WNBA Picks & Predictions: Friday (5/22)
It's still early, but the WNBA is getting off to another fantastic start. With star players and elite teams playing every night, there is always plenty of action to bet on. Here are some best bets for Friday's games.
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Friday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever
Last year, the expansion Valkyries were one of the best ATS teams in the league. Early on in the 2026 season we're seeing a similar trend. They've started off 2-1 with an average of +2.2. Their defense is again elite and they're one of the best teams in the league at turning their opponents over. That should give them a bit of an edge over a Fever team that has not been taking care of the ball this season.
The Fever have averaged 14.4 TOPG through their first five games and that has led to a disappointing ATS start of 2-3, including a 1-3 record at home. This isn't anything new, the Fever were overvalued often last year too. At 20-23-1 they were in the bottom half of the league last year in ATS record.
When these two teams squared off last year it was all Golden State. The Valkyries won and covered in all three contests despite being underdogs. Again, it was the defense that led the way. The Fever managed to score only 67 PPG on 35.7% FG%. We just saw the Valkyries hold a good Chicago Sky offense to 69 points so we know they're more than capable of handling Indiana again.
The Fever remain an overvalued team, especially at home. Last year's trends seem to be playing out again in 2026. I'll back the Valkyries in a defensive matchup to do what they did all last season and dominate the Fever.
Picks: Valkyries +6.5 (-105) & Under 168.5 Total Points (-105)
Dallas Wings at Atlanta Dream
These two teams played last week in a game where Atlanta pulled out a 77-72 win. The Wings, who have been one of the best offensive teams, played easily their worst offensive game of the early season. They managed only 14 assists, 10 below their season average. They also shot a putrid 15.4% 3P%, despite a 36.9% clip during the season. Was this just a blip for the best young offense in the league, or are the Dream a bad matchup? Looking deeper at this Dream team, it appears to be the latter.
The Dream have been a really strong defensive team. They have the best defensive 3P% in the league at a stunning 26.8%. They also only average allowing 18.7 APG which is one of the six lowest marks in the league. Their defensive rating is best in the WNBA as they hold teams to a low FG%, grab defensive boards at one of the highest rates in the league, and rarely foul.
There has been a clear correction to the total after going under by over 30 points in last week's game. Dallas has scored 96 PPG in their four games against other opponents but managed 72 in their worst offensive output of the season. That had a lot more to do with Atlanta's defense than just a bad game. There is every reason to believe we get a similar result and this game still goes under despite the correction.
Pick: Under 172.5 Total Points (-110)