Thursday presents a three-game WNBA schedule.
Below, I have featured three of my favorite DFS targets on DraftKings for this slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: WNBA $35K Shootaround [$10K to 1st]
G Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury, $10,200
Mitchell is one of the top spends on the slate with Caitlin Clark (back) sidelined. In the three games the superstar has missed this season, Mitchell is leading the Fever with 33.4 FPTS per game and a 29% usage rate, which is a notable upgrade from her 25% rate with Clark active.
Mitchell’s production increases to 1.1 FPTS per minute with Clark off the court, and the Mercury are a great matchup, ranking 11th in defensive rating. Even with Clark active, Mitchell went off for 45 FPTS when she last faced Phoenix on June 24 and she brings similar upside tonight.
G Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury, $5,700
Hull is also a compelling option from the Clark-less Fever. With Clark inactive this season, Hull is producing 24.6 FPTS in 22 minutes per game. Moreover, with Clark off the floor, Hull’s usage rises 2.1 percentage points to 15.6% and she supplies 0.9 FPTS per minute.
With a weak Mercury defense on the other side, Hull has a great chance to top 20 FPTS and she is one of the top values on the board.
G Carla Leite, Portland Fire vs. Las Vegas Aces, $8,800
After an underwhelming rookie season with the Valkyries, Leite was selected third-overall by the Fire in the expansion draft and the guard has been an excellent match with the new franchise, leading Portland with 27.1 FPTS in 25.5 minutes per game. Leite is handling a team-high 27.5% usage rate and she has been efficient with her shot, shooting 44% from the field and 41% on three-pointers.
Leite is generating a team-high 1.1 FPTS per minute and she posted 36.2 FPTS when she faced the Aces back on June 11. Las Vegas ranks 10th in defensive rating this season and the club may be even weaker on that end of the floor tonight if A’ja Wilson (leg) sits. With the four-time MVP off the floor this season, the Aces’ defensive rating drops to 112.2. Nonetheless, this is a strong matchup regardless of Wilson’s status and Leite should surpass 30 FPTS.
