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.
Resources: Rankings | Scoring leaders | Added/dropped | ESPN Fantasy app
Sept. 17: Four players to target in free agency
Andre Snellings: The FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup has concluded, with Team USA staging a massive comeback in the championship game to bring home the gold. The tournament caused a break in the WNBA season right in the middle of the fantasy playoffs, but the break ends on Thursday when the season resumes... with the WNBA at an interesting junction.
All eight playoffs teams are already clinched, but there is plenty of room for teams to move up and down in the standings. In addition, teams will want to enter the postseason on a high note so they will need to play themselves back into form after the layoff. In addition, many of the player contracts signed after last offseason's Collective Bargaining Agreement were for a single year, so a large chunk of the league are effectively in contract years. So, even if a player's team may be out of the playoffs hunt, they may still have quite a bit to play for going into the offseason.
As always, we help you keep your team operating at its best by pointing out some players that may be available on your free agency wire that are performing well enough to be worthy of rostering or streaming.
Sydney Taylor, G, Chicago Sky (Rostered in 34.5% of ESPN Leagues): Taylor was one of the hotter scorers in the WNBA for most of the month of July, when she averaged 19.3 PPG during a 10-game stretch from July 7 through Aug. 1 before injuries slowed her down. She returned from a five-game absence for the end of August but was playing more limited minutes. The layoff gave her time to get healthier for the end of the season which could allow her to finish on another upswing.
Awa Fam, C, Seattle Storm (46.4%): With Ezi Magbegor (knee) out for the season, Fam may be asked to take a larger role for the Storm moving forward. The 20-year-old rookie has had some strong performances in her rookie season and has nightly double-double potential when getting near-starter minutes.
Awak Kuier, C, Dallas Wings (35.4%): Kuier has started six of the last seven games for the Wings with an expanded role since Azzi Fudd went down for the season. Kuier is one of the best shot-blockers and defenders in the league, averaging 3.3 BPG and 1.0 SPG along with a near double-double of 8.7 PPG and 7.4 RPG during that seven game stretch.
Lexi Held, G, Phoenix Mercury (1.4%): Held got a spot start in place of Kahleah Copper in the game before the break and turned in 11 points with three steals and three 3-pointers in 21 minutes. With both Kelsey Plum (leg) and Jovana Nogic (overseas commitment) out for the season, Held is likely to remain a starter for the remainder of the campaign and continue to be a solid source of scoring and 3-point shooting.
2026 fantasy women's basketball awards
Eric Moody: The 2026 season had everything fantasy managers could ask for, with stars delivering on expectations, breakout players and plenty of help from the waiver wire. With the fantasy season almost over, here are my awards for the players who made the biggest impact.
Fantasy MVP: A'ja Wilson, F/C, Las Vegas Aces
Wilson was the safest player in fantasy and once again delivered elite production across the board. She scored, rebounded, blocked shots and created steals at a level few players could match. Wilson ranks first in total fantasy points and fantasy points per game by a significant margin. If you drafted her at 1.01, she lived up to expectations.
Best scorer award for most fantasy points from points and 3-pointers: Kelsey Mitchell, G, Indiana Fever
Mitchell was one of the league's best sources of scoring and 3-pointers all season. She ranked third in 3-pointers per game while shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc, second in points per game and second in field goal attempts per game. Mitchell ranks fifth in total fantasy points largely because of that scoring production, making her a great return on her average draft position.
Box score award for most fantasy points from rebounds, assists, steals and blocks: Angel Reese, F/C, Atlanta Dream
Reese hasn't had to be a prolific scorer to help fantasy managers. Most of her value comes from everything else. She currently holds the single-season rebounding record, passing A'ja Wilson's mark of 451 from the 2024 season. Reese leads the league in rebounds per game and ranks third in steals per game. When you add in her points, assists and blocks, she ranks fourth in total fantasy points. Reese has generated more value from the non-scoring categories than any other player.
Matchup winner award for best fantasy week: A'ja Wilson, F/C, Las Vegas Aces
Wilson also delivered one of the best fantasy stretches of the season. From July 28 through Aug. 1, she scored 166 fantasy points across three games, including 28 points and 14 rebounds, 33 points with 10 rebounds and six assists, and 36 points with 12 rebounds. A week like that can swing an entire fantasy matchup.
Most underrated award for best player under 50% rostered: Leila Lacan, G, Connecticut Sun
Lacan was one of the better under-the-radar fantasy options this season for a Sun team that was one of the worst in the league. She averaged 23.1 fantasy points in 28.4 minutes per game, and her assists and steals gave her value even when the scoring wasn't there. Despite that production, Lacan remained available in far too many leagues for much of the season.
Others
Biggest rostership rise from opening night to now: Jessica Shepard, F/C, Dallas Wings
Biggest rostership drop from opening night to now: Rickea Jackson, F/C, Chicago Sky
