In fantasy basketball, sometimes you need to take calculated risks, especially near the end of a season when injuries and trades may have made it more difficult to play things safely. This may involve picking up a player who isn’t a sure bet to get consistent minutes or doesn’t always shoot a high percentage from the field.
If you’re in such a position in your WNBA fantasy league, Washington Mystics forward Emily Engstler is a player whose potential reward could outweigh her risk. Engstler hadn’t seen much playing time this season, and though she briefly showed what she was capable of during a short stretch in late June, she hasn’t been worth rostering in fantasy leagues up until now.
With Myisha Hines-Allen now with the Minnesota Lynx and Shakira Austin once again on the sidelines (ankle injury), Engstler has finally gotten an opportunity to play in August, and she’s proving what a great fantasy player she can be. In her last five games, Engstler is averaging 12.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and three defensive stats (steals and blocks), which is good for 28.6 fantasy points per game. She’s also knocking down 2.2 3-point shots per game at a 50 percent clip.
