Fantasy WNBA: Top Risers and Fallers for the First Round of the Playoffs
The WNBA playoffs are here, and with them comes a heightened sense of urgency. Several key names will be worth monitoring as rotations shrink and players are asked to step up.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for the First Round of the Playoffs
Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries: Burton is fresh off winning the 2025 WNBA Kia Most Improved Player award following an impressive regular season, during which she averaged 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, shooting a career-best 38.7 percent from the field in 44 outings. She also put together a well-rounded performance in the Valkyries' Game 1 loss to the Lynx on Sunday, posting 14 points (3-13 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven assists, five rebounds, three steals and one block across 34 minutes. Golden State will need Burton to continue stuffing the stat sheet to stave off elimination in Wednesday's Game 2, and it wouldn't be surprising if she saw a slight bump in minutes in the elimination game. The 25-year-old guard has recorded 14 consecutive outings with 25-plus ESPN fantasy points, and she'll look to continue that trend in Game 2.
NaLyssa Smith, Las Vegas Aces: Smith was productive in Sunday's Game 1 blowout win over the Storm, recording 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-6 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 25 minutes. The 25-year-old forward has reached double-digit points in four straight appearances
Fantasy WNBA: Top Risers and Fallers for the First Round of the Playoffs
The WNBA playoffs are here, and with them comes a heightened sense of urgency. Several key names will be worth monitoring as rotations shrink and players are asked to step up.
Top Fantasy WNBA Risers for the First Round of the Playoffs
Veronica Burton, Golden State Valkyries: Burton is fresh off winning the 2025 WNBA Kia Most Improved Player award following an impressive regular season, during which she averaged 11.9 points, 6.0 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game, shooting a career-best 38.7 percent from the field in 44 outings. She also put together a well-rounded performance in the Valkyries' Game 1 loss to the Lynx on Sunday, posting 14 points (3-13 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT), seven assists, five rebounds, three steals and one block across 34 minutes. Golden State will need Burton to continue stuffing the stat sheet to stave off elimination in Wednesday's Game 2, and it wouldn't be surprising if she saw a slight bump in minutes in the elimination game. The 25-year-old guard has recorded 14 consecutive outings with 25-plus ESPN fantasy points, and she'll look to continue that trend in Game 2.
NaLyssa Smith, Las Vegas Aces: Smith was productive in Sunday's Game 1 blowout win over the Storm, recording 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-6 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 25 minutes. The 25-year-old forward has reached double-digit points in four straight appearances dating back to the regular season, averaging 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 63.3 percent from the field during that span. Additionally, she's logged at least 16 ESPN fantasy points in each of those four matchups. The Baylor product will likely continue to be an important factor against a talented Storm frontcourt as the Aces look to close out the first round in Game 2 on Tuesday.
DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix Mercury: Bonner is coming off a productive performance in Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Liberty, during which she posted 12 points (5-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and three steals across 31 minutes. The 38-year-old has also been consistent recently, logging at least 20 ESPN fantasy points in eight of her last nine appearances dating back to Aug. 22. While she's taken a significant step back this season, Bonner remains a sparkplug and an important veteran presence. The forward will likely continue to see increased playing time off the bench as the Mercury aim to stave off elimination in New York during Wednesday's Game 2.
Key Fantasy WNBA Fallers to Avoid This Week
Te-Hina Paopao, Atlanta Dream: After starting eight of her last nine regular-season outings, Paopao retreated to the bench for Game 1 of the playoffs. She logged only six minutes in Sunday's win over the Fever, notching two points (1-2 FG) and one rebound. While buried behind Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, Jordin Canada and Maya Caldwell, Paopao isn't expected to play a large role in the postseason. The rookie saw inconsistent playing time throughout the regular season, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Dream shorten the rotation in the playoffs.
Aaliyah Nye, Las Vegas Aces: After starting the Aces' final two regular-season outings with Kierstan Bell sidelined due to a leg injury, Nye went scoreless (0-2 FG) and grabbed one rebound in only five minutes during Sunday's Game 1 win over Seattle. Her extremely limited playing time in a 25-point win is a bad sign for her minutes moving forward, and it wouldn't be shocking to see Las Vegas' rotation continue to shrink as the postseason moves along. While she received double-digit minutes in four consecutive appearances to end the regular season, the rookie isn't expected to play a meaningful role in the playoffs.
Monique Billings, Golden State Valkyries: Billings returned from a 14-game absence Sept. 2 and immediately saw 15-plus minutes of playing time in five consecutive games to end the regular season. However, the 29-year-old forward logged just four minutes in Sunday's Game 1 loss to the Lynx. The Valkyries will aim to stave off elimination in Game 2 on Wednesday, and Billings' role appears to be diminishing in the postseason. She's competing for limited playing time with Laeticia Amihere while buried behind Iliana Rupert, Janelle Salaun and Temi Fagbenle in the frontcourt.
Fantasy WNBA Player to Watch in the First Round of the Playoffs
Brittney Griner, Atlanta Dream: The veteran center is coming off the least productive regular season of her decorated career, and her role is in question following Atlanta's Game 1 win over the Fever on Sunday. Griner logged just eight minutes and struggled in her limited run, totaling two points (1-4 FG), two rebounds and one assist. Only six players recorded double-digit minutes for Atlanta in the win, and Griner's minutes will be critical to monitor moving forward -- especially if the Dream advance past the Fever in the first round.
Those looking for up-to-the-minute fantasy WNBA news can check out RotoWire's WNBA Injury Report and WNBA Lineups. RotoWire also features Top WNBA Picks and Player Props on a daily basis to help find the best betting lines for each night's slate.
