The 2025 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has three total games on Friday night’s slate.
In the early window, we have a pair of games, as the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever meet at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis at 7:30 p.m. ET. Also at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Seattle Storm and Dallas Wings go head-to-head. In the late window, the Phoenix Mercury hosts the Golden State Valkyries at 10:00 p.m. ET. All three games are available for viewing or streaming on ION.
We’ll take a deep dive into Friday’s three contests. Let’s build our bankroll with our best WNBA picks and bets for Friday, August 22nd.
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Friday’s Best WNBA Picks & Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Seattle Storm (-280) at Dallas Wings (+220) | O/U 169 (-110/-110)
The Storm (18-18) and Wings (9-27) square off at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, as these teams meet for the fourth time this season.
Seattle has won two of the first three meetings this season, including its only previous trip to the Metroplex on May 19th, a 79-71 win as 3.5-point favorites. The under (167.5) cashed in that game and is 3-0 this season. It’s 5-0 in the past five meetings in the series. The road team is also 3-0 against the spread (ATS) this season in the three previous matchups.
The Storm heads into this game relatively healthy, which is always a good thing, especially at this juncture of the season. Seattle has won two of the past three games, including back-to-back road victories. However, Seattle is just 2-7 straight up (SU) in the past nine games, while going 1-8 ATS in that span. The over is 5-2 in the past seven games and 7-3 in the previous 10 games, with defense betraying Seattle. The Storm have allowed 78+ points in 10 straight contests, and at least 85 points in eight of those 10 outings.
Dallas is coming off a disappointing 81-80 loss on the road against the Los Angeles Sparks, although it was able to easily cover as an 8-point underdog as the under (182) came through. Rookie Paige Bueckers, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, exploded for a career-high 44 points against the Sparks. Only Maddy Siegrist was also able to reach double digits in points, scoring 13, while adding three blocked shots.
The Wings catching seven points on their home court is very attractive. We’ll take Dallas with the points, and let’s lean towards the under based on the series trends. The Wings didn’t come close to threatening the over against L.A. on Wednesday, and sportsbooks have been pumping up the line for Dallas lately. The over/under has split 2-2 in the past four games at home.
Picks: Wings +7 (-112) & Under 169 Points (-110)
Minnesota Lynx (-280) at Indiana Fever (+220) | O/U 163.5 (-108/-112)
Looking at the Lynx (28-7) and Fever (20-16), we get just the second meeting between these two teams this season. Indiana won 74-59 on July 1st, en route to winning the Commissioner’s Cup in the Twin Cities.
In that title win, the Fever played without Caitlin Clark, and they continue to do so due to a nagging groin injury, which continues to keep the superstar out. Napheesa Collier remained sidelined on Thursday, continuing to miss time due to a sprained right ankle. The MVP frontrunner hasn’t played since August 2nd and is considered questionable for Friday. With Collier likely out again, Jessica Shepard continues to start.
Indiana is coming off a 99-93 overtime victory against Connecticut on the road, but it just missed the cover as 6.5-point favorites. Indiana is just 2-4 SU and 1-5 ATS in its past six games. The over has cashed in the past two games, each coming against losing teams.
Minnesota lost 75-73 in Atlanta on Thursday night. Now, it plays in a back-to-back situation. Minnesota is 3-0 SU and 1-2 ATS in three previous situations playing on no rest this season, with the over cashing in two of those three games.
The Lynx have won six of their past eight, while going 10-3 SU in the past 13. They’re also 8-4-1 ATS in the span, while the under is 4-0-1 in the past five games.
For this game, it really hinges on whether or not Collier plays. We know Indiana is without its superstar. We’ll also side with the under, and let’s take the Fever catching the points. Even though they’re shorthanded, too, if Collier is out, the Fever should at least be able to keep it within three buckets.
Picks: Fever +6.5 (-108) & Under 163.5 Points (-112)
Golden State Valkyries (+172) at Phoenix Mercury (-215) | O/U 154.5 (-110/-110)
The Valkyries (18-17) are right in the mix for a postseason spot in their expansion season, while the Mercury (21-13) play for the second time in two days.
Phoenix was blown out in Las Vegas on Thursday night, falling 83-61, so like Minnesota above, it will be playing in a back-to-back situation. At least Phoenix will be at home. So far this season, Phoenix is 2-0 SU/ATS while cashing the over at a 1-0-1 clip in two games on no rest.
These teams just met in San Francisco on Tuesday night, with the Mercury coming away with a 98-91 victory as 7-point favorites, pushing at most shops. The over (155) easily cashed in that game, too.
In Tuesday’s game, Golden State shot just 41.6% (32-of-77) from the field and 34.3% (12-of-35) from behind the arc. It was also a solid 88.2% (15-of-17) from the free-throw line. However, Phoenix was 49.3% (34-of-69) from the field, 35.5% (11-of-31) from behind the three-point line, which was just a little better, while missing just four times in 23 tries from the free-throw line (82.6%). The big difference was a +11 rebound margin for Phoenix, although Golden State was +7 in the turnover department thanks to nine steals.
Golden State is a top-notch defensive team, ranking No. 1 in defensive field-goal rate (40.8%), while ranking second in points per game allowed (79.7). It is third in the league with a 31.9% three-point rate allowed.
Phoenix has won all three meetings this season, while going 2-0-1 ATS. The over is 2-1 in those meetings, too, including an 86-77 victory as a 6-point favorite with the over cashing (157) in the only previous meeting at PHX Arena.
Let’s back the Mercury to bounce back from Thursday’s beatdown, while going with the over based on the series trends. Phoenix will likely be eager to get on track after an ugly showing in Vegas, too.
Picks: Mercury -4.5 (-112) & Over 154.5 Points (-110)
Joe Williams is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Joe, check out his archive and follow him @winwithjoe.