There are three games across the WNBA this evening. We will be focusing on some well-known options and one high-return alternative. Here are a few WNBA first basket scorers to consider for Thursday, August 13th.
Go premium to view top prop bets based on Cover Probability, Expected Value & Star Rating >>
Thursday's Best WNBA First Basket Scorer Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Atlanta Dream @ Connecticut Sun
The popular option for this contest is Brittney Griner (+360), and it's absolutely worth a sprinkle given the solid return for a player who has won eight out of 10 opening tip-offs when at home and is an immediate threat in the paint. We are going to dig a little deeper, though, and focus on a player who will more than likely go way under the radar as an option to make the first basket.
Diamond Miller is averaging 14.4 points in her last five games - a 4.9 points per game increase over her season average of 9.5. The third-year guard is showing a much more aggressive style of play as of late - attempting nearly 11 shots per game. Miller offers a massive return on investment (ROI) worth entertaining, given her recent performances and shot volume.
Pick: Diamond Miller (+1100)
Los Angeles Sparks @ New York Liberty
Many immediately go for a home option to score the first basket, and while that does have some merit, it depends on the opponent, tip-off success rate and first-quarter attempts.
However, you have to look at each game separately - especially when trying to predict which player will drop the opening basket of the contest. The Sparks are more than likely going to have trouble keeping up with the Liberty overall in this game. Having said that, they very well could kick things off with a quick bucket from Nneka Ogwumike.
The Sparks forward has scored the first basket on seven occasions in 2026. We can easily envision a scenario where Los Angeles claims the first possession, and the offense immediately puts the ball in Ogwumike’s hands for an open elbow or corner jump shot.
Ogwumike is tied for the second-most first baskets this season. At +700 odds, you're incurring an incredible profit for the highest success rate of all the options in this game.
Pick: Nneka Ogwumike (+700)
Washington Mystics @ Las Vegas Aces
In a contest filled with fantastic options, we will be looking at a player who has been absolutely scorching hot in the first quarter through the last five games. Jackie Young leads the league in the previous five contests, averaging 7.1 first-quarter points. The Aces guard is shooting a blistering 61% from the field over that span.
Young scored 15 points in a matter of two minutes on Tuesday against the Mystics. The Las Vegas guard is a lethal scoring option, highly capable of attacking the rim or pulling up for a jump shot. Young leads the Aces in scoring the last three contests (23.3 points per game) and has scored the first basket in three games this season.
Pick: Jackie Young (+850)
