Thursday’s WNBA DFS slate is marked by some notable returns to the court and some equally notable absences. Stefanie Dolson and Kelsey Plum return after winning the Olympic qualifying three-on-three tournament, while Allie Quigley returns after missing six games with a hamstring injury. While the Sky get two of their most important players back, they are still missing Candace Parker, who will miss her seventh consecutive game with an ankle injury. Two of her former teammates are out as well, with Nneka Ogwumike set to miss 4-6 weeks with a left knee sprain. Chiney Ogwumike will miss her second straight game with a knee injury that has her week-to-week. That leaves the Sparks awfully thin up front, though it remains to be seen if Indiana is capable of taking advantage.

 

Guards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Sabrina IonescuNYLV1070037.93820034.31
Ionescu is coming off her worst game of the season, shooting 2-11 from the field in 39 minutes. She is much easier to stop with Natasha Howard out, but the Aces don't really have a lockdown perimeter defender. Ionescu has topped 50 fantasy points in three of her seven games and if she does it again, she will be in a lot of winning DFS lineups.
Sami WhitcombNYLV830025.36490025.16
Whitcomb started relatively slowly but she has played at least 32 minutes in the last three games Natasha Howard has missed, averaging 31.5 fantasy points in those games. If she produces like that again, she will be a nice value.
Kelsey PlumLVNY610020.12460020.05
No guard will ever be the focal point of this offense, which limits Plum's ceiling. That being said, she played 26 minutes in both games before she left for the three-on-three tournament, and I don't see any reason why she would play fewer minutes upon her return. Plum is the cheapest guard I feel comfortable using in cash games.
Te'a CooperLAIND520011.75300011.42
Cooper started Tuesday and scored 23.75 fantasy points on 4-12 shooting. That being said, she is a great value if she starts again, especially if she starts knocking down shots. With Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike out, Cooper should be relatively safe even off the bench.
Erica WheelerLAIND730017.95640018.08
Wheeler has 31 field goal attempts in her last two games despite shooting 25.8 percent in those games. If she ever makes some of those shots, she would be a fantastic value. On top of that, she has revenge game potential in her first game against her old team.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Skylar Diggins-SmithPHOCHI1000033.25750031.86
She has at least 39 fantasy points in three straight games with Diana Taurasi out. Sabrina Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot may have higher ceillings, but Diggins-Smith is super safe and playing at an extremely high level.
Betnijah LaneyNYLV970035.36730032.73
Laney has at least 20 points on at least 12 field goal attempts in every game this season, and the streak should continue with Natasha Howard out. If New York is going to keep this game close, Laney needs to have a big game.
Brittney SykesLAIND660017.8490018.94
Sykes will probably get more minutes and shots with Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike out. She is shooting just 27 percent from the field but is bound to knock down a few shots sooner than later. I like her better for tournaments but she is useable in cash games.
        
Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Stefanie DolsonCHIPHO47007.534005.80
Dolson was not good last season or in the first game of this one, going 1-8 from the field in 21 minutes. That being said, she should have shaken off any rust playing in 3 on 3 qualifying, and Chicago needs her defense against Brittney Griner. It also helps that Candace Parker has been ruled out.
Teaira McCowanINDLA870028.69650028.67
It looks like the Fever have finally committed to playing McCowan heavy minutes, with at least 26 minutes in three consecutive games. McCowan averaged 34 fantasy points in those games, and this should be an easier matchup. No team has allowed more rebounds than the Sparks this season, and only three teams have allowed more blocks.
A'ja WilsonLVNY990033.75800034.05
Wilson was stifled by Jonquel Jones for most of the game Tuesday, and she should have a much easier time against New York's frontcourt. Her fantasy production has predictably dropped with Liz Cambage back, but she is still averaging 1.05 fantasy points per minute. Wilson is easily the safest forward on the slate, though she may not have the highest ceiling.
Amanda Zahui BLAIND780023.42580023.53
I was disappointed she didn't play more Tuesday with Chiney Ogwumike out, but Amanada Zahui B still scored 20.25 fantasy points in 21 minutes. She is averaging around a fantasy point per minute for the third consecutive season, and with both Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike out, Zahui B is a must-play, especially on DraftKings.
Michaela OnyenwereNYLV750019.25430018.37
I don't want to overreact to one big game with Natasha Howard out. Onyenwere scored 29.25 fantasy points in the season-opener and then failed to reach 20 fantasy points in her next five games. That being said, Onyenwere scored 42.75 fantasy points her last time out and she is awfully cheap for someone with that kind of upside. She may not take 22 shots again if Betnijah Laney and/or Sabrina Ionescu are better in this game, but she should be the go-to forward on a team that desperately needs one.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Nia CoffeyLAIND800024.8520026.08
With Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike out, Nia Coffey and Amanda Zahui B are the Sparks only forwards. Coffey has played at least 28 minutes and scored at least 31 fantasy points in her last two games, and if nothing else, the playing time should be there.

 

Core Plays:

 

Draftkings Core Plays
Top Tier
Sabrina Ionescu$10,700
A'ja Wilson$9,900
Mid Tier
Kelsey Plum$6,100
Amanda Zahui B$7,800
Value Tier
Te'a Cooper$5,200
Stefanie Dolson$4,700
   
Fanduel Core Plays
Top Tier
Skylar Diggins-Smith$7,500
Teaira McCowan$6,500
Mid Tier
Sami Whitcomb$4,900
Michaela Onyenwere$4,300
Value Tier
Te'a Cooper$3,000
Stefanie Dolson$3,400