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Happy Sunday! We've got a two-game WNBA slate today, and uhh IT MIGHT FEATURE THE RETURN OF ELENA DELLE DONNE, who last played in 2019 and has had two back surgeries since. I probably can't recommend that you put EDD in your lineups after so long out, but she does likely make the other Mystics players slightly worse plays because she'll take some usage away from Tina Charles and others.
There's also a hurricane heading for New York. The Sparks/Liberty game is set to be played without fans, but don't be surprised if it actually winds up postponed if things get bad.
In this article, I'll be providing you with some daily fantasy WNBA lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 8/22/21. These lineups picks will range from elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Want to talk more about the WNBA? I'm always available on Twitter and always down to discuss women's basketball: @juscarts.
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WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Guard
Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm) - @ Mystics - DK: $10,600, FD: $7,200
Last game, Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart returned after missing the first two games after the Olympic break. You might think that that meant Loyd would take a step back, but instead she had 45-plus fantasy points for the third game in a row.
In fact, Loyd scored 29 points in that game, going 8-for-13 with seven made threes. She also had five rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal. Loyd can fill up a box score and I'm betting she does that again on Sunday.
Ariel Atkins (Washington Mystics) - vs Storm - DK: $9,200, FD: $6,700
The Delle Donne return makes me worry for the other forwards on that team, but I don't really see it being that bad for Ariel Atkins. She'll still get her possessions, and Delle Donne could draw some defensive pressure away from her in a way that having someone like Theresa Plaisance on the floor doesn't do.
Atkins hasn't been super efficient since the Olympic break, but she's taken at least 16 shots in all three games. She probably won't shoot 2-for-16 again, but she surpassed 20 fantasy points even with a 12.5 percent night from the floor. Get her back into the 40s in terms of field goal percentage and she'll deliver 30-plus fantasy points again.
DiDi Richards (New York Liberty) - vs Sparks - DK: $4,500, FD: $3,800
Alright, time for today's Risky Value Play Who Helps You Save Salary.
Richards has seen an increase in minutes lately thanks to her defense and her ability to bring the ball up the floor. Against a good Seattle team, she had two consecutive games with double figures in fantasy points. She made two three-pointers in one game on the 18th, then had multiple steals last game.
I don't know if the scoring increases on Sunday, but if she continues to play 20-plus minutes, she'll likely see increases in rebounds and assists, upping her DFS ceiling.
WNBA DFS Lineup Picks: Forward
Nneka Ogwumike (Los Angeles Sparks) - @ Liberty - DK: $9,600, FD: $7,300
Nneka Ogwumike is back! After not playing since the beginning of June, Ogwumike has played in all three games since the Olympic break.
And she's playing well, with 35-plus fantasy points in each of the last two games. She's played 36-plus minutes in those games as well.
This matchup would have been better if New York hadn't gotten Natasha Howard back, but still, New York has really struggled against opposing bigs this season. That's why I'll be playing a good amount of Ogwumike.
Natasha Howard (New York Liberty) - vs Sparks - DK: $8,700, FD: $6,000
Howard has played three games since returning from injury. She has 37 DraftKings points in two of those games. She finally got her rebound numbers up last game against Seattle, grabbing 13 after combining for just five in the previous two games. She also took 19 shots last game, though she shot just 21.1 percent.
I'd expect Howard to be a lot more efficient against Los Angeles, especially considering that she's usually a really efficient scorer.
At this point, Howard's going to be one of my favorite plays from now until the end of the year. The Liberty don't have great frontcourt depth, so Howard will keep playing a lot. In fact, she'll likely see even more minutes than she has been as she gets more and more healthy.
Rebecca Allen (New York Liberty) - vs Sparks - DK: $7,300, FD: $5,500
Remember when I said the Liberty were short on frontcourt options?
Well, that's why we're doubling up with Rebecca Allen. After barely playing against Minnesota, Allen has played minutes in the mid 20s the last two games and ha seen a lot of usage as a three-point shooter, making eight threes over that span.
With Howard actually demanding defensive attention at the five -- something this team hasn't had -- Allen is getting open looks from deep, which is giving her a nice floor with a 35-plus point fantasy ceiling.
