Fantasy lessons from a high-scoring Week 1: Add Johannes, stream Carter and stash BrinkChennedy Carter of the Las Vegas Aces is one of the most-added players this week. M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon SportswireESPN FantasyMay 15, 2026, 12:33 PM ETClose
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 Andre Snellings. It’s never too late to sign up for your own ESPN league. Create or join a league, and play for free today!
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May 15: Surprises and pickups from a high-scoring week
Eric Moody: Teams have wasted no time putting the ball in the bucket to start the 2026 season, averaging 86.0 PPG, the highest league scoring average in WNBA history. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some surprises and overreactions from the first full week of action.
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The New York Liberty are surviving without Sabrina Ionescu, as they have opened up with a 3-1 record. Last season, the Liberty went just 2-4 without Ionescu and averaged just 72.5 PPG in those contests. Through four games they’re averaging an eye-popping 100.0 PPG in her absence. Marine Johannes has been one of the key reasons, averaging 32.3 fantasy points per game and has been a nice value for fantasy managers who drafted her late.
The Golden State Valkyries are 2-1 in their second season and already look more competitive than expected. Veronica Burton, last season’s Most Improved Player, has carried that momentum forward, while Gabby Williams has been a key offseason addition. Both are tied for the team lead with 30.7 FPPG. Janelle Salaun has also been an early bright spot, scoring at least 30 fantasy points while playing at least 26 minutes in two of the Valkyries first three games.
The Dallas Wings have one of the more interesting guard groups with Arike Ogunbowale, Paige Bueckers and Odyssey Sims. Sims is rostered in just 19% of leagues and is a nice option for fantasy managers in need of guard help. But it’s Jessica Shepard who has also caught fantasy managers attention averaging 25.7 FPPG and 31.3 MPG this season, giving the Wings another useful frontcourt player to balance the attention on the backcourt.
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Cameron Brink has appeared in only 34 games over the past two years because of an ACL injury. She entered the 2026 season with career averages of 6.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 1.8 BPG, which made it puzzling to see her play just eight minutes and finish with three fantasy points against the Aces on May 10. Head coach Lynne Roberts made it clear the Sparks still believe in Brink, but they need her to produce, play with confidence and bring consistent defensive energy. Brink responded against the Fever on Wednesday with 25 fantasy points in 19 minutes while dominating in the paint. She remains a must-hold and fantasy managers should stay patient.
Several young players are making strong impressions early in the season:
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Aneesah Morrow is one of the few bright spots for the Connecticut Sun, averaging 31.0 FPPG so far this season.
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Flau’jae Johnson has averaged 24.0 FPPG and Jade Melbourne of the Seattle Storm could have fantasy value with the Storm if her minutes hold. Melbourne has scored at least 22 fantasy points in three consecutive games and is rostered in 14.1% of leagues and is a viable streamer.
Fantasy stream team
Let’s look at some streaming options rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with four games scheduled Friday and four more on Sunday.
Chennedy Carter, G, Las Vegas Aces (rostered in 42.0% of ESPN leagues)
Chennedy Carter missed the 2025 season, but has returned with the Aces showcasing her usual burst and ability to create her own shot from all three levels. Carter has thrived off the bench for an Aces team that’s averaged 89.7 PPG this season, the third most in the league. She contributes across multiple categories and has averaged 19.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 2.0 APG and 2.0 SPG in just 21.3 MPG.
Naz Hillmon, F/C, Atlanta Dream (41.4%)
Hillmon is coming off a five point fantasy performance against the Wings on Tuesday, but she finished with 28 fantasy points against the Lynx on May 9. The only Dream player averaging more MPG than Hillmon is Rhyne Howard, so the role in the rotation remains encouraging. The minutes should continue to be there for Hillmon while Brionna Jones remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Natasha Mack, F/C, Phoenix Mercury (28.9%)
Mack has the third-highest MPG on the Mercury and is averaging 24.7 FPPG. She has mostly contributed points and rebounds while shooting 80.0% from the field, but she also showed defensive upside with three blocks in her most recent game. Playing alongside Kahleah Copper and Alyssa Thomas, Mack has carved out a useful role in the Mercury’s rotation.
Jacy Sheldon, G, Chicago Sky (18.1%)
Sheldon has scored at least 30 fantasy points and played at least 30 minutes in each of her first two games this season as a member of the Sky’s starting lineup. If the minutes hold, Sheldon could be in position for a breakout season.
Nyara Sabally, F/C, Toronto Tempo (15.7%)
Sabally has averaged 23.0 FPPG, trailing only Brittney Sykes (30.5) and Marina Mabrey (44.0) on the Tempo. She has played at least 26 minutes in each of Toronto’s first two games and appears locked into a starting role, giving her a real chance to post career numbers across the board.
Nia Coffey, F/C, Minnesota Lynx (10.6%)
Coffey is averaging 27.3 MPG and has scored at least 28 fantasy points in two of her first three games. Her 10.6% usage rate could limit her ceiling, but Coffey contributes across multiple categories and is playing enough minutes to remain on the streaming radar for managers in deeper league.
More:
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WNBA Power Rankings
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Will the Aces run it back?
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Schedule
May 14: What have we learned from the two new teams?
Carla Leite of the Portland Fire is available in 83.3% of ESPN leagues. Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesAndre Snellings: We learned last season with the Golden State Valkyries that there can be significant fantasy and betting value to be found in expansion franchises. This season, we have two new franchises in the WNBA with the Toronto Tempo as an expansion squad and the Portland Fire taking up the mantle of the original Fire from the early 2000s. Both squads are two games into the season, so let’s take a look at the minutes and production distribution thus far with an eye on their fantasy prospects this season.
Toronto Tempo
For the Tempo, the two biggest-named players they brought in to start the franchise were Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes. Those are the two names we brought up and focused on during the fantasy predraft process. Through two games, it appears that both are poised to be impact producers this season.
Mabrey is currently the leading scorer in the WNBA, tied with Kelsey Mitchell with 26.5 PPG. Her output has been consistent in both games, dropping 27 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal in the opener then following that up with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in her second game. Mabrey has always been a strong scorer, averaging in the mid-teens for past seven seasons, but her career-best is 15.0 PPG as a secondary option for the Chicago Sky in 2023. She is the featured scorer for the Tempo, and while it’s not yet clear if she can maintain such a heavy volume in the long haul she certainly appears poised to set a new career scoring mark this season and has achievable 20-plus PPG upside.
Sykes is also off to a strong start, scoring 14 points with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in the opener then raising the bar with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in the second game. Sykes’ numbers through two games (16.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.0 APG) are very similar to what she averaged in her best fantasy season, 2023 (15.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.8 APG). This suggests that Sykes has the game to continue at her current pace, particularly in a featured role with the Tempo.
A few other Tempo players to keep an early eye on:
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Maria Conde had a slow opener but dropped 16 points and 8 rebounds in game two. She is back on the court after tearing her left Achilles tendon last year, so it is worthwhile to note whether she can regularly play the 29 minutes she played on Wednesday.
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Nyara Sabally has been a very consistent defensive presence in the first two games, notching 6 rebounds, 3 steals and a block in the opener and following that up with 5 boards, 2 steals and 2 blocks in the second game.
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Kiki Rice was the Tempo’s top pick in this year’s WNBA draft, No. 6 overall. She went scoreless in 18 minutes of her WNBA debut, but followed that up with a strong 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench in the second game.
Portland Fire
The Fire are also led by two players that we expected to be their main contributors, and both are overproducing preliminary expectations.
Bridget Carleton had a solid debut with 13 points, but exploded in game two with 26 points, 5 3-pointers and 4 steals to lead the Fire to an upset victory over the New York Liberty. Carleton has been a long-distance shooting role player the last couple seasons with the Lynx, averaging career-best marks of 9.6 PPG and 2.3 3PG in 2024. It seems clear Carleton is set to be a primary scorer for the Fire this season and is likely to significantly better her best offensive production.
Carla Leite was a late first round pick for the Dallas Wings in 2024 but didn’t play until 2025, with the Valkyres. Leite is off to a great start with the Fire. She scored 18 points with 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the opener, then topped that with 21 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal in the second game. Her consistent production in the two games suggests she has high achievable production potential as the lead guard for the Fire.
Also keep an eye on:
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Kamiah Smalls sat out the opener, but dropped 13 points in 14 minutes off the bench in the second game.
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Luisa Geiselsoder is leading the team in boards through two games, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking two shots in the opener then following that up with 5 rebounds, 13 points and a block in the second game.
May 11: Four players to add after a busy opening weekend
Odyssey Sims of the Dallas Wings is available in 84.6% of ESPN leagues. Jeff Dean/NBAE via Getty ImagesAndre Snellings: The defending champion Las Vegas Aces got their championship rings in a pre-game ceremony on Saturday, then immediately got thrashed by last season’s runner-up Phoenix Mercury. It was clear that the Aces weren’t playing with the same edge as the Mercury, and it showed in the results. The Aces were able to bounce back and get more locked in before Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks, and this time they were the blowout victors. Meanwhile, the Mercury also had a back-to-back and lost by double digits to the Golden State Valkyries.
We could try to unpack a lot from those games, but this early my thoughts are that:
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The Aces from Sunday are closer to who they’re likely to be moving forward than the ones that got blown out on Saturday.
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The Mercury, even without Satou Sabally this season, look poised for another strong campaign behind Alyssa Thomas’ all-around game and several scorers they’ve surrounded her with.
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The new-look Sparks will likely look better once they’ve gotten their playing legs back under them. Kelsey Plum had a huge scoring effort in their debut against her old team, and the Valkyries look good. They won both of their games this weekend and seem poised to build on their surprising playoffs run in their inaugural season.
Other nuggets from around the league:
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Caitlin Clark made her return for the Fever with a strong game. Of interest, even with Clark dropping 20 points, both Kelsey Mitchell (30 points) and Aliyah Boston (23 points) were still able to get their numbers as well. The Fever lost to a Wings squad that looked very impressive, with three scorers dropping 30 or more points led by Arike Ogunbowale’s 22 and Paige Bueckers’s 20. Rookie Azzi Fudd scored three points in 18 minutes off the bench in her WNBA debut.
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Angel Reese made her debut with the Atlanta Dream in a one-point comeback win over the Minnesota Lynx. Reese tipped that her defense will be big on her new squad, with 14 rebounds, two steals and three blocked shots, including the one to seal the game late. Allisha Gray led the way on offense with 24 points, and Rhyne Howard was all-around with 15 points, six boards, five assists and four stocks (steals plus blocks). The Lynx, meanwhile, looked strong even with their MVP-candidate Napheesa Collier sidelined. Rookie Olivia Miles looks like the early Rookie of the Year frontrunner off a 21-point/8-assist debut.
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The rebuilt Chicago Sky impressed me this weekend. Kamilla Cardoso (22 points, 14 rebounds) and Skylar Diggins (21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) both had big double-doubles to lead the way, Rickea Jackson went for 19 points and seven boards while Jacy Sheldon and Gabriela Jaquez each dropped double figures as well in an all-around performance against the Portland Fire. The Fire were led by 18 points from Carla Leite.
Four players to target in free agency
Jovana Nogic, G, Phoenix Mercury (Rostered in 22.2% of ESPN leagues): Nogic is a 28-year-old rookie from Serbia who has started her WNBA career by knocking down four of five 3-pointers in each of her first two games. She has been rostered already in my most three active leagues, and seems worth a pickup in any league where she may still be available.
Naz Hillmon, F, Atlanta Dream (49.4%): In all the hype surrounding Reese’s Dream debut, it may have been easy to overlook Hillmon’s strong season debut of 15 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes. Hillmon is coming off a strong effort last season where she won the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year award, and will look to build from that this time around.
Odyssey Sims, G, Dallas Wings (15.4%): Another veteran whose performance may have been overshadowed by all the big names in her game was Sims. Despite her more heralded teammates, Bueckers and Ogunbowale, both scoring 20-plus points there was still space for Sims to start and drop 20 points of her own. If she maintains a large role in what should be a strong offense, Sims could be in for a strong season.
Bridget Carleton, F, Portland Fire (38.2%): Carleton scored 13 points with four assists and two stocks in the Fires season debut. She and Carla Leite (11.3% rostered) were the two most noteworthy performers in the Fire’s debut. As we saw with the Valkyries last season, a new (or in the Fire’s case newly renewed) franchise gives the opportunity for previously unheralded players to produce big fantasy value.
May 8: What we learned from the preseason
Tiffany Hayes of the Golden State Valkyries is available in two thirds of ESPN leagues. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesEric Moody: The wait is finally over. After an offseason filled with expansion headlines, blockbuster roster movement and one of the most intriguing rookie classes the league has seen in years, the 2026 WNBA regular season officially tips off Friday night. The league enters its 30th season with more momentum than ever before, and the preseason only reinforced the idea that the talent level across the league has never been deeper. The growth of the WNBA is visible everywhere, including roster expansion, as the league has increased from 144 roster spots to 180 with the additions of the Toronto Tempo, Portland Fire and last year’s Golden State Valkyries.
What you need to know for Friday
Opening night immediately gives us a look at several of the season’s biggest storylines. The New York Liberty, which enter the season with the best championship odds in the league, open their title pursuit against the rebuilding Connecticut Sun, while the Tempo officially make their franchise debut against a young but intriguing Washington Mystics squad. Both games offer a glimpse into where the league is headed, with established “super teams” trying to maintain dominance, expansion franchises attempting to accelerate contention and rebuilding organizations betting heavily on young stars to shape the future.
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The Liberty enter the season looking every bit like the team to beat. Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones all returned, but New York’s biggest offseason addition was Satou Sabally, who transforms an already loaded roster into arguably the deepest team in basketball. Betnijah Laney-Hamilton also returns after missing all of last season, giving the Liberty another versatile two-way piece on the perimeter. On paper, this roster has very few weaknesses.
The Sun, meanwhile, remain firmly in rebuilding mode after another difficult offseason, but there are still intriguing pieces worth monitoring long term. Brittney Griner brings veteran stability, while Leila Lacan continues to emerge as one of the more exciting young guards in the league. The problem for Connecticut is that New York’s combination of depth, spacing and star power can overwhelm opponents quickly, especially early in the season before rebuilding teams fully establish an identity.
The more fascinating game from a long-term perspective may be the Tempo versus the Mystics. Expansion teams rarely enter the league trying to compete immediately, but Toronto clearly accelerated their timeline by hiring Sandy Brondello and aggressively building around experienced guards like Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes. The Tempo’s backcourt talent jumps off the page, especially with rookie Kiki Rice entering the fold, but questions remain about the frontcourt depth and whether the roster has enough size to consistently compete physically.
The Mystics present an interesting contrast because Washington leaned heavily into size, physicality and defensive upside during the draft. Lauren Betts looks capable of contributing immediately after averaging 15.0 PPG during preseason action, while Cotie McMahon and Angela Dugalic add even more versatility to a young frontcourt that already features Shakira Austin and Kiki Iriafen. The Mystics may not be fully balanced yet, but they have a very clear organizational identity built around length, rebounding and interior defense. Against the Tempo, that size advantage around the rim could become a major factor immediately.
Biggest preseason takeaways
Beyond opening night, the biggest takeaway from the preseason is just how much young talent is entering the league ready to contribute right away. The Dallas Wings may have generated the most buzz. Paige Bueckers looked completely comfortable operating Jose Fernandez’s motion-heavy offensive system, including a 20-point performance on 8-of-12 shooting against the Indiana Fever during preseason play. Rookie Azzi Fudd’s perimeter shooting should create even more spacing for an offense that already looks difficult to guard, especially considering she shot 44.7% from 3-point range during her final collegiate season at UConn. The Wings played with pace and ball movement throughout the preseason, and it’s clear Fernandez wants to keep constant pressure on opposing defenses.
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The Rookie of the Year race also looks far more open than recent seasons. Flau’jae Johnson was arguably the most impressive rookie throughout preseason play, with 16.0 PPG for the Storm, while immediately stepping into a featured scoring role. Olivia Miles showcased her versatility during preseason play with the Minnesota Lynx, as she averaged 10.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 3.0 APG. Betts impressed early and already looks capable of anchoring the Mystic’s defense. Raven Johnson also quietly stood out for the Fever during preseason play, showing defensive activity, playmaking ability and versatility that could quickly earn her a larger role in Indiana’s rotation.
Of course, no storyline matters more to the league than a healthy Caitlin Clark. After injuries disrupted much of her 2025 season, Clark delivered her best preseason performance against the Wings on April 30, finishing with 21 points, four assists and two rebounds in just 16 minutes. The game also included a brief injury scare after Clark was seen limping following a flagrant foul, and concerns resurfaced when she later appeared at practice wearing a leg sleeve. Clark downplayed the situation, and if she stays healthy, the Fever has the talent to evolve from an exciting playoff team into a legitimate championship contender. Head coach Stephanie White has also experimented with using Clark more off the ball, creating even more movement and unpredictability within the Fever’s offense.
Elsewhere, the Storm may quietly possess one of the most exciting long-term futures in basketball. Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam and Johnson give the Storm an incredibly high-upside young core, and preseason flashes suggested all three players may contribute sooner rather than later. Seattle may not prioritize wins immediately, but the foundation of something special is clearly forming.
Fantasy stream team
Finally, let’s look at a few potential streaming options rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues.
Bridget Carleton (rostered in 35.0% of ESPN leagues) is someone managers can add as a streamer when the Fire face the Chicago Sky on Saturday, but she’s also a player you should consider holding for the entire season. After being selected No. 1 in the expansion draft by Portland, Carleton is expected to take on a significantly larger offensive role with the Fire.
Tiffany Hayes (32.7%) is another viable streamer Friday night against the Storm. The veteran guard averaged 21.4 fantasy points per game in 26 appearances with the Valkyries last season before injuries sidelined her late in the year. Now back on a one-year deal with Golden State, Hayes is expected to have a role in the backcourt alongside Veronica Burton. Her ability to contribute points, rebounds and assists makes her a reliable streaming option.
Jessica Shepard (30.6%) is an excellent fit for the Wings because of her versatility, basketball IQ and passing ability in the frontcourt. Dallas has plenty of scoring in the backcourt with Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and Fudd. That should allow Shepard to thrive as a facilitator, rebounder and connective piece within the offense. Her ability to contribute across multiple categories gives her strong streaming appeal against the Fever on Saturday.
