WNBA first basket picks and predictions for Monday, August 17, 2026

Our WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Monday, August 17, 2026—are live with the Valkyries' Gabby Williams projected as the most likely player to score first.

Dimers’ first basket projections are based on key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily WNBA player projections.

Williams, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale lead Monday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also spotlight tonight's best first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities powered by our upgraded WNBA player props model.

WNBA first basket predictions tonight (August 17, 2026)

• Gabby Williams (Valkyries): 15.7% probability
• Paige Bueckers (Wings): 13.1% probability
• Arike Ogunbowale (Wings): 11.3% probability
• Cecilia Zandalasini (Valkyries): 10.5% probability
• Jessica Shepard (Wings): 10.2% probability
• Veronica Burton (Valkyries): 10.0% probability
• Alanna Smith (Wings): 9.6% probability
• Kayla Thornton (Valkyries): 8.3% probability
• Odyssey Sims (Wings): 5.9% probability
• Kiah Stokes (Valkyries): 5.6% probability

WNBA first basket picks today (August 17, 2026)

• Alanna Smith (Wings): 2.4% edge at +1300
• Arike Ogunbowale (Wings): 2.2% edge at +1000
• Gabby Williams (Valkyries): 0.4% edge at +550
• Veronica Burton (Valkyries): 0.3% edge at +940

Edges represent the difference between model probability and implied odds.

For more insights on prop markets and value plays across the league, explore our full list of WNBA prop bets for 8/17.

Conclusion: Betting on today's WNBA first basket

For Monday, August 17, 2026, Gabby Williams, Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale lead our first basket projections, while Alanna Smith shapes as the strongest value play at +1300. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ WNBA first basket model.

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