Looking for today’s WNBA picks? Below, you’ll find our Women’s National Basketball Association predictions for today’s slate, including moneyline picks, point spread picks, total picks, best bets, and quick game-by-game analysis. We update this page daily with the latest WNBA betting picks and track our running record throughout the season.
Today’s WNBA Picks — August 17, 2026
Monday gives us a one-game WNBA slate, with the Dallas Wings visiting the Golden State Valkyries at Chase Center. Golden State enters at 24-9 and riding a five-game winning streak, while Dallas is 20-15 and has lost four of its last five. Golden State has also beaten Dallas twice already this season, 91-80 and 94-76.
| Game | Moneyline Pick | Spread Pick | Total Pick | Best Bet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Wings vs Golden State Valkyries | Golden State Valkyries ML | Golden State -6.5 | Over 162.5 | ✅ Yes |
Lines used: Golden State -6.5 with a total of 162.5. Market numbers can move before the 10:00 p.m. ET tip, so the playable ranges matter here.
WNBA Best Bet of the Day
Best Bet: Golden State Valkyries -6.5
Golden State is playing like one of the most trustworthy teams in the league right now. The Valkyries have won five straight and 14 of their last 16, and their most recent performance was a convincing 91-71 victory over Chicago. More importantly for this wager, Golden State has already demonstrated that its style causes major problems for Dallas. The Valkyries won the first meeting 91-80 and then went into Dallas on August 7 and delivered an even more convincing 94-76 victory.
Dallas’ overall 20-15 record is respectable, but the recent direction is considerably less encouraging. The Wings are only 1-4 over their last five and most recently lost 98-87 at Indiana. Their season-long offence remains productive at roughly 89 points per game, but Dallas has allowed 86.6 per game and carries a negative matchup against Golden State’s defence and ability to turn mistakes into efficient possessions.
The availability report strengthens the Golden State side slightly as well. Dallas will be without Azzi Fudd and Aziaha James, although Jessica Shepard is probable. Golden State has Janelle Salaün listed as questionable with a knee issue. The injury uncertainty keeps me from wanting to chase Golden State much beyond the current number, but -6.5 is playable. I would still consider -7, but -7.5 starts taking away some of the value.
Dallas Wings vs Golden State Valkyries Pick
Picks: Golden State Valkyries ML, Golden State -6.5 and Over 162.5.
Golden State enters at 24-9 and is coming off a 91-71 victory over Chicago. That extended the Valkyries’ winning streak to five games, and they have now won 14 of their last 16 overall. Their identity remains defence, disciplined half-court execution and depth rather than simply trying to win shootouts. Golden State allows only about 77 points per game this season while producing 83.5 offensively.
Dallas comes in at 20-15 after losing 98-87 to Indiana. The Wings can certainly score enough to make Golden State work — Dallas averages 89.0 points per game with a 112.5 offensive rating — but the defensive side has been far less dependable, with opponents averaging 86.6. That becomes especially concerning against a Golden State team that doesn’t need huge individual performances to create separation.
The matchup history is perhaps the strongest argument for laying the points. Golden State has won five consecutive regular-season meetings against Dallas and is 2-0 against the Wings this year. The margins in this season’s meetings have been 11 and 18 points, both comfortably beyond Monday’s 6.5-point spread.
I therefore prefer Golden State -6.5 over simply taking the moneyline. Dallas has enough offensive talent to make stretches of this competitive, but Golden State’s defence, home court and superior recent consistency should eventually create separation.
The Over 162.5 is a little less comfortable than the side, but I still lean that direction. The first two meetings produced 171 and 170 combined points, both clearing Monday’s number. Dallas has also recently been involved in games reaching 185 against Indiana and 193 against Minnesota. Golden State doesn’t play at an extreme offensive pace, but Dallas’ defensive profile gives the Valkyries a realistic path into the upper 80s.
My projected scoring range is roughly Golden State 86-89, Dallas 77-81, putting the most likely combined score around 163-170. That makes Over 162.5 playable, but unlike Golden State -6.5, I wouldn’t chase this total aggressively. Over 162.5 is good; Over 165.5 would be a pass.
Final Betting Card
Golden State Valkyries ML — WIN lean
Golden State Valkyries -6.5 — BEST BET ✅
Over 162.5 — Lean/Play
Projected Score: Golden State Valkyries 87, Dallas Wings 79
That gives us a 166-point projection, Golden State winning by eight and all three selections landing, with Valkyries -6.5 clearly the strongest wager on Monday’s one-game WNBA card.
WNBA Picks Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Overall WNBA Picks | 147-104-0 |
| Moneyline Picks | 67-24-0 |
| Spread Picks | 52-39-0 |
| Total Picks | 43-44-0 |
| WNBA Best Bets | 20-8-0 |
How to Bet WNBA Games
WNBA betting primarily focuses on three major markets: the moneyline, point spread, and game total.
A moneyline bet is simply a wager on which team will win the game outright. This market is popular when one team has a clear advantage or when bettors believe an underdog has value to pull off the upset.
A point spread bet levels the playing field by giving the favorite a handicap or the underdog extra points. If the favorite is listed at -6.5, it must win by at least seven points to cover the spread. Underdogs can lose the game but still cash the bet if they stay within the posted number.
A total bet, also known as the over/under, focuses on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors choose whether they expect the final score to finish over or under the sportsbook’s posted total.
What We Consider When Making WNBA Picks
Our WNBA predictions are based on a variety of important handicapping factors, including offensive and defensive efficiency, recent form, home and road performance, rest advantages, travel situations, pace of play, rebounding, turnover trends, injuries when available, and overall betting market value.
Because WNBA betting lines can move throughout the day as injury reports and lineup news become available, odds may change before tip-off. We always recommend comparing the latest numbers before placing a wager.
WNBA Betting Tips
The WNBA season is long, and consistency is far more important than chasing individual wins or losses. Successful bettors understand that no betting system wins every game, which makes bankroll management essential throughout the season.
Rather than increasing wager sizes after losses, keep your betting units consistent and evaluate performance over a large sample of games. Shopping for the best available odds and waiting for favorable line movement can also improve long-term profitability.
The goal isn’t to win every bet—it is to consistently identify value throughout the entire WNBA season.
Responsible Gambling Reminder
Sports betting should always be treated as entertainment rather than guaranteed income. Never wager more than you can comfortably afford to lose, avoid chasing losses, and take a break if betting stops being enjoyable. Responsible bankroll management is one of the most important parts of long-term sports betting success.
WNBA Picks FAQ
Are these WNBA picks updated daily?
Yes. We update this page every day throughout the WNBA season with today’s moneyline picks, point spread picks, total picks, best bets, and game-by-game analysis.
Do you cover every WNBA game?
Yes. Whenever a full WNBA slate is available, we aim to provide predictions for every scheduled game, including a moneyline pick, spread pick, total pick, and brief betting analysis.
What is the best WNBA bet today?
Our highest-rated wager is featured near the top of the page in the WNBA Best Bet of the Day section.
Do you track WNBA betting results?
Yes. We maintain an updated record of our overall WNBA picks, moneyline picks, spread picks, totals, and best bets so readers can evaluate our long-term performance.
What is the best way to bet on WNBA games?
The most popular WNBA betting markets are moneylines, point spreads, and game totals. New bettors often begin with moneyline wagers before expanding into spreads and totals as they gain experience.
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