Aug 18, 2026
WNBA player props today: Tuesday's best props include Sabrina Ionescu [8/18/2026]
Read Article WNBA first basket picks and predictions for Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Updated: | First published:
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Written by Nick Slade, Chief Content Officer
Get first basket predictions today guided by expert analysis of WNBA slate on 8/18.
Our WNBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Tuesday, August 18, 2026—are live with the Fever's Kelsey Mitchell projected as the most likely player to score first.
Dimers’ first basket projections are based on detailed first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily WNBA player projections.
Mitchell, Kamilla Cardoso and Brittney Griner lead Tuesday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also highlight tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
WNBA first basket predictions tonight (August 18, 2026)
- Kelsey Mitchell (Fever): 15.5% probability
- Kamilla Cardoso (Sky): 15.5% probability
- Brittney Griner (Sun): 14.9% probability
- A'ja Wilson (Aces): 14.7% probability
- Allisha Gray (Dream): 14.2% probability
- Dearica Hamby (Sparks): 13.6% probability
- Jackie Young (Aces): 12.2% probability
- Nneka Ogwumike (Sparks): 12.1% probability
- Marina Mabrey (Tempo): 12.0% probability
- Aliyah Boston (Fever): 12.0% probability
- Breanna Stewart (Liberty): 11.7% probability
- Caitlin Clark (Fever): 11.7% probability
- Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty): 11.2% probability
- Isabelle Harrison (Tempo): 11.2% probability
- Olivia Nelson-Ododa (Sun): 11.1% probability
- Angel Reese (Dream): 11.0% probability
- Jonquel Jones (Liberty): 11.0% probability
- Brittney Sykes (Tempo): 10.9% probability
- Rae Burrell (Sparks): 10.7% probability
- Azura Stevens (Sky): 10.4% probability
- Leila Lacan (Sun): 9.9% probability
- NaLyssa Smith (Aces): 9.8% probability
- Rhyne Howard (Dream): 9.6% probability
- Courtney Vandersloot (Sky): 9.2% probability
- Diamond Miller (Sun): 9.2% probability
- Laura Juskaite (Tempo): 8.9% probability
- Pauline Astier (Liberty): 8.7% probability
- Natasha Cloud (Sky): 8.7% probability
- Naz Hillmon (Dream): 8.6% probability
- Erica Wheeler (Sparks): 8.1% probability
- Chelsea Gray (Aces): 7.6% probability
- Rebecca Allen (Liberty): 7.5% probability
- Kiki Rice (Tempo): 7.1% probability
- Makayla Timpson (Fever): 6.8% probability
- Jordin Canada (Dream): 6.6% probability
- Jacy Sheldon (Sky): 6.2% probability
- Stephanie Talbot (Aces): 5.7% probability
- Ariel Atkins (Sparks): 5.6% probability
- Charlisse Leger-Walker (Sun): 4.9% probability
- Lexie Hull (Fever): 4.0% probability
WNBA first basket picks today (August 18, 2026)
- Rae Burrell (Sparks): 2.4% edge at +1100
- Courtney Vandersloot (Sky): 2.1% edge at +1300
- Natasha Cloud (Sky): 2.0% edge at +1400
- Naz Hillmon (Dream): 1.9% edge at +1400
- Erica Wheeler (Sparks): 1.8% edge at +1500
- Chelsea Gray (Aces): 1.7% edge at +1600
- Pauline Astier (Liberty): 1.5% edge at +1300
- Stephanie Talbot (Aces): 1.4% edge at +2200
- Kelsey Mitchell (Fever): 1.2% edge at +600
- Dearica Hamby (Sparks): 1.1% edge at +700
- Allisha Gray (Dream): 0.9% edge at +650
- Laura Juskaite (Tempo): 0.5% edge at +1100
- Jacy Sheldon (Sky): 0.4% edge at +1600
- Rebecca Allen (Liberty): 0.3% edge at +1300
- Ariel Atkins (Sparks): 0.3% edge at +1800
- Isabelle Harrison (Tempo): 0.0% edge at +800
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 8/18.
Conclusion: Betting on today's WNBA first basket
For Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Kelsey Mitchell, Kamilla Cardoso and Brittney Griner lead our first basket projections, while Rae Burrell shapes as the strongest value play at +1100. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ WNBA first basket model.
For guidance on safer wagering habits, explore our Responsible Gambling resources.
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Nick Slade, with nearly two decades of experience, is the Chief Content Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, overseeing content for Dimers. He specializes in soccer, NBA, and NHL betting, leveraging predictive analytics and machine learning to provide accurate betting insights.
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