WNBA Best Bets Today: 3 Top WNBA Player Prop Bets & Odds for May 8

It's official. The 2026 WNBA season has finally arrived! With a historical collective bargaining agreement signed and delivered, this season brings seven-figure salaries, a fair revenue system, increased benefits, and a significantly larger salary cap. As the WNBA enters its 30th season, let's take a look at the best bets and top player props for opening day on May 8.

Photo by New York Liberty

Today's season-opening slate will feature three games. In the northeast, the Connecticut Sun will face the New York Liberty at Barclays Center. The Sun will embark on their last season in Connecticut as the franchise will relocate to Houston next season. With the likes of Saniya Rivers, Brittney Griner, Aneesah Morrow, Aaliyah Edwards, and more, Connecticut is a fun, yet youthful and energetic team.

They find themselves as massive underdogs (+440 ML) to the New York Liberty, who are a 10.5-point spread favorite at home. The favorites to win the WNBA championship (+260), New York bolstered its roster by bringing back the core four of Sabrina Ionescu, Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. In free agency, they added two-way standout Satou Sabally.

Next up, the newest expansion franchise, the Toronto Tempo, will play its first-ever regular-season game in Canada. -102 moneyline underdogs, Sandy Brondello and company will take on the Washington Mystics (-120 moneyline), led by Kiki Iriafen, Lauren Betts, Sonia Citron, Shakira Austin, and Georgia Amoore.

Today is the 2026 WNBA Season Opener

Toronto is headlined by a million-dollar backcourt duo of Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, while the Mystics boast a strong backcourt with Austin, Betts, and Iriafen. Neither team is favored to win the championship this season—the Mystics are valued at +10000, while the Tempo sit at +150000.

The final matchup of the night will feature a West Coast clash between the Golden State Valkyries and the Seattle Storm. The Valkyries are fresh off a historic inaugural season, one in which they made the playoffs and are now valued at $1 billion. Conversely, the Storm enters a new era under Flau'jae Johnson, who was originally drafted No. 8 overall by Golden State but was subsequently traded to Seattle.

The Storm is headlined by young stars: Johnson, Awa Fam, and Dominique Malonga. They have the third-longest odds to win this year (+20000). Led by Natalie Nakase, Golden State is valued at +3500 to win the championship.

Let's take a look at my three best bets, which include player props, odds, injury reports, and predictions for the Friday, May 8 WNBA games. Tonight, the Liberty, Mystics, and Valkyries are favored.  It's the season opener, so anything can happen!

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WNBA Betting Odds And Schedule For Friday, May 8 (FanDuel)

If you're planning to bet on the WNBA, welcome! The Sun vs. Liberty matchup will kick off on opening night at 7:30 p.m., along with Mystics vs. Tempo. The late-night matchup featuring the Valkyries and Storm will tip off at 10 p.m. ET. All games will air on WNBA League Pass/ION Network.

Odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

WNBA Injury Reports for May 8

Connecticut Sun vs. New York Liberty

Connecticut

1. Nell Angloma, OUT (NWT)
2. Leïla Lacan, OUT (NWT)
3. Shey Peddy, OUT (Leg)
4. Aaliyah Edwards, OUT (Thigh)

New York:

1. Satou Sabally, OUT (Illness)
2. Leonie Fiebich, OUT (NWT)
3. Raquel Carrera, OUT (NWT)
4. Rebecca Allen, OUT (Rest)
5. Sabrina Ionescu, OUT (Ankle)

Washington Mystics vs. Toronto Tempo

Washington

1. Michaela Onyenwere, OUT (Leg)
2. Cotie McMahon, OUT (Elbow)

Toronto

1. Isabelle Harrison, OUT (Hand)
2. Nyara Sabally, OUT (Head)

Golden State Valkyries vs. Seattle Storm

Golden State

1. Justé Jocyté (NWT)
2. Iliana Rupert, OUT

Seattle

1. Katie Lou Samuelson, OUT (Knee)
2. Awa Fam, OUT (NWT)
3. Ezi Magbegor, OUT (Foot)*NWT (not with team)

WNBA Best Bets & Player Props For Friday, May 8

• Dominique Malonga OVER 12.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)
• Connecticut Sun +10.5 vs. Liberty (-120 DraftKings)
• Washington Mystics ML (-115 DraftKings)

Mystics vs. Tempo Best Bets

Mystics ML

Tonight marks the first-ever game for the Toronto Tempo, and it happens to take place at their very own Coca-Cola Coliseum.

It's opening night, and there aren't a ton of stats to go off of. Oddsmakers are predicting this will be a close game, as the Tempo are +1.5-point underdogs at home.

Sure, this is a Mystics team that finished 16-28. However, they were in playoff contention until they traded veteran guard Brittney Sykes to the Seattle Storm. Sure, they finished 0-10 down the stretch, but that landed them No. 4 Lauren Betts in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

The Mystics are one of the youngest rosters in the league, and have one of the fiercest frontcourts with Shakira Austin, Lauren Betts, and Kiki Iriafen. Specifically, Austin is 6'5" and Betts is 6'7". Their size alone gives them an advantage.

Last season, the Mystics ranked No. 5 in rebound percentage (51%) and dominated the league behind the Dream in defensive rebound percentage (72.9%). While it's unclear who Sydney Johnson will start, Betts is strictly an interior big, as with Austin, who will rarely space the floor.

The Tempo is a fun team, one that showed passion and grit in the preseason. Headlined by Sykes and Mabrey, this team will be competitive this season. However, they lack size, and now Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally have been ruled out. That leaves Temi Fágbénlé, who's 6'3", to handle the frontcourt duties against a three-headed monster.

Why I Bet on Washington Mystics Moneyline

The Tempo is a guard-heavy team, boasting a ton of shooting options from Julie Allemand, Mabrey, Sykes, Lexi Held, Kia Nurse, and Kiki Rice. They finished 0-2 in the preseason, losing to the Sun and Lynx. While some say it's just preseason, it's the only data we have. Despite Marina Mabrey sitting out both exhibitions, there's been no clear No. 1 starter.

It will take time for this team to gel under Brondello, and interior presence is a concern. Players such as Citron, Betts, Austin, and Iriafen can expose that interior weakness tonight alone, especially on the glass.

The Mystics held a 16-18 record at one point last season. Citron and Iriafen led the way as Aaliyah Edwards and Sykes were traded away. While the Mystics shot just 32.9% from three last season,  they thrived in paint scoring (37.2 PPG). In addition, they allowed the fewest  second-chance points (9.3), fourth-fewest opponent paint points (34.8)

Despite the Mystics' ranking No. 9 in defensive rating, they held opponents to 33% from the 3-point line. The Mystics will look vastly different this season, as I'm expecting a lineup of Georgia Amoore (set to make WNBA debut), Citron, Iriafen, Betts, and Austin.

Iriafen should have another strong matchup, as she averaged 13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and shot 48.8% from the floor last season. Citron, a silent assassin, tallied 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and shot 44.5% from three in her rookie year.

Final WNBA Betting Prediction: Mystics Moneyline (-115 DraftKings)

Overall, the Tempo has guards who can ball-handle and shot-create, but it comes down to chemistry. I'm going to give the edge to Washington, as they have a stronger frontcourt and some chemistry that's already been built. Plus, the Washington Mystics finally have their playmaker, Amoore, in the lineup, who missed all of last season.

I like what I saw from Washington, as they finished 1-1 in the preseason with an 83-72 victory over the Dream. Betts dominated with 17 points in 26 minutes, and Iriafen with 11 points in 16 minutes. Amoore showed her 3-point prowess, which should pair well with Citron.

• The Mystics have a ton of youth available off the bench tonight, including Angela Dugalić, Rori Harmon, Lucy Olson, Cassandre Prosper, and more. I'll take Washington on the moneyline on the road to start the season. 

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Sun vs. Liberty Best Bets

Connecticut +10.5

This season means something for the Sun, as they embark on their final season in Connecticut. I normally don't touch large spreads, but it is the first game of the season.

The Liberty is favored to win it all this year, but will have major holes to fill in the lineup tonight. Not only is star guard Sabrina Ionescu set to miss two weeks due to an ankle injury, but Satou Sabally, Rebecca Allen, Leonie Fiebich, and Raquel Carrera remain out.

Automatically, New York loses scoring, 3-point prowess, and much-needed size. Ionescu alone averaged 18.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.7 assists last season. Sabally, who signed with New York in free agency, tallied 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.3 steals with the Mercury in 2025.

Fiebich started all 37 games last year and is a player who brings size, length, and 3-point shooting. Either way, the Liberty will most likely roll with a starting lineup of Marine Johannés, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Rebekah Gardner, Breanna Stewart, and Jonquel Jones.  Tonight, they lack a true point guard and frontcourt depth.

Plus, New York will play their first official game under new head coach, Chris DeMarco.

Why the Connecticut Sun Can Cover the Spread

I'm not saying the Sun will upset the Liberty at home. However, every game is meaningful, and last year, they were ranked last in offensive rating (95.9) and No. 11 in defensive rating (108.8).  That said, injuries and inconsistencies were thrown their way, especially to Mabrey (when she was with the Sun).

One area Connecticut thrived in last season was points off turnovers (15.7), which was a problem for the Liberty last season (17.7 turnover %).  This team looks quite different, as Kennedy Burke will face her former team after signing with the Sun in the offseason. Tina Charles retired, but Brittney Griner came in to join Aneesah Morrow and Olivia Nelson-Ododa in the frontcourt.

In fact, they've stashed young talent, including Hailey Van Lith, Reagan Beers, and Ashlon Jackson, and selected a pair of former UCLA Bruins (Gianna Kneepkens, Charlisse Leger-Walker) in the draft.

Final WNBA Betting Prediction: Connecticut Sun +10.5 (-120 DraftKings)

The Sun also has a lengthy list of injuries, including Nell Angloma, Aaliyah Edwards, Leïla Lacan, and Shey Peddy.

Head-to-head, the Liberty are 8-2 against the Sun over the last 10 outings, but Connecticut covered back-to-back 14 and 12-point spreads last season. This roster isn't perfect, but it's improved. Not only did the Sun lose the Liberty's last meeting by two points, but they also haven't lost by 10 or more since the 100-52 blowout in June 2025.

• I'm laying the points with the Connecticut Sun to cover the +10.5-point spread against the Liberty. Last season, they were 10-11 ATS on the road and 23-21 ATS overall despite just 11 wins. Conversely, the Liberty had a 15-27-2 ATS record last season.

Valkyries vs. Storm Best Bets

Dominique Malonga OVER 12.5 Points

I was fortunate to grab this player prop line two nights ago. Today, I'm taking Storm center Dominique Malonga to score over 12.5 points tonight.

This is one of my favorite bets of the night, as I believe the points prop line should be at least 15 points.

Seattle is in full rebuild mode, and Malonga will hold down the frontcourt while No. 3 overall pick Awa Fam remains overseas. Plus, Ezi Magbegor is out tonight with a foot injury. That leaves Malonga, at 6'6", to carry the workload.

Malonga, who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2025 WNBA draft, played 42 games last season, all coming off the bench. She was slow to enter Noelle Quinn's lineup and played behind Nneka Ogwumike. She eventually carved out a larger role for herself and averaged 7.7 points and 4.6 rebounds in just 14.3 minutes of action.

Malonga was a bit rusty in preseason, but tallied a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes against Portland. On April 25, she tallied 10 points in 21 minutes against Golden State.

I would imagine Malonga and Flau'jae Johnson will be the two volume scorers tonight, as each combined for 21 shot attempts against the Fire.

Now, I'm not saying Malonga will have an easy matchup–Golden State allowed just 9.9 points to centers. There's no denying the fact that Golden State kept its main core of Veronica Burton, Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, and even added Gabby Williams in free agency. However, they did lose Monique Billings (Fever) and Temi Fágbénlé in free agency (Tempo).

Final WNBA Betting Prediction: Dominique Malonga OVER 12.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)

That leaves Kiah Stokes and Laeticia Amihere to handle frontcourt duties. I think this is an area where Golden State regressed, especially since they will be without Iliana Rupert.

Last year, Golden State allowed the fewest paint points per game (29), but Malonga took 70% of her shots within the restricted area last season. Over her final 10 games, 48% came from the block, and 33% from long-mid range shots.

• I'm taking Dominique Malonga to score over 12.5 points per game. Her usage, shot volume, and production should increase with a new squad in rebuild mode. Last season, the Valkyries gave up 27 points to Breanna Stewart and 17 to Aliyah Boston. Take this line before it moves. 

Bonus Bet: Kiki Iriafen (Mystics) OVER 13.5 Points (-122 FanDuel)