May 21, 2026
WNBA first basket picks and predictions for Thursday, May 21, 2026
Read Article Tempo vs. Lynx prediction: Why Minnesota is favored to win Thursday's WNBA matchup [5/21/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Mac Douglass, Senior Editor
Get Toronto Tempo vs Minnesota Lynx predictions for WNBA Thursday.
The Minnesota Lynx and Toronto Tempo are scheduled to meet in the WNBA at Target Center on Thursday, starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations, Dimers' advanced WNBA model projects the Lynx as the most likely winner of the Tempo vs. Lynx game.
The Lynx, led by Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams and Natasha Howard, are set to take on the Tempo, featuring Brittney Sykes, Marina Mabrey and Kiki Rice.
This article offers further insights into Thursday's matchup, including best bets and player prop picks.
Tempo vs. Lynx prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using powerful machine learning and statistical analysis, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's WNBA game between the Tempo and Lynx, forming part of our WNBA predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model gives the Lynx a 67% chance of defeating the Tempo.
According to our model, the Tempo (+6.5) have a 57% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 172.5 points has a 63% chance of staying under.
Tempo vs. Lynx odds
We have sourced the best WNBA odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Tempo | Lynx |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +6.5 (-108) | -6.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | +220 | -250 |
| Total | o172.5 (-115) | u172.5 (-105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Tempo vs. Lynx picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Tempo +6.5 | -108 |
| Moneyline | Tempo | +220 |
| Total | Under 172.5 | -105 |
According to our best WNBA bets, the top play to make on this game is Under 172.5 total points.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Tempo vs. Lynx player props
WNBA prop bets are a popular way to wager on Thursday's Toronto vs. Minnesota game without necessarily betting on the outcome. We have crunched the numbers to project how each team's leading players will perform at Target Center.
Brittney Sykes is expected to lead the Tempo with 15 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists, while Kayla McBride is projected to have 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists for the Lynx.
Check out our WNBA player projections for a full range of projected box scores, including points, assists, rebounds and today's WNBA first basket picks.
Tempo prediction
Our model's projected player stats for the Tempo are:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brittney Sykes | 15 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 30 |
| Marina Mabrey | 15 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 29 |
| Kiki Rice | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 23 |
| Laura Juskaite | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 25 |
| Maria Conde | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 |
Lynx prediction
Projected points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers made for the Lynx:
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | 3PM | DFS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kayla McBride | 15 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 29 |
| C. Williams | 15 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 38 |
| Natasha Howard | 14 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 33 |
| Olivia Miles | 14 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 33 |
| Nia Coffey | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 27 |
Tempo vs. Lynx game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's action between the Lynx and Tempo at Target Center is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM ET.
- Who: Toronto Tempo vs. Minnesota Lynx
- Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
- Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00PM PT
- Venue: Target Center
Conclusion
We predict the Lynx, with a 67% win probability, will likely beat the Tempo in Thursday's WNBA matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
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Mac Douglass specializes in NFL previews for the NFC South and NFC East, MLB best bets, Formula 1 race previews, and professional tennis insights. Combining predictive simulations and data-driven sports analysis, Mac provides in-depth content to elevate the betting experience for sports fans.
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