It. Is. Game time!
The opening weekend of the WNBA season has come and gone, so now we have some tangible feedback on what the teams look like. Many of the impact players played to expectation, but there have already been surprises. A significant portion of the league still has commitments to overseas basketball leagues and/or are dealing with injuries or suspension, which has opened up playing time for several players who are maximizing their opportunities.
As fantasy managers, we have to pay close attention to these trends, especially early in the season. Adding productive players early, at worst, can help your team get off to a good start. At best, you may find a diamond in the rough that ends up helping lead your team throughout the season... and beyond.
With that said, let's do some waiver wire work.
Brittney Sykes, Los Angeles Sparks (37.7% rostered in ESPN leagues): Sykes has played two strong games thus far, but we should look beyond the numbers to see the trend. She has started both games and averaged 30.0 MPG, which is similar to last season's 29.3 MPG. Her scoring volume is a tick higher than her norm because of a strong game against the Fever, but none of her 13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG or 3.0 APG would be out of place in her history. Now, her whopping 4.5 SPG and 1.5 BPG are eye-popping and clearly not sustainable production... but again, note the trend: Sykes has come to play on defense this season. She won't average six combined steals and blocks for the season, but she has been among the league leaders in steals for the past couple seasons, and her early performance this weekend may indicate she's ready to lead the league outright this season.
Sami Whitcomb, New York Liberty (37.4% rostered): Whitcomb had a career season last year, but was expected to face tough competition for playing time from Betnijah Laney and the rumored return of Marine Johannes after two seasons playing overseas. But Laney was unavailable this weekend for undisclosed reasons and Johannes has not yet returned, leaving Whitcomb starting and playing big enough minutes to continue playing at a career level. It isn't clear what the New York's rotation may look like later in the season, but for now Whitcomb is a strong play for fantasy basketball teams.
Jordin Canada, Los Angeles Sparks (29.7%): Canada arrived late to training camp, but she started at point guard this weekend with both Kristi Toliver and Katie Lou Samuelson still away from the team. Canada exploded for 21 points and eight assists in the opener, and followed that up with a solid 10 and six on Sunday. As long as she's the starter, she's got the ability to drop a points/assists double-double in any given game.
Dana Evans, Chicago Sky (19.5%): Evans had one of the best performances of the weekend, dropping 24 points with five assists and four steals in 35 minutes of an overtime battle with the Sparks.
Evans got an expanded role because Allie Quigley (knee) and reigning Finals MVP Kahleah Copper (suspension) were unavailable, and the sophomore blew it out the box. She wasn't necessarily expected to get major minutes on this team but performances like this could help earn her a significant role even once all of her teammates are available.
Jessica Shepard, Minnesota Lynx (17.7%): Shepard dominated the glass this weekend, grabbing 12 rebounds in each of her first two games to average a strong 12.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG and 4.5 APG in 33.5 MPG thus far. Shepard is in her third season in the WNBA, and with Damiris Dantas expected to be sidelined for at least the next two or three weeks, Shepard has the opportunity to continue posting big numbers and try to etch her name into a big minute role for the Lynx moving forward.