{"id":77263,"date":"2024-05-14T20:15:28","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T00:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=77263"},"modified":"2024-05-14T20:15:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-15T00:15:28","slug":"wnba-guide-projecting-all-12-teams-starting-lineups-rotation-injuries-predictions-and-top-fantasy-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/05\/14\/wnba-guide-projecting-all-12-teams-starting-lineups-rotation-injuries-predictions-and-top-fantasy-players\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 WNBA Guide: Projecting All 12 Teams Starting Lineups, Rotation, Injuries, Predictions, and Top Fantasy Players"},"content":{"rendered":"

The WNBA kicked off its 28th season with four games tonight. Here is a look at every team’s roster and their projected starting lineup and rotation. Also, I compiled every injury in the WNBA, each team’s top fantasy players<\/a>, and a projected order of finish.<\/p>\n

2024 WNBA Guide: Projecting All 12 Teams Starting Lineups, Rotation, Injuries, Predictions, and Top Fantasy Players<\/h3>\n

Projected Final Standings<\/strong><\/h4>\n

1. Las Vegas Aces<\/p>\n

2. New York Liberty<\/p>\n

3. Connecticut Sun<\/p>\n

4. Atlanta Dream<\/p>\n

5. Seattle Storm<\/p>\n

6. Phoenix Mercury<\/p>\n

7. Indiana Fever<\/p>\n

8. Dallas Wings<\/p>\n

9. Minnesota Lynx<\/p>\n

10. Chicago Sky<\/p>\n

11. Los Angeles Sparks<\/p>\n

12. Washington Mystics<\/p>\n

Las Vegas Aces<\/h3>\n

The Las Vegas Aces, the two-time defending WNBA champs, didn’t make any earth-shattering this offseason. The Aces return eight of their top 10 players from last year’s squad that won a WNBA record 34 games. The Aces brought in Emma Cannon, Megan Gustafson, and\u00a0rookies Kate Martin<\/strong><\/a> and Dyaisha Fair<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Projected Starting Lineup<\/h4>\n

Kelsey Plum<\/a>,<\/strong> Chelsea Gray<\/a>, Jackie Young<\/a>,<\/strong> A’ja Wilson,<\/strong><\/a> and Kiah Stokes<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/p>\n

Sydney Colson<\/strong><\/a>, Alysha Clark<\/a>,<\/strong> Megan Gustafson<\/strong>,<\/a> Kiersten Bell<\/strong><\/a>, and Emma Cannon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

End Of The Bench<\/h4>\n

Dyaisha Fair<\/strong><\/a> and Kate Martin\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Gray is out for the Aces’ season-opener against Phoenix because she is rehabbing the foot injury she suffered during the WNBA Finals. With Gray being unavailable, Colson may get the starting nod. Colson started Las Vegas’ preseason game versus Puerto Rico.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Basketball Stars<\/h4>\n

Wilson, Plum, Young, Gray<\/p>\n

Others To Consider In Fantasy<\/h4>\n

Stokes and Gustafson<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $31,017<\/p>\n

New York Liberty<\/h4>\n

New York set a franchise record with 32 victories last season. The Liberty also reached the WNBA Finals for the first time since 2002. The Liberty had to make some moves on Monday to get down to 11 players.<\/p>\n

Like Las Vegas, New York kept its starting unit intact and returned seven of their top nine players.<\/p>\n

Starting Lineup<\/h4>\n

Sabrina Ionescu<\/strong><\/a>, Courtney Vandersloot<\/a>,<\/strong> Breanna Stewart<\/strong><\/a>, Jonquel Jones<\/strong><\/a>, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Kayla Thornton<\/strong>,<\/a> \u00a0Nyara Sabally<\/strong><\/a>, Marquesha Davis<\/strong><\/a>, Kennedy Burke,<\/a> Ivana Dojki\u0107<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End of Rotation<\/h4>\n

Leonie Fiebich<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Fantasy Basketball Stars<\/h4>\n

Ionescu, Stewart, Jones, Laney-Hamilton<\/p>\n

Others To Consider In Fantasy<\/h4>\n

Vandersloot, Thornton<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $30,521<\/h4>\n

Atlanta Dream<\/h3>\n

Atlanta improved its win total by five games under second-year head coach Tanisha Wright and finished fifth in the conference with a 19-21 record. The Dream made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, though Dallas swept them in the opening round.<\/p>\n

Atlanta made several moves this offseason. The Dream signed free agents Tina Charles<\/strong><\/a>, Nia Coffey<\/strong><\/a>, and Tina Charles<\/strong><\/a> and\u00a0traded for Jordin Canada<\/strong><\/a> and Crystal Dangerfield<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Starting Lineup<\/h4>\n

Jordin Canada<\/a>,<\/strong> Allisha Gray<\/strong><\/a>, Rhyne Howard<\/a>, Cheyne Parker<\/a>,<\/strong> Tina Charles<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Haley Jones<\/strong><\/a>, Aerial Powers<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> Nia Coffey,<\/strong><\/a> Naz Hillmon<\/strong><\/a>, Crystal Dangerfield<\/p>\n

\u00a0End of Bench<\/h4>\n

Laeticia Amihere<\/a>, Lorela Cubaj<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Cubaj is not with the team as she is fulfilling her overseas obligations.<\/p>\n

Canada is dealing with a hand injury and is questionable for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Sparks.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Stars<\/h4>\n

Canada, Howard, Parker, Gray, Charles<\/p>\n

Others To Consider<\/h4>\n

Coffey<\/p>\n

Remaining Salary Cap Space: $16,525<\/p>\n

Chicago Sky<\/h3>\n

Chicago is in total rebuild mode. The Sky have a new coach in Teresa Weatherspoon and nine new faces, led by rookies Angel Reese <\/strong><\/a>and Kamilla Cardoso<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

Dana Evans, Marina Mabrey, Diamond DeShields, Elisabeth Williams<\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Lindsay Allen<\/a>, Chennedy Carter<\/a>, Michala Onyenere<\/a>, Brianna Turner<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/p>\n

Kysre Gondrezick, <\/strong><\/a>Isabelle Harrison<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Harrison, who missed all of last season due to a knee injury, is listed as questionable for tomorrow’s season opener against Dallas.<\/p>\n

Kamilla Cardoso suffered a shoulder injury during the preseason and is out until at least early June.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Stars<\/h4>\n

Mabry, Reese<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players To Consider<\/h4>\n

Carter, Cardoso (when healthy)<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $165,378<\/p>\n

Connecticut Sun<\/h4>\n

Connecticut has won 25 games in each of the last three seasons and reached at least the WNBA semifinals in five consecutive campaigns. The Sun returned their core players\u2014Alyssa Thomas<\/strong><\/a>, DeWanna Bonner<\/a><\/strong>, and Briona Jones<\/a><\/strong>\u2014while adding Moriah Jefferson<\/a>, Tiffany Mitchell<\/a>, <\/strong>and Tyasha Harris<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

Moriah Jefferson, Tiffany Mitchell<\/a>, <\/strong>DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Briona Jones<\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Tyasha Harris<\/a>, <\/strong>DiJonai Carrington<\/a>, Astou Ndour,<\/a> Olivia Nelson-Ododa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/p>\n

Queen Egbo<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Jefferson suffered an ankle injury during training camp and is questionable for tonight’s game against Indiana\/<\/p>\n

Fantasy Stars<\/h4>\n

Thomas, Bonner, Jones,<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players To Consider<\/h4>\n

Jefferson, Mitchell, Carrington<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $11,559<\/p>\n

Dallas Wings<\/h4>\n

Dallas is coming off its best season since the franchise moved from Tulsa. Last year, the Wings won 22 games and reached the conference semifinals. The Wings returned six of their top seven players from a season ago and added a first-round pick. However, Satou Sabally<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>is out until mid-August as she recovers from shoulder surgery.<\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

\u00a0Jacy Sheldon<\/a>,\u00a0 Jaelyn Brown<\/a>, Arike Ogunbowale<\/a>,\u00a0 Natasha Howard<\/a>, Teaira McCowan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Kalani Brown<\/a>, <\/strong>Lou Lopez S\u00e9n\u00e9chal<\/a>, <\/strong>Maddie Siegrist<\/a>, \u00a0<\/strong>Stephanie Soares<\/a>, Sevgi Uzun<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Satou Sabally <\/strong><\/a>(out til mid-August)<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $44,365<\/p>\n

Fantasy Stars<\/h4>\n

Ogunbowale, Howard, McCowan,<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players<\/h4>\n

Kalani Brown<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $44,365<\/p>\n

Indiana Fever<\/h4>\n

Indiana improved its win total to seven under first-year head coach Christie Sides. Still, the Fever missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season and haven’t won 15 games in a season since 2016. Kelsey Mitchell<\/a>, NaLyssa Smith<\/a>, <\/strong>and Aliyah Boston<\/strong><\/a> return,\u00a0and the Fever brought in Katie Lou Samuelson<\/strong> <\/a>and drafted Caitlin Clark<\/strong><\/a> with the No. 1 pick.<\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell,\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong>Katie Lou Samuelson, NaLyssa Smith, Aliyah Boston<\/p>\n

SecondUnit<\/h4>\n

Kristy Wallace<\/a>, Temi Fagbenle<\/a>, Lexie Hull<\/a>, <\/strong>Erica Wheeler<\/a>, <\/strong>Grace Berger<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/h4>\n

Celeste Taylor<\/a>, <\/strong>\u00a0Damiris Dantas<\/a>, <\/strong>Victaria Saxton<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Mitchell is doubtful for tonight’s game against Connecticut with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n

Dantas is suspended and dealing with a knee injury.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Stars<\/h4>\n

Mitchell, Boston, Clark, Smith<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players To Consider<\/h4>\n

Samuelson<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $24,218 (but that’s counting all 13 players)<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Sparks<\/h4>\n

LA won 17 games in Curt Miller’s first season, which is the franchise’s most since 2019. However, the Sparks missed the playoffs for a third straight season.<\/p>\n

The Sparks lost their best two players from a season ago during the offseason and three of their top five overall. This leaves them a mix of quality veterans and youngsters, including two top draft choices, Cameron Brink<\/a><\/strong> and Rickea Jackson<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

\u00a0Layshia Clarendon<\/a>, Lexie Brown<\/a>, Kia Nurse<\/a>, Dearica Hamby<\/a>, Cameron Brink<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/p>\n

Rickea Jackson<\/a>, Li Yueru<\/a>, Zia Cooke<\/a>, Aari McDonald<\/a>, Stephanie Talbo<\/a>t<\/strong><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/h4>\n

Rae Burrell<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Azur\u00e1 Stevens\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>is not expected to be available until the end of June.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Studs<\/h4>\n

Hamby, Brink<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players To Consider<\/p>\n

Jackson, Clarendon, Brown<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $159,558<\/p>\n

Minnesota Lynx<\/h4>\n

Minnesota has suffered through two straight losing seasons, though the Lynx increased their win total from a season ago by five. The Lynx had a lot of player turnover this off-season, but they still have the core of\u00a0 Kayla McBride<\/a>, Diamond Miller<\/a><\/strong>, and Napheesa Collier<\/a>,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

Courtney Williams<\/a>, Kayla McBride<\/a>, Diamond Miller<\/a>, Napheesa Collier<\/a>, Alanna Smith<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Bridget Carleton<\/a>, Natisha Hiedeman,<\/a><\/strong>Taylor Soule,<\/a> Cecilia Zandalasini<\/a>, Olivia Epoupa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/h4>\n

Alissa Pili<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Dorka Juh\u00e1sz<\/a> <\/strong>and Sika Kon\u00e9<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>are on the suspended list, though Kone could return soon.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Studs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Collier, McBride, Williams<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players<\/h4>\n

Miller<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $4,537 (but that’s while counting all 13 players)<\/p>\n

Phoenix Mercury<\/h4>\n

Phoenix took major steps in upgrading its roster after setting a franchise record with 31 losses. The Mercury’s nine wins marked just the third time in their history that they have won fewer than 10 games.<\/p>\n

Starting Unit
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Natasha Cloud<\/a>, Diana Taurasi<\/a>, Kahleah Copper<\/a>, Natasha Mack,<\/a> Brittney Griner<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Rebecca Allen<\/a>, Sophie Cunningham<\/a>, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan<\/a>, Liz Dixon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End of The Bench<\/h4>\n

Morgan Bertsch\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>(was cleared after returning from her overseas responsibilities and is considered day-to-day).<\/p>\n

Injuries<\/h4>\n

Griner was diagnosed with a fractured toe on Sunday and is slated to be re-evaluated in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

Fantasy Studs<\/h4>\n

Cloud, Taurasi, Griner, Copper<\/p>\n

Other Fantasy Players To Consider<\/h4>\n

Cunningham<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $1,010<\/p>\n

Seattle Storm<\/h3>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

Skylar Diggins-Smith<\/a>, Jewell Loyd<\/a>, Jordan Horston<\/a>, Nneka Ogwumike<\/a>, Ezi Magbegor<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h4>\n

Victoria Vivians<\/a>, Mercedes Russell,<\/a> Sami Whitcomb<\/a>, Nika M\u00fchl<\/a>, Kiana Williams<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/h4>\n

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Fantasy Studs<\/h4>\n

Diggins-Smith, Loyd, Ogwumike, Magbegor<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $9,299<\/p>\n

Washington Mystics<\/h4>\n

Washington is in year two under Eric Thibault, who took over for his father, Mike, following his retirement. Since winning the WNBA title in 2019, the Mystics have produced one winning season and lost in the first round in all three of their playoff appearances.<\/p>\n

Starting Unit<\/h4>\n

Julie Vanloo<\/a>, Brittney Sykes,<\/a> Ariel Atkins<\/a>, Myisha Hines-Allen<\/a>, Shakira Austin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Second Unit<\/h3>\n

Karlie Samuelson<\/a>,\u00a0 Shatori Walker-Kimbrough<\/a>, Stefanie Dolson<\/a>, Aaliyah Edwards<\/a>, Emily Engstler<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

End Of Bench<\/h4>\n

DiDi Richards<\/a>,\u00a0 Jade Melbourne<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Fantasy Studs<\/h4>\n

Brittney Sykes, Austin<\/p>\n

Others To Consider Fantasy<\/h4>\n

Edwards, Vanloo<\/p>\n

Current remaining cap space: $94,152<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The WNBA kicked off its 28th season with four games tonight. Here is a look at every team’s roster and their projected starting lineup and rotation. Also, I compiled every injury in the WNBA, each team’s top fantasy players, and a projected order of finish. 2024 WNBA Guide: Projecting All 12 Teams Starting Lineups, Rotation, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":77436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608],"tags":[49182,2957,49232,3642,49233,3859,3640,2958,4356,3855,49181,1632],"class_list":["post-77263","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","tag-atlanta-dream","tag-chicago-sky","tag-dallas-wings","tag-indiana-fever","tag-las-angeles-sparks","tag-las-vegas-aces","tag-minnesota-lynx","tag-new-york-liberty","tag-phoenix-mercury","tag-seattle-storm","tag-washington-mystics","tag-wnba"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77263"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77263\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77436"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}