There are no games on Monday, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have another exciting week at W ahead. Before we get into that, let’s take a look at last week.
Arike Ogunbowale was dominant through the first five games of the season, averaging 28.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.4 steals and 3.2 triples in 38.2 minutes per game. That includes dropping 40 points in a win over the Mercury on Saturday, which was his highest-scoring game since dropping 41 in the Commissioner’s Cup last June. Unfortunately, they will only play two games next week, which will limit their fantasy impact.
The only player averaging more points per game than Ogunbowale this year is Copper, who has 29.2 points and 3.6 triples in five games. After spending the last seven years in Chicago, this is his first season in Phoenix, and he is currently breaking his previous career highs of 18.7 points and 1.8 threes per game. Through the first two weeks of the year, Copper is sixth in total fantasy points with 208, but with four games this week, it should rise.
Napheesa Collier leads the league in fantasy points per game (per ESPN’s standard scoring format) is Collier, who averages 48.4 FPPG. She stuffed the stat sheet with 23.0 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.8 steals, 2.2 blocks and 1.0 triples per game, and currently ranks fourth in the league in scoring, third in rebounds and first in steals per game. It was a spectacular start for her, which helped the Lynx to a 4-1 start.
There is only one undefeated team left in the WNBA. The Connecticut Sun started out 5-0 and Alyssa Thomas was a big reason why. She is averaging 15.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game so far and has accumulated a total of 190 fantasy points. She’s the only player who ranks in the top five in rebounds and assists, and already has a triple-double this season, although she fell just short of getting her second last Monday. They will put their winning streak to the test on Tuesday against the Mercury.
Week 3 Games Played:
4 games – IND, PHX
3 games – CONN, NY, LA, MIN, CHI, ATL
2 games – LV, SEA, DAL, WAS
Once again, the league features Caitlin Clark as often as possible. After getting their first win of the season last week, they will play four games for the second week in a row. In comparison, the Dream only played their fourth game of the season on Sunday, after the Fever had already played seven games. The Mercury will join Indiana in playing a full schedule, although most of their fantasy production will be absorbed by five players. However, Natasha Mack (19.9% cast) It is Sofia Cunningham (43.4%) are averaging more than 20 fantasy points per game.
Light game days:
Thursday: 2 games
Seattle @ Indiana
Los Angeles @Chicago
Saturday: 1 game
Chicago @ Indiana
Just like last week, Fever players will have an advantage by playing on clear days. Most of your top fantasy picks are listed, but Temi Fagbenle (32.2%) averaged 22.2 fantasy points per game in 22.6 minutes this season. However, the Sky also play at that time, which gives Chicago players a nice boost in value. Like Indiana, most of its stars are unavailable in many leagues, but DeShields Diamond (49.8%) It is Dana Evans (45.4%) are averaging north of 20 fantasy points per game, while Chennedy Carter (3.6%) is just below that mark, at 19.5 fantasy points per game.
Back to back:
Tuesday to Wednesday: PHX
Saturday to Sunday: IND
The Fever had a back-to-back clash last week and picked up their first win of the year in the first leg. However, they lost by nearly 20 points in Las Vegas on the second night, with Clark scoring just eight points, which was a career worst. The Phoenix have yet to have a back-to-back matchup and these will be two tough road games in Connecticut and New York. However, a veteran team like the Mercury must be ready for both clashes.
Headlines:
Rickea Jackson starts the second half after Layshia Clarendon’s early exit
Clarendon played just seven minutes on Sunday before leaving with a head injury. She sat out the rest of the game, which allowed Jackson (69.2%) to start the second half. The rookie from Tennessee has been a solid scoring option off the bench so far, but if she joins the starting unit, she’ll get a nice fantasy boost. She had just four points and three rebounds on Sunday, but is averaging 9.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 triples per game this season.
Diamond Miller no timetable for return
Miller underwent an MRI on her right knee on Friday, and the team announced that she will be sidelined indefinitely. Bridget Carleton (10%) started in his place in the last two games, but was already playing a more important role off the bench than Miller as a starter. However, in her first start of the season, she set a new season high with 14 points and added two rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. She should continue to start in the near future.
Brittney Griner without hiking boots
Griner has yet to play this season due to a broken toe, but appears to be making progress. She was seen without her cleats on Saturday, although she put them back on during that night’s game. There’s no official timeline yet, but Griner is getting closer and closer to suiting up for the first time this season.
Newbie Watch:
Nika Mühl
Second-round pick UConn finally made her WNBA debut after missing the team’s first four games due to issues with her work visa. However, she dressed up twice last week and showed off her approved visa with her pregame outfit ahead of her debut. She played just seven minutes off the bench in her two games and grabbed two rebounds in each game. Mühl is not yet a roster player, but she has a bright future in the league.
Cameron Brink
In the NBA, rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama was one of the finalists for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award and Brink could do the same thing in the W. In her first year she leads the league in blocks per game with 3.2 and is tied for third place in “actions” with 4.4. She had five blocks against the Aces, three of which were on shot attempts by A’ja Wilson. She is also currently 12th in the league in defensive wins. Brink’s 145 fantasy points ranks second among rookies and 12th among forwards in ESPN’s standard scoring.
Caitlin Clark
Indiana has played more games in the league than anyone else, which gives Fever players an advantage in fantasy. Still, Clark is the only rookie ahead of Brink with 236 fantasy points, which ranks third in the league. Clark is still having turnover issues, but is averaging 15.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.6 triples per game. It hasn’t been a perfect start to her career, but she is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year and has been elite in fantasy.
Aaliyah Edwards
The Mystics selected Edwards with the No. 6 pick in the draft, and she managed to show some flashes in her first six games. The overall numbers haven’t been great, but she has a game with nine points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and two blocks, as well as a game with 10 points, three rebounds, an assist, three steals and two blocks. In the other four games, she had a total of 20 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks. There have been ups and downs so far, but the upside is certainly there.
Julie Vanloo
There is another rookie who is playing well in Washington, although she was not acquired in the draft. After a long career playing for several professional teams in other countries, Vanloo signed with the Mystics in February and made an immediate impact. She is averaging 9.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.2 triples per game, which equates to a total of 124 fantasy points in six games. The 31-year-old is tied for eighth in assists per game and has proven that she can be a viable option moving forward in the league. The best part? She is rostered in just 17.3% of leagues.
