-start options this season, averaging superb fantasy points per game. With her ability to accumulate stats in a variety of areas, Gabby Williams, who is available in 72.3% of leagues, is an excellent streamer. Over the past five games, she has averaged 22.2 fantasy points. With all three leading Washington in fantasy points per game, Elena Delle Donne (27.8), Ariel Atkins (26.4) and Natasha Cloud (25.7) are must-start options for the Mystics. Delle Donne has been given rest days all season, but she is likely to be active against the Storm. Even when Delle Donne is active, Alysha Clark, who is available in 55.6% of leagues, is a viable streamer. She has scored 20 or more fantasy points in three of her past five games.
Best bet: Storm -4.5. In terms of statistics, the Storm and Mystics are eerily similar, but Seattle has more offensive playmakers. Seattle should deliver a strong defensive and offensive performance against Washington. The Storm will cover the spread. —Eric Moody
Line: Sky (-4.5)
Money line: Sky (-200), Sparks (+170)
Total: 173.5 points
BPI win%: Sky (56%)
Ruled out: Chiney Ogwumike (personal)
Fantasy need to know: The Sparks (6-9) and Sky (11-5) will face off Thursday night in Los Angeles. The Sparks won 98-91 in overtime when these two teams met on May 6. Against the Las Vegas Aces, the Sky won impressively on Tuesday. Los Angeles averages 83 points offensively, while giving up 87.3 points defensively. The Sparks rank fifth in offensive rating (101.1) and last in defensive rating (106.9). As a team, the Sky average 85.4 points offensively, while giving up 81 points defensively. Chicago ranks third in offensive rating (104.4) and sixth in defensive rating (99.4).
On the Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike and Liz Cambage are the most reliable fantasy starters. Ogwumike has scored 30 or more fantasy points in five consecutive games. Cambage’s fantasy production has fluctuated throughout the season, but during the past three games, she scored 22 or more fantasy points in all of them. If you are looking for a streamer, you should prioritize Jordin Canada, who is available in 66.1% of leagues, and Katie Lou Samuelson, who is available in 80.3%. In two of her past four games, Canada scored 20 or more fantasy points. Samuelson has scored 20 or more fantasy points in six of her past eight games.
The Sky’s most consistent fantasy options are Candace Parker, Emma Meesseman, Courtney Vandersloot and Kahleah Copper. Azura Stevens, who is available in 53.3% of leagues, is your top streaming option. Two of her past three games have resulted in 33 or more fantasy points, and she averages 19.9 fantasy points per game.
Best bet: Sky -4.5. The Sparks have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league all season. The only other team in the league with a higher effective field goal percentage than the Sky (52.3%) is the Aces (52.8%). The Sparks’ defense shouldn’t pose any problems for Chicago, and the Sky should cover. — Moody
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