WNBA Player Props Today (Sept. 17): Best Bets Featuring Paige Bueckers, A'ja Wilson

The WNBA is back after a 17-day hiatus due to the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup. As the season winds down, each team in the league has just four games remaining. With playoff teams determined, the only factor that remains is seeding. That means every remaining game is crucial for every team alive in the playoff race. In this article, you will find my favorite player prop bets for today.

(Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

There's plenty to bet on today as the WNBA features a five-game card for Thursday.

In the ATL, Angel Reese and the Atlanta Dream (26-14) will host the Connecticut Sun (10-30). The Sun have been eliminated from the playoffs as they approach the end of their final sunset season in Connecticut. Meanwhile, the Dream currently hold the fourth seed via a tiebreaker over the Indiana Fever and remain just one game back of the Aces for the third seed. In addition, Atlanta is 8-2 SU against the Sun since 2024, the Dream are 2-0 against Connecticut in 2026, and left the break 7-3 over their last ten games. Atlanta enters today's game as 15.5-point favorites as the Sun face several lineup questions.

Next in the Windy City, the Chicago Sky (15-25) will host the Washington Mystics (24-16). Despite a stronger second half of the season, the Sky have been riddled by injuries and will once again miss the playoffs. Conversely, the Mystics are one of the youngest groups in the WNBA, but are one of the most impressive. Already locked into the playoffs, the Mystics finished 6-4 down the stretch before the break and head into today's contest as 1.5-point favorites on the road. Head-to-head in 2026, the Mystics lead the series 1-0.

WNBA Games Today

In the Lone Star State, Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings (24-16) will face Nneka Ogwumike and the Los Angeles Sparks (15-25). It's been a disastrous season for the Sparks, who traded away Kelsey Plum and will once again miss the playoffs as they hold the current longest drought (2020). The Wings face challenges ahead as they locked themselves into the playoffs, but lost Azzi Fudd and Sug Sutton for the season. Plus, Alanna Smith was injured in the World Cup. Holding a 2-0 season series lead over the Sparks, the Wings finished 5-5 down the stretch before the break and are 8.5-point favorites today.

The next matchup features two teams who have already been eliminated from the playoffs: Alyssa Thomas and the Phoenix Mercury (14-26) will face the injury-riddled Portland Fire (16-24) on the road. Portland's inaugural season started off hot, but didn't go as planned as several injuries piled up. Several Fire players are listed as out tonight including Bridget Carleton, Megan DiLeo, and Carla Leite. This matchup doesn't have much meaning, but the Mercury are 2.5-point favorites.

In the Emerald City, A'ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces (27-13) will face Dominique Malonga and the Seattle Storm (8-32). Seattle is in full rebuild mode and will miss the playoffs. Conversely, the Aces are the defending champions and went into the break 6-4 down the stretch. Holding a 1-0 season series lead over Seattle, the Aces enter tonight's game as 10.5-point favorites.

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WNBA Betting Odds And Schedule for Thursday, Sept. 17 (DraftKings)

If you are betting on the WNBA today, welcome!

The Sun and Dream will kick things off at 7:30 p.m. ET followed by the Mystics vs. Sky and Sparks vs. Wings at 8 p.m. ET. On the West Coast, the Mercury vs. Fire and Aces vs. Storm will conclude the 10 p.m. ET matchups.

Nationally televised games will include Sparks/Wings and Aces/Storm on the USA Network.

Let's take a look at my three best player prop bets, odds, and predictions for the WNBA games on Thursday, Sept. 17. You can tail all of my picks in Fanatics and FanDuel Sportsbook.

WNBA Player Prop Bets (Sept. 17)

• Paige Bueckers OVER 20.5 Points (-120 Fanatics)
• A'ja Wilson OVER 35.5 Points + Rebounds (-112 FanDuel)
• DeWanna Bonner OVER 6.5 Points (-122 FanDuel)

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Los Angeles Sparks vs. Dallas Wings Best Bets

Paige Bueckers OVER 20.5 Points

Today, I'm locking in Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers to record over 20.5 points against the Sparks.

This is a crucial game for the Wings: they are tied with the Liberty and Mystics for the Nos. 6-8 seeds, so this is a must-win. Not to mention, Dallas will be without several important players, such as Azzi Fudd, Aziaha James, and  Sug Sutton, who are sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season. As mentioned before, Alanna Smith is out.

That means Bueckers has to be the 1A option here. Dallas has to account for 27.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, the average of four players that are out. As Dallas looks for its 25th win of the season, Bueckers and company will have to make up ground with a shortened rotation.

Fortunately, this is a great matchup for Bueckers. The Sparks have been horrid on the defensive end, ranking No. 11 in defensive rating (110.8). Plum has departed, leaving a backcourt that includes Monique Akoa Makani and Ariel Atkins. While both guards are solid defensively, the Sparks overall have been forgiving to guards this season.

Trust Paige Bueckers vs. the Sparks Defense

Regardless of the potential in the backcourt, the Sparks are giving up the second-most points (91.8 PPG) in the WNBA and the most points to guards per game this season (46.1). They allow opponents to shoot 33.8% from beyond the arc, which is middle of the road.

Where I think Bueckers will excel is in the midrange, where she thrives off of creating her shot off screens. In 2026, the Sparks allow the fifth-highest mid-range shot to opponents (39.2%), and ironically, 48% of Bueckers' shots this season come inside the 3-point line.

Trust Bueckers here, who's averaging 20.5 points, 15.1 FGA, and 3.5 FTA in 33.1 minutes of action. Through 35 games, she's shooting 50.6% from the field, specifically 55.2% on 2-pointers. While Bueckers isn't a heavy 3-point volume shooter, she is shooting a career-best 39.7% from beyond the arc.

In 2026, Bueckers has been outstanding against the Sparks, averaging 21.6 points, while shooting 53.1% from the field and 37.5% from deep in two meetings. In early June, Bueckers delivered 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting, but delivered a career-high 14 assists.

Final WNBA Betting Prediction: Paige Bueckers OVER 20.5 Points (-120 Fanatics)

In July, Bueckers erupted for 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting overall and 2-of-4 from three. While neither game was a complete blowout, Dallas defeated the Sparks by eight points in both contests, leaving Bueckers to log an average of nearly 34 minutes per game.

• I'm taking Paige Bueckers to record over 20.5 points today. Not only am I expecting her shot volume to increase, but she averaged 20.6 points and 30.4 minutes in the final five games before the break. Over that span, she shot 50% from the field, 47.8% from three, averaging 15.0 field goal attempts per game. Additionally, she scored 20-plus points in three, including a 32-point and 21-point performance. Clearing this in three of the last five matchups against the Sparks, Bueckers has generally had the matchup advantage over Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler. Her three-level scoring capability was on full display last matchup. 

Las Vegas Aces vs. Seattle Storm Best Bets

A'ja Wilson OVER 35.5 Points + Rebounds

For my second-best bet, I locked in Aces star A'ja Wilson to record over 35.5 points and rebounds against the Seattle Storm.

Wilson is one of the few players that have had ample rest. She opted out of the FIBA World Cup tournament and hasn't played a game since August 28. That's a 20-day break from basketball. I'm expecting a big game from Wilson as she heads into today's matchup as the overwhelming favorite (-1200) to win the WNBA MVP award on DraftKings.

As mentioned previously, this is a must-win game for Vegas as the Aces hold a slim one-game lead over the Dream for the No. 3 seed. In 2026, the Aces hold a 1-0 lead over the Storm, defeating Seattle 101-91 on June 8.

In that matchup, Wilson exploded for 34 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and three blocks, while shooting 10-of-19 from the field, 3-of-5 from three, and 11-of-13 from the line. Throughout 35 minutes, Wilson finished +12 on the floor and had the clear advantage over Malonga in the midrange and in transition to the basket.

Will A'ja Wilson Win Her Fifth WNBA MVP?

A force on both ends of the floor, Wilson scored in a variety of ways including posting up and punishing defenders off of the pick-and-roll. In addition, she hit her first corner 3-pointer of the season as Seattle failed to rotate on the perimeter, specifically Awa Fam. Scoring her 6,001st career point, Wilson took advantage of the defensive mishaps and drop-backs.

Overall, Wilson leads the WNBA in scoring (26.0 PPG), and is putting up 9.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.0 blocks. In 37 games, she's shooting 52.3% from the floor, 39.8% from three, and 85.9% from the line. Talk about a near 40/50/90 season.

If it's not a blowout, this is a great matchup for Wilson. Seattle ranks No. 9 in defensive rating (107.6) despite frontcourt stars Dominique Malonga and Awa Fam. Compare that against Wilson, who recorded 27-plus points in four of the final five games before the break.

Final WNBA Betting Prediction: A'ja Wilson OVER 35.5 Points + Rebounds (-112 FanDuel)

Not to mention that Wilson had a monstrous August, posting averages of 25.0 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 17.8 FGA per game. Consistently averaging anywhere from 30-37 minutes last month, it's comforting knowing that Wilson averaged 23.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 29.0 minutes per game in three blowouts.

As she pushes for a fifth MVP, A'ja Wilson is locked in for 35.5 points and rebounds today. While this seems inflated, she's cleared this line in two straight games against Seattle, averaging 44.5 points and rebounds per game. Plus, she's averaged 26.6 points and 7.8 rebounds alone over the last five games. Wilson should have more rebounding opportunities now that NaLyssa Smith has been ruled out for the season.

• Wilson now faces a Storm team that allows 9.1 rebounds per game to centers and allows the second-most rebounds per game in the WNBA with 36.4. I do believe a majority of this prop line can come from points, but she did average 8.8 rebounds per game in August in addition to 33.8 points and rebounds. If it's not a blowout, this is a strong play. Plus, will Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray play full minutes after winning Gold at the World Cup?

Connecticut Sun vs. Atlanta Dream Best Bets

DeWanna Bonner OVER 6.5 Points

For my third-best bet, I locked in Dream forward DeWanna Bonner to record over 6.5 points against the Connecticut Sun.

We've only seen Bonner in a Dream uniform just once since her buyout with the Phoenix Mercury. Against the Lynx, she delivered 7 points, shooting 3-of-5 from the field and 1-of-3 from downtown in 17 minutes.

Bonner joined Atlanta in hopes of competing for another WNBA championship in what is presumably her last season. Now she faces Connecticut, a franchise Bonner spent five seasons with.

The Sun have been eliminated from the playoffs, and the Dream are favored by 15.5 points. For Connecticut, Leila Lacan, Diamond Miller and Brittney Griner are all questionable. With that large of a spread, oddsmakers are predicting a blowout.

And to be fair, that's been the trajectory all along. Not only does the Dream own a 2-0 series lead over the Sun, but their average margin of victory is +25.5 points. Overall, we've seen them defeat the Sun by 35 and 16 points this season.

I would say there's a large chance that Bonner makes some noise off the bench, especially with Bri Jones remaining out.

Bonner is averaging just 10.5 points while shooting 39.7% from the field, 26.3% from three, and 84.8% from the line. Sure, her shooting percentages are down a bit, but 6.5 points seems too low here. I would also say that scoring seven points against the top team in the league is enough for me to lock the over today.

Final WNBA Betting Prediction: DeWanna Bonner OVER 6.5 Points (-122 FanDuel)

In the last two blowouts against the Sun, head coach Karl Smesko did pull the starters early as Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray, and Naz Hillmon logged under 30 minutes in both games. Similarly, Angel Reese did not play over 30 minutes. So yes, there's a good chance that Madina Okot and DeWanna Bonner take over with the second unit if it goes Atlanta's way.

• I'm locking in DeWanna Bonner to score over 6.5 points today. Connecticut is dealing with injuries and they rank No. 12 in defensive rating (108.9). Not only do they allow 31.9 points per game to forwards, but Bonner is averaging 12.6 points and 25.1 minutes over the last five games. While that was mainly with Phoenix, Bonner is averaging 10-plus points when playing at least 20 minutes. Clearing this line in five of the last six games against the Sun, Bonner should get some looks from outside, in transition, and at the free-throw line. In her Dream debut, four of her points came in the paint and two off turnovers.