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 22: Weekend preview and streaming picks

Eric Moody: Nearly two weeks into the WNBA season, scoring is already one of the biggest storylines. Teams are averaging 87.1 points per game, which is on pace to surpass the 2020 season average of 83.1 PPG for the highest mark in league history. Fourteen of the league’s 15 teams are averaging at least 80.0 PPG. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark is averaging 24.3 PPG, tied for fourth in the league, while her 9.0 APG leads the league. Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Kelsey Plum are also the only players averaging at least 20.0 PPG and 5.0 APG.

This is also a good point in the season to start identifying defensive matchups. Some defenses may force you to reset expectations for players on your roster, while others could provide favorable spots to target. The Golden State Valkyries, Atlanta Dream, Las Vegas Aces, Fever and Chicago Sky lead the league in defensive rating. Defensive rating measures how efficient a defense is. The lower the number, the better the defense. At the bottom of the league in this metric are the Los Angeles Sparks, Portland Fire, Connecticut Sun and Toronto Tempo. That’s something to keep in mind as you navigate upcoming matchups.

Fantasy stream team

Let’s look at some streaming options rostered in fewer than 50% of ESPN leagues, with three games scheduled Friday, three more on Saturday and three more on Sunday.

Gabriela Jaquez, G, Chicago Sky (rostered in 30.9% of ESPN leagues)

The No. 5 overall pick in this year’s draft is off to a fast start. Jaquez has scored at least 21 fantasy points in three of five games and is averaging 29.4 minutes per game this season. Most of her fantasy value comes from scoring, but she also contributes rebounds, a few assists, and steals.

Kiki Rice, G, Toronto Tempo (26.4%)

Rice is another rookie who is starting to trend up. She’s scored at least 23 fantasy points and played at least 23 minutes in three consecutive games. Rice contributes across every statistical category except steals, which is useful from a streaming standpoint since her usage rate is just 14.0% over that stretch.

Monique Billings, F/C, Indiana Fever (25.4%)

So far this season Billings looks like a natural fit for the Fever because she gives them exactly what head coach Stephanie White values: rebounding, activity, defensive communication, and a hard-diving frontcourt presence. She has averaged 21.3 fantasy points and 26.0 minutes per game this season and gives Indiana a veteran frontcourt presence who brings communication, activity, and defensive stability.

Nia Coffey, F/C, Minnesota Lynx (18.1%)

Coffey’s fantasy production can be up and down, as evidenced by her 15- and seven-fantasy-point outings over the last two games. However, she did flash upside with a season-high 31 fantasy points against the Wings on May 14th. Coffey doesn’t score a ton, but she’s efficient from the field at 64.0% and contributes rebounds, assists and blocks, which adds to her fantasy appeal. She also has a favorable matchup against the Sky on Saturday.

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Natisha Hiedeman makes the bucket

Natisha Hiedeman makes the bucket

Natisha Hiedeman, G, Seattle Storm (15.2%)

Hiedeman has opened the season well and has seen an uptick in usage with Dominique Malonga sidelined by a concussion. She’s averaging 21.2 fantasy points per game and delivered a season-high 31 fantasy points against the Sun on May 20. Just keep in mind that much of her fantasy value is tied to scoring, which can make her production a little more volatile.

Kiah Stokes, F/C, Golden State Valkyries (13.0%)

Stokes is a starter for the Valkyries and is a reliable streamer because she contributes across multiple statistical categories. She’s scored at least 18 fantasy points in three of four games this season, including one 30-point performance. Stokes is also averaging 23.0 minutes per game.

May 19: Liberty, Sky and four pickups to make

Andre Snellings: The WNBA season is about 10 days old and already the storylines are popping. After getting blown out on opening night after their championship trophy presentation, the Las Vegas Aces have since run off four straight wins to move to the top of the league. The New York Liberty have been missing some of their best players injured, but they still lead the league with a scoring margin of +13.0 PPG. The Golden State Valkyries, last year’s expansion team that made the playoffs, is currently second in the league with a +7.0 PPG scoring margin. And the new-look Chicago Sky, led by newly traded for Rickea Jackson and Skylar Diggins, are tied fo the second-best record in the league. Unfortunately, a key injury could impact their outlook moving forward.

Other notes from around the league:

Jackson was helped off the court in the second quarter of Sunday’s game with a left knee injury, and the team announced Tuesday that she will miss the remainder of the season.. The Sky were already dealing with injuries to Skylar Diggins (eye), Azura Stevens (knee), Courtney Vandersloot (knee) and DiJonai Carrington (foot). All of this leaves a lot of minutes and responsibility for young players Jacy Sheldon and Gabriela Jaquez.

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Gabriela Jaquez drills the trey

Gabriela Jaquez drills the trey, 05/17/2026

Sabrina Ionescu (foot) and Satou Sabally (cyst) are both nearing their return from injury to make their season debuts for the Liberty. Both participated in Monday’s scrimmage in front of the media. No exact return time has been announced for either, but both are among the top-producers in the league when healthy. The question of how the two of them will interact with former MVPs Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones, and how they will distribute the major statistics among them.

Aliyah Boston sat out Sunday’s game with a lower leg injury that she aggravated in Friday’s game against the Washington Mystics. With Boston out, the Fever played a more perimeter-based style with Sophie Cunningham as the biggest beneficiary with 17 points in 25 minutes off the bench.

Let’s take a closer look at four players who fantasy managers might consider targeting if they are available in your leagues.

Jacy Sheldon, G, Chicago Sky (Rostered in 19.7% of ESPN leagues): Sheldon has played major minutes for the Sky all season and is taking advantage of them with a strong all-around attack. She has scored double figures in three of four games, notched three or more assists in three of the games, four or more rebounds in two and three or more steals in two games as well.

Gabriela Jaquez, G, Chicago Sky (25.1%): Jaquez is getting her rookie season off to a very fast start with three double-figure scoring efforts in her first four games. Her biggest effort came on Sunday as she dropped career-best marks of 20 points and 8 assists. She is making the most of her larger opportunity with her teammates injured.

Sophie Cunningham, G, Indiana Fever (32.2%): Cunningham has scored double digits in two of her last three games, with her best effort of 17 points coming on Sunday with Boston sidelined.

Pauline Astier, G, New York Liberty (45.8%): Astier has stepped up in a major way for the Liberty in their injury-filled start to the season. In her last three games, she has averaged 20.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.0 APG and 1.7 SPG. She’s played so well that she may maintain an elevated role for the Liberty even after Sabally and Ionescu return.