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Eric Moody
Change is the one factor you possibly can all the time depend on, each in sports activities and in life. Whereas consistency is what fantasy managers attempt for, the fact is that participant efficiency can swing wildly over a protracted season.
Making an attempt to maintain up with all of the highs and lows throughout 44 video games and 4 months can really feel overwhelming. That is why breaking issues down week by week makes it simpler to remain grounded and centered on what issues proper now.
That is the purpose of my Risers and Fallers column. It helps you observe momentum shifts as they occur, utilizing insights pulled immediately from ESPN’s fantasy metrics.
Risers
Leonie Fiebich, F, New York Liberty (64.2% rostered, +13.3)
Fiebich has been a mainstay within the Liberty’s beginning lineup this season, scoring 20 or extra fantasy factors in 5 of her final eight video games. She’s additionally performed 30-plus minutes in seven of these. With New York coping with a number of accidents, Fiebich’s fantasy ceiling has risen significantly, and her latest roster surge displays that. If she’s nonetheless out there in your league, do not hesitate so as to add her, particularly in the event you need assistance at ahead or heart.
Janelle Salaun, F, Golden State Valkyries (29.1% rostered, +10.2)
With All-Star Kayla Thornton out for the season resulting from a knee damage, fantasy managers ought to look to the rookie Salaün. Thornton was having a profession 12 months, main the Valkyries in factors (14.0), rebounds (7.0), and steals (1.3). Whereas Salaun will not match that manufacturing on her personal, the minutes shall be there and that makes her fantasy related. She’s had an uneven rookie season however brings scoring upside, respectable rebounding and a few defensive worth. Shot creation is restricted on this roster, and Salaun is without doubt one of the few who can put the ball within the basket. She’ll have a inexperienced mild on a Valkyries crew determined for offense. Even when her effectivity is shaky, the utilization charge ought to carry her. Salaun has averaged 18.1 fantasy factors per recreation this season, and that quantity may climb shortly.
Fallers
Brittney Griner, C, Atlanta Dream (91.3%, +0.6)
Griner hasn’t had the most effective stretch over the previous couple of days. She was ejected in opposition to the Wings on Wednesday after confronting a referee. The following day, issues obtained worse when the 10-time All-Star appeared on the Dream’s damage report with a neck situation. Griner has been a key contributor, averaging 10.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and a team-high 1.1 BPG whereas beginning all 25 video games she’s performed. Her absence can be a serious blow to Atlanta, particularly on the defensive finish, because the crew is already with out Rhyne Howard. For fantasy managers, it is also been a irritating season as Griner has averaged profession lows in factors, rebounds, and blocks, falling in need of her draft-day expectations.
Breanna Stewart, F, New York Liberty (100.0%, +0.0)
Stewart has averaged 18.3 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.4 BPG — respectable numbers, however decrease than what we have come to count on from her, particularly over the previous 4 seasons. Stewart has additionally averaged 34.9 fantasy factors per recreation, which is not dangerous, however contemplating she was drafted third total in lots of leagues, it is nonetheless underwhelming. Gamers like Kelsey Plum (35.0), Angel Reese (34.8), Paige Bueckers (34.0), and Allisha Gray (33.3) are placing up comparable numbers, all with extra favorable ADPs.