Fantasy women’s hoops: Nyara Sabally among weekly pickups after breakout gameNyara Sabally (right) of the Toronto Tempo scored a career-high 29 points on Thursday. Melissa Tamez/Icon SportswireESPN FantasyJun 1, 2026, 02:30 AM 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 André 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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June 1: Four players to add to your rosters
André Snellings: The action keeps rolling along in the WNBA. The Minnesota Lynx have won four straight games to move into the top seed in the league, despite MVP runner-up Napheesa Collier still absent from the lineup. They have accomplished this through ultimate teamwork, as the Lynx have had a different leading scorer in all four recent wins. Collier still doesn’t have an updated return date, though the last report in April suggested she could return to on-court activities in early June, but the Lynx are producing and playing well even in her absence.
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If the season ended today, both the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire would join last season’s expansion Golden State Valkyries in the playoffs. The new franchises are well coached and are giving both veterans and young players the opportunity to produce in larger roles. This has been good for the fantasy values of those previously unheralded players.
The Dallas Wings are up to the third-best record in the league. While their backcourt is full of household names like Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale and Azzi Fudd, they have another breakout star in Jessica Shepard. Shepard has double-doubles in five straight games, including two triple-doubles, highlighted by her monster 22-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist effort against the Aces on Thursday.
Based on the action in the last week, let’s take a closer look at four players who fantasy managers might consider targeting if they are available in your leagues.
Four players to target in free agency
Nia Coffey, F, Minnesota Lynx (Rostered in 33.3% of ESPN leagues): Coffey has been a strong rebounder all season, with 6.3 RPG over her past seven outings. But she has picked it up as a scorer as well, with four double-digit scoring efforts in her last seven games including 14 points and 20 points in the last two outings.
Nyara Sabally, F, Toronto Tempo (43.8%): Sabally has carved out a role as a starter and rugged defender for the Tempo this season, but she has shown flashes of scoring ability as well. Last week she dropped a career-high of 29 points, shattering her previous high of 16. She has at least one blocked shot in every game this season and at least one steal in every game except one, and she also has five or more rebounds in four of her seven outings.
Erica Wheeler, G, Los Angeles Sparks (28.2%): Wheeler is the clear floor general for the Sparks, averaging 6.3 APG over her past six outings. She has also stepped up as a scorer, with three straight double-digit scoring efforts in which she has averaged 14.7 PPG, 6.7 APG and 4.0 RPG in 33 MPG.
Naz Hillmon, F, Atlanta Dream (27.7%): Hillmon had built upon her reputation as a strong role player by producing some big stat lines in her last couple of games, In those two, she has averaged 14.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 3.0 SPG in 34.0 MPG.
May 29: Weekend preview and streaming picks
Emily Engstler has 10 blocks and six steals in her past three games. A.J. Mast/NBAE via Getty ImagesEric Moody: It has been great to see scoring up around the league, as three teams — the Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces — average at least 90.0 PPG, but the games have also been very competitive. So far this season, 28 games have been decided by single digits, which is tied for the most before June in league history.
The Fever have been an offensive juggernaut and currently lead the league in PPG. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell both rank in the top five in scoring. A’ja Wilson and Chennedy Carter are the only other duo on the same team averaging 20-plus points. If either duo maintains that pace, they would become just the third pair of teammates in league history to each average at least 20 points per game in the same season, joining Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner in 2019 and Cappie Pondexter and Taurasi in 2008.
The expansion Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo are also off to fast starts at 5-3 and 4-4, respectively. Both teams have picked up where the Golden State Valkyries left off last season and have a chance to become the second and third expansion teams to make the WNBA playoffs.
The New York Liberty are surprisingly 4-4 after dealing with injuries and using multiple starting lineups through the first eight games. Meanwhile, Aces head coach Becky Hammon has 149 career wins in 203 games (including playoffs). With a win in any of Las Vegas’ next seven games, Hammon would become the second-fastest coach in league history to reach 150 career wins, behind only Van Chancellor, who led the Houston Comets to four straight titles from 1997 to 2000.
Fantasy stream team
Let’s look at some streaming options rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with four games scheduled Friday, three more on Saturday and one on Sunday.
NaLyssa Smith, F/C, Aces (rostered in 43.2% of ESPN leagues)
Smith’s defensive play, timely shot-making and overall skill set have been a great fit for the Aces. She’s played at least 20 minutes and scored at least 20 fantasy points in three consecutive games, including one with 39. Smith is a great option for Sunday if you’re looking to add someone who can help you close out this week’s matchup.
Kiki Rice, G, Tempo (41.9% rostered)
Rice has shined since moving into the Tempo’s starting lineup. Over the last five games, she’s averaged 29.4 fantasy points and 31.2 minutes per game for a Toronto team that ranks third in offensive rating. Rice consistently contributes across every statistical category except blocks.
Emily Engstler, F/C, Fire (39.7% rostered)
Engstler is turning into one of the league’s elite defenders, and it’s nice to see the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft finally get an opportunity to showcase her talents. Her fantasy value is tied to defensive stats such as blocks and steals, but she contributes across every category and is very productive when given minutes. Engstler has averaged 27.3 fantasy points per game in the three games this season in which she’s played at least 24 minutes. The Fire face the Atlanta Dream on Friday and the Fever on Saturday.
Nyara Sabally, F/C, Tempo (36.4% rostered)
Sabally delivered the best game of her career Wednesday night against the Chicago Sky, finishing with 48 fantasy points. After dealing with injuries throughout her career, Sabally has a fresh start with the Tempo under Sandy Brondello, who has trusted Sabally since their time together with the Liberty. She has scored at least 22 fantasy points in four of six games this season, which could be a sign of more to come.
May 28: The 3-point shooters you need in Fantasy Women’s Basketball
Jovana Nogic’s 3-pointers have been very important to the Mercury’s success, and she’s available in over 50% of ESPN fantasy leagues. AP Photo/Ross D. FranklinEric Moody: WNBA teams have averaged 85.9 points per game this season, which remains on pace to surpass the 2020 season average of 83.1 PPG for the highest mark in league history. Plus, a total of 33 players are currently averaging at least 4.0 3-point field goal attempts per game, which is on pace to be the most in a season in league history. We also have eight players shooting at least 40% on at least 4.0 3-point attempts per game, which is also on pace to be the most in a season in league history.The number of 3-pointers made and attempted per game has increased dramatically since 2017. Over the last 10 seasons, teams that make more 3-pointers than their opponent in a regular-season game have also seen an increase in win percentage. With that mentioned, let’s look at two players available in over 50% of ESPN leagues who can help fantasy managers capitalize on this trend.Jovana Nogic, G, Phoenix Mercury (rostered in 29.3% of ESPN leagues)
Nogic has quickly become an important part of the Mercury’s offense because of how well she spaces the floor. She averaged 21.4 fantasy points per game while shooting 52.3% from 3-point range on 5.5 attempts per game, which is a remarkable start and gives Phoenix another reliable perimeter threat.
That matters because the Mercury’s offense is built around creating quality looks, especially from beyond the arc. When Nogic is on the floor, defenses have to respect her shooting, which opens up more space for Alyssa Thomas to operate as a passer and playmaker. Her ability to work off the ball, relocate and punish defenses from the perimeter makes the Mercury harder to guard in the half court. There will be challenges as teams become more physical with her and pay closer attention to her off the ball, but so far, Nogic looks like a great fit. Her shooting gives the Mercury a needed boost and could become even more valuable once the team gets closer to full strength.
Sydney Taylor, G, Chicago Sky (0.5%)
Taylor has played at least 20 minutes in two consecutive games because of the injuries the Sky are dealing with, and she’s delivered. She’s scored at least 18 fantasy points in back-to-back games, including a career-best 36 fantasy points Wednesday night against the Toronto Tempo. Taylor, who signed a training camp contract with the organization on April 13 and later made the 12-player official roster, finished with 27 points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench.
Her offensive execution was impressive, and she showcased her ability to score at all three levels. Taylor’s 27 points also tied for the most by any player off the bench this season. She appears to be carving out a role in the Sky’s rotation as Chicago awaits the returns of DiJonai Carrington and Courtney Vandersloot. Taylor has averaged 5.4 3-point attempts per game this season, so the volume is there. She’s shooting just 22.2% from beyond the arc, but if her efficiency improves, Taylor’s fantasy ceiling could climb even higher.
May 26: Season debuts and weekly pickups
After a big 22-point game, Aces forward NaLyssa Smith is a great pickup for this upcoming week. Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty ImagesAndré Snellings: There’s been some exciting action in the WNBA, and we’re here for it. The New York Liberty have lost three straight games to fall out of the top of the early standings, but more importantly to their long-term outlook, both Sabrina Ionescu (foot) and Satou Sabally (cyst) made their season debuts. Both are taking it slow, moving in and out of the lineup as they adjust to game action and (in Sabally’s case) illness, but getting them in the fold will ultimately be major for the Liberty’s championship aspirations and (more importantly to us) their team’s fantasy production.
Other nuggets from around the league:
The Atlanta Dream are off to an impressive start to the season. They lost a one-point thriller to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces even with superstar Rhyne Howard (concussion) sidelined. They also won a close road game over the Minnesota Lynx and most recently defeated the other defending finalist Phoenix Mercury. Howard only missed the one game, and in her two games back has dropped 25 points and 8 assists followed by 21 points and 8 rebounds.
One of the most exciting games of the week saw the Los Angeles Sparks defeat the Aces 101-95. All five Sparks starters scored in double-figures, but former Ace Kelsey Plum led the way with 38 points and nine assists against her former team. The Aces were led by MVP A’ja Wilson’s 24 points and 15 rebounds, but also got a big game from NaLyssa Smith.
Finally, rookies are on the rise. While Olivia Miles of the Lynx is the early favorite for rookie of the year, Pauline Astier of the Liberty has put up big numbers with Ionescu and Sabally sidelined. No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd just set a career-high with 24 points and six 3-pointers, and Kiki Rice has stepped into the starting lineup. More on her below.
Let’s take a closer look at four players who fantasy managers might consider targeting if they are available in your leagues.
Four players to target in free agency
NaLyssa Smith, F, Las Vegas Aces (rostered in 28.9% of ESPN leagues): Smith is making the most of her role as the big next to MVP Wilson who gets to finish against softer defenses. She’s shooting a whopping 69.2% from the field and has scored in double digits in four of her six games, including a 22-point, 9-rebound effort in her last game.
Kiki Rice, G, Toronto Tempo (rostered in 33.4% of ESPN leagues): Rice is the first draft pick of the expansion Tempo, and she came off the bench for her first three WNBA games, But she has started the four games since and is putting together an impact early resume, averaging 16.0 PPG, 5.8 RPG and 3.0 APG in those four starts.
Natisha Hiedeman, G, Seattle Storm (rostered in 22.3% of ESPN leagues): Hiedeman is taking on a lead role for the Storm, both as a scorer and as a facilitator. In her last three games, she has averaged 18.5 PPG and 4.5 APG in 29.0 MPG.
Emily Engstler, F, Portland Fire (rostered in 28.9% of ESPN leagues): Engstler is making a name for herself as a defender, racking up the defensive stats. She has at least three blocked shots in four of her seven games so far, and has multiple steals in four of seven as well. She has put it all together in her last two games, with a total of 14 stocks against the Liberty and Tempo.
