WNBA Best Bets Today: Top Picks for Thursday’s Playoff Slate Featuring Fever vs Dream, Storm vs Aces (September 18)

The 2025 WNBA Playoffs are heating up!

 (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Tonight, there are two Game 3 first-round matchups featuring four of the top teams in the WNBA!

First up, the Atlanta Dream (1-1) will host the Indiana Fever (1-1) at home. With both teams facing elimination, one will be sent home, while the other moves on to the semifinals. The winner will play the winner of the Storm vs Aces series!

Picked as seven-point spread favorites, Atlanta is fresh off a 77-60 Game 2 loss in Indianapolis. Without Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, and several other players, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston, and Natasha Howard combined for 46 points. In addition, head coach Stephanie White leaned on her bench, which produced 24 points.

The Dream couldn't buy a shot, scoring just 29 first-half points, and 44 through three quarters. While head coach Karl Smesko dug deep into his bench, Rhyne Howard was the only player to score points in double-figures (10 points). MVP candidate Allisha Gray went 4-16 from the field, and the Dream shot 38 percent from the floor, and 26 percent from three.

Accumulating 23 personal fouls, there was a battle featuring Aliyah Boston vs Brionna Jones all night. With the regular season series split 1-1, it all comes down to tonight's matchup!

Dream, Fever, Storm, Aces Look to Advance To 2025 WNBA Semifinals

The late night showdown will feature Nneka Ogwumike and the Seattle Storm (1-1) vs A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces (1-1). After enduring a brutal 102-77 in Game 1 loss, the Storm came back to defeat the Aces 86-83. While it was Skylar Diggins to carried the Storm with 26 points and a last second bucket, rookie Dominique Malonga and Erica Wheeler saved Seattle down the stretch with defense and clutch 3-pointers.

A rematch of the 2020 WNBA Finals, there's quite a bit of history between these two squads. Meeting in the playoffs three times since 2022, tonight should be pure cinema.  Tabbed as 8-point spread favorites, the Aces head back home to Sin City, and won the regular season series against the Storm 2-1. The winner of tonight's matchup will face the winner of the Dream vs Fever series.

With two high-stakes matchups ahead, let's look at the Thursday, September betting odds for both games!

WNBA Playoffs BetMGM Betting Odds And Schedule For Thursday, September 18

If you're planning to bet on the 2025 WNBA Playoffs, welcome!

With two highly-anticipated Game 3 matchups, buckle up, there's plenty to bet on tonight!

With tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. ET, the Fever and Dream will square off in Atlanta. Beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET, the Storm and Aces will face off in Las Vegas. Each matchup will air on ESPN 2.

Since the playoffs can be extra risky, I am playing it safe and betting responsible. Therefore, I've placed each bet as separate picks within FanDuel and DraftKings Sportsbook.

Here are my top three best bets, player prop picks, and predictions for the Thursday, September 18 WNBA Playoff matchups featuring the Fever vs Dream and Storm vs Aces.

Are you looking to bet on WNBA player props all season long? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.

WNBA BEST BETS SUMMARY

• Kelsey Mitchell (Indiana Fever) OVER 19.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)
• A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces) OVER 24.5 Points (-104 FanDuel)
• Dominique Malonga (Seattle Storm) OVER 6.5 Rebounds (-165 DraftKings)

WNBA Best Bets For Thursday, September 18

Player Prop Bet #1: Kelsey Mitchell

Kelsey Mitchell 2025 WNBA Playoff Stats

GP: 2 | PPG: 23 | FG: 48.4 % | FT: 91.4 % | 3PT: 41.7 % | REB: 1.8 | AST: 3.4 | STL: 0.9 | BLK: 0.2

• OVER 19.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Indiana Fever star Kelsey Mitchell to record over 19.5 points against the Atlanta Dream.

This is an extremely "corporate," yet popular pick. However, I can't fade Mitchell in a must-win scenario tonight.

Mitchell is the Fever's leading scoring without Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, Aari McDonald, and Syd Colson just to name a few that are injured.

I do believe this player prop line is set too low for a few reasons. First, tonight is a potential elimination game for both teams. The winner will advance to the semifinals. Two, Mitchell is averaging 23 points in two games against the Dream. In the Playoffs, she's shot 48.4 percent from the floor, and 41.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Can Kelsey Mitchell, Indiana Fever Advance To The Semifinals?

Mitchell scored 19 points in 29 minutes in the Fever's Game 2 77-60 victory. While that's under the prop threshold, we have to remember she didn't play a lick of the fourth quarter. In the matchup, she shot 6-13 from the field, 4-8 from 3-point, and 3-3 from the free-throw line.

+18 on the floor, Mitchell scored eight first and third quarter points. Two of her 3-pointers came out of the gate in the first quarter.

It's not an easy matchup for Mitchell, given the Dream have two-way stars in Jordin Canada, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray. Allowing the third fewest points to guards, that hasn't stopped Mitchell all year long.

Whether it's scoring in transition, pulling up a rainbow three, or cutting back door, Mitchell scored over 19.5 points in two of four regular season matchups against the Dream.

I'll take the chance that Mitchell once again leads the Fever in Game 3. I am. expecting this matchup to be fairly close, although the books have Atlanta favored by 7.5 points. Over the last two games, she's put up 13 field goal attempts, including 18 in game 1.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Kelsey Mitchell OVER 19.5 Points (-128 FanDuel)

The Dream looked out of sorts in Game 2 on both sides of the ball. I'm expecting the Fever to possibly play from behind, especially since they are on the road.

• I'm taking Kelsey Mitchell to record over 19.5 points today. I expect Mitchell to average at least 20+ if the Fever can stay in it. An MVP candidate, she's carried the Fever all season long without Caitlin Clark. In four career playoff games, she's averaged 21 points. 

Player Prop Bet #2: A'ja Wilson

A'ja Wilson 2025 WNBA Playoff Stats

GP: 2| PPG: 25 | FG: 56.7 % | FT: 66.7 % | 3PT: 50 % | REB: 10.5 | AST: 3.5 | STL: 2.0 | BLK: 2.0

• OVER 24.5 Points (-104 FanDuel)

My second best bet for today, I placed one unit on Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson to record over 24.5 points against the Seattle Storm.

Same as Kelsey Mitchell, it's hard to fade the top stars in the biggest games. The Aces and Storm will play a Game 3 tonight, in which one team will advance to the semifinals.

Although the Storm ended the Aces 17 game win-streak, its been Wilson who's carried this team night in and night out. My vote for 2025 WNBA MVP, Wilson is putting up 25 points in the playoffs.

Not to mention, she's far expanded her range from the 3-point, especially ever since the Aces acquired NaLyssa Smith. In two playoff games, she's shooting an impeccable 56.7 percent from the field, and 50 percent from beyond the arc.

In Game 1, Wilson erupted for 29 points, 19 rebounds, shooting 42.9 percent and 100 percent from three. Game 2, Wilson started off blazing, yet played passive and was held to five second half points.

Is A'ja Wilson The 2025 WNBA MVP?

You could argue Storm rookie Dominique Malonga saved the season with intense defense down the stretch. In the fourth quarter, she held A'ja Wilson defensively. It will be interesting if Malonga will receive more playing time than Ezi Magbegor tonight, or if she will remain Wilson's main defensive assignment.

Normally, this is a great matchup for Wilson, since the Storm allow the third most points to centers. We saw six full minutes how Malonga defended down the stretch. I'm curious how that will affect Wilson.

Either way, we saw A'ja score tough shots, including over Magbegor. She's the best player in the world, and MVP front-runner for a reason.

With the season on the line, the offense must flow through Wilson. Shooting 7-12 last game, she had 18 field goal attempts in Game 2.

But let's not forget she's had a ton of looks at the free-throw line. With 21 attempts, she's left seven points on the board with missed shots.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: A'ja Wilson OVER 24.5 Points (-104 FanDuel)

Soaring over this prop line in two of three regular season matchups against Seattle, Wilson last scored 29 points against them on August 8. While I almost bet on her rebound prop line, 25 percent of this prop can come from the charity stripe alone.

• I'm taking A'ja Wilson to record over 24.5 points tonight. The value is too great to pass up at -104 odds (nearly plus money).

Player Prop Bet #2: Domonique Malonga

Dominque Malonga 2025 Playoff WNBA Stats

GP: 2 | PPG: 11.5 | FG: 44.4 % | FT: 100 % | 3PT: 100 % | REB: 10.5 | AST: 2.0 | STL: 1.0 | BLK: 1.5

• OVER 6.5 Rebounds (-165 DraftKings)

My third best bet for today, I placed one unit on Seattle Storm rookie Dominique Malonga to record over 6.5 rebounds against the Las Vegas Aces.

Aforementioned, Malonga's presence down the stretch was huge for Seattle, and she has earned a decent amount of minutes for head coach Noelle Quinn.

At 6 foot 7, Malonga scoring production has drastically increased in the playoffs. In two games against the Aces, she's averaging 11.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 23.5 minutes.

Why Dominique Malonga Can Clear This Player Prop line Today

In Game 2, she erupted for 11 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench. Although Ezi Magbegor got the starting nod, she's splitting even time with Malonga. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Malonga got the starting nod here. After all, she did make a go ahead bucket in Game 2.

Malonga should easily soar over this line, as long as she plays 23 minutes or more. When logging this many minutes, she's crushed this player prop in six of eight games this season.

Grabbing 10 and 11 rebounds in the first two games against the Aces, Malonga has the advantage, especially if the Aces continue to stretch the floor with A'ja. With seven offensive boards in those two outings, she could be key in the second chance opportunities.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Dominique Malonga OVER 6.5 Rebounds (-165 DraftKings)

This is a great matchup for Malonga give the Aces allow the second most rebounds to centers. While she didn't play much in the first half of the season , she did put up 22 points and 12 rebounds against Las Vegas on August 8.

• I'm taking Dominque Malonga to record over 6.5 rebounds in a must win game tonight. An inside big, she should get plenty of opportunities in drop coverage and defending the pick and roll.  I do believe this line is too low, and she's earned valuable minutes off the bench.