Each day of the WNBA season, our team of fantasy and betting experts breaks down every game on the slate, making note of everything from injuries and lineup changes to recent trends and more.
All odds are provided by Caesars Sportsbook.
Here's what to look for during Monday's slate:
Indiana Fever at Phoenix Mercury10:00 p.m. ET, Footprint Center, Phoenix
Line: Mercury (-7)
Money line: Fever (+250), Mercury (-320)
Total: 168.5 points
BPI Win%: Mercury (76.9%)
Fantasy need to know: The Mercury (7-12) and Fever (5-14) will face off tonight. In their last meeting on June 15, the Mercury won 93-80. Tina Charles has recently agreed to separate from Phoenix and to sign with the Seattle Storm. That changes things for the Mercury, which rank ninth in defensive rating (105.3). The youthful Fever have struggled mightily this season; they rank 10th in offensive rating (96.7) and 12th in defensive rating (106.9).
Phoenix's Skylar Diggins-Smith has averaged 34.7 fantasy points per game for the Mercury. Four of her last five games have seen her score 33 or more fantasy points. Diggins-Smith, Diana Taurasi, Diamond DeShields and Brianna Turner are all must-start players. As a result of Charles' departure, Megan Gustafson, Sophie Cunningham, and Sam Thomas will likely see increased playing time in the Mercury's frontcourt for those in search of a streamer. All three are available in nearly all fantasy leagues. My preferred streamer from Phoenix remains Shey Peddy, who is available in 91.5% of leagues. In three of her last four games, she has scored 18 or more fantasy points.
Kelsey Mitchell (29.3) and NaLyssa Smith (26.0) are the top fantasy options for the Fever and lead the team in fantasy points per game. For these searching for streamers, Queen Ebgo (58.7), who is available in 41.3% of leagues, and Victoria Vivians (21.5) who is available in 46.8% of leagues, are your best options based on their fantasy points per game averages this season.
Best bet: Mercury -7. Recently, the Mercury's defense has looked much better. It should be no problem offensively for the Mercury against the Fever's atrocious defense... even without Charles. Phoenix should cover. -- Eric Moody
Las Vegas Aces at Los Angeles Sparks10:30 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
Line: Aces (-8)
Money line: Aces (-350), Sparks (+280)
Total: 175 points
BPI Win%: Aces (62%)
Questionable: Chiney Ogwumike (face), Jordin Canada (illness)
Fantasy need to know: The Sparks (7-10) and Aces (13-4) meet again in Los Angeles. A 89-72 victory was secured by Las Vegas when these two teams faced off on June 11. The Sparks rank seventh in offensive rating (99.6 and 10th in defensive rating (105.7). The Aces have been one of the best teams in the league this season, but their defense has been a problem recently. They were defeated by the Washington Mystics and the Chicago Sky in their last two games. The Aces leads the league with an offensive rating of 108.1. However, Las Vegas ranks sixth with a defensive rating of 98.5.
For the Sparks, Nneka Ogwumike and Liz Cambage are the only must-start fantasy options. In five of her last six games, Ogwumike has scored 30 or more fantasy points. Cambage has been inconsistent all season, especially in her last five games. Over those games, she has averaged 7.6 PPG and 6.2 RPG in 18.4 MPG and only 21.2 fantasy points per game. Katie Lou Samuelson, who is available in 76.4% of leagues, is an excellent choice if you are looking for a streamer. This season, she has averaged 19.3 fantasy points per game.
A'ja Wilson (37.1), Kelsey Plum (34.9), Jackie Young (31.4), Dearica Hamby (27.5) and Chelsea Gray (26.4) all average 26 or more fantasy points per game and belong in lineups whenever the Aces play. While the Aces don't have many streamable players, there is Theresa Plaisance to consider. She has averaged 16.6 minutes per game this season and during the past six games, Plaisance has averaged 13 fantasy points, including 22 in her most recent game.
Best bet: Over 175. There is a chance for a high scoring game between the Sparks and Aces. Las Vegas strives to keep the pace fast and leads the league in this advanced metric. In fourth place, the Sparks aren't far behind. Look for both teams to score a lot. -- Moody