WNBA Player Props Today: 3 Best WNBA Prop Bets and Odds May 16

It's official—the WNBA season is here! Buckle up, bettors, and get ready for the ride!

 (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

With 44 regular season games on the schedule, there are three tonight! A newly revamped Atlanta Dream team will face a rebuilding Washington Mystics squad on the road. 6.5 point spread favorites on the road, can the Dream contend this year under first-year head coach Karl Smesko? With new additions such as Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones, can the Dream surpass last year's record of 15-25?

The Washington Mystics are clearly in rebuild mode, drafting rookies Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore. Unfortunately, Amoore is out for the season with an ACL tear. With Brittney Sykes and Aaliyah Edwards leading the helm, the franchise is slowly rebuilding. With a new GM and coaching staff, this season may be a bit tumultuous for Washington. However, the long-term future is bright.

Next up, No.1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Paige Bueckers, will make her home debut with the Dallas Wings. It's officially Paige Bueckers day in Hopkins, Minnesota, and the rookie will face her childhood team (Minnesota Lynx). Talk about irony! With a revamped roster under Curt Miller and head coach Kurt Koclanes, the organization added DiJonai Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Ty Harris in the offseason.

After a dreadful 9-31 record last season, the Wings are +5.5 underdogs at home against Lynx tonight. Is this a trap considering Kayla McBride and Alanna Smith are unlikely to suit up?  The Lynx are runners up for a reason. Conceding to the New York Liberty in the finals, bettors can't count out Napheesa Collier.

For the late night matchup, the Golden State Valkyries will make their WNBA inaugural season debut against the Los Angeles Sparks. A fresh new expansion franchise, the Valkyries are massive 6.5 point spread underdogs at home. Even with the draft, Golden State didn't retain one rookie on the final roster.

The Sparks are a unique team—one that's rebuilding, yet has veteran pieces. The core sophomores of Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson will anchor this team for years. Although Brink isn't fully recovered from an ACL tear, Los Angeles acquired Kelsey Plum in the offseason, along with hiring a new head coach (Lynne Roberts). With Plum and Dearica Hamby expected to anchor this team, the Sparks should improve from last season.

BetMGM WNBA Betting Odds And Schedule For Friday, May 16

If you're looking to bet on the WNBA, welcome! I will provide daily picks for all 44 regular season games and into the playoffs!

The first matchup of the evening between the Lynx and Wings/ Dream and Mystics will both tip-off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The late night showdown between the Sparks and Valkyries will begin at 10 p.m. ET. All matchups will air on the ION Network and WNBA League Pass!

Let's start off the season strong! In this article, you will find my best player prop bets and predictions for the May 16 WNBA matchups! Placing all bets as separate wagers, my main goal this season is bank roll management!

Let's take a look at my best bets for today!

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 Player Props For Friday, May 16

WNBA Player Prop Bet #1: Paige Bueckers

• Over 4.5 Assists (-138 FanDuel)

My first best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers to record over 4.5 assists against the Minnesota Lynx today. Having averaged 4.6 dimes in her final season with UConn, I don't have much stats to go off of.

The Wings drafted Bueckers No.1 overall for a reason. Expected to fill the point guard role for the Wings, it will take time for Bueckers to adjust to playing more at the 1. As we've seen in preseason, both Arike Ogunbowale and DiJonai Carrington have split ball handling duties. Known for playing on and off the ball, Bueckers gets her ultimate wish—she will face her favorite childhood team growing up—the Minnesota Lynx.

Although the Lynx will be without Alanna Smith and Kayla McBride, they were the second best defensive team in the WNBA last season for a reason. I'm expecting the Lynx to smother Bueckers in her WNBA debut. With that, there's plenty of scoring options for Bueckers. That includes, Ogunbowale, Carrington, NaLyssa Smith, and Maddy Siegrist just to name a few.

We saw Bueckers have two solid preseason outings against the Aces and Antelopes. Scoring double-digit figures in both, Bueckers racked up seven assists through two games. We can't forget that sick pass to Arike Ogunbowale in the paint from Bueckers. Her ability to see the floor and throw long outlet passes is a staple of her game.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Paige Bueckers Over 4.5 Assists (-138 FanDuel)

Mind you, Bueckers didn't play over 23 minutes in both preseason games. She's a complete player, who's played unselfish throughout her entire collegiate career at UConn. As Rebecca Lobo mentioned, her game should translate well to the WNBA, and that includes her efficiency.

Bueckers has mentioned on multiple occasions post draft, she'll open up assists for her teammates, including Ogunbowale. The Lynx allowed the least amount of assists per game last season with 18.1. However, losing McBride is a huge disadvantage for the Lynx, given she's a two-way player. Either way, Natisha Hiedeman and Courtney Williams should remain pests on the defensive end.

• I'm going with Paige Bueckers to record over 4.5 assists today. 

WNBA Player Prop Bet #2: Napheesa Collier

Napheesa Collier 2024 WNBA Stats

PPG: 20.4 | FG: 49.2 % | FT: 80.4 % | 3PT : 31 % | REB: 9.7  | AST: 3.4 | STL: 1.9 |  BLK: 1.4

• Over 22.5 Points (-118 FanDuel)

My second best bet for today, I placed one unit on Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier to record over 22.5 points vs the Dallas Wings. Collier is coming off an MVP like season, averaging 20.4 season and 9.7 rebounds. Named Defensive Player of the Year, Collier is fresh off Unrivaled, in which she won MVP.

Now she get's a prime matchup with the Dallas Wings on the road. Recently signed to Jordan Brand, Collier is the second favorite among several sportsbooks to win MVP this year. In fact, WNBA General Mangers voted Collier most likely to win the 2025 WNBA MVP this season in a recent survey.

Collier is only increasing her production as time goes on. As we saw in Unrivaled, Colliers fadaway mid-range jumper is automatic at this point. A versatile scorer and defender, Collier can score in a multitude of ways. Although shooting just 31 percent from beyond the arc last season, we saw Collier practice that in the offseason through Unrivaled.

The Lynx have a talented roster, and I'm super intrigued how much Marieme Badiane will contribute this season. Collier has teammates such as Williams, Hiedeman, and Bridget Carleton to step up. Heck, I'm expecting Jessica Shepard and Diamond Miller to have increased production now healthy. However, the absence of Alanna Smith and Kayla McBride leaves a huge void for the Lynx. Two players that impact both sides of the court, Smith was a nice surprise last season. Now with Dorka Juhasz out for the season, Collier will have to do a bulk of the heavy lifting tonight.

Last year, McBride and Smith made up nearly 31 percent of the offense—so replacing that tonight won't be an easy feat.

As for the Wings, they are a brand new team that will take time to develop chemistry. Conversely, the Lynx have chemistry from last year between several players. With that, Dallas made major upgrades in the backcourt, but I still question the front court.

The Wings acquired NaLyssa Smith to help Teaira McCowan, but is this a gigantic upgrade on the defensive end? Bound to increase their defensive prowess, the Wings ranked last in defensive rating (111.7), and allowed the most paint points in the WNBA with 40.7 points per game. With the departures of Natasha Howard, Myisha Hines-Allen is widely expected to fill that gap in the front court.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Napheesa Collier Over 22.5 Points (-118 FanDuel)

Overall, there's very few players that can guard Collier 1-one-1 in the league. With that said, she averaged 21.5 points and shot 48.3 percent from the field in four games against the Wings last year.

Not only are the Lynx going to miss two of their top four scorers from last season, I expect Collier to lead the Lynx in scoring tonight. Last year, she averaged 16 field goal attempts per game, and 4.6 trips to the charity stripe per game. I'm expecting high volume shooting against a newly formed Wings team that will take time to develop chemistry on the defensive end.

Coming off 20 points against the Storm in last year's season opener, Collier is averaging 18.2 points in the last two openers. Having averaged 23.8 points in last year's playoffs, this is a strong player prop.

• I'm riding with Napheesa Collier to record over 22.5 points today. 

WNBA Player Prop Bet #3: Brittney Griner

Brittney Griner 2024 WNBA Stats

PPG: 17.8 | FG: 57.9 % | FT: 77.7 % | 3PT : 50 % | REB: 6.6 | AST: 2.3 | STL: 0.5 |  BLK: 1.5

• Over 6.5 Rebounds (-122 FanDuel)

My third best best for tonight, I placed one unit on Dream center Brittney Griner to record over 6.5 rebounds vs the Washington Mystics tonight.

Having spent the first 11 seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, Griner shocked the basketball world by signing with the Atlanta Dream in free agency.

Not only did the Dream make a splash for Griner, they signed Brionna Jones to futher bolster their frontcourt. Under head coach Karl Smesko, I'm curious about the spacing between the two. However, 3-point shooting is an emphasis for the Atlanta Dream this year.

Griner hasn't appeared in many preseason games, logging just two minutes against the Fever last week. However, Griner impressed against the Mystics, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 boards. Ironically, the Dream get another rematch with the Mystics. Those 10 rebounds came in only 19 minutes of action!

There's no doubt the Mystics will struggle on the interior with Stefanie Dolson and rookie Kiki Iriafen leading the helm. Not to mention, the Mystics will once again be without Aaliyah Edwards and Shakira Austin tonight. At 6'7, Griner should have the clear height advantage tonight against an ailing and young Mystics squad.

Final WNBA Player Prop Betting Prediction: Brittney Griner Over 6.5 Rebounds (-122 FanDuel)

The Mystics were the worst rebounding team in the WNBA last season (31.9 RPG), and that was with Edwards on the court. Not to mention, they allowed the fourth most boards per game with 35.4.

Given Griner has a career average of 7.4 rebounds per game, she grabbed seven rebounds in the Mercury's first matchup with Washington last July. Now in a new system, I'll get a feel for how she will be used in the Dream's system as the season goes on. Last season, Griner soared over 6.5 rebounds in five of the final seven games.

• Tonight, I'm riding with Brittney Griner to record over 6.5 rebounds.