WNBA Player Props Today: 3 Best WNBA Best Bets and Odds May 18

The WNBA is here, and opening weekend has not disappointed!

 (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

There are two games on the Sunday slate. In the Eastern Conference, the Washington Mystics (1-0) will take on a newly revamped Connecticut Sun team (0-0) on the road. Led by veteran Marina Mabrey, the Sun are 3.5 point spread underdogs at home. Under new head coach Rachid Meziane, the entire Sun roster imploded in the off-season. Now, with rookies Saniya Rivers and Aneesah Morrow out for the home opener, the Sun will square up against a hungry Mystics team.

Similar to Connecticut, Washington is in rebuild mode yet pulled off a gutsy 94-90 victory over the Atlanta Dream in the season opener. 3.5 point spread favorites on the road, will rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen continue their dominance? With four players scoring in double figures, the Mystics shot 50 percent and over from the floor and 3-point range.

For the evening matchup, the Los Angeles Sparks (1-0) will host the Minnesota Lynx (1-0) in their home opener. Starting off the season right, the Sparks came out victorious against the Valkyries. Backed by Kelsey Plum's 37 points, the Sparks defense looked sharp.

Now they face the Lynx, who were a couple of free throws away from winning the WNBA Finals last year. With a dominant 99-84 first game over the Wings, it took some for the Lynx to gel. Once they did, Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams combined for 59 points. That made up nearly 60 percent of the Lynx total offense!

BetMGM WNBA Betting Odds And Schedule For Sunday, May 18

If you're looking to bet on the WNBA, welcome back! With the season kicking off, let's finish out the week strong!

For the afternoon matchup, the Mystics and Sun will tip off at 1 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun Arena, located in Uncasville, Connecticut. Set to begin at 6 p.m. ET, the Lynx and Sparks will square off Crypto.com Arena, located in Los Angeles, California. Both matchups will air on WNBA League pass.

In this article, you will find my best bets and player prop picks for the matchups today! Placing all bets at straight plays, I will continue to put an emphasis on responsible betting and bank roll management!

Let's take a look at my best WNBA bets for the May 18 matchups!

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

WNBA Player Props & Best Bets For Sunday, May 18

 Player Prop Bet #1: Kelsey Plum

Kelsey Plum 2025 WNBA Stats

GP: 1 |PPG: 37 | FG: 57.9 % | FT: 80.4 % | 3PT : 66.7 % | REB: 2.0  | AST: 6.0 | STL: 5.0 |  BLK: 0.0

• Over 5.5 Assists (-136 FanDuel)

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum to record over 5.5 assists against the Lynx.

Plum had an unbelievable Sparks debut, scoring 37 points in addition to 6.0 assists, and 5.0 steals. One of the most complete performances of her career, Plum set an WNBA record for the most points scored in a season opener game!

I do feel Plum will come back to earth at some point. The Minnesota Lynx were among the top defensive teams last year, although they will be without guard Kayla McBride once again. Allowing 84 points to Dallas was uncharacteristic, and I do expect the Lynx to tighten up defensively.

As a young team, Plum was expected to be the Spark's top scoring option when acquiring the star in the offseason. With that said, I expect Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve to have a plan defensively for Plum. Without Rae Burrell, the Sparks bench doesn't run super deep. However, Plum is the primary ball handler and facilitator for Los Angeles.

How Far Can Kelsey Plum Carry the Sparks This Season?

With options to run the pick and roll with Dearica Hamby and Azura Stevens, Plum has some knock down shooters around her—one being sophomore Rickea Jackson.

Following opening weekend, Plum ranks No.5 in the WNBA with 6.0 assists per game. With a career average of 4.0 dimes to game, I do expect her to hit career-high's in the assist region this season. Last year, Plum shared on ball time with Aces Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young. With the Sparks, Plum is the clear cut primary ball handler. With a 30.2 usage percentage, I'm expecting Plum to be heavily involved tonight.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Kelsey Plum Over 5.5 Assists (-136 FanDuel)

As we saw in the season opener, the Lynx held the Wings to a second best 15 assists in the WNBA. Overall, the Lynx boast one of the best defenses in the league, and Arike Ogunbowale was held to four assists. However, there are multiple ball handlers in Dallas.

Although just soaring over 5.5 assists in three of the last four matchups with the Lynx, expect Minnesota to swarm Plum on the defensive end.

•  The first player in WNBA history to record 35+ points, 5.0 assists, and 5.0 steals, I'm taking Plum Dawg to record over 5.5 assists today.,

 Player Prop Bet #2: Marina Mabrey

• Over 16.5 Points (-110 FanDuel)

My second best bet for today, I bet one unit on Sun guard Marina Mabrey to record over 16.5 points vs the Mystics.

This is a completely revamped Sun roster, and with that, two of their top rookies are out for today's game. It's the first game of the season for Connecticut, however, I'm expecting Mabrey to lead the way along veteran Tina Charles.

With several injuries and players available, it's unclear how the Sun's offense will gel. We know Tina Charles and Marina Mabrey are bucket getters. Traded to Connecticut last season to compete for a championship, Mabrey is ready to take her game to new heights ahead of the new CBA and free agency next year.

On a loaded Sun's roster last season, Mabrey averaged 14.9 points per game, and a career-high 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. Able to score in a multitude of ways, Mabrey has a prime matchup against the Mystics— a team that allowed the Dream to drop 90 points.

We are talking about a Mystics team that let Dream guard Allisha Gray to explode for 19 first half points, and 25 total. In the victory, Gray shot 6-10 from 3-point range.

With the Sun expected to start both Lindsay Allen and Jacy Sheldon, Sheldon will continue to improve her game aside from her excellent defensive prowess.  That said, I'm expecting Mabrey to take a huge leap forward, leading the Sun in shot attempts and points scored this season.

In the Sun's 94-86 preseason victory over the Liberty, Mabrey poured in 13 points on 3-7 3-point shooting. In her lone preseason debut, the former Notre Dame star logged just 19 minutes.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Marina Mabrey Over 16.5 Points (-110 FanDuel)

I think this player prop line is set too low, considering the amount of injuries on the Sun.  Mabrey has a huge void to fill following the departures of Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner, DiJonai Carrington, and Brionna Jones. Overall, I was underwhelmed by the Mystics lack of defensive effort in the second half on Friday.

With the Sun's core having completely vanished, I don't expect the Sun to be ahead a whole lot. I'm expecting them to play from behind quite a bit this season.

• In the Sun's first game of the season, I'm taking Marina Mabrey to score over 16.5 points today. 

WNBA Best Spread Bet: Mystics vs Sun

• Washington Mystics -3.5 (-108 FanDuel)

My third best bet for today, I'm taking the Washington Mystics to cover the 3.5 favorable spread on the road today vs the Connecticut Sun.

The Mystics surprised me after a hard fought 94-90 victory over the Atlanta Dream. We are talking about a Dream team that's LOADED with talent. Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones, Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray—Atlanta isn't an easy team to beat.

Not to mention rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen had excellent rookie debuts, combining for 33 points. With four players scoring in double figures, is Jade Melbourne the ultimate x-factor? She shot 2-3 from deep, for 11 points. Although the Mystics are missing Aaliyah Edwards and Georgia Amoore, Shakira Austin is expected to make her debut today barring any setbacks.

While it's hard to base a team off just one or two games, Washington covered the +8 underdog spread against Atlanta. Shooting 50+ percent from the field and 3-point line, this is a team that rallied from a 12 point deficit.

Forcing 16 turnovers, the Mystics dominated in the paint. Although rebounds were an issue, they now face a Sun team with a ton of uncertainty. Under a new coach, system, and players, I'm not expecting the Sun to come out blazing. Although Connecticut has prided themselves on defense, I was impressed with their ability to keep up with the Liberty in preseason.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Washington Mystics -3.5 (-108 FanDuel)

Only nine players will be available for coach Meziane and the Sun tonight. Although the Mystics are in rebuild mode, they have a bona fide veterans in Brittney Sykes and Stefanie Dolson. In addition, Austin should provide in instant boost to the front court, minus minute restrictions.

The line originally opened up at 1.5 in favor of the Mystics, and I do believe they are the superior team. Although both rosters are drastically different from last season, the Sun lost all five players in the offseason.

• I'm taking the Mystics to cover the 3.5 point spread today. Under new head coach Sydney Johnson, the offensive looked fluid in the first game. This is a gritty team with nothing to lose.