Rayah

Marshall

It was “Tina Charles Bobblehead Day” at the Sun game on Monday, and the veteran center gave the home fans another quality showing. She recorded her 14th 20-point game of the season and played 36 of a possible 40 minutes. Charles’ consistent playing time is good news for fantasy managers who have her rostered, as the veteran’s minutes have not been sacrificed in favor of Connecticut’s younger frontcourt players. Rayah Marshall only played three minutes on Monday, while fellow rookie Aneesah Morrow (6/5/1/1/1) played 20 and Aaliyah Edwards (4/4/1/0/2) logged 21.

Charles extended her double-digit scoring streak to seven games with Tuesday’s effort, finishing a steal shy of a complete stat line. The veteran center is well-positioned to offer solid value for the rest of the season, as Sun head coach Rachid Meziane has not given rookie Rayah Marshall many minutes off the bench. Marshall received a DNP-CD on Tuesday and has only exceeded 10 minutes twice in 11 appearances this season. While that could change, that feels unlikely with Charles continuing to exceed 30 minutes consistently.

Charles is another one of Connecticut’s veterans who was effective in limited minutes. The veteran forward/center led all scorers and recorded a complete stat line in arguably her best performance of the season. The production was an excellent development for fantasy managers, who may be concerned about Charles’ playing time as the season wears down. With the Sun 4-20 on the season, that will be something to watch down the stretch. Rookie Rayah Marshall (two points, two rebounds) only played 10 minutes off the bench on Sunday, but she’s a player who could play more as the season wears down for evaluation purposes.

Rivers was cleared to play in Sunday’s loss to the Sky but did not play, with Jacy Sheldon replacing her in the starting lineup. The Sun will likely stick with that setup if Rivers cannot play against Indiana. As for Marshall, she has not appeared in a game since June 1 due to an ankle injury. Her absence does not significantly impact the Sun rotation, however, especially with Olivia Nelson-Ododa (ankle) returning from injury on Sunday.

Despite the Sun having last played on June 8, Marshall’s right ankle is not healthy enough for her to return to game action. Sunday’s game will be the third the rookie has missed. Aneesah Morrow and Kariata Diaby were already ahead of Marshall in the frontcourt pecking order, and it’s likely that starter Olivia Nelson-Ododa (ankle) will also be available on Sunday.

Sunday’s game will be the second Marshall has missed with a right ankle injury. However, the rookie’s continued absence will not significantly impact fantasy basketball, as she has been on the back end of the Sun frontcourt rotation.

Marshall will not play on Friday due to a right ankle injury, but her absence will not significantly impact Connecticut’s frontcourt rotation. Fellow rookie Aneesah Morrow should see additional minutes, while Kariata Diaby may pick up more playing time after logging four minutes in Sunday’s loss to the Liberty. Neither player stands to impact fantasy basketball in the short term, but Morrow will be someone to watch during the second half of the season, especially if Connecticut’s struggles continue.

Morrow, who has missed time with a right knee injury, will make her WNBA debut on Friday. The rookie forward gives the Sun additional frontcourt depth, and her addition will likely lead to fewer minutes for fellow first-year forward Rayah Marshall. Morrow’s fantasy value may not be particularly high right now, but she’s a player whose minutes should increase as the season progresses, especially if the Sun struggle.

Morrow was the seventh overall pick in last month’s draft, but she has yet to make her WNBA debut due to a right knee injury. That may change on Friday, with the Sun listing the rookie forward as questionable. Fellow rookie Rayah Marshall played 10 minutes off the bench in Connecticut’s loss to the Aces on Tuesday, and Kariata Diaby logged 13. They’re the players whose minutes may decrease if Morrow is available.

While Marshall’s offensive output took a significant hit during her senior season, that had more to do with the Women of Troy adding Kiki Iriafen via the transfer portal than anything the 6-foot-4 wasn’t doing. That did not prevent Marshall from being an impactful defender, earning Big Ten All-Defensive Team honors. In 33 games, she averaged 7.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.1 blocks while shooting 48 percent from the field and 75.4 percent from the foul line. Marshall’s defensive ability stands out; she can protect the rim and is comfortable defending the pick and roll. However, the offensive ability may be slept on, making her a potential steal for the Connecticut Sun in this draft.