There are three games in the WNBA this evening. We will focus on two well-known options and one very high-return option from an alternative source. Here are a few WNBA first basket scorers to consider for Thursday, August 20th.
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)
Indiana Fever @ Dallas Wings
The popular options for this contest will be Aliyah Boston (+600), Jessica Shepard (+600) and Caitlin Clark (+650). While all three are tremendous candidates, we are going to dig a little deeper and focus on a player who will more than likely go way under the radar. Makayla Timpson has taken a massive step forward in minutes and usage, while gaining self-assurance in her role on the floor.
Timpson is averaging 8.5 points through the last six games - a 3.6-point-per-game increase from a season average of 4.9. The young center is also experiencing a massive increase in minutes since being inserted into the starting lineup.
Timpson is showing a much more confident and aggressive style of play as of late - attempting 6.5 shots per game. The Fever center offers a massive return on investment ROI worth entertaining, given the fact that she is now being used in 13.2% of the team's offense.
Pick: Makayla Timpson (+1000)
Connecticut Sun @ Las Vegas Aces
Jackie Young (+440) returned a massive +850 profit for us last Thursday, and as much as going back to the well makes complete logical sense in this contest, we are going to pivot in a different direction tonight.
NaLyssa Smith may not be the first player who initially comes to mind, considering Las Vegas scoring is predominantly carried by two driving forces in A'ja Wilson (+330) and Young. Having said that, Smith could be an immediate target either off the tip-off or after a first possession miss from Connecticut.
Smith's odds indicate how much confidence the sportsbooks have in the veteran forward. She has only made the first basket on three occasions. Yet, for some reason, the odds are expecting her to be one of the strongest possibilities to sink the first basket. today
Las Vegas has connected on the first field goal in 60% of contests this season. When Connecticut allows the first score of the game, 40% of the time it is from the forward spot - the most of all positions.
Pick: NaLyssa Smith (+550)
Atlanta Dream @ Los Angeles Sparks
The Madame President of the WNBA, Nneka Ogwumike, decided to address the league, the Los Angeles Sparks and all her fans and state that 2026 will be her last season in a storied career of achievements. With the sudden, yet possibly expected news, we are going to take a different approach in this contest.
The Los Angeles Sparks could have trouble keeping up with the Dream overall in this game. Having said that, the Sparks very well could look to kick things off by getting the ball to Ogwumike for the first attempt.
The Sparks forward has scored the first basket in eight games, the second-most in the league. At +600, you're incurring an incredible profit for the highest success rate of all the options in this game. Atlanta leads the WNBA in first baskets allowed with 20.
Pick: Nneka Ogwumike (+600)
