Daniel Dobish, a WNBA DFS expert, lays out his top picks for Wednesday’s four-game slate, with a notable focus on Sonia Citron in the Washington Mystics versus Golden State Valkyries matchup.
Wednesday’s WNBA schedule
– Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun
– Golden State Valkyries at Washington Mystics
– New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces
– Atlanta Dream at Seattle Storm
Game by game overview and key context
Chicago Sky at Connecticut Sun
– Line: Sun -3; O/U 156.5
– Notes: Chicago is 8-23, and Connecticut sits at 5-26, so both teams are struggling. Ariel Atkins (leg) is listed as probable for Chicago, returning from a three-week absence. She’s produced about 10.3 points, 3.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.7 three-pointers per game in her three appearances back. Chicago will also be without Angel Reese (back), which could open minutes for others like Kamilla Cardoso and Rachel Banham. Connecticut rested Tina Charles recently but she isn’t on the injury report for this game, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa moved back to the bench after starting in Charles’ place last time.
– DFS take: Sky pieces could pop if Atkins sees a touch of restricted minutes and Cardoso/Banham step up, but the Sky’s overall scoring has been light this season.
Golden State Valkyries at Washington Mystics
– Line: Mystics -2; O/U 148
– Injury/roster notes: Golden State lists several players on return timelines, with Kate Martin categorized as questionable (back), Monique Billings out (ankle), Maria Conde out (Achilles), Juste Jocyte listed as OFS, Kayla Thornton out (knee). For Washington, Shakira Austin is questionable (leg), and Georgia Amoore is out (knee). Washington has recently shuffled its roster, including moves that sent Brittney Sykes to Seattle and Aaliyah Edwards to Connecticut.
– Context: Golden State has won both prior meetings with Washington this season, but those games were tight and low-scoring. The Valkyries rank well defensively but have struggled to score, averaging around 77.7 PPG while allowing just 77.8 PPG. Washington has been active on the trade front and has seen rookie Sonia Citron begin to produce consistently.
– Citron note: Citron has been on a scoring surge, with eight straight games of at least 11 points and averages around 18.3 PPG, 3.8 APG, 2.8 RPG, 2.0 SPG and nearly 2.0 made threes in August. She’s identified as a strong target in this matchup, especially given Golden State’s defensive style.
– DFS take: Citron is a key value option here. If Washington’s backcourt and wings can complement Citron’s scoring, this game could offer solid upside.
New York Liberty at Las Vegas Aces
– Line: Aces -2; O/U 170
– Injury/roster notes: Cheyenne Parker-Tyus is out for New York and won’t return until September. New York is coming off a win and has been solid over the last week, though they’ll be on no rest in this spot after a late Tuesday game.
– Context: Las Vegas has rattled off four straight wins, scoring at least 90 in three of those contests, while allowing 86 in each of the last two. The Liberty have shown resilience on offense, and New York has leaned on multiple players to carry scoring on back-to-back nights.
– DFS take: Expect a high-scoring affair with several players from both sides contributing. Leverage New York players who can push up points in short turns and consider Las Vegas’ balanced scoring as a counter.
Atlanta Dream at Seattle Storm
– Line: Dream -1; O/U 160
– Injury/roster notes: Rhyne Howard (knee) is listed as probable for Atlanta after a return from an extended layoff. Jordin Canada (leg) is out for Seattle, along with Katie Lou Samuelson (knee) and Nika Mühl (knee). Holly Winterburn is listed as out for Atlanta for undisclosed reasons, while Seattle has some players sidelined.
– Context: This series has tilted toward high intensity and close margins in recent meetings. Atlanta has won five straight ahead of this game, while Seattle is fighting to stabilize at home.
– DFS take: This one can be a high-variance game with strong opportunities for secondary scorers stepping up in both lineups.
Top DFS targets and value plays
Primary targets
– Sonia Citron (Washington): A cornerstone option in this slate, especially against a Valkyries defense that’s been stingy but allows opportunities for a dynamic scorer to fill up the box score. Citron’s recent stretch makes her a dependable captain or high-priced anchor option in Showdown and daily formats.
– Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago) and Rachel Banham (Chicago): With Angel Reese out, both players have a chance to contribute more, particularly if Atkins’ minutes are limited or managed.
– Te-Hina Paopao and Maya Caldwell (Atlanta): With Jordin Canada out in Seattle, Paopao and Caldwell could see extended run and produce solid value.
Value plays and sleepers
– Ariel Atkins (Chicago): If she remains healthy and active, Atkins can provide a steady scoring baseline and ancillary stats for a mid-range cost.
– Hailey Van Lith (Chicago): Probable to contribute off the bench; worth monitoring as a cheaper DFS option in tournaments.
– Shifts in Washington’s roster offer Citron as a focal point, with Paopao and Caldwell presenting lower-cost upside in related matchups.
Strategy notes
– Back-to-back considerations: New York’s and Las Vegas’ recent form combined with no-rest games could influence ownership leverage. Target high-usage players in fast-paced matchups while avoiding overreliance on players with limited roles.
– Defense and pace: Golden State’s defensive strength could suppress some scoring, so Citron’s upside remains more favorable in Washington’s setting. In the Liberty-Aces game, the pace is typically brisk, supporting multiple players’ fantasy output.
Summary and outlook
Wednesday’s four games offer a mix of tight, defense-forward matchups and higher-scoring affairs. Sonia Citron stands out as the most notable value and upside pick, especially in the Mystics-Valkyries tilt. For captains and core lineups, Citron provides a dependable floor with ample ceiling, while players like Cardoso, Banham, Caldwell, Paopao, and Van Lith offer viable paths to strong totals depending on minutes and roles in the current rotation.
Additional comments
– Monitor injury reports up to game time, as late designations (like Shakira Austin or Kate Martin) can swing minute allocations and DFS value.
– Consider stacking one game with Citron and a complementary piece from Washington or Golden State to maximize upside in Showdown formats, while balancing exposure across the slate in 5- or 3-Game formats.
Overall sentiment: neutral with a positive outlook on Citron’s potential in a favorable matchup. If you want a concise takeaway: Citron is a key target Wednesday, with several Chicago and Atlanta role players offering solid value if minutes align due to injuries and roster moves.