There is an exciting slate of WNBA games on Friday night. Three matchups highlight some of the most intriguing teams in the league. Let's take a look at some of those matchups for our best WNBA picks for Friday night.
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Friday’s Best WNBA Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Minnesota Lynx at Washington Mystics
Minnesota is continuing a truly dominant WNBA season. They've compiled a 30-7 straight up (SU) record and an equally impressive 21-15-1 against the spread (ATS) mark. What stands out the most about their success is how much of it happens on the road. When you only consider games away from home, Minnesota boasts records of 16-2 SU and 12-6 ATS.
It has been the defense of Minnesota that travels. Their 80.8 points per game (PPG) allowed on the road is five whole points fewer than what they've allowed at home. They allow teams to shoot only 41.1% from the field, while blocking more shots and creating more turnovers.
Washington has been on a bit of a hot streak in August. At 5-2 SU and 4-3 ATS, the Mystics have solidified themselves in the playoff picture with just a handful of games remaining. However, the Lynx, the league's best team, will be the toughest test they've faced all month.
The Lynx force a ton of turnovers and prevent their opponents from making shots. Those are two things that Washington struggles with. They're dead last in the league in turnover rate and have one of the worst effective field goal rates (eFG%) in the league. The most effective part of Washington's offense is their ability to get to the free-throw line, but not fouling is another way that the Lynx typically dominate.
Minnesota is closing in on the first overall seed in the WNBA, and the Mystics are going to try to stand in their way. Both of these defenses are elite, so it wouldn't be surprising to see a low-scoring game. The matchup favors Minnesota, and they should cover on Friday night.
Pick: Lynx -3.5 (-115) & Under 161.5 Points (-114)
Portland Fire at Toronto Tempo
The two expansion teams are starting to wind down their inaugural season. It will be one to forget for both teams, but there is still plenty to play for in these final few games. This is the third matchup of the season between these two teams. Portland dominated both the first two with big double-digit wins and covers.
These are by far the two worst defensive teams in the league. Toronto and Portland rank worst and second-worst in defensive rating in the league, respectively. Both teams struggle to grab defensive boards and foul more than the average team. That gives their opponents opportunities for second-chance points and free throws.
The last game saw the total set to 187.5, with the under cashing. The game ended in a 97-83 Portland win, but on Friday, the Tempo will have Brittney Sykes. She just returned on Tuesday after missing over two months and scored 15 points. Before the injury, Sykes had a three-game stretch in which she scored 83 points. Her presence will be felt on offense.
This game won't mean much in the grand scheme of the 2026 WNBA season, but that doesn't mean there isn't an edge. These are the two worst defensive teams in the league, but the total is only 183.5. I'll be taking the over and hoping for a high-scoring affair.
Pick: Over 183.5 Points (-104)
