The daily news and notes around the WNBA have actionable value when applied to fantasy women's basketball. From lineup changes to hot streaks to injury news, check this page regularly for updates from ESPN's fantasy analysts Eric Moody and André Snellings. It's never too late to sign up for your own ESPN league.
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Aug. 24: Four picks to make for the fantasy finals
André Snellings: This is a unique week in the WNBA schedule. Not only is it a crucial period because of the fantasy playoffs, but this is also the last week before the WNBA goes on a 17-day hiatus for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. The World Cup goes from August 31 through September 16, then the WNBA season and fantasy playoffs will resume on September 17.
The layoff could allow some currently injured players to get healthy, which could change the roles of streamable players after the hiatus. So, with the need to maximize your fantasy contributions every day during the playoffs, this is a good week to potentially pick up and start some of the players that are getting more opportunities due to teammates being unavailable. And that's where we come in.
As always, we help you keep your team operating at its best by pointing out some players that may be available on your free agency wire that are performing well enough to be worthy of rostering or streaming.
Isabelle Harrison, F, Toronto Tempo (Rostered in 45.9% of ESPN Leagues): Harrison has been starting and playing an expanded role for the Tempo with Nyara Sabally sidelined. In these five most recent starts, Harrison is averaging a near double-double of 10.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG along with 1.6 BPG and 1.2 SPG. She posted a monster 25-point/10-rebound double-double against the Portland Fire on Friday.
Makayla Timpson, F, Indiana Fever (15.8%): Timpson moved into the starting lineup for the Fever earlier this month, and her slashing and defensive style of play has fit perfectly next to the brilliant offense-creating backcourt of Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell. Over her past five games, Timpson is averaging a near double-double of 12.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG.
Awak Kuier, C, Dallas Wings (35.4%): Kuier, the second overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, has started four of the last five games for the Wings and is showing her defensive dominance. She has at least one blocked shot in all five of those games and has notched the combined total of 19 "stocks" (steals and blocks) during that span in addition to her averages of 9.0 PPG and 6.4 RPG.
Saniya Rivers, G, Connecticut Sun (18.1%): Rivers is putting together a strong finish to her sophomore campaign, particularly on the defensive end. She has tied her career-best of four steals in two of her last three games. In that span, she has averaged 11.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.3 APG and 3.3 SPG in 25.3 MPG off the bench.