The only constant in sports (and life) is change. While consistency is key to a winning strategy, the ebb and flow of production often can't be avoided.
Tracking the endless ups and downs over 40 games and nearly four months can become a heady operation. Segmenting the journey, however, into weekly updates allows managers to live (and play) in the now.
That's exactly what my Risers and Fallers column aims to accomplish, as we utilize ESPN's metrics database for a deeper look at the numbers.
Risers
Stefanie Dolson, C, Washington Mystics (60% rostered, +24.6)
Returning to the team that drafted her No. 6 overall back in 2014, Dolson has impressed in a starting capacity thus far into 2024. Ravaged by injuries, the Mystics have had to dig deep in order to stay competitive. While the team dropped the first 12 games of the season, Coach Thibault & Co. have turned things around as of late, winning four of the squad's last five contests.
Dolson's play has contributed to the recent upswing, as the 32-year-old has recorded double-digit points in three straight outings. The former UConn stand out has also collected a notable 25 boards over that time. Dolson's ability to convert from downtown has added to her upside. She has sunk 10 of 18 3-point shots (55%) over her past three efforts, boosting her average fantasy points per game to 30 during that time. With question marks surrounding the health of Shakira Austin, Aaliyah Edwards and Karlie Samuelson, Dolson remains a solid streaming option.
Li Yueru, C, Los Angeles Sparks (5.8% rostered, +3.3)
In the throes of a rebuild, the Sparks entered the season willing to tinker with lineups and rotations. Cameron Brink emerged as a beneficiary of those circumstances, averaging 22 minutes per game. Unfortunately, the No. 2 overall pick in 2024 suffered a torn ACL last week and will be sidelined for the remainder of the year. As a result, Yueru has seen an increase in playing time, logging a career-high 26 minutes on June 18 and recording back-to-back starts.
Yueru's production hasn't been stellar, as she has recorded no more than five field goals since Brink was injured. She has, however, regularly contributed to secondary categories, registering a total of seven rebounds and six assists over her past three matchups. There is a chance Yueru's production could experience an uptick at Phoenix on Friday. The Mercury are the third fastest team in the league (97.92 pace), which should create more opportunities for the Sparks, as they are likely to be playing catch up. Yueru's ceiling is far from sky-high, but she remains an interesting depth stash for fantasy purposes.
Stephanie Talbot, F, Los Angeles Sparks (4% rostered, +3.3)
Talbot has yet to record a start, but has flashed off the bench during the past three games, averaging 29 minutes per contest. The 30-year-old has crushed the glass in back-to-back games as well, recording a total of 19 boards since June 20. Talbot's role remains unclear, but she could prove to be a solid speculative add, assuming her recent performance has earned her more playing time.
Fallers
Teaira McCowan, C, Dallas Wings (96.7% rostered, -0.9)
Injuries have created a seemingly constant state of flux for Dallas' rotation. While Natasha Howard returned from a foot issue, the team lost Maddy Siegrist to a broken finger. McCowan's playing time has fluctuated as a result. While the six-year vet remains in the starting lineup, she has been competing for minutes with Monique Billings, who played a reserve role for 30 minutes in the Wings' loss at Washington.
McCowan has now been held under 15 minutes in back-to-back efforts, recording a total of just 12 fantasy points during that time. Noting the 27-year-old's struggles with turnovers (five during her past two games), it's unlikely she'll see an immediate rebound in opportunities. Billings appears, for the moment, to have an edge over McCowan, lowering the starter's fantasy stock and relegating her to fantasy benches for the time being. Given the Wings 3-13 record, however, the tinkering does not figure to end anytime soon.
Tiffany Hayes, G, Las Vegas Aces (8.9% rostered, -3.1)
Hayes was highlighted as a Riser in this column two weeks ago. But the W is a fluid league (and fantasy is a fickle endeavor), in which circumstances are constantly (de)volving. Chelsea Gray's return from a lower-leg injury figures to negatively affect Hayes' fantasy stock. While Hayes remains a starter for the time being, Gray is expected to be eased into action, pushing Hayes further down the depth chart and likely back to the bench.
Coming off of a season-low effort in which she contributed 4 points, 0 rebounds and 2 assists, Hayes upside appears woefully capped. She next faces the Sky on June 27. Las Vegas enters the contest as 8.5-point favorites, making a rebound for Hayes all the more unlikely.
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