WNBA DFS Picks and Lineup Tips for Wednesday, July 9

RotoWire expert Jason Shebilske gives his WNBA DFS picks for Wednesday, including the impact of Caitlin Clark's return when the Indiana Fever face the Golden State Valkyries.
WNBA DFS Picks and Lineup Tips for Wednesday, July 9

WNBA DFS Strategies for Wednesday, July 9

The WNBA season rolls on Wednesday with three games tipping off in the morning in their respective time zones, followed by the Wings and Sky facing off in Chicago in primetime. Several injury-related absences will persist around the league, but the Fever will get a boost in their matchup since Caitlin Clark has been cleared to return to action.

WNBA Schedule Today

  • Seattle Storm at Connecticut Sun
  • Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever
  • Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury
  • Dallas Wings at Chicago Sky

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Seattle Storm at Connecticut Sun

Line: Storm -18
O/U: 155.5

Injury Updates and Impact on WNBA DFS Lineups - Storm vs. Sun

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Seattle

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Katie Lou SamuelsonFKneeOFS5/1/2026
Jordan HorstonGKneeOFS5/1/2026
Nika MuhlGKneeOFS5/1/2026

Connecticut

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Marina MabreyGKneeOUT7/11/2025
Jaelyn BrownFIllnessOUT7/11/2025

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

While the Storm have shown some inconsistency during the 2025 campaign, the Sun have been the worst team in the league, leading Seattle to be heavily favored in this camp game.

Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike and Gabby Williams have carried the torch for Seattle throughout the season, but Erica Wheeler has also stepped up in recent weeks. Diggins has posted double-digit scoring totals in 11 consecutive appearances but has been slightly inconsistent in secondary categories recently. However, she delivered a strong performance against Connecticut on June 27, posting 24 points, five assists, a rebound and a steal in 28 minutes. Ogwumike has also been a solid scorer, recording at least 15 points in seven of her last eight outings while logging at least four rebounds in each of those appearances. Williams has been a well-rounded contributor, averaging 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 3.3 steals in 32.9 minutes per game over her last eight appearances. Wheeler has been less reliable than the team's core group of three players, but she's been part of the starting lineup in Seattle's last 11 games and has scored in double figures in six of those matchups.

Although the Sun sit at the bottom of the WNBA standings, they've had some encouraging performances from young contributors early in the year. Aneesah Morrow was limited due to injury early in the year but has found her footing at the professional level recently, averaging 12.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 20.9 minutes per game over her last seven outings, while Saniya Rivers, Jacy Sheldon and Olivia Nelson-Ododa have also stepped up over the last few weeks while Marina Mabrey has been hurt. Tina Charles has played through an injury recently but has also lost her spot in the starting lineup, making her a DFS fade for Wednesday.

Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever

Line: Fever -7.5
O/U: 165.5

Injury Updates and Impact on WNBA DFS Lineups - Valkyries vs. Fever

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Golden State

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Maria CondeFAchillesOUT8/1/2025
Juste JocyteGNot Injury RelatedOFS9/12/2025

Indiana

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kristy WallaceGNot Injury RelatedOFS5/1/2026

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Valkyries have been one of the biggest success stories in the WNBA to begin the season but have largely struggled on the road and will meet a Fever team with Caitlin Clark returning Wednesday.

Despite having several international players participating in EuroBasket recently, the Valkyries' success continued due to several players stepping up, including Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Veronica Burton and Kate Martin. Now that international play has concluded, the Valkyries have several other weapons to provide a boost, including the frontcourt tandem of Janelle Salaun and Temi Fagbenle. Both players have been somewhat limited in their return to WNBA action, but it wouldn't be surprising to see their roles grow soon.

Despite missing the last four games due to a groin injury, Caitlin Clark should immediately return to serving as a focal point for Indiana on Wednesday, particularly after the team's home loss to the Sparks on Saturday. Aari McDonald performed admirably in her absence and could have more of a sustained role now that DeWanna Bonner is no longer with the team, but the Fever get much more reliable results from Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston and Natasha Howard, and all three of those players could have better looks Wednesday due to Clark's passing abilities.

Minnesota Lynx at Phoenix Mercury

Line: Lynx -7
O/U: 160.5

Injury Updates and Impact on WNBA DFS Lineups - Lynx vs. Mercury

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Minnesota

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Aubrey GriffinGKneeOUT10/1/2025
Karlie SamuelsonGFootOFS5/1/2026
Dorka JuhaszFNot Injury RelatedOFS5/1/2026

Phoenix

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kahleah CopperGHamstringOUT7/14/2025
Satou SaballyFAnkleOUT7/14/2025
Alexa HeldGChestOUT7/14/2025
Julia AyraultGPersonalOFS5/1/2026
Helena PueyoGPersonalOFS5/1/2026

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Lynx and Mercury are among the league's strongest teams, but Phoenix will be shorthanded in Wednesday's matchup since Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally and Alexa Held will remain sidelined.

Despite losing to the Fever in last week's Commissioner's Cup Championship, the Lynx have rattled off three consecutive victories behind strong performances from Napheesa Collier, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride. Collier has emerged as the clear-cut MVP favorite over the first half of the regular season, averaging 24.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 33.4 minutes per game over 16 appearances. Williams and McBride have each scored in double figures in five consecutive regular-season appearances, and Alanna Smith has also performed well at times this season but has been slightly colder over the past week.

Although the Mercury were also shorthanded for Monday's game against the Wings, they emerged with a 30-point victory behind a dominant showing from Alyssa Thomas. They'll likely be met with more resistance from the Lynx on Wednesday, but they showcased just how much talent they have outside of Copper and Sabally. The team signed DeWanna Bonner on Tuesday, but it's not yet clear whether the veteran forward will be available against Minnesota. Sami Whitcomb put forth a 36-point performance against Dallas on Monday, and it wouldn't be surprising to see her get increased looks once again Wednesday.

Dallas Wings at Chicago Sky

Line: Sky -1
O/U: 166.5

Injury Updates and Impact on WNBA DFS Lineups - Wings vs. Sky

Note: All return dates are just estimates

Dallas

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Arike OgunbowaleGThumbOUT7/13/2025
DiJonai CarringtonGRibsOUT7/13/2025
Maddy SiegristFKneeOUT7/13/2025
Lou Lopez SenechalGNot Injury RelatedOFS5/1/2026
Tyasha HarrisGKneeOFS5/1/2026

Chicago

NamePosInjuryStatusReturn
Kamilla CardosoCNot Injury RelatedGTD7/9/2025
Ajsa SivkaFNot Injury RelatedOFS5/1/2026
Courtney VanderslootGKneeOFS5/1/2026

WNBA DFS Showdown Picks and Lineup Building Strategy

The Wings and Sky have already met twice this season, with Chicago winning both of the first two meetings.

Paige Bueckers has been back in action for the Wings recently, but the team will be shorthanded once again Wednesday since Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington and Maddy Siegrist will all be sidelined. Even as a rookie, Bueckers has proven to be capable of carrying a team, averaging 18.2 points, 5.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 34.7 minutes per game over her first 15 appearances at the professional level. Fellow rookie Aziaha James has also impressed recently, including seven consecutive outings with double-digit scoring totals. Despite trading NaLyssa Smith recently, Dallas has also gotten a boost in the frontcourt recently, bringing in Li Yueru, while Luisa Geiselsoder has returned from EuroBasket.

The Sky have been without Kamilla Cardoso recently due to her participation in AmeriCup, and it's not yet clear whether she'll be back in action for Chicago on Wednesday despite the tournament recently concluding. Angel Reese has been dominant in her stead, including six consecutive appearances in which she's posted double-doubles with at least 15 rebounds. Reese's usage will presumably drop slightly once Cardoso has returned, but Reese has consistently showcased her ability to rack up points and rebounds early in the season. Elizabeth Williams' playing time will likely decrease once Cardoso is cleared to suit up, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the Sky continue to rely on guard Rachel Banham's hot hand, as she's averaged 12.5 points per game over her last six appearances while shooting 47.4 from beyond the arc during that time.

Top WNBA DFS Picks: Key Players to Watch

FanDuel

Thomas has the third-highest FanDuel salary for Wednesday's slate, but she should have a massive role once again after posting a triple-double during Monday's blowout win. Even if Kamilla Cardoso is back in action Wednesday, Reese has been a consistent double-double threat this season. Diggins is coming off a pair of lackluster scoring performances, but she matched her second-highest scoring total of the season with 24 points during Seattle's June 27 meeting against Connecticut.

Unlocking Value: WNBA DFS Sleeper Picks

DraftKings

While the top-tier salaries on FanDuel would also provide value with their DraftKings salaries, there are also other players to consider, including Collier, who is -500 to win her first WNBA MVP award on DraftKings. She's recorded at least 20 points and five rebounds in each of her last five appearances while also generating plenty of steals and blocks, so she's certainly worth considering against the shorthanded Mercury. Bueckers is coming off a lackluster performance during Monday's blowout loss to Phoenix, but Wednesday's game should be much more competitive, so I'm expecting her to bounce back against Chicago. Ogwumike carries some risk if Wednesday's score gets lopsided, but I still expect her to have plenty of production against the Sun.

Unlocking Value: WNBA DFS Sleeper Picks

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jason Shebilske plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: FavreFanatic, FanDuel: Favre_Fanatic.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason joined RotoWire in 2019. In 2023, he was named the FSWA Player Notes Writer of the Year. In addition to RotoWire, Jason writes for the Sports Broadcast Journal. In 2024, he was dubbed "The Polish Parlay" for his WNBA hot betting streak.
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