Sunday’s WNBA action kicks off early at 1 p.m. EST with the Connecticut Sun taking on the Seattle Storm in the first game of a five-game slate. The Storm are slight underdogs as they head to the northeast for a non-conference WNBA showdown with the Connecticut Sun. This game is MADE for points to be scored. Let’s dive into the picks for Sunday, Sept. 1!
The Fever and Wings are both top five in the league in pace, and Indiana has been running the floor in a big way since starting 1-8 on the season. Over the last 15 games, the Fever are third in pace in the W (Dallas is actually No. 1), and it ranks No. 1 in the league in offensive rating. Dallas ranks No. 2 in offensive rating over that stretch, but it is also the worst defensive team in the WNBA over that stretch. Again, a perfect recipe for an OVER.
With Satou Sabally back, Dallas has the offensive punch to compete with the Fever, and on top of that, it has won three games in a row by scoring 113, 93 and 94 points in those games. The OVER is 20-12 in Indiana’s games and 20-11 in Dallas’ games. Let’s root for points between these electric offenses on Sunday.
The Dream are just a game out of the No. 8 seed, and they have a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Sparks (2-8 in their last 10 games) on Sunday. The Sparks did upset the New York Liberty in their last game, but they rank dead last in the WNBA in net rating over their last 15 games and are down key players in Lexie Brown and Cameron Brink.
The Dream have been elite on the road (10-5 against the spread) while the Sparks are just 5-9-1 against the spread at home. I can’t get behind the Sparks – even off a massive upset – to win again when the Dream are fighting for a playoff spot.
However, Olympian Alyssa Thomas suffered an ankle injury in Connecticut’s tough away victory over Washington, and its celebrated defense may not look the same if Thomas doesn’t suit up for today’s clash.
Read on for why my Storm vs. Sun predictions and WNBA picks expect Seattle to come out on top when these two meet on September 1.
Storm vs. Sun Predictions and Picks
My best bet Storm moneyline (+110 at bet365)
My analysis The Seattle Storm have struggled to win games since the break but meet a Connecticut Sun group playing their second clash in less than 24 hours. The Storm have nights when they score the basketball well and other nights when they can’t seem to hit the ocean from inside a boat. That’s why the Storm are only 2-4 since the Olympic Games break, but Seattle battles hard, and a day’s rest gives it a slight edge in this matchup.
We saw how the Storm defense held the Sun to 61 points on June 23, limiting Connecticut to 37% shooting from the field and a miserable 14% from downtown. Seattle committed 15 turnovers yet dished 23 assists, and while it was edged on the offensive glass, it beat the Sun in transition and won by 11.
The Storm may catch the Sun a bit flat. They're coming off an 11-point away win over Washington, but star guard Alyssa Thomas played only seven minutes before exiting with an ankle injury. She failed to return, and while listed as questionable, she’ll be less than 100% even if she suits up. I expect the Storm to come out firing today. Silly mistakes caused Seattle to lose two of its past three, but the visitors are plenty capable with big-time scorers, and the Connecticut defense might not be as stout playing two games on zero days’ rest.
WNBA Betting Trends
The Sun are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games playing on zero days' rest. Find more WNBA betting trends for Storm vs. Sun.
WNBA Injury Reports
Storm: No injuries to report. Sun: Alyssa Thomas F (Questionable).Find our latest WNBA injury reports.
WNBA Viewing Guide
It’s a busy five-game Sunday slate in the WNBA, with rookie sensations Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese both in action.
The Sun face the Storm on the second night of a back-to-back, as they look to fend off the Minnesota Lynx for the #2 seed. Alyssa Thomas injured her knee yesterday and missed most of the game, and her status for today’s game is undetermined.
Meanwhile the Storm are just 2-4 since the Olympic break. Frustrations mounted in a loss to the Mystics last month, with Skylar Diggins-Smith calling out the team’s effort. A win against one of the league’s most consistent teams in the Connecticut Sun could be big.
The Sky have dropped five consecutive games but are somehow holding onto the final playoff spot since the Dream haven’t been winning much, either. The Lynx were surging after the Olympic break — winners of 7 straight games — but suffered an uncharacteristic blowout loss to the Dallas Wings on Friday. Napheesa Collier and the rest of the team will look to bounce back against Ange Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, and the Sky.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are shooting up the standings. They’ll look to make it four consecutive wins against the Wings on Sunday afternoon.
Dallas, on the other hand, has had a disappointing season but racked up a big win against the Lynx on Friday. They’re effectively out of the playoff race, but have looked like a different team with Satou Sablly back in the lineup, most recently winning three straight games.
Can the Aces return to championship form? Las Vegas has had a disappointing season, but still have the #4 seed and will be a formidable opponent come playoff time. Despite the monster season by Kahleah Copper, the Mercury have hovered around .500 all year, and have lost
The Dream are in the home stretch of a playoff push — and the Sky have certainly opened the door, having lost 7 of their last 8 games. But, Atlanta hasn’t quite taken advantage — they’re lost four straight games themselves, though Tina Charles has seemingly turned back the clock. Charles had 28 points and 8 rebounds in a loss to the Fever last Monday, and followed that up with a 19-point, 17-rebound, 10-assists triple-double in a loss to the Storm on Wednesday.
The Sparks have been the league’s worst team, and they snapped a 7-game losing streak with a win against the Liberty on Wednesday. This game doesn’t have real implications for Los Angeles, besides for it serving as another opportunity for rookie standout Rickea Jackson to continue demonstrating her improved play.
All five games will be on WNBA League Pass, as well as each team’s local broadcast.
WNBA Betting Lines and Odds
Seattle Storm vs. Connecticut Sun
Line: Sun -1.5 O/U: 154.5
Minnesota Lynx vs. Chicago Sky
Line: Lynx -11.5 O/U: 158.5
Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings
Line: Fever -3.0 O/U: 182.5
Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury
Line: Aces -3.5 O/U: 168.0
Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks
Line: Dream -3.5 O/U: 162.5
WNBA DFS Picks and Lineup Tips
DraftKings
Gray is likely to thrive against the Sparks, who give up the league's second-most points per game to opposing guards. Collier stuffed the stat sheet in her last encounter with the Sky, totaling 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, four steals and three blocks. Howard is averaging 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks over two meetings with the Sparks this season.
Value Picks
FanDuel
Wilson has a favorable matchup against the Mercury, who give up the league's third-most points and third-most rebounds per game to opposing forwards. Boston is up for a great opportunity to stand out versus the Wings, who give up the league's most points and highest field-goal percentage to opposing centers. Smith should also shine against the Wings, who give up the league's most points per game to opposing forwards.
Value Picks
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